Essential oils have been around for centuries. These oils are simply compounds extracted from plants that work to capture the plant’s ‘essence’, scent and flavor.
The oils often have healing or calming properties, and can be used as a room spray, in a diffuser or inhaled to soothe the senses.
One of the most common ways of utilizing the power of essential oils is with a diffuser. Diffusers come in many different shapes and forms, and can be used in various ways.
So, what exactly is an essential oil diffuser, and how do we use them? Read on to find out.
What Is An Essential Oil Diffuser?
Essential oil diffusers are a means of diffusing the oil and dispersing it into the air around you, so that you can take in the scent and enjoy the healing properties of the oil.
As mentioned before, essential oil diffusers come in many different forms.
You will find ultrasonic diffusers, nebulizing diffusers, passive diffusers such as reed diffusers, and heat diffusers.
Ultrasonics are by far the most popular and well known type of diffuser, that use electricity to trigger discs that vibrate, breaking the oils into small particles that mix with water to create a mist that is dispersed into the air.
These diffusers are by far the most effective, and you can find them here.
Whereas passive diffusers are simply made up of reeds dipped in the essential oil so that the wood absorbs the oil and disperses it into the room.
These are typically cheaper and easier to use as you simply place the reeds inside the bottle. Find one here.
Heat diffusers are similar to wax melt burners, where you simply place small candles underneath a sort of bowl filled with the essential oil to heat it and let it melt into the air. Find your own essential oil burner here.
No matter what kind of essential oil diffuser you use, they mostly work by breaking down essential oils into smaller molecules so that they can be dispersed into the air and enjoyed.
How To Use An Essential Oil Diffuser
Using an essential oil diffuser depends on what type you have.
As mentioned above, an essential oil burner is simple, as you place a tealight candle in the bottom of the burner, and a few drops of the oil into the bowl on the top, and leave the oil to disperse naturally into the air.
In a similar way, a reed diffuser is also very easy to use, as you place the reeds or wooden sticks into the bottle filled with the oil, and let the sticks absorb the oil, sending it up into the air and filling the room with beautiful scents.
Ultrasonic diffusers are slightly more technical, as these diffusers use ultrasonic technology in order to create essential oil mists. Ultrasonic oil diffusers plug into the wall into a standard electrical outlet.
But, you’ll need to fill it up first. Ultrasonic diffusers will have a small well inside for you to fill up the water tank. Whatever diffuser brand you use, it will have a line inside of the tank for you to follow.
Some recommend not using tap water as this can cause a mineral build up inside of the machine, so you may want to use filtered water for the best results.
Then, you’ll want to add your essential oils. If you can’t decide which fragrances you like best, then why not use a selection or mix your own together.
We recommend using anywhere between three and fifteen drops, depending on the level of aroma you like.
Once you’ve added the water and the drops, you’ll need to ensure your diffuser is sealed. Then, find the perfect spot near an electrical outlet to plug in your diffuser. Place it in a living room, bedroom or bathroom for the best results. Then, plug it in, and switch it on.
Some models have continuous settings where the mist will spray for 15 minutes to 30 minutes or an hour, depending on your preference, and others may have night lights that you can turn on too. Switch it on, and enjoy the sweet aroma of your favorite essential oils!
How Many Drops Of Essential Oil Do You Put In A Diffuser?
For the most part, you should only be using about 4-5 drops of essential oil per 100ml diffuser. This is so the oil does not overpower the water, and the scent becomes too strong.
It is best to use it for the first time with fewer drops, and see how it goes, and if you want a stronger scent, then add more as needed.
Do You Have To Use Water In An Oil Diffuser?
If it is an ultrasonic diffuser, then you will need to use water, as this combines with the oil to create a mist that can be diffused into the air and fill the room.
You will have to open the inner compartment of your diffuser, and fill up the water tank to the recommended line. This will ensure that it works effectively and does not get overloaded.
How Long Should You Run An Essential Oil Diffuser?
It is recommended that you only run an oil diffuser continuously for about 15 to 20 minutes, however some have timer settings for 30 minutes or more.
Typically speaking, 30 minutes is enough time to fill the room with the aroma and scent of the oil, to the point where it is not overwhelming or sickly.
If you’re unsure how long to run the diffuser for, then take a look at the manual to see if there are timer settings available.
How Often Should You Clean Your Diffuser?
To keep your diffuser in the best shape for longer, it is best that you clean out the tank after every use, particularly if you plan on changing the oil scents for the next use.
At the very least, you should be cleaning out the tank once a month to ensure that there is no oil or debris build up that could damage the internal components of the tank or diffuser.
Summary
To summarize, essential oils are a great way to fill the space with beautiful scents that enthrall the senses and soothe the mind. You can use relaxing oils, rejuvenating oils, or simply the ones you love the smell of. All you’ll need is a diffuser.
With our guide, you should now know what diffusers are available and how you can use them to keep your home smelling fresh and clean all of the time!
Hi, my name is Hannah Shiftle, and I started using essential oils 15 years ago. At first, I was dubious of them, much like a lot of people. However, as I began to use them on a daily basis, I quickly discovered how much of a difference they had on both my physical and mental health.
Through Oil Health Benefits, I will be sharing my knowledge and passion for essential oils with you, providing readers with all the information they need to know. From the best oils to use for illnesses, to understanding what makes essential oils pure, I have covered all these topics.
