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Remember way back when essential oils first became a thing? Well for me, there were a few limited ways to use them and most of them involved some kind of naked flame. With cats, that’s never a good idea and that’s why for a long time, we didn’t use essential oils.
Then someone introduced me to the idea of an essential oil diffuser, how to use one and why they were great when you have kids or pets. So I thought I’d pass on that knowledge to help you find the best way to use your essential oils.
Table of Contents
How to use essential oils to scent a room
There are a few basic ways to use essential oils to scent a room and each has its own benefits but some have slight issues.
Candles
Candles infused with essential oils are one of the traditional ways to fill the air with aroma. From small tealight styles to large jar candles and more, there are hundreds of different styles and some gorgeous holders and stands to make them more of a feature.
Downside: naked flame means there’s always a risk with kids or pets that the candles can be knocked over. Plus there’s the hot wax which can be a pain (literally!) if you get it on your hands.
Oil burners
Another option is to use an oil burner where you add a tealight at the bottom of a special piece of equipment. Then in a bowl above this, you add some essential oil, often with a little water mixed in to help evaporation. As the candle heats the bowl, the water and oil evaporate into the air.
Downside: again, there’s the naked flame to deal with. The other problem is that some styles of burner are easy to knock over so then you have a candle and the oil creating a mess.
Diffusers
The third option is a diffuser. These are a bit like oil burners but use electricity to turn the water and oil inside them into a fine dry mist that is then propelled into the room. There are lots of different styles with different settings and features.
Downside: you do need to be able to plug it in if it is an electric model.
Why diffusers are a great option
So that’s a sneak peek of essential oil diffusers and how they compare to other popular ways to use oils. Let’s take a moment to dive in a little deeper into why they are a great option.
With a diffuser, the oil is mixed with water and the diffuser turns this into a dry mist to propel into the room. It means you don’t get stains on the walls or ceilings and don’t need to worry about a wet mist touching electrical appliances like a TV and causing problems.
Because there are no candles involved, they are safer to use and many styles are perfect if you have pets as the area with the oil is enclosed so no paws can get into it.
Most have different settings. The two I have both let you set and forget – they run until the water has gone then switch off. So there’s no worry about burning them dry or leaving them running overnight. They also often come with built-in LED lights so you get a cool rainbow effect light while working.
How to use an essential oil diffuser
Once you have decided on a diffuser, they are simple to use. First, you want to put them in a suitable place with a flat, solid surface and easy access to an electric socket.
Then you can add some oil to the diffuser. Most will have a maximum level marker so you can avoid overfilling it. They also tend to come with a cup or measure to use to fill them. If you have a lot of limescale or other issues with your water, filtered or distilled water can be the best to use.
Grab some top-quality essential oils and add these to the diffuser. I find with my office diffuser, 4-5 drops make it strong enough while the smaller ones in the living room need a few more. Always put the water in first as using the oils without it can damage the diffuser.
You also want to regularly clean the diffuser as residue can build up. Unplug it, empty any drops of water left then use warm water and rubbing alcohol mix with a small paintbrush to clean it. A cotton swab will also work. Allow it to dry before putting back into use.
Where should I put my essential oil diffuser?
While you can place a diffuser almost anywhere you like and there’s a power supply, there are a few tips to help you get the right spot.
Diffuser placement tips
❌ Don’t place them on the floor, aim to be at least 2 feet from the ground to get the best effect
✅ If using in the bedroom, don’t use on the bedside table and have at least 3 feet between the bed and where the diffuser is located
❌ Don’t’ put it straight onto high-sheen wooden surfaces as the mist can cause discolouration over time – add a tray or water-resistant cover under it
❌ Don’t place it on carpets, rugs or other cloths
As well as these few tips, it is worth saying that in a window or in direct sunlight isn’t the best idea. Also, think about where the natural movement is around the room – this will carry the mist with it. Where can you place the diffuser to make the most of this?
My favourite diffusers
As mentioned, we have two diffusers currently in our house. One is in the front room and the other is in my office. We often use the same oil in both as they are just a hallway apart to create a harmonious smell throughout the downstairs of the house.
InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser
The InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser is the living room diffuser and the first one I bought so my model is a little older but very much the same apart from the top shape on the newer model is a little nicer.
This is a space-saving and easy-to-use diffuser with built-in LED lights and two misting modes. It can run continuously for about 3-4 hours or intermittently every 30 seconds which gives 6-8 hours worth. We use the second setting the most.
It automatically shuts off when it runs out of water so there’s no concern there. It makes very little noise and the mist is pushed upwards from the top of the device.
Tenswall Portable Aromatherapy Diffuser
This Tenswell Portable Aromatherapy Diffuser is almost identical to the other model we have and it has the same nice dark brown wood effect finish with the LED light in the centre top and around the middle. It is a little wider than the InnoGear one and holds more water but does seem to get through the water quicker.
It has four settings, one hour, three hours, six-hour or ON which runs until the water finishes. The last is the one we use so that it shuts down once it has finished the water. It also cycles through the LED colours as it works.
It is virtually silent and operates on the top of my storage unit behind me without disturbing me at all. The small funnel at the top means the mist comes out in a thin stream but circulates well in the air.
Other diffusers that caught my eye
Because I’m interested in adding a diffuser to the bedroom, I thought I would share a few other models that caught my eye.
ASAKUKI 200ml Essential Oil Diffuser
The ASAKUKI 200ml Essential Oil Diffuser caught my attention because of the colour of it when not in operation. That gorgeous sea-green shade goes perfectly in my bedroom! But it does still have the LED changing colour feature so when it is used, it cycles through seven different shades.
This is a glass cover so maybe not ideal if somewhere that it could be knocked off. The mist still comes from the top of the diffuser so it can stand on a table or sideboard with no problem and looks smart when doing it.
ASAWASA Metal Aromatherapy Cool Mist Diffuser
The ASAWASA Metal Aromatherapy Cool Mist Diffuser also caught my attention as a different kind of design from other diffusers and is from the same manufacturer as the one above. This one features a metal body with a fruit tree pattern and there are other variations as well.
Like other models, it has the colour changing feature and has a Whisper Ultrasonic quiet design to make sure it doesn’t disturb you when in use, making it a great candidate for a bedroom diffuser. It also has a waterless shutoff and two different setting modes like my living room InnoGear model.
meross Smart Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser
Lastly, there’s the Meross Smart Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser which appeals to the smart tech fan in me. This one has voice control, app control and can even be controlled through voice assistants such as Alexa or Google’s Siri. It has a smart wood-effect look and a slender profile with subtle LED lights around the base.
There’s a good-sized 400ml tank and two settings, heavy or light spray. You can use the app to program it to run during a certain time or even start it up as you are coming home from work – as long as you prepared it before you left!
The best diffuser for the job
Essential oil diffusers are easy to use and come in a wide range of styles for every room. They even have smart tech in some of them! But they are a safe option when you have kids or pets and can make it simple to get the benefits of essential oils into any space.
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