Make Your Own Aroma Stick Diffuser At Home

Reed diffusers are a great way to fill your home with a scent you love. They are simple to make and can be customised to your favourite scent. All you need is a glass or ceramic container with a narrow opening, essential oils of your choice, a light oil like apricot kernel oil or safflower oil, and diffuser reeds or bamboo skewers. Mix your essential oils with your light oil, pour the mixture into your container, and place the reeds inside. Flip the reeds every few days to refresh the scent.

Choosing the right base oil

When making an aroma stick diffuser, it's important to choose the right base oil to ensure the reeds absorb the oil effectively and that the scent is distributed properly. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a base oil:

• Viscosity: Choose a base oil that is thin and has low viscosity so it can travel up the reeds easily. Oils like grapeseed, safflower, and sweet almond oil are commonly used due to their light consistency. Avoid using thick oils like coconut oil or jojoba oil, as they may clog the reeds.
• Fragrance: Opt for a base oil with little to no fragrance of its own, so it doesn't overpower or interfere with the scent of your chosen essential oils. Grapeseed oil, safflower oil, and sesame oil are good options as they have mild or no fragrance.
• Colour: Consider the colour of the base oil, especially if you have a specific theme or colour scheme in mind for your diffuser. For example, green rooms might benefit from a green-coloured essential oil like Juniper Berry or Scotch Pine, paired with a complementary base oil colour.
• Shelf Life: Choose a base oil with a long shelf life to avoid frequent replacements. Oils like apricot kernel oil and rosehip oil have relatively long shelf lives, while almond oil tends to spoil faster.
• Grapeseed Oil: This oil has ideal absorption characteristics and a vaguely fruity aroma. It blends well with citrusy essential oils like orange, lemon, and grapefruit. The oil has a green colour, which can be paired with green-coloured essential oils for a cohesive look.
• Safflower Oil: Safflower oil is thin, scentless, and clear to slightly yellow in appearance. It won't interfere with the fragrance of your chosen essential oils and is a good option for a neutral colour scheme.
• Sesame Oil: When selecting sesame oil, opt for the light variety, which has a slight golden colour and a milder scent. The dark variety has a more pungent fragrance and a darker colour.
• Apricot Kernel Oil: Apricot kernel oil has a light consistency and a slight apricot scent. It flows easily into the reeds and has a long shelf life. However, it is derived from nuts, so people with nut allergies should exercise caution.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet almond oil is commonly used as a base oil due to its light consistency and mild fragrance. It blends well with essential oils like cinnamon and lavender. However, it is also derived from nuts, so use with caution if nut allergies are a concern.

Using a water base

To make an aroma stick diffuser with a water base, you will need a narrow-necked bottle or jar, bamboo skewers or diffuser reeds, essential oil, water, and a small amount of vodka or rubbing alcohol.

First, decorate your bottle or jar if you wish. Then, add 1/2 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of vodka or rubbing alcohol to your bottle or jar, along with 15-40 drops of your chosen essential oil. If you want to add a drop of food colouring, you can do so now. Put the stopper on your bottle or jar and give it a shake.

Next, cut the pointy ends off your bamboo skewers, if you are using them, and place them in the bottle. It may take a few hours for the oil to travel up the skewer. Turn the skewers over every few days to strengthen the smell.

To refill your oil diffuser, make another batch when the oil mixture has gone. If you change the scent, replace the reeds.

Selecting the right reeds

• Material: The most common material for diffuser reeds is rattan. Rattan is highly porous and contains small channels that help the oil travel up the stick efficiently. This allows the fragrance to be effectively distributed into the air. Alternatively, you can use bamboo skewers, but ensure they are porous enough for the oil to wick properly.
• Length and Quantity: Opt for reeds that are about twice as tall as your diffuser jar. This ensures proper distribution of the scent. The number of reeds you use will depend on your desired fragrance strength. Using more reeds will result in a stronger scent.
• Width: The width of the reeds can impact the evaporation rate of the oil. If you use reeds with a thicker diameter, they will absorb more oil and may result in a stronger fragrance.
• Quality: Look for reeds that are well-made and of good quality. Avoid reeds that appear flimsy or poorly constructed, as they may not last long or function optimally.
• Colour: The colour of the reeds is mostly an aesthetic choice. Natural reeds are typically a light tan colour, but you can also find reeds in various colours to match your diffuser jar or home decor.

When selecting reeds, it's important to ensure they are compatible with the type of oil you are using. Some oils may be too thick to travel effectively through certain reeds. Experiment with different types of reeds and oils to find the best combination for your aroma stick diffuser.

Essential oil combinations

Essential oils are a great way to create a natural, fresh scent in your home. You can either keep it simple with one or two essential oils, or get creative and experiment with different oil blends to create lovely aromatic concoctions. Here are some essential oil combinations to try:

• Lavender and Vetiver: These oils are popular natural remedies for promoting sleep and relaxation.
• Ginger and Peppermint: This combination is renowned for its remarkable ability to alleviate nausea and promote digestive comfort.
• Lavender and Bergamot: These oils are like sunshine in a bottle, offering a delightful way to uplift spirits and promote feelings of happiness and positivity.
• Lavender and Sandalwood: These oils are revered for their profound ability to create a serene and tranquil atmosphere, making them a perfect pair for calming the mind and enhancing meditation practices.
• Lemon and Peppermint: Lemon essential oil has a refreshing and uplifting citrus aroma, while peppermint essential oil is known for its energizing and invigorating effects.
• Rosemary and Peppermint: Rosemary is known for its energizing and stimulating properties, while peppermint is known for its ability to help improve concentration.
• Sweet Marjoram and Orange: Sweet marjoram oil has a warm, spicy, and herbal scent, while orange oil has a sweet, citrusy scent.
• Clary Sage and Frankincense: Clary sage oil has a sweet, nutty, and musky scent, while frankincense oil has a woody, earthy, and spicy scent.
• Lemon and Tea Tree: Lemon oil has a fresh, citrusy, and fruity scent, while tea tree oil has a warm, spicy, and medicinal scent.
• Eucalyptus and Lavender: Eucalyptus oil has a fresh, herbal, and slightly woody scent, while lavender oil has a sweet, floral, and herbal scent.
• Cedarwood and Rose: Cedarwood oil has a warm, woody, and balsamic scent, while rose oil has a sweet, floral, and romantic scent.
• Bergamot and Lavender: Bergamot oil has a bright and citrusy fragrance, while lavender oil has a gentle floral aroma.

Replenishing the oil supply

Once the aroma stick diffuser oil supply is running low, you will need to replenish it. The scent coming from the diffuser is noticeable, but not overwhelmingly strong, so you will need to top it up from time to time. The frequency of replenishment depends on the type of essential oils, container, and carrier oil you are using.

To make more diffuser oil, simply blend a carrier oil with up to 40 drops of your favourite essential oil(s). Start with less essential oil and add a bit more until you get an intensity that you like. If you are using a water base, you will need to add a little vodka to the mix. The vodka helps mix the essential oils with the water. Remember, oil and water do not mix without an agent to help them. That's where the vodka comes in.

When using water, you only need up to 15 drops of essential oils. You can also use an oil base, in which case you will blend a mix of 30% essential oil to 70% base oil. You can experiment with the percentages to see what works best for you.

Frequently asked questions