Reed Diffusers 101: Everything You Need to Know
Reed diffusers are one of those simple little luxuries that make a space feel more like home. They don’t ask for much — just a corner of your shelf and a little air to move around — yet they can transform the atmosphere of a room. I often get asked how they compare to candles, what’s actually in the bottle, or which scent to choose, so I’ve gathered the most common questions here in a little guide.
What’s the difference between a reed diffuser and a candle?
A candle and a reed diffuser might seem like they do the same thing — fill a room with scent — but they actually work in quite different ways. A candle releases fragrance when the flame warms the wax and gently vaporises the essential oils. This gives you a richer, more immediate hit of aroma, but only while the candle is lit.
A reed diffuser, on the other hand, doesn’t need a flame. It’s a simple system of natural reeds drawing up a concentrated blend of essential oils, releasing scent slowly into the air 24 hours a day. Because the oils are more concentrated than in a candle, the diffuser can work continuously without needing heat. The result is a more subtle and consistent background fragrance — less of a burst, more of a steady hum.
What’s in the bottle?
Pure essential oils dissolved in a non toxic base, and nothing else. Just nature’s best scented ingredients, working their magic.
Here in my barn studio in Co. Wicklow I make seven signature blends of essential oils, used across my candles, tealights and diffusers.
You’ll find the same blends available in each format, so if you fall in love with a particular scent you can enjoy it in more than one way. That said, you may notice subtle differences depending on whether the blend is in a candle or a diffuser. Heat changes how certain oils reveal themselves — a candle often brings out the warmer, deeper notes, while a diffuser tends to highlight the fresher, lighter tones. To me, that’s part of the charm: the same blend, two slightly different personalities.
Should I choose a candle or a diffuser?
Many people love diffusers for spaces where they don’t want to worry about a naked flame (bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways) or for creating a constant sense of atmosphere. Candles feel a little more ritualistic and special. Diffusers are more of a set-it-and-forget-it companion: always there, always welcoming. In the end, it’s less about either/or and more about the mood you want to create. Think of a diffuser as the background music and a candle as the solo performance.
How do I use my diffuser?
It’s very simple:
Remove the cap from the glass bottle.
Place the bundle of reeds into the oil. I usually dip the reeds in to coat one end in the oil and flip them straight away. That way you get a lovely waft of scent right from the start. After that, you only need to flip them every so often to boost the scent if you wish.
Place the bottle somewhere safe — ideally on a shelf or table where it won’t be knocked over, and with enough air movement for the fragrance to gently circulate.
That’s it! Your diffuser doesn’t need any heat or flame — it just quietly gets on with its work.
How Long Do They Last?
On average, up to 3 months. Each reed diffuser is made with almost three times the concentration of essential oils as my candles, so they can gently scent your space 24/7 for weeks on end.
Because every oil has its own character, you may notice that some blends last a little longer than others. Light, citrusy oils (like grapefruit or mint) are naturally more volatile, which means they evaporate more quickly. Heavier notes such as florals, woods and spices tend to linger for longer, giving you a slightly extended lifespan.
You’ll also get the best from your diffuser if you place it somewhere with good air circulation but out of direct sunlight or strong heat, which can dry it out more quickly.
Are they safe?
Yes. Diffusers are flame-free, low-maintenance, and safe to leave working in the background all day and night. They’re a lovely option for spaces where you wouldn’t want to leave a candle burning, like bedrooms or hallways.
All of mine are made with only pure essential oils and a non-toxic base — nothing synthetic or harsh. Many conventional home-fragrance products rely on artificial perfumes or solvents, which can sometimes feel overwhelming or even cause headaches. With these, it’s just nature’s ingredients, blended with care, so they’re kind to your space as well as your senses.
As with any product made with essential oils, it’s best to keep your diffuser out of reach of pets and small children, and to avoid placing it directly on polished or delicate surfaces without a coaster underneath.
What if the scent fades?
It’s completely normal for your nose to get used to a fragrance after a while. If you feel like the scent has disappeared, try:
Flipping the reeds: Every so often, turn the reeds upside down to refresh them and help the scent travel through the room more evenly.
Changing location: Move your diffuser to another space. A change of airflow can help the fragrance feel more noticeable again (and it gives your nose a chance to “reset” too).
If you’ve had your diffuser for several months, it may simply be reaching the end of its life — in which case it’s time for a replacement or a new blend.
Which scent should I choose?
Come with me for a quick tour of the five oil blends I make in my little studio.
They can be divided into: two citrus options, two floral options, one great all rounder and two seasonally spiced blends.
Citrus Blends — The refreshing mood lifters
Grapefruit Bergamot: Joyful and juicy – a blend of citrus fruits that is like sunshine you can smell.
Mint Lemongrass: Aromatic and energising. Like brushing past herbs in the garden – fresh and full of life.
Floral Blends — The quietly cheerful companions
Rosewood Lavender: Soft, summery and cheerfully reassuring. The relaxing scent of a garden in bloom and nowhere to be.
Geranium Vetiver: Earthy, fragrant, and a little bit mysterious. Like good advice from an old friend; grounding but never dull.
Something fresh, green and slightly unexpected
Lemongrass Laurel: Herbal, and quietly powerful. For me, this blend in diffuser form always evokes the vibe of ‘expensive hotel hobby’.
Seasonally Spiced Blends — The cosy winter warmers
Cardamom Spruce: A festive forest walk in a bottle. Bright evergreen notes are laced with the gentle warmth of cardamom, making it both refreshing and comforting.
Cinnamon Cedarwood: All the glow of a winter hearth. Cinnamon’s spicy sweetness meets the grounding depth of cedarwood, creating a blend that feels nostalgic and cosy.
Can I refill my diffuser?
At the moment I don’t offer refills. As a one-woman studio, the logistics of collecting, washing and reusing bottles just isn’t something I can manage alongside making all the products by hand. It’s important to me that everything I send out is fresh, clean and ready to use — and refilling bottles on a small scale just doesn’t quite fit with that.
What I do encourage is re-using your empty diffuser bottles at home: many people give them a second life as little bud vases, or tiny jars for treasures. And of course, they can also be recycled.
Further Questions?
If you’ve got questions I didn’t cover, send me a message, I’m always happy to help 🌿
