How to make a reed diffuser – with essential oils

Making a reed diffuser at home isn't just quick and easy, it's also a good way to ensure you get the fragrance mix you want just right while ensuring all the ingredients are eco-friendly. 

Here, author, photographer and blogger Jen Chillingsworth shows how the best reed diffusers can be made at home.

'A simple and effective way to scent your home is to make your own reed diffuser using essential oils,' says Jen. 'These diffusers can be safely left to release a gentle fragrance over time. Citrus oils are ideal as they have a light scent that is both fresh and reviving. Alternatively, lavender is relaxing and perfect for bedrooms.'

Jen Chillingsworth

Jen Chillingsworth is the author of Green Living: A Sustainable Guide to a More Intentional Life (opens in new tab). Green Living (opens in new tab) is follow up to her best-selling book Live Green. Her second book is a practical guide to living life more thoughtfully, and includes a collection of changes you can make to your home and lifestyle over the course of a year, from making your own cleaning products to giving up plastic.

How to make a reed diffuser

Reed diffusers are one of the best ways to make your home smell nice. Below, we take you through the simple process of making a reed diffuser. This will make one reed diffuser bottle, but you can easily multiply the ingredients to make more, adjusting the reed diffuser oil mix as you go to suit the spaces.

You will need: 

• 1 small glass bottle with a narrow neck (Ed: Amazon sells these reed diffuser bottles (opens in new tab))
• 3-5 bamboo skewers (or use natural fiber diffuser reeds) (Ed: Amazon sells these natural rattan diffuser reeds (opens in new tab))
• Scissors
• 125ml sweet almond oil (Ed: Amazon sells this organic sweet almond oil (opens in new tab))
• 30 drops essential oil (if using a blend, divide by the number of oils you are using, eg, 15 lavender, 15 lemon) (Ed: This organic essential diffuser oils set is Amazon's top seller (opens in new tab))

1. Rinse the reed diffuser bottle

Wash the bottle in warm, soapy water. Rinse, then leave to air dry.

2. Make the reed diffuser oil

Pour the almond oil into the bottle. Add 30 drops of your chosen essential oil or blend.

3. Insert a single reed

Using the scissors, remove the pointy end from each bamboo skewer. Insert one bamboo skewer into the bottle and stir to combine.

4. Put in the remaining skewers

Pop the remaining skewers into the bottle and leave for several hours.

5. Display the finished result

Lift all three skewers out, turn them upside down and place the unscented ends into the bottle, leaving the scented ends on display.

6. Repeat and refresh

Repeat this last step every two to three days. Refresh the oil and essential oils once a month.

How do you make reed diffuser oil?

Mix favorite blends, such as chamomile and orange, eucalyptus and lemon, rose geranium and lavender, rosemary, sage and lavender with your carrier oil until you have the right fragrance blend and strength to suit your senses.

What is the best carrier oil for reed diffusers?

Author of Green Living Jen Chillingsworth recommends using sweet almond oil as the best carrier oil for reed diffusers, though you can also use fractioned coconut oil or safflower oil.