How to Make Reed Diffusers

Looking for a flame and heat-free fragrance option for your home? Want to expand and add value to your candle line? Try reed diffusers.

Reed diffusers are very easy to make—and they offer great profit margins! They provide a subtle but continuous scent to a room without the use of flame or heat, making them great for people with small children or mischievous pets. Easily customizable to fit in with any decor or existing product line, reed diffusers are an elegant, low maintenance home fragrance option.

Our base is made from a proprietary blend of silicones and organic compounds to help release the fragrance into the air. It does not contain any alcohol or DPG, which evaporates much faster and can clog the reeds. It is also VOC compliant in all 50 states when recommended fragrance loads are used.

Our reed diffuser sticks are made from high-quality, all-natural rattan reeds responsibly harvested and sourced from Indonesia. Each reed is precision cut to avoid crushing the channels that carry the solution up to the top and to ensure you get a great fragrance throw. You can use as many or few as you like; the more reeds you add, the more scent you will have, but the mixture will not last as long.

Fragrance is the fun part! Most of our fragrances work with the diffuser base. We have tested them all and provide a recommended maximum for compatible fragrances on the product page or state that it is not compatible. Quickly locate reed diffuser compatible fragrances by using the Fragrance Finder.

So what does compatible mean? Some fragrances tend to not stay in solution with the base and will separate over time or under certain conditions like intense heat or cold. This is most common with cinnamon and vanilla fragrances, but there is no easy way to know without testing first. That’s why we test all our fragrances for diffuser base compatibility for you!

Let’s look at an example. Say we’re using our Cedarwood Blanc fragrance oil, which is diffuser base compatible up to 25%, and a jar that will hold 1 oz of liquid total. Just like with measuring fragrance oils for candle making, we’re measuring by weight and using a scale.

1 oz (the size of your jar) x 25% (the percentage of fragrance you plan to use) = .25 oz of fragrance

Now that we know how much fragrance we need, we can find out how much diffuser base we need.

1 oz (the size of your jar) - .25 oz (the amount of fragrance) = .75 oz of diffuser base

For CandleScience fragrances, we recommend a usage percentage of 25%, but check the recommended usage levels on the product page for the scent you choose.

When it comes to reed diffusers, more fragrance doesn’t always mean a stronger scent. Using more than the recommended 25% will likely cause separation and may clog the reeds. If you find that you’re not quite getting the scent throw you’d like at the maximum usage level, try adding a few more reeds.

Another great thing about reed diffusers is their longevity. A typical 1 oz mixture with 6-8 reeds will last for around 2-3 months in an average-sized room. This will vary based on the size of the bottle and the number of reeds used.

A container like our round silver diffuser bottle and clear square diffuser bottle that has a wide base and a narrow opening is perfect for diffusers. Mason Jars with a Daisy Jelly Lid are also a great vessel choice for your reed diffusers, especially if you enjoy a rustic look or already use these jars in your candle line. If your jars do not have a lid or cap, you’ll want to package your pre-made fragrance mixture into a glass or PET plastic bottle for your customers to transfer into the vessel.

Don’t forget the finishing touch: your labels! A customized label is a great way to elevate the look of all your handmade items and crafts, and is essential if you plan on selling. Warning labels are also essential—while there is no industry standard for reed diffuser warning labels, it doesn’t mean you should neglect using them. A basic warning label for reed diffusers should include:

• Keep out of reach of pets and small children
• Do not ingest the liquid
• Avoid placing in areas where the bottle can be knocked over
• May damage wood and porous surfaces if spilled

Get started creating your own brand and warnings labels with Avery WePrint and take advantage of the easy-to-use design program and professional printing. And as a special bonus for our CandleScience community, take 10% off your label orders, too! Head over to avery.com/candlescience to get started.

Place a small measuring container on the scale and tare the weight. Weigh out 3 oz of Reed Diffuser Base and place it to the side.

Using a second container, weigh out 1 oz. of fragrance oil. Then pour the fragrance into the container with the 3 oz. of reed diffuser base and gently stir.

Carefully pour your diffuser solution into your diffuser bottle. 

Place 6-8 reeds into the container, and spread the top of the reeds out, allowing air to flow between them. Place your finished reed diffuser in the desired area. Replace with new reeds and solution every 2-3 months. 

Don’t forget the finishing touch: your labels! A customized label is a great way to elevate the look of all your handmade items and crafts, and is essential if you plan on selling. Warning labels are also essential—while there is no industry standard for reed diffuser warning labels, it doesn’t mean you should neglect using them. A basic warning label for reed diffusers should include:

• Keep out of reach of pets and small children
• Do not ingest the liquid
• Avoid placing in areas where the bottle can be knocked over
• May damage wood and porous surfaces if spilled

Get started creating your own brand and warnings labels with Avery WePrint and take advantage of the easy-to-use design program and professional printing. And as a special bonus for our CandleScience community, take 10% off your label orders, too! Head over to avery.com/candlescience to get started.

Share photos of how you package and label your reed diffusers by tagging us @CandleScience and using the #candlescience and #candlescientist hashtags. We may feature you in our Stories or on our website!