Diffusing Essential Oils
by Cheryl L. McClure
Don't you love the smell of flowers when you are walking through a rose garden or the scent of a sweet almond bush or even spearmint or lavender when you brush against it? Hmmm, how about fresh oranges??? Gotta love it!
I used to have candles galore but have eliminated almost all of them, only saving some for power outages or for decoration and ambiance. I'm done with any type of commercial spray air fresheners or waxy plug-in type candles with chemical "fragrance", opting in for a more natural approach to scenting my home.
Using any type of essential oil diffuser in the home not only makes it smell wonderful but it can add health benefits into the air that I breathe. Since I am using pure therapeutic grade essential oils (and a pure carrier oil with a reed diffuser), I'm not bringing harmful chemicals into my home. That being said, I still want to be sure to keep diffusers away from children and pets especially because they could be messy if they get tipped over!
I used to have candles galore but have eliminated almost all of them, only saving some for power outages or for decoration and ambiance. I'm done with any type of commercial spray air fresheners or waxy plug-in type candles with chemical "fragrance", opting in for a more natural approach to scenting my home.
Using any type of essential oil diffuser in the home not only makes it smell wonderful but it can add health benefits into the air that I breathe. Since I am using pure therapeutic grade essential oils (and a pure carrier oil with a reed diffuser), I'm not bringing harmful chemicals into my home. That being said, I still want to be sure to keep diffusers away from children and pets especially because they could be messy if they get tipped over!
By far, my new favorite plug-in diffuser is the Dewdrop Diffuser which is available by itself or in a Premium Starter Kit through this link> Young Living. These operate strictly with filtered water and pure therapeutic grade essential oils. I have additional diffusers for different rooms, including a Sain Sonic which sends the vapor out at an angle rather than straight up. These are both excellent ways to introduce essential oils into our home.
Make Your Own Reed Diffuser
Have you ever wanted to make your own diffuser? This type of diffuser is not at all overpowering so it's better for very small areas, like on my desk or in a small bathroom. So, I decided to experiment and make my own Reed Diffuser and share how you can make one too. This is also perfect for gift giving!!
Actually, I was thinking that for skin care, you could use it as a dispenser because the reeds could act as an applicator. You would use the carrier oil and oil of choice that is good for skin care, like Lavender or Frankincense. Then when you turn the reeds over just allow some of the oil to drip on your hands and apply where desired. Just leave out the alcohol and you will have a pure mix on hand and a little scent to go along with it.
Actually, I was thinking that for skin care, you could use it as a dispenser because the reeds could act as an applicator. You would use the carrier oil and oil of choice that is good for skin care, like Lavender or Frankincense. Then when you turn the reeds over just allow some of the oil to drip on your hands and apply where desired. Just leave out the alcohol and you will have a pure mix on hand and a little scent to go along with it.
Here's what to use:
Add your carrier oil, (alcohol if desired) and essential oils to the container and stir thoroughly.
Place diffuser sticks into container and let sit several hours till the oil starts to wick up, then flip. You will want to continue to flip the sticks and stir every few days to refresh and then replace the sticks when the scent has diminished.
- Small glass container. I had a little glass Braniff decanter from years ago!
- 6 rattan reed diffuser sticks. (Links for items can be located at the bottom of this page.)
- 1/4 cup pure sweet almond oil (carrier oil).
- Optional teaspoon of rubbing alcohol (90%).
- 20 drops of essential oils. Find the purist essential oils> HERE.
Add your carrier oil, (alcohol if desired) and essential oils to the container and stir thoroughly.
Place diffuser sticks into container and let sit several hours till the oil starts to wick up, then flip. You will want to continue to flip the sticks and stir every few days to refresh and then replace the sticks when the scent has diminished.
Scent combinations
There are so many possibilities!! What's your favorite single oil? If you prefer a blend, mix it up with equal drops of each to make 20 drops total. Add a few more if you want it stronger.
