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. 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 will fill an entire room with scent, but only while it’s lighting. A reed diffuser on the other hand, creates a small area of scent in it’s immediate vicinity that is constantly present for weeks.
What’s in the bottle?
Pure essential oils dissolved in a non toxic, petrochemical free 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.
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.
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, 6-8 weeks. 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 a long time.
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 again.
Changing location: Often we can become ‘noseblind’ to scents that are always in the same spot. Try moving your diffuser to a new location to surprise your nose.
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 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. And of course, they can also be recycled.
Further Questions?
Here is a handy post that gives a quick walk through the characteristics of each format to help you choose between candles, tealights and diffusers.
If you’ve got questions I didn’t cover, send me a message, I’m always happy to help 🌿
