Natural DIY Reed Diffusers That Really Work

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Follow this easy tutorial to make all-natural DIY reed diffusers. These chemical-free reeds keep your home smelling fresh and clean, effortlessly. I like to use these in the bathroom as well as my bedroom and enjoy a whiff of aromatherapy throughout my day!

There are so many different ways to use essential oils around your home. For example, you can make fantastic DIY cleaners. You can even use them to make homemade soap. No matter how you use them, there is no denying the benefits—and the lovely smell.

how to make reed diffusers using essential oils collage

Not to scare you (BOO!), but the chemicals found in most air fresheners and candles are absolutely terrifying. From carcinogens to elements that irritate airways, most chemical ‘fresheners’ are anything but fresh. While I love my diffuser for clearing the air, there’s another natural way to make your home smell amazing with no harmful ingredients– DIY reed diffusers!

They are a cinch to make and work beautifully in areas that don’t easily accommodate diffusers like bathrooms, closets and litter box areas. In my opinion, homemade reed diffusers should be in the natural cleaning hall of fame (there’s totally one of those, right?)

Three DIY Reed Diffusers with essential oils in glass jars

Best Reeds To Use In DIY Diffusers

While you can use wooden kabobs as the reeds, I’ve had better success using actual reeds I ordered online. They pull the liquid up better than kabobs so the minimal investment was well worth it. See those little holes in the reeds? It’s like an essential oil super speedway of heavenly scent.

Favorite Reed Diffuser Oils and Combos

There are lots of different essential oil blends that you can use in your reed diffusers. These are my favorites:

  • Lemon and Lavender
  • Lime and Thieves
  • Citrus Fresh
  • Rosemary and Lemon
  • Cinnamon and Orange
  • Lemon and Lime
  • Grapefruit
  • Tangerine
  • Purification

Motivated to expand your stash of oils? You can find my favorite essential oils here.

3 reeds in a DIY reed diffuser with essential oils

Best Bottles To Use In DIY Diffusers

As for the bottle, use anything that will fit your reeds! You can use mason jars with a narrow opening in the lid. This is perfect if you like a farmhouse chic look.

A brown essential oil glass jar with reed diffusers in it

Antique bottles (wash them realllly well in case they contain trace amounts of whatever was in them previously) are another fantastic choice. I love how decorative they are.

Adding essential oil to an amber glass jar

Or any narrow-mouthed glass bottles or vases, you can find them at The Dollar Store, craft stores, thrift stores, or online!

A few of my favorites include:

How To Make DIY Reed Diffusers

There is a bit more to making these diffusers than just adding some carrier oil to some essential oils. So, how much essential oils do you use in reed diffusers?

You want to aim for a 30% essential oil to 70% carrier oil combo. Or 20/80, but no less than that or you won’t get a proper scent. Use your favorite oil (I only use Young Living because it’s pure, and I also prefer citrus oils for this project because they’re less expensive). For carrier oils, use a lighter one like sweet almond oil because the heavier ones won’t travel up the reeds as well.

Adding water to a DIY reed essential oil diffuser jar

DIY Reed Diffusers Tutorial

Follow this tutorial and you’ll be able to make your very own DIY reed diffusers with essential oils.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup of carrier oil (such as sweet almond oil)
  • 30+ drops of essential oil
  • 1 TB Vodka (helps it travel up the reeds better)
  • 4-5 Reeds

Directions:

  1. Mix together the oils and vodka. Pour into the container (you may need to use a funnel).
  2. Place reeds in the bottle. Let the mixture saturate the reeds for about an hour, then flip them so the saturated end is sticking out and the clean end is in the oil.
  3. You’ll want to flip every week to continually renew the wonderful scent! When you notice there’s no scent even after flipping, you’ll need to replace the reeds and refresh the mixture.

Printable DIY Diffuser Instructions

Want to save a paper copy of these instructions for later? Go ahead and print out the recipe card below.

DIY Diffusers with Essential Oils

Whip up a batch of non-toxic DIY essential oil diffusers! Keep one in every room for instant aromatherapy.
Active Time3 minutes
Total Time3 minutes
Keyword: diy diffusers, essential oil diffusers
Yield: 1 diffuser

Materials

Instructions

  • Mix the essential oil, vodka, and carrier oils together.
  • Pour the mix into the container. You may find a funnel helpful!
  • Place the reeds in the container and allow them to soak for about an hour. Then, flip it upside down. Whenever the scent is getting faint, filp it upside down again – I do this weekly.

How to Make DIY Reed Diffusers (VIDEO)

Don’t they look so pretty? They’re perfect for bathrooms where plug-in diffusers don’t work but fresh scents are always appreciated.

An amber jar with reed diffusers in it
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Go ahead, whip up a bunch of these reed diffusers and enjoy your naturally fresh air!

how to make a reed diffuser with essential oils
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