How to make your own REED diffuser: a DIY recipe

Reed diffusers with sticks are not just an element of decor, but the result of centuries-old evolution of space aromatization. Even in ancient times, people used resins, herbs or essential oils to purify the air, create comfort and influence the emotional state. Over time, these practices transformed into more convenient and safe formats for the home.

A modern reed diffuser is a combination of external aesthetics, science and aromatherapy knowledge. The diffuser evenly fills the room with odor, does not require open fire or electricity and works imperceptibly for weeks, filling your space with a uniquely selected fragrance.

Where to order materials for making diffusers and home fragrances

Before buying products for making a diffuser, let's figure out what is included in its composition. A classic reed diffuser consists of several basic components:

• a liquid base, which serves as a solvent for fragrances;
• an aromatic part, which can be both a fragrance and a natural essential oil;
• bottle, usually glass containers are used, which additionally perform a decorative role;
• sticks, through which the odor evaporates evenly.

Additionally, dyes, stabilizers or aroma fixatives can be used, but for home production, a basic set is enough. All the necessary ingredients and materials for creating reed diffusers and home fragrances can be ordered on the beurre.ua website in the appropriate section “Goods for making reed diffusers”. The assortment is specially selected for both DIY and professional use, and delivery is carried out in Ukraine and other countries of the world.

What solvents are the most popular for making home fragrances

The diffuser base determines how well the fragrance will unfold and how long it will last in the air. The most popular options today:

1. Japanese base MMB (Methoxymethylbutanol) - the most common base for diffusers, which has a neutral odor, tolerates aromatic compositions well, and ensures uniform evaporation.
2. dipropylene glycol (DPG) is used to soften the composition and reduce the intensity of evaporation, it is often combined with MMB.
3. alcohol (ethanol or special aromatic alcohols) gives a bright, fast odor release, but can evaporate too intensively. Suitable for heavy or resinous compositions, also often combined with MMB base or dipropylene glycol.

The best option for simple production of an reed diffuser is to use MMB base 70-80% of the total formula. And if you want to “play around” more, then choose its combination with DPG/alcohol in different proportions, depending on the desired stability and intensity of the smell.

Life hack from Bure: Flash point is an indicator that will help you intuitively understand how volatile or heavy a fragrance is:

• if the indicator is quite low (for example, GRAPEFRUIT and EMERAULD fragrances - flash point: 70–100 °C) - the fragrance will evaporate easily, and it is advisable to add DPG to balance the rate of odor release;
• with relatively high flash point indicators (for example, fragrance PEACH MILKSHAKE - flash point: 130 °C) the fragrance is considered “dense, heavy”, and you can help it spread by adding ethyl alcohol.

What is better to use: a special fragrance or essential oil

Choosing a fragrance for making a diffuser is perhaps the most difficult stage in its creation. And here you need to choose your own direction. You either choose exclusive fragrances created by professional perfumers, which will associatively transport you to a room in an elegant hotel or an expensive restaurant. Or you follow the maximum naturalness and prepare mixtures of essential oils, which additionally exhibit a psycho-emotional effect, can invigorate you, or, conversely, calm you down and make you want to relax.

Let's compare the pros and cons of using both methods of aromatizing diffusers

Aromatic fragrances:
✔ stable odor
✔ a wide selection of complex compositions developed by professionals
✔ predictable behavior in diffusers
✖ do not have a therapeutic effect.
 

Essential oils:
✔ natural origin
✔ aromatherapeutic properties
✖ less stable
✖ can change the odor over time.
 

Recommended dosage:

• fragrances - 15–25% of the total volume, as a rule, the permissible dosage is indicated in the description of a particular fragrance;
• essential oils - 10–15%, depending on the type and saturation.

For home diffusers, fragrances are most often chosen or even combined with essential oils to balance the scent.

How to choose diffuser sticks and how many of them to use

Today, when choosing materials for making diffusers, you will be offered two main types of sticks.

• Rattan, natural, with a porous structure, provide soft evaporation, suitable for small rooms.
• Fiber: have a uniform capillary structure, give a stronger smell, better suited for large rooms or rich aromas.

The optimal diameter of the sticks is 3-4 mm. The number of sticks to use indoors: 5–7 sticks for a room up to 20 m², 8–10 for large spaces. The number of sticks will also depend on their diameter, because sometimes you can make a large volume of the diffuser and use sticks with a diameter of 5-8 mm.

Master class on making an reed diffuser with your own hands

Making a diffuser is very easy and the whole process takes a maximum of 10 minutes. And the step-by-step instructions from beurre.ua in the form of a video recipe will show how simple it really is.

To make a ready-made diffuser for the home of 100 ml, you will need:

• 80 ml of MMB base;
• 20 ml of aromatic fragrance;
• a glass bottle;
• diffuser sticks.

Steps:

1. In a clean container, mix the MMB base and aromatic fragrance, mix thoroughly.
2. Pour the mixture into the bottle.
3. Insert the sticks and let the diffuser infuse for 24 hours.
4. Turn the sticks to activate the odor.

After a day, the odor will begin to evenly fill the space. We remind you that you can order all the materials for making a home fragrance on the beurre.ua website in the “Products for making an reed diffuser” section. And if you are interested in how much it will cost, let's make a simple calculation based on the prices at the date of writing the article.

• MMB base 0.9 kg 682 UAH/16.24 USD/13.64 EUR
• Tea ceremony diffuser fragrance 200 g - 615 UAH/14.64 USD/12.30 EUR
• 100 ml Cube bottle 45 UAH/1.07 USD/0.90 EUR
• 10 black rattan sticks 36 UAH/0.85 USD/0.72 EUR.

The cost of 1 bottle will be - 185 UAH/4.04 USD/3.70 EUR.

How much does it cost to make anreed diffuser with your own hands

To make more than 1 liter of the finished mixture according to the formula proposed above, 1378 UAH will be spent and you will receive 1100 ml of finished liquid. 100 ml of which you will use immediately and fill the bottle with them, and you still have 1 liter of the finished mixture left for refill. Or you can buy several bottles and share such a refill with a friend, or make your own nice gifts for your family and loved ones.

Reed diffusers are a simple, safe and stylish way to create the atmosphere of your home. They affect your mood, help you relax, emphasize the individuality of the space and make it “alive”. By creating an reed diffuser yourself, you get not only a finished product, but also a unique experience - the opportunity to control the flavor, its intensity and character. It is such details that turn a house into a real home.

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