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I like a nice diffuser as much as I like candles, but similarly to the candles I prefer them with all natural ingredients, no paraffins and parabens, just good stuff. So I did buy a set of them in a hurry last year to prepare the house for having a number of guests staying over. Set of 3 at 40 ml each that was then £12 if I remember correctly. This was a supermarket brand, so of course I’m not sure about the quality of the ingredients. (But I know for sure, that the wonderful handmade diffusers cost a LOT more.) They were OK – didn’t like all the scents and some of them wasn’t very noticeable, really, but they did the job perfectly and they lasted a few weeks. When they ran out I thought instead of buying refills, I will try to make my own. So did a little bit of reading on it and here’s my Cheap DIY Homemade All Natural Reed Diffuser Recipe.

Are Reed Diffusers Better Than Candles?

Reed Diffusers are a safe, elegant, and low-maintenance alternative to traditional candles. They work by absorbing scented oil through natural reeds and dispersing their fragrances. A good quality reed diffuser will last months, rather than hours like candles.

Are Reed Diffusers Toxic?

When you choose a product crafted with natural oils, you can enjoy a safe fragrance experience. However, synthetic fragrances can sometimes contain allergens or VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can cause irritation.

Some essential oils are toxic to pets:

Oils to avoid around pets include:

Tea tree
Eucalyptus
Citrus oils
Pine
Cinnamon
Peppermint

Can you make reed diffusers with essential oil?

Yes, you can definitely make reed diffusers using essential oils! It’s a simple and rewarding process that allows you to design the scent in your home. To get started, you’ll need a few basic supplies: essential oils of your choice, a carrier oil (like fractionated coconut oil or almond oil), a glass container, and reed sticks.

Is homemade reed diffuser cheap?

Yes, it’s cheap. At first, I did really wonder if it’s worth the hassle. But it’s not a hassle at all and it is cheaper.

Here’s the price breakdown:

250ml jojoba oil £8.89 – used 120ml, so about half of it, say £4. 40
2 different essential oil bottles: 10ml Basil (£3.89) and 10ml Sweet Orange (£3.29) – used about 1/10 of both so say 60p
3 tsp of vodka

Why make your own home made reed diffuser?

Well, firstly, you will know what you put in there and how much. So you can control the scent perfectly. I have noticed that my refill has a stronger scent compared to the store bought ones.

Secondly, it’s cheap, as I mentioned it above.

Having had the bottles and the wood sticks already and I just reused those all I only spent £5 refilling.

Thirdly, they make a great handmade gift! It’s such a nice touch to add it to a gift basket or hamper or just as a small gift or stocking filler on its own.

Forth reason: it’s so easy. All you have to do is mix the ingredients and pour them into the diffuser bottle (or mix them straight in the diffuser bottle and skip washing up, even!)

What ingredients do you need to make your reed diffuser?

carrier oil (I choose jojoba but you can also choose sweet almond, apricot kernel or any similar oil.
essential oils of your choice
alcohol (optional, it makes the scent travel faster and the wood sticks absorb the diffuser mixture easier)
small bottles with narrow neck
wooden (reed) sticks