subject: How Reed Diffusers Work [print this page] Being an avid candle lover, I couldn't imagine how reed diffusers could possibly be any good. They just site there and don't even look nice. Those thin little reed diffuser sticks could never be better than candles. For what reed diffusers cost, I can buy a dozen votive candles.
Just in case I was missing something, I decided to learn a little about reed diffusers. The components are very simple. A reed diffuser has only 3 components - the bottle, the reed wicks, often called 'sticks', and the diffuser oil. Each of these items can be replaced, although it's doubtful you'll need to worry about the bottle unless you break it.
Reed wicks vary from 6 to 15 inches long and 2 to 5 mm thick. According to recent studies, the optimal length for 'scent throw' is 12 inches and the optimal width is 3 mm. If you purchased a reed diffuser set and it didn't live up to your expectations, either the reed wicks are the wrong size or the fragrance oil is inferior quality.
Don't buy reed diffusers from your local dollar store. The oil will be lousy quality. Buy the best quality diffuser oils you can find. The output of reed diffusers is limited by the quality of the diffuser oil. Diffuser oil is a mixture of reed diffuser base and fragrance oil. To keep their prices low, some companies use very little fragrance. Low quality diffuser oil will smell mostly like chemicals.
In summary, to get the most from your reed diffusers, make sure the wicks are 12 inches long/3 mm thick, and use only good quality diffuser oil. Clean the bottle with hot soap and water every time you refill it, and by all means flip the reeds over every 30 days.