Calming combinations:
Uplifting combinations:
Fall/Winter combinations:
Calming combinations:
- Lavender + Cedarwood + Peace & Calming
- Lavender + Roman Chamomile + Vetiver
- Frankincense + Vetiver
- Roman Chamomile + Bergamot + Frankincense
Uplifting combinations:
- Cinnamon + Orange + Clove
- Rosemary + Purification + Orange
- Thieves + Citrus Fresh
- Peppermint + Orange
Fall/Winter combinations:
- Idaho Blue Spruce + White Fir
- RC + Eucalyptus
- Clove + Orange + Cinnamon
Notes:
There may be a common misconception about diffuser sticks, at least in my opinion. I thought bamboo skewers would work but they didn't because the way bamboo grows, it stops the oils from wicking up past each node.
I finally had success when I used rattan reeds. So, do yourself a favor and use rattan diffuser reeds! I got mine through Amazon and was very happy when they were delivered sooner than I thought they would.
There may be a common misconception about diffuser sticks, at least in my opinion. I thought bamboo skewers would work but they didn't because the way bamboo grows, it stops the oils from wicking up past each node.
I finally had success when I used rattan reeds. So, do yourself a favor and use rattan diffuser reeds! I got mine through Amazon and was very happy when they were delivered sooner than I thought they would.
This is what I started out with but then decided to use a smaller vessel for my diffuser. The larger container would use a half cup of Sweet Almond Oil.
The best vessel for your reed diffuser is one where the opening is smaller than the bottom. This will slow evaporation. You could check at thrift stores or you might already have something that you can repurpose saving more $.
This is what I ended up with after looking around for something I already had - two choices of styles and different sizes.
A larger vessel, of course will require more oil and longer sticks, so just do the math to fill your larger diffuser. You will want the sticks to be at least twice as tall as the entire container.
Different carrier oils could work as well, like fractionated coconut oil or safflower oil. The oil just needs to be light enough to carry the essential oils with it up the reed. Note that olive oil or jojoba oil may be heavier and will take longer to saturate. (I wouldn't try that). I'm too impatient for that so here I am with Sweet Almond Oil. :)
Different carrier oils could work as well, like fractionated coconut oil or safflower oil. The oil just needs to be light enough to carry the essential oils with it up the reed. Note that olive oil or jojoba oil may be heavier and will take longer to saturate. (I wouldn't try that). I'm too impatient for that so here I am with Sweet Almond Oil. :)
Other Diffusing Ideas
- Use dried flower petals or lavender and after the fresh scent is gone you can add drops of your favorite essential oil to stir in and revive the smell. I have a whole glass pot of rose petal leaves that works great for that! And then I have my handy little spade to stir it with.
- I have not tried this but I read that using water in place of the carrier oil is another alternative to try with your reeds in a reed diffuser. If the scent is not sufficient, you could always put that mixture in a little spray bottle and use as an air spray! I do that anyway with Purification and water. Works like a charm when our dog shows up smelling like a skunk!! He's really good about getting into skunk trouble!
- Try adding a cup of rice in a bowl and add some drops of pure essential oil to it. Catch a whiff of the scent as you walk by.
- Diffuse essential oils into your clothes by adding a few drops to your wool dryer balls. They will come out of the dryer smelling fresh!
- Sew a five inch fabric square. Add rice and 10-15 drops of essential oils, then sew it up. After setting a hot plate or a hot cup of coffee on it, the heat makes the scent disperse into the air.
- Put that same square filled with rice and EOs in your car! I have used one of those on the dash of my car and when the sun shines on it, it releases the scent. If you really wanted to be industrious, sew a zipper in, to access the rice and replenish the oil.
Get creative and come up with different ways to disperse your essential oils into the air. Have fun and enjoy!!
Happy Oiling!
Cheryl @ Pickle Creek Ranch
#essentialoils #youngliving #reeddiffuser #diffuser #DIY #MYO #Braniff #rosepetals #rice #air
Amazon doesn't charge you extra when you use the following links, but I may be compensated a little if you buy through my links here! That's great for both of us! Thank you!
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