Lance Carson
Reed diffusers are a great way to fill your home with your favourite scent. They are easy to make, customisable, and much cheaper than store-bought diffusers. With a few household items, you can make your own diffuser with perfume. You will need a glass or ceramic vase or jar with a narrow neck, bamboo skewers or reeds, and a combination of base oil, alcohol, and your chosen perfume or essential oil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To spread the aroma of essential oils throughout a home, deodorizing and purifying the air, making a room smell great, and lifting the mood |
| Container | Glass or ceramic vase or jar with a narrow opening at the top to prevent evaporation |
| Base liquid | Alcohol (ethanol or vodka), water, or oil (sweet almond, safflower, jojoba, mineral, or carrier oil) |
| Scent | Essential oils, perfume, or a blend of oils and perfumes |
| Diffuser medium | Wooden skewers, bamboo skewers, or special diffuser reeds (rattan reeds) |
| Other materials | Funnel, scissors or utility knife |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a container
It is also important to consider the material of the container. Glass or ceramic containers are recommended, with a preference for those that are glazed inside to prevent leakage. Additionally, the container should be attractive, as it will become a decorative feature of the room.
When choosing a container, it is also worth considering its size. The container should be able to hold approximately 1/4 cup of oil, with additional room for other ingredients such as alcohol or water. It should also be able to accommodate the diffuser reeds or skewers, with a preference for a small number of reeds or skewers over a large bunch.
Overall, the key considerations when choosing a container for a homemade diffuser are the size and shape of the opening, the material and glaze of the container, its aesthetic appeal, and its capacity to hold the required amount of liquid and reeds/skewers.
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Selecting a base liquid
Alcohol and Water:
Alcohol evaporates faster than water, making it effective in drawing the scent up through the reeds. A combination of alcohol and water won't leave a greasy mess if it spills. Vodka is a popular choice for this mixture. However, keep in mind that vodka will evaporate more quickly than an oil-based base, requiring more frequent refills. To make this base, mix 1/4 cup of hot tap water with 1/4 cup of alcohol (rubbing alcohol or vodka) and 20-25 drops of your chosen essential oil or perfume. For a stronger scent, you can increase the ratio of alcohol to water.
Carrier Oils:
Carrier oils, such as sweet almond oil or safflower oil, are commonly used as base liquids in diffusers. These oils have minimal scents of their own, allowing the fragrance of your perfume to shine through. They are also thinner in consistency, making them ideal for even diffusion through the reeds. To use a carrier oil, mix 1/4 cup of the oil with 2-3 tablespoons of vodka or alcohol and add a generous amount of your chosen perfume.
Other Light Oils:
In addition to sweet almond and safflower oils, you can explore other light oils as base liquids. Jojoba oil, mineral oil, and even some bath and body oils can be used. However, it is important to avoid oils that are too thick, such as virgin coconut oil, as they may not diffuse effectively through the reeds. If you choose this option, mix 1/4 cup of your chosen light oil with a small amount of alcohol (1-2 tablespoons) to help thin the oil and facilitate its travel up the reeds.
When selecting a base liquid, it's important to consider the evaporation rate, the potential for mess, and the compatibility of the liquid with your chosen perfume or essential oil. Experiment with different base liquids and ratios to find the combination that works best for your diffuser and provides the desired fragrance strength.
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Adding alcohol
To make your own diffuser with perfume, you'll need a jar or bottle with a small opening at the top, such as an old perfume bottle. You'll also need a lightweight carrier oil, such as coconut oil, sweet almond oil, safflower oil, or jojoba oil, and your choice of essential oils or perfume. Finally, you'll need alcohol to help bind the ingredients together and facilitate diffusion.
When selecting alcohol for your diffuser, opt for a high concentration of at least 90%. Suitable types of alcohol include perfumer's alcohol, rubbing alcohol (also known as surgical spirits), vodka, or witch hazel. Keep in mind that the smell of rubbing alcohol may adversely affect the fragrance of your essential oils or perfume, so consider using vodka or another type of alcohol with a more neutral scent.
Prepare your diffuser by adding about a quarter of a cup of the carrier oil to your container. Then, add your desired amount of essential oil or perfume. The general guideline is to add 20 to 30 drops of essential oil, but adjust the quantity to suit your preference for fragrance strength. Remember that the scent in the bottle should be stronger than you want in the room, as it will need to carry through the space.
