DIY Reed Diffuser For Less Than $5 And In Less Than 5 Mins

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This DIY reed diffuser is a great natural air freshener for your home and it’s a lot cheaper than store-bought. Freshen your home naturally.

Reed oil diffusers (otherwise known as stick diffusers) look chic and make your home smell great.

There are just two problems.

Store-bought diffusers are usually full of artificial fragrances and the nicer ones cost a small fortune.

A natural reed diffuser that you make yourself is just as nice (if not better) but at a fraction of the cost.

What’s more, not only can you make a reed diffuser yourself, it will take you less than 5 minutes to whip up and you probably have all the ingredients already at home.

Homemade diffusers also make great inexpensive gifts.

diy reed diffuser

Making your Own Reed Diffuser

Making a read diffuser is very easy. It’s a 5 minute craft that uses simple ingredients.

The first thing you need is a bottle. A narrow neck bottle is best and you can pick these up cheaply from the $2 shop.

You can also just use an old diffuser bottle! No need to buy expensive reed diffuser refill, just make your own personalised blend using the instructions below.

Alternatively, a recycled jar will work in a pinch. Just know that the liquid will evaporate more quickly.

The next thing you need are the reeds. You can use bamboo skewers if you have them. Just cut off the pointy tips. Some people argue that the bamboo skewers don’t absorb the oil as well as other options. These are a great option if you use a water base.

You can also use craft sticks, which you can pick up in discount stores cheaply or at craft stores.

If you would like to use the ‘proper’ reed diffuser sticks, you can buy diffuser reeds very cheaply on Amazon.

As well as the bottle and reeds, you will need essential oils to scent your DIY diffuser and a carrier oil to diffuse the essential oils.

Essential oils are supposed to have beneficial properties, so these homemade diffusers are more than just a lovely ambient scent in your home.  They may also impart the aromatherapy benefits of the oils you select as well.

Reed Diffuser Carrier Oils

You have two options for the carrier liquid when making your own reed diffuser.

You can use an oil base or water base to diffuse your essential oils.

If you choose an oil base, the best carrier oil for reed diffusers include:

These oils tend to be thin oils which is important as the thinner the oil, the more easily it will travel up the reeds and diffuse the scent.

Fractionated coconut oil is the thinnest oil, safflower oil is another great option, but canola oil will work if that’s what’s in your cupboard.

You can also use mineral oil/unscented baby oil. Just be aware that this is a petroleum bi-product if you’re trying to stay natural.

How to Make Reed Diffuser Oil

DIY diffuser oil is made by blending a carrier oil with up to 40 drops your favourite essential oil(s). Start with less essential oil and add a bit more until you get an intensity that you like.

Water Base Reed Diffuser

If you choose a water base, you will need to add a little vodka to the mix. The vodka helps mix the essential oils with the water. Remember oil and water don’t mix without an agent to help them. That’s where the vodka comes in.

The upside of water is that it’s cheaper and thinner than oil, so it will travel readily up the reeds. This is great if you use the bamboo diffuser sticks or craft sticks.

The downside is that you will also need some vodka (or unscented rubbing alcohol) and it can evaporate more quickly than the oil.

When using water, you only need up to 15 drops of essential oils.

Keep reading for the reed diffuser recipe below.

Compliment the scent in your diffuser with homemade Linen Spray and homemade carpet deodoriser. 

DIY Reed Diffuser

DIY Reed Diffuser

This DIY reed diffuser is a great natural air freshener for your home and it's a lot cheaper than store-bought. Freshen your home naturally.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5 - $10

Materials

  • A bottle jar or vase, preferably with a narrow neck
  • 5 bamboo skewers, diffuser reeds or craft sticks
  • 1/2 cup (115 ml) of water + 1 Tbsp. vodka or rubbing alcohol
  • OR
  • 1/2 cup (115 ml) carrier oil
  • 15 – 40 drops of your favourite essential oil or combination of essential oils (see combinations below)
  • decorative embellishments (optional)
  • food colouring (optional)

Tools

  • Funnel
  • Measuring cups or measuring jug

Instructions

  1. If you want to decorate your bottle or jar, do this first.
  2. Using a funnel, add the water, vodka and essential oils (and a drop of
    colouring if using) to your bottle. Put in the stopper and give it a bit of a
    shake.
  3. Start with less essential oil and add extra for a stronger scent - up to 15 drops for a water-based diffuser and up to 40 drops for an oil-based diffuser.
  4. If you're using bamboo skewers, cut the pointy end off with a pair of sharp scissors and
    stick them in your bottle.
  5. Enjoy your lovely room scent.

Notes

It may take a few hours for the oil to travel up the skewer.

Turn the skewers over every few days to strengthen the smell.

To refill your oil diffuser, make another batch when the oil mixture has gone. If you change the scent, replace the reeds.

Reed diffusers don't tend to have a strong smell. If you want a strong scent, and electronic mist diffuser is a great alternative.

Recommended Products

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Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Reed Diffuser Recipe Blends with Essential Oils

My favourite place at the moment to get quality essential oils in Australia is Eco Modern Essentials. They have a great range of essential oils and if you don’t want to make your own blends, you can get one of their blends.

I usually stick to citrus oils because they are refreshing and the most inexpensive essential oil.

