How to Make Diffuser Oil

Co-authored by Ritu Thakur, MA

Last Updated: December 21, 2024 Approved

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Diffusers, both the reed kind and the kind that you plug into your wall, are very popular. Not only can they make your home or office smell lovely, but they can also add a touch of decor. Unfortunately, the diffuser oil does not last forever, and it can get expensive. If you ran out of diffuser oil and can't afford more, why not make your own? It will be a lot cheaper in the long run, and you'll be able to create your own custom blends.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Blend for Reed Diffusers

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1
Choose a light, carrier oil to use as your base. You can use just about any type of lightweight oil, such as coconut oil, safflower oil, or sweet almond oil.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional

Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.} Avoid using solid coconut oil, and other heavy oils, such as extra virgin olive oil and jojoba oil; they will take too long to travel up the diffuser.^{[2]
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- Grapeseed oil is another great option.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ritu Thakur, MA
  Natural Health Care Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.}
- This method is intended for reed-based diffusers. Do not use it for plug-in diffusers.
Stick a funnel into the neck of the bottle first, so that you don't spill and waste any oil.

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Add 20 to 30 drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender, lemon, mint, tea tree, and vanilla are all popular individual choices, but you can combine different oils to create a more unique fragrance. Here are some combinations to get you started:^{[4]
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- Bergamot and patchouli
- Cinnamon and wild orange
- Lavender and eucalyptus
- Lavender, lemon, and rosemary
- White fir and cypress
Salvatore Battaglia, Essential Oils Expert

To make a diffuser oil, simply add a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil, such as vegetable oil or almond oil. The carrier oil will help to disperse the essential oil in the air and prevent it from becoming too concentrated. You can experiment with different essential oils and carrier oils to find a combination that you enjoy.
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Consider adding 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol to help bind the water to the essential oil. This will also help the oil travel faster up the bamboo reeds.^{[5]
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Research source}^{[6]
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Expert Source

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional

Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.} Choose something that is at least 90%.^{[7]
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- Vodka can be used in place of rubbing alcohol.^{[8]
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This will help the different oils (and rubbing alcohol, if you are using it) to blend together instead of just floating on top of each other.
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Use the diffuser oil. If your bottle has a narrow neck, you can simply insert some bamboo skewers into it. You can also pour it into your reed diffuser bottle, but make sure that it is clean and all traces of the previous fragrance have been washed out.
- When inserting reeds into the bottle, make sure that they are new. Do not reuse old reeds.
- Be sure to secure the lid on your diffuser oil when you're not using it. This way, it won't evaporate.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ritu Thakur, MA
  Natural Health Care Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Blend for Plug-In Diffusers

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This method is intended for those small diffusers that you plug into your wall. They are about the same size as nightlights and have a small glass jar or bulb attached to the bottom.
In most cases, you will need to twist the bulb counterclockwise.
3
Use a butter knife or flat screwdriver to pop the cap and wick out. Slide your tool under the cap, and press down on the handle. This will help pop the cap out.
- Some wicks may have a nail inserted through them. In this case, you may need to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pry it out.
It might also be a good idea to rinse the wick out as well (be sure to squeeze it to get any residual oil out) and let it dry as well. Be aware that some wicks have a sharp nail poked through them.
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Add 20 drops of essential oil into the diffuser.^{[10]
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Research source} Cinnamon, lavender, lemon, orange, and vanilla are all popular choices, but you can also use other types as well. You can even combine different oils to create your own unique scent.
- Some of the oil scent will remain. When adding a new scent, consider using something that is similar to the old one. This will ensure that you don't end up with something that smells unpleasant.
You need that extra space for the wick. If you are using a bulb-shaped diffuser, then fill it to just below the widest point.
If you took the wick out of the cap, then put it back in first. Try to pop the cap straight down, applying even pressure. Wiggling it back and forth will not be as effective.
This will blend the oil and water together. Don't worry if your mixture looks cloudy; this is normal, because you are using essential oils.
The fragrance will be more subtle than the store bought fragrance because you are using natural, essential oils. It will take only a fraction of the cost to make, however!

Expert Q&A

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Question

What is a diffuser oil used for?

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Dr. Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant based in Delhi, India. She has over 14 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. Dr. Ritu also works as a business consultant in the life sciences domain. She has successfully executed 150+ small to large-scale custom consulting projects for both established and development-stage companies. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.

Ritu Thakur, MA

Natural Health Care Professional

Expert Answer

Diffuser oils can help your home smell clean and fresh without the use of possibly harmful chemicals.

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What oils help with sinuses and allergies?

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Eucalyptus oil and menthol oils are extremely good for unblocking the sinuses. Also, use peppermint, tea tree or lavender to help with your allergies. Do not put any oils inside your nostrils and do not ingest essential oils. Only ingest oils if told to by a doctor or if they are edible.

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Tips

Mineral oil and baby oil may also be used.

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Make sure you are not using carrier oils that impart their own scent to the mix, like olive oil or vegetable oil.

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When refilling a plug-in diffuser, make sure that you use a similar scent. Some of the old oil will still be in the wick, and it will blend with the new oil. For example, if you had a warm scent in the bulb previously, use warm-scented essential oils for your new blend, such as vanilla or cinnamon.

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Warnings

Do not consume these oil blends.

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Homemade diffuser oils have a more subtle scent than store-bought ones. This is because you are using natural, essential oils instead of artificial fragrances.^{[11]
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Tea tree oil is one of the more readily available essential oils, but it is not safe for cats. If you have a curious cat who likes to knock things over, you may want to avoid this oil.^{[13]
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Things You'll Need

Making a Blend for Reed Diffusers

¼ cup (60 milliliters) light oil (ie: fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or safflower oil.)
20 to 30 drops essential oil(s)
1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol (optional)
Funnel
Glass bottle