Diffusers are great accessories to use around the house to take advantage of the therapeutic properties of essential oils and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on them.

 

Diffusers are devices that break up essential oils into smaller molecules, allowing them to be dispersed into the air at a comfortable concentration to set a vibe in your living space, dependant on the oils you’re using. You can breathe in these tiny molecules comfortably as opposed to having to keep reapplying a diluted roller bottle or sniffing straight from the bottle.

 

Before you purchase a diffuser, there is a selection to choose from and they all don’t work the same so check out the details below;

 

Ultrasonic or Humidifying Diffusers

Ultrasonic vibrations within the device break up the essential oil molecules to create a fine mist that’s easy to spread within the air. This is the most common diffuser people purchase as there are many style options available at a relatively affordable price. This type requires water to use, and the plastic components do need a regular cleaning as essential oils over type are corrosive to plastic. Once a week it’s ideal to fill your diffuser sans essential oil, add 1 tsp of white vinegar, run the diffuser for a few minutes, then empty and wipe down. This also allows the previous oil not to affect the smell of the new oil you would want to be diffusing.

 

Heat or Electric Diffusers

These types of diffusers are super silent as they don’t use a fan to disperse oil, but rather heat (commonly electric). Heat can change the chemical properties of the essential oil that you’re aiming to benefit from, so the properties can be more muted. This style of diffusing was super popular back when The Body Shop was the go-to skincare brand, as they had many candle diffusers, but with synthetic oils.

 

Nebulizing Diffusers

These devices work by using pressurized air to diffuse a mist of the essential oils. A vacuum pulls the oil to the surface of a distribution tube, resulting in a burst of scent into the air. They don’t need water or heat which makes them very low-maintenance, and are plastic-free. These can be fairly expensive, but in my opinion would be worth the money (and they’re beautiful).

 

Evaporative Diffusers

A small fan helps turn oil into gas making the oil evaporate into the air. But as it evaporates, it loses some of its potency. Best for people that want a quick burst of scent once in a while.

 

When looking into purchasing a diffuser, take note of the water capacity. Smaller reservoirs may last up to a maximum of 3-4 hours with continuous running, compared to a 500ml diffuser that can last 10-12 hours.

 

Consider where in the house you’ll be keeping diffusers. Having one on your nightstand is great as you’ll be in direct contact with the mist to gain the properties of the oil you’re using, but choose one that’s big enough that it can keep running as you’re asleep. If you’re trying to cover a really large space, you’ll need at least 2-500ml diffusers for adequate concentration.

 

So when you’re going to use a diffuser, think about what you’re looking to get out of it. When I’m hosting a gathering, I love to use essential oils that give off a stimulating yet mellow vibe (obviously to keep guests awake enough for 2 rounds of Catan). If I’m having trouble sleeping from a stressful day, I’ll use oils to combat that.

 

Keep in mind that diffusers do have a shorter lifespan. I’ve purchased a couple from Saje that broke at about 6 months in, but fortunately they have a lifetime warranty. I’ve received diffusers from Amazon to test out that go for about $30 and they’ve been working flawlessly. When shopping for them, always check out timing options. I do enjoy having a timer setting when the diffuser runs for 5 minutes, then turns off for 5 minutes for a few hours so the scent isn’t too overbearing, and it can last longer.

 

Once you’ve picked out your diffuser, have fun with experimenting with oils and putting together an ambiance in your house that works for you!

 

 

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