Creating Aroma Oils And Reeds: A Beginner's Guide

Reed diffusers are a great way to fill your home with your favourite scent. They are easy to make and much cheaper than buying one. All you need is a glass or ceramic container with a narrow opening, essential oils, carrier oil (or water and alcohol), and reed sticks.

First, find a suitable container for your reeds. You can use glass, ceramic, stainless steel, earthenware, or wood, but avoid plastic as essential oils can react with it. The container should be about five to ten inches tall with a small opening to minimise evaporation.

Next, choose your essential oil or oils. Make sure they are 100% concentration for a strong scent. You can use just one oil or combine two or more complementary scents.

Then, select a carrier oil such as safflower or almond oil, or use water mixed with a splash of alcohol that is at least 90% concentration.

Now you're ready to assemble your diffuser. Measure out 1/4 cup of carrier oil (or water and alcohol) and add 25-30 drops of essential oil. Stir to combine, then pour the mixture into your container. Add 4-8 reed sticks, fanning them out for maximum effectiveness.

After an hour, flip the reeds so that the dry ends are in the oil. This will help to kickstart the scent diffusion. From now on, flip the reeds every three or four days to prevent them from drying out. You should also swirl the oil mixture once a week to keep it well combined.

When the scent starts to fade, top up the oil mixture and replace the reeds. If you're using water and alcohol, you may need to do this more frequently.

And that's it! You now have a natural, safe, and inexpensive way to fragrance your home.

Choosing the right container

You can find suitable containers at thrift stores, craft stores, or even around your home. Old perfume bottles, small oil bottles, small vases, spice jars, and shakers can all be repurposed for this project. If you have a jar with a cork top, you can drill a hole in the cork to create a smaller opening. This will help to slow down the evaporation of the oils.

When choosing a container, consider the size and height of the reed sticks you will be using. The container should be tall enough so that the reed sticks can stand upright with several inches or centimetres protruding from the top. The reed sticks should be at least double the height of the container for optimal scent distribution.

In addition to the size and material of the container, you should also consider the colour and design. You can get creative by matching the container to the colours of your room or decorating the outside to suit your taste.

Selecting the right reeds

• Opt for Rattan Reeds: Rattan reeds are the most popular choice for reed diffusers. They contain small channels that help the aroma oil travel up the stick and effectively scent the room.
• Avoid Bamboo Skewers: While bamboo skewers may be readily available, they are not porous enough for effective diffusion. The oils will not travel up the skewers easily, resulting in a weaker scent.
• Length and Height: Choose reeds that are about twice as tall as your jar or container. This ensures that the reeds can distribute the scent well and enhances the overall aesthetic.
• Porosity and Absorbency: Look for reeds with good absorbency and porosity. This allows the reeds to effectively draw and wick the aroma oil, facilitating better diffusion.
• Width and Thickness: While not as critical as height, the width and thickness of the reeds can impact the diffusion rate. Thinner reeds may absorb and release the oil more quickly, while thicker reeds may provide a slower, more gradual release.
• Colour and Design: Reeds come in various colours and designs, from natural wood hues to vibrant shades. Choose a colour that complements your aroma oil and the décor of your space.
• Quality and Durability: Invest in high-quality reeds to ensure durability and avoid quick deterioration. Well-made reeds will provide a more consistent and prolonged aromatic experience.

By selecting the right reeds, you can maximise the performance of your aroma oil and create a pleasant and fragrant atmosphere in your home or workspace.

Picking the right essential oils

There are dozens of essential oils, all with different fragrances and chemical makeups. The best essential oil for you depends on what symptoms you're looking to ease and which fragrances you prefer.

• Lavender oil: The lavender scent is often used to help relieve stress and anxiety and promote good sleep.
• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil, also called melaleuca, is commonly used for acne, athlete's foot, and insect bites.
• Peppermint oil: Peppermint essential oil may help relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and tension headaches when applied topically.
• Lemon oil: The citrusy scent of lemon oil is often used as a mood booster and in homemade cleaning products.

