DIY Reed Diffuser Recipe: Naturally Scent Your Home with Essential Oils

If you’ve visited my blog before, you’ll know I’m all about natural fragrance, slow living, and easy DIYs. Today, I’m sharing a simple yet effective DIY reed diffuser recipe—a beautiful way to scent your home with essential oils naturally.

DIY Reed Diffuser Recipe: Naturally Scent Your Home with Essential Oils

Whether you’re looking to unwind, energise, or freshen a space, this blend is customisable, long-lasting, and toxin-free. Forget synthetic air fresheners—this diffuser is made with just a few ingredients and can be mixed up in minutes.

What You’ll Need (for 100 ml)

This recipe yields one standard-sized diffuser bottle (100ml), ideal for a small room or bathroom. If you’re using a smaller jar or upcycling a bottle, you can scale down the ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 80 ml carrier oil (e.g. fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or safflower oil)

• 10 ml alcohol (vodka or rubbing alcohol – this thins the oil so it travels up the reeds)

• 10 ml essential oils (~200 drops – choose a blend that fits your mood or season)

Supplies:

• A glass jar or bottle with a narrow neck

• Reed diffuser sticks (or bamboo skewers)

• A small funnel (optional, but handy!)

Reusing a small glass bottle to create an essential oil reed diffuser

How to Make It

1. Add the carrier oil to your diffuser bottle.

2. Stir in the alcohol – this helps the oil travel up the reeds more easily.

3. Drop in your essential oils – about 200 drops for a strong, lasting scent.

4. Mix well by stirring or swirling gently.

5. Insert the reeds and let them soak for a few hours. Then, flip them to begin scenting the room.

6. Flip reeds every few days for a fresh scent burst.

Can I Add Dried Herbs or Flower Petals?

Yes! You can add a few dried botanicals—like lavender buds, rose petals, rosemary sprigs, or even dried citrus peel—for a natural and decorative touch.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Visual appeal only: Dried herbs and petals don’t contribute much to the scent. The essential oils are doing the work.

• Use sparingly: Too much can clog the reeds or make flipping messy.

• Stick with hardy options: Choose dried herbs that won’t go soggy or break down easily in oil—lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and citrus peel are ideal.

• Avoid fresh herbs or petals, as they can rot or grow mould in the oily base.

TIP: This is especially lovely if you’re giving your diffuser as a gift or want to match the herbs to your chosen scent blend.

Blend Ideas to Try

Here are some favourite essential oil combinations for every vibe:

Relax & Unwind

• 100 drops of lavender

• 60 drops of chamomile

• 40 drops of bergamot

Fresh & Uplifting

• 90 drops of lemon

• 60 drops of peppermint

• 50 drops of rosemary

Warm & Cozy

• 80 drops of vanilla

• 60 drops of sweet orange

• 30 drops of cinnamon

• 30 drops of clove

Is It Worth Using 10 ml of Essential Oil?

You might be thinking—Isn’t that an entire bottle of essential oil? Yes, this recipe uses 10 mL (approximately 200 drops), which is equivalent to a full standard-sized bottle.

That can feel like a lot upfront, but here’s why it’s worth it:

1. No Hidden Toxins or Fillers

Store-bought diffusers often contain synthetic fragrance oils, preservatives, or petroleum-derived solvents. When you make your own, you know exactly what goes into it—and into your home.

2. Stronger, Longer-Lasting Scent

Essential oils are highly concentrated. This blend will scent your space for weeks, and you can always top it up when it starts to fade—no need to discard the entire product.

3. Tailored to You

Whether you want calming lavender, energising citrus, or grounding woodsy notes, you can create a scent that feels like you. You can also change it up seasonally or room by room.

4. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

Creating your diffuser may be more expensive upfront, but it costs far less over time. You can reuse the bottle and reeds, refill the base, and even buy essential oils in sets or larger quantities for better value.

Budget Tip: If you’re low on stock, try a simpler blend with just 5 ml of essential oil. It still works well in smaller or enclosed rooms.

Tips & Notes

• Use a bottle with a narrow neck to slow evaporation and make the scent last longer.

• Reeds should be flipped once a week or whenever the scent starts to fade.

• If your room is large or drafty, place two smaller diffusers at opposite ends.

• Keep away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent the oils from degrading.

Eco-Friendly Tip

Reuse spice jars, small glass bottles, or bud vases for this project. Just be sure they’re clean and dry before use!

Final Thoughts

Creating your reed diffuser is a practical and straightforward way to scent your home, without synthetic fragrances or waste naturally. It costs a bit more upfront, but it lasts for weeks, and you can refill and reuse it repeatedly.

Try a blend that suits your space or mood—and if you do, I’d love to see it. Please let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram (@SimmerAndStir) with your diffuser creations.

FAQ: DIY Reed Diffuser Recipe

1. How long does a homemade reed diffuser last? A 100 ml diffuser typically lasts 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the room temperature, airflow, and the frequency of reed flips. Flipping weekly helps refresh the scent.

2. Can I use water instead of carrier oil? It’s not recommended. Water and essential oils don’t mix well, and the reeds won’t draw the scent effectively. Carrier oils ensure slow, consistent diffusion.

3. What’s the best carrier oil to use? Look for thin, unscented oils. Fractionated coconut oil is ideal—it’s light and shelf-stable. Sweet almond and safflower oil also work well.

4. Do I have to add alcohol? Alcohol (such as vodka or rubbing alcohol) helps thin the oil, allowing it to travel up the reeds more easily. If you skip it, the scent may be weaker or slower to diffuse.

5. Can I reuse the reeds? It’s best to use fresh reeds each time. Old reeds become saturated and clogged over time, which reduces their ability to absorb and release the scent.