After adding your fragrance, include a dash of alcohol. The amount can vary from one teaspoon to two tablespoons, depending on your specific mixture and desired consistency. The alcohol will help bind the oil and fragrance, allowing them to travel more effectively through the diffuser reeds.
Once you've added all the ingredients, cap the bottle and shake it well to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed. If you're using reeds, insert them into the bottle, ensuring they are new and have not been previously used. You can also add bamboo skewers to the bottle if it has a narrow neck. Remember to secure the lid when the diffuser is not in use to prevent evaporation.
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Using perfume
Perfumes can be used to make a homemade diffuser. You can use an old perfume bottle as a diffuser vase. Look for a bottle that is slightly wider at the base and has a small opening at the top to prevent excess evaporation of the liquid. You can also use an old perfume bottle as a vase for your diffuser.
To make the diffuser oil, you can use perfume as your fragrance. The base oil can be any light oil, such as sweet almond, safflower, jojoba, or similar. You can also use an old body oil. Add your chosen base oil to your reed diffuser bottle, along with a little carrier oil and your perfume. You can experiment with the percentages of base oil to perfume to see what works best for you. A ratio of 30% perfume to 70% base oil is a good starting point.
You can also add a small amount of alcohol (such as vodka) to the oil mixture to help thin the oils and bind them together so they can travel up the reeds more effectively. Use alcohol that is at least 90% proof. You can also add a small amount of water to the mixture, but be aware that this may cause it to evaporate more quickly.
Add your diffuser reeds or bamboo skewers to the vase. You can purchase reeds online, or use bamboo skewers from the kitchen or craft room, cutting off the pointy ends before use. Place three to six reeds or skewers in the vase, cutting them down to size if needed for ascetic reasons or to increase stability. Rotate the reeds or skewers each month, dipping the dry ends into the liquid, until they no longer diffuse fragrance, at which point they will need to be replaced.
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Placing the reeds
When placing the reeds, it is important to use a vase or bottle that is slightly wider at the base and has a small opening at the top to prevent excessive evaporation of the liquid. You can use an old perfume bottle, a small oil bottle, a small vase, a spice jar, or a shaker. Commercial diffusers usually use rattan reeds because they contain small channels that help the oil travel up the stick to scent the room.
Place three to six wooden skewers or reeds into the vase. You can also use bamboo skewers, but be sure to cut off the pointy ends first with scissors or a utility knife. Diffuser reeds function better than wooden skewers, but wooden skewers are much more affordable and can be easily purchased at a grocery store. If you are using bamboo skewers, be cautious when cutting them, as a dull blade or scissors may cause them to splinter and leave a jagged edge.
The number of reeds you use will depend on the size of your vase. You may want to cut the reeds so that they only stick out of the vase by 4 to 6 inches for aesthetic reasons and increased stability, especially if your vase is not very sturdy.
Once your reeds are in place, you can begin to use your diffuser. Rotate the reeds so that the dry end goes into the liquid, and then back out of the liquid the next time. Continue rotating the reeds each month until they no longer diffuse the fragrance, which typically takes four to six months. If you want to boost the scent before the reeds need to be replaced, simply remove the reeds and turn them over.
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Frequently asked questions
Making your own diffuser is quick and easy, and allows you to create a completely customised scent. It is also much cheaper than buying a diffuser, as you can use household items and perfume you already own.
You will need a small vase or glass bottle, preferably with a narrow opening at the top to prevent evaporation. You will also need wooden skewers or reeds, a base oil (such as sweet almond or safflower oil), and alcohol (either perfumer's alcohol or rubbing alcohol).
First, add 1/4 cup of your chosen base oil to the vase or bottle. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of alcohol to the vase or bottle. Finally, add 20-25 drops of your chosen perfume or essential oil. Place 3-6 wooden skewers or reeds into the vase, and rotate them every month to refresh the scent.
To make your diffuser smell stronger, try using a higher concentration of alcohol (at least 90%) to help the scent travel up the reeds more effectively. You can also experiment with different percentages of base oil and perfume to find the right balance for your desired scent strength.
When choosing an essential oil, avoid citrus oils as they tend to evaporate faster. Instead, opt for oils like lavender, ginger, cinnamon, cedar, or sandalwood, which have more staying power. You can also combine different oils to create a unique fragrance. However, if you have pets, be sure to research whether your chosen oil is considered toxic to animals.