When choosing essential oils, it's important to consider quality. Evaluate the company and look for pure essential oils without added ingredients. Choose dark-colored glass containers, as pure essential oils can dissolve plastic bottles over time. Avoid "fragrance oils," which are made from chemicals or a combination of essential oils and chemicals. Compare prices, as essential oils should have a wide variety of prices within a line.

You can also create your own unique blends by mixing different essential oils. For example, you could try combining peppermint and wild orange, lavender and lemon, or cinnamon and wild orange.

Choosing a carrier oil

When making aroma oils and reeds, choosing the right carrier oil is crucial to ensure your diffuser works effectively and that your desired scent is not compromised. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a carrier oil:

Fragrance Neutrality

The carrier oil should ideally have a neutral scent so as not to interfere with the aroma of the essential oils used in the diffuser. Oils such as fractionated coconut oil, safflower oil, and sweet almond oil are known for their neutral aroma and are commonly used as carrier oils.

Viscosity

The viscosity or thickness of the carrier oil is an important factor. The carrier oil should be thin and have a low viscosity to travel up the reeds easily. Oils such as fractionated coconut oil, safflower oil, and grapeseed oil are known for their thin consistency and ability to flow smoothly through the reeds.

Evaporation Rate

The evaporation rate of the carrier oil will affect how long the scent lasts. Look for carrier oils with a slow evaporation rate to prolong the diffusion of the essential oil scent. Oils such as fractionated coconut oil and safflower oil are known for their slow evaporation rate.

Colour

The colour of the carrier oil can be important, especially if you want to create a specific aesthetic or if you're using a clear glass container. For example, fractionated coconut oil provides a nice clear base, while sweet almond oil has a beautiful shade of honey brown that pairs well with spicy and earthy scents.

Skin and Hair Benefits

Some carrier oils have additional benefits, such as being good for skin and hair. For example, fractionated coconut oil is excellent for skin moisturization and hair conditioning, while Moroccan argan oil is renowned for its skin rejuvenation properties.

Allergy Considerations

If you or anyone who will be exposed to the diffuser has nut allergies, avoid nut-derived oils such as sweet almond oil, marula oil, apricot kernel oil, and Moroccan argan oil. Instead, opt for non-nut-based oils like fractionated coconut oil or grapeseed oil.

Longevity

Consider how long you want your diffuser to last. Some carrier oils, like sweet almond oil, may spoil faster, especially if the diffuser allows more air into the mixture. Oils with a slower evaporation rate and a longer shelf life, like grapeseed oil or rosehip oil, will require less frequent changes.

Experimentation

Feel free to experiment with different carrier oils to find the one that works best for you. You can even create custom blends by mixing different carrier oils to achieve your desired fragrance profile. However, avoid using heavy, strongly scented oils like olive oil or sesame oil, as they may overpower the fragrance of the essential oils.

Combining the ingredients

To make your own aroma oil and reeds, you will need to gather the following ingredients:

• A glass or ceramic container with a narrow opening at the top.
• Essential oils of your choice.
• A base oil such as sweet almond oil, safflower oil, or sunflower oil. You can also use vodka and water, but this may evaporate more quickly.
• Reeds or bamboo skewers.

Once you have gathered your ingredients, follow these steps to combine them and create your aroma oil and reeds:

• Prepare your base mixture by mixing the base oil and essential oils. If using an oil base, blend 30% essential oil with 70% base oil. If using vodka and water, add approximately 12 drops of essential oil to 1/4 cup of water, then add a small amount of vodka.
• Pour the base mixture into your chosen container.
• Add the reeds or bamboo skewers to the container, allowing them to saturate in the oil mixture.
• After an hour or so, flip the reeds or skewers and insert the dry ends into the oil to saturate them completely.
• Continue to flip the reeds or skewers every few days to refresh the scent.
• Replace the oil mixture and reeds as needed. The oil should be replaced when it has evaporated or diminished, and the reeds should be replaced when they become completely saturated and lose their ability to diffuse the scent.

Frequently asked questions