Do diffusers work? It is the question we get asked most about reed diffusers, and the honest answer is yes, as long as you choose the right size, brand and spot. Most of the disappointment comes from a few easy-to-fix mistakes.
We get this question a lot: “Do you have any diffusers that work? I’ve tried several brands and I can never smell them.”
Diffusers are a great tool in home fragrance to provide a constant scent. You don’t have to light them or keep and eye on them, as you do a candle, so they are a perfect match for powder rooms, foyers and guest bedrooms where you always want it to smell fabulous but can’t always keep a candle burning.
Imagine it smelling great when you walk in the home or when unexpected guests arrive. Diffusers also compliment candles to provide a layering effect to enhance a candle fragrance.
Do diffusers work? Start with the size
Do diffusers work the same in every size of room? No. The first thing to consider is the size of the diffuser. Diffusers are the same as candles – the larger the space, the larger the candle/diffuser. Keep smaller candles and diffusers to smaller spaces. Don’t expect a $20-something diffuser that’s smaller than your remote controller to fill your family room with fragrance.
Does the brand change whether diffusers work?
The second thing to consider is the brand. Some brands are more fragrant than others. VOTIVO diffusers are very fragrant and efficient due to their rapid release reed technology (fancy for – they work.) They are also a great value at just $39. Do diffusers work equally well from every brand? In our experience, no.
DayNa Decker is another brand that is very fragrant and the large size works well to fill wide open spaces. The front part of our house is open to the upstairs and I could smell the large diffuser throughout the house. The price tag is higher, at $87, but these last well over a year.
Location: where a diffuser really works
Do diffusers work wherever you put them? Not really. The last thing to consider is the location. Place the diffuser in an area that is well traveled. A diffuser stuck in the corner will stay in the corner. If you place your diffuser on a table that runs along a long hallway, or in the center of the room on an end table you will notice it more often.
I enjoy having a diffuser on my kitchen window sill. When a soft breeze flows in I’m surrounded with a scent that makes washing dishes an enjoyable chore. (Note that diffusers in a window may evaporate faster due to the breeze. Try to keep them out of direct sunlight or the oil may change color or go rancid.)
Quieter brands: think of a bouquet of flowers
For brands that aren’t as fragrant as VOTIVO and DayNa Decker, think of the diffuser more of a bouquet of flowers. You may not notice a bouquet of flowers in the corner of a room, but when you walk by you pick up their natural essence. The same is true for diffusers.
The scent will probably not smack you across the face when you walk in the room but the scent will enchant you as you pass by. The brand we have most in our home is Antica Farmacista.
I love their fragrances and the way they enhance, but don’t dominate, the space so I can have one in every room and not get nauseous walking through the house.
Do diffusers work less over time? Flip the reeds
If you have a diffuser that isn’t quite up to snuff, try flipping the reeds. You can flip a few reeds every few days for a steady scent or all the reeds everyday for a more intense fragrance. Note that the more reeds you flip and the more often you flip them, the faster you’ll go through the fragrance oil.
Be sure to remove the diffuser from your table top and wipe down the sides before you place the diffuser back down. You don’t want the oil to drip down the side of the vase and ruin your counter top. (Been there.)
When a diffuser has run its course
Also keep in mind that while the fragrance oil might last for years, the fragrance (most likely) will not. If you’ve had your diffuser for over a year or longer and it doesn’t smell anymore don’t take it out on the diffuser. It’s run it’s course and it’s time to move on.
I’ve had diffusers last 2 years and even though there is still some scent and oil left – I’m ready to move on. Ditch the old oil and recycle or reuse the vase. If you are wondering how long diffusers work before they fade, that is the kind of timeline to expect.
Do diffusers work better with new reeds?
Diffuser maintenance tip: If your diffuser runs out and you decide to get refill oil be sure to empty the vase with any remaining stale oil and wash it out well with soap and water (or put it in the dishwasher if your vase can handle that).
Let the vase (diffuser container) dry completely before adding fresh diffuser refill oil. Also be sure to use a new set of reeds. This is extremely important! Most people reuse their reeds which is one reason they can’t smell it anymore. Over time, diffuser reeds become dusty and clogged from oil and stop working efficiently.
You’d be surprised how much better a diffuser works when you use new reeds. I like the diffuser