Have you just started dabbling in aromatherapy? Do you perhaps know almost everything about it but aren’t sure where to set up your brand new diffuser? No matter if you’re an amateur or a pro, this guide has everything you need.
I’m here to teach you how and when to use essential oil diffusers, what the best oils are, and where to put the diffuser in your home. By the time you’re done reading this guide, you’ll know which is the best — and most beneficial — spot for it.
How Essential Oil Diffusers Work
By using a process called permeation, diffusers basically break down the oil and water particles inside. Then, they distribute those particles into the air.
In essence, using these devices is the easiest way to enjoy the soothing benefits of aromatherapy.
Having diffusers in your home has a ton of benefits. For example, most people get diffusers in order to purify the air in their homes a bit. What’s more, you can use them to reduce your stress and anxiety levels, as well as create a calming environment.
Types of Essential Oil Diffusers
There are four types of essential oil diffusers you can currently buy:
- Ultrasonic
- Nebulizing
- Evaporative
- Heat
Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffusers
Ultrasonic or cold-air diffusers are the most popular type because they produce an incredibly fine mist. Instead of heat, these use electronic frequencies to create vibrations. Those vibrations bring the oil to the surface and then diffuse it into the air.
Since they don’t need heat, ultrasonic diffusers can even double as humidifiers. Also, as someone who has been dabbling in aromatherapy for a while, I think using them is the best way to experience all of the benefits of essential oil healing.
Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffusers
Nebulizing diffusers don’t need heat or water to work. Instead, they use atomizers to create a thin stream of airborne particles. Then, using a built-in fan, the diffusers spread those particles all around the room.
However, nebulizing essential oil diffusers are pretty powerful, so you shouldn’t be using them without a timer. In fact, I’d only recommend getting one if you’ve been practicing aromatherapy for a while.
Evaporative Oil Diffusers
Evaporative diffusers are the easiest to set up and use compared to any other diffuser. All you need to do is put a few drops of essential oil on a pad — the fan under it will do the rest of the work.
But because of the way they are built, you need to put a lot more oil than you would in any of the two previous types. Also, the oil you put inside might dry up faster, so it just won’t have all of the healing properties it usually does.
Heat Diffusers
Heat diffusers are the least powerful type of the bunch, as they aren’t as effective given that they use electricity or a candle to heat the oil and diffuse the vapor.
On the other hand, buying a heat diffuser might be a good choice if you’re just starting to dabble in aromatherapy. They’re cheap, silent, and don’t need a lot of power to work.
How to Use Essential Oil Diffusers
Essential oil diffusers are extremely easy to set up and use.
You should start by pouring the recommended amount of either tap or distilled water into the tank. If you’re using tap water, you’ll have to clean your diffuser often because the minerals in it can cause buildup.
Once you have your water just at the indicator line, it’s time to put the oil in. Now, most diffusers require around three to 10 drops of oil for 100 ml. At the end of the day, how much oil you pour in will depend on your personal preference. Also, remember to use only pure, diluted oil to avoid clogging up your diffuser.
Now that the water and oil are inside, it’s time to plug the diffuser in and enjoy all the soothing benefits. And, if your diffuser has a timer, make sure to turn it on at this point.
If it doesn’t, a good rule of thumb is to leave the diffuser on for 30 to 60 minutes, and then turn it off for the same amount of time. Otherwise, your diffuser might overheat. Also, the strong scent of the oils might give you a giant, throbbing headache.
How to Clean Your Essential Oil Diffuser
After each use, pour the excess water out of your diffuser and clean it with some natural cleaning products. I recommend using natural liquid detergents or dishwashing liquids for the job. Also, make sure to clean your mist chip with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.
To avoid getting a mineral buildup, you have to deep-clean your diffuser at least once a month. Also, before you start cleaning it, check the user manual to see if there are any precautions you should take.
First, start by pouring water into it until the tank is half-full. Then, add about ten drops of pure white vinegar and turn the diffuser on.
The vinegar will help remove any mineral and oil buildup that’s been stuck inside. To get the best results, you should leave the diffuser on for about three to five minutes.