The combination I used in my diffuser was lemongrass – lavender – eucalyptus. This is a good combo for clearing the air when everyone is sick.

Here are a few other ideas:

  • orange – peppermint (air cleanser)
  • geranium – grapefruit (floral)
  • sandalwood – clary sage – lavender (warming)
  • lavender – peppermint – lemon (air cleansing)
  • lavender – rosemary – lemon (air cleanser)
  • lemon – lime – grapefruit (citrus fresh)
  • lemon – eucalyptus – peppermint – rosemary (air cleanser)
  • patchouli – cinnamon – orange – clove (Christmas smell)
  • peppermint – citronella – lemongrass (insect repellent)
  • lime – grapefruit – orange – patchouli (air freshener – this is a favourite of mine and what we use as a loo spray)
  • geranium – orange – clove (floral)
  • spruce – lavender – eucalyptus – cedarwood (forest)
  • peppermint – eucalyptus – lemongrass (refreshing air disinfectant)
  • grapefruit – bergamot – ginger – clove (refreshing)
  • lime – peppermint – cypress – cinnamon (alertness)
  • eucalyptus – ginger – grapefruit – bergamot – lime – rosemary (alertness)
  • lime – rosemary – ginger – sweet basil (alertness)
  • marjoram – lavender – orange (calming)
  • lavender – chamomile – mandarin (calming)
  • cypress – lemongrass – lavender – clove – patchouli (stress reliever)

For more essential blend ideas check out the article Best Essential Oils for Summer.

Decoration Ideas for Your Diffuser Bottle

You can leave your bottle plain, and that will look simple and elegant.

If you want to add a bit of your personality to your diffuser or make it matchy-matchy with your decor, here are some of the decoration ideas I got from the discount store.

  • Chalk label
  • Ribbon
  • Washi Tape
  • Burlap wrap
  • Scrapbook stickers (There were some lovely 3D burlap flowers that would have looked nice stuck to a burlap wrap)
  • Painted glass
  • Tie a large bead or pendant around the neck

Adding a fresh smell to your home doesn’t have to be expensive or toxic.

If you use what you already have around the house, a DIY reed diffuser is practically free. But even if you pick up a few things from the discount store, this project will set you back less than $5 and will give your home a delicious scent.

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13 Comments

  1. Thanks Melissa, just made one with lemongrass i bought some time back and an existing container. I have been looking for a site to purchase essential oils, Young Living is too expensive for me. This is great, will save the link.

    1. Melissa Goodwin says:

      Hope it turned out well!

      Yeah, Young Living is too expensive for me too. For cleaning, I just use Aldi Eucalyptus oil or Tea tree oil and for other stuff, I buy the better quality stuff. It lasts ages though. I have one I bought over 10 years ago. It’s past it’s ‘expiry’ date, but it still smells great!

      1. Yes, it did. It looks great and makes the loo smell great too. It isn’t over powering and it is chemical free :). Same here, I have the Aldi Eucalyptus oil and Tea tree, I have also made a clover oil cleaning spray. I live in the Kuringai part of Sydney (lots of ferns, massive trees and lots of shade), my house doesn’t get much sun and also it is south facing, so have mold to clean regularly. I wish i could dry my clothes outside but can only do it on a very hot day. I am really enjoying your site. Lots of good info that is relevant for us, as most of the good sites are USA/Canada/UK.

        1. Melissa Goodwin says:

          The Kuringai area is a lovely part of Sydney. The Queensland humidity means we battle mould all the time too :(

  2. I just came across your blog when I was searching for DIY homemade air diffusers. I find your information useful, I am making the air diffuser right now, and I will tell you my results later. I also found all you wrote in this blog very interesting! You live in Queensland like me. I live in Brissie, I am an artist who is a mum and a grandma, and always in the look out for anything natural and frugal you can make at home. Thank you, Melissa for everything your put together in your blog.

  3. Deana H Kennedy says:

    I was gifted a lovely grapefruit reed diffuser set that cost way ore than I’d ever spend on myself. I’d like to make it last as long as possible and wondered if I could add additional carrier oil or something, without changing the fragrance. Essentially, Im asking if I can ‘water it down’?

    1. Melissa Goodwin says:

      I don’t know. I would assume it would affect the strength of the scent but I’m not sure.

  4. Hi,
    Thanks for the detailing post on the DIY diffuser..
    I am want to get vodka to try this but not sure where to buy as I am unaware of Alchols and drinks. Can you suggest me where to buy any fragrant vodka in small quantity?
    Also I was trying to get essentials oils from the site you mentioned in the post but no luck. Can you let me know where can we get nice quality essential oils?
    Thanks

    1. Melissa Goodwin says:

      The bottle shop for vodka. Essential oils can be purchased from your local health food store.

  5. Hi Melissa.
    I made the DIY Diffuser using sweet almond oil and Geranium essential oil.
    But nothing.Not even a hint of fragrance!
    What am I doing wrong?

    1. Melissa Goodwin says:

      You can try adding more fragrance. What reeds are you using?

      1. Hi Melissa.I will add some more essential oil and see if that makes a difference.The reeds I am using are the ones that came with a previous store bought diffuser but the oil doesn’t seem to travel up them.They are very dry to the touch

        1. Melissa Goodwin says:

          Hmm, wonder if the oil is too heavy?