Once enough time has passed, turn the diffuser off and drain all of the water out. If you still see some buildup, you can take a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar to clean it.
As soon as you’ve made sure there’s nothing stuck inside, rinse the diffuser with water. Finally, you can either let it air-dry or use a clean cloth to wipe it down.
Essential Oil Recommendations
Now, before you run out to the store to get some essential oils, you should first consider what you’re using them for. Do you just want your apartment to smell nice, or do you want to take advantage of the oils’ healing properties?
If you want to use them for healing, there are a few types to consider. For example, peppermint essential oil works great for headaches, while chamomile oil can help you get a good night’s sleep. Also, if you want to use essential oils to help reduce your stress levels, I recommend getting frankincense oil.
Other popular essential oils include:
- Lavender
- Tea tree
- Wild orange
- Eucalyptus
- Cinnamon
- Patchouli
- Cedarwood
- Rosemary
Essential Oil Combinations
If you’re tired of the same old oil smell, you could always make your own custom blend. For example, if you have allergies, you can mix three equal drops of lemon, lavender, and peppermint oil. Not only will your home smell amazing, but you’ll also breathe and sleep better because of it.
On the other hand, if you need help falling asleep, I recommend putting three equal drops of lavender, wild orange, and chamomile oil in your diffuser. It’ll relax you and put you in a good mood before you go to bed.
Finally, if you need a pick-me-up when you get up in the morning, I love mixing four drops of peppermint oil with four drops of wild orange. The scent is refreshing, and it will help wake you up as well as prepare you to conquer the day.
Where to Put Essential Oil Diffusers
There are so many factors that determine where you should put your diffuser. For example, do you have a nebulizer or an ultrasonic? Also, which room do you spend most of your time in?
Let’s see where the best spots for your diffuser in your house are. I’m even going to show you how to make sure you’re getting the most use out of it.
Living Room
When looking for the best place to put your diffuser, the first thing you should consider is putting it below eye level. If you put it on a high shelf, you will weaken the oils’ potency and won’t be able to enjoy their soothing properties. Also, I wouldn’t recommend putting it on your windowsill because sunlight can damage it.
For example, I keep my diffuser on my coffee table, far from the walls and the ceiling. Since I have a wooden coffee table, I’ve had to put a placemat under my diffuser so that it doesn’t get ruined by the steam.
For my living room, I love making a unique blend to keep me calm all day. To create a cozy atmosphere, I take three drops of wild orange oil and three of copaiba, with just a drop of peppermint.
Bedroom
The most important thing to remember when using your diffuser in your bedroom is to keep it away from your nightstand. By placing it there, you risk knocking it over while you sleep. Also, the scent of the oils might be too strong and may give you a headache. So, I recommend keeping it a few feet away from your bed on a different table.
For the bedroom, I love making an oil blend with chamomile, ylang-ylang, and a bit of eucalyptus. I have found that this mix helps me relax before bed and creates a soothing atmosphere.
Bathroom
Keeping a diffuser in the bathroom is a great way to get rid of any unpleasant smells. Just make sure to put it far away from your shower or any other appliances, like washing machines.
My favorite mixture for the bathroom is a blend of tea tree, spearmint, and lemon oil. It is the perfect scent to banish any bathroom odors and make your bathroom feel like a spa.
Safety Precautions
Even though there are plenty of health benefits to diffusing essential oils, you still need to be careful when buying them.
To start, when looking for some nice oils, make sure to buy organic, diluted ones. Also, remember not to run your diffuser all day and night to avoid giving yourself a massive headache.
Finally, don’t try to replace your diffuser with a humidifier, unless you have an ultrasonic one. These two devices have totally different components. By putting essential oils in your humidifier, you run the risk of damaging it or hurting yourself.
In Conclusion
Playing with different essential oils can be really fun. If you’re new to it, I recommend just using one to see which scent works best for you. Once you become a pro, try making different oil blends for different rooms in your home.
The two most important things to remember when considering the location is to place the diffuser on a sturdy, non-porous surface and below eye level. Also, if you can, put it as close to the center of the room as possible. By doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy all the soothing benefits of essential oils. More importantly — the strong scent won’t give you a headache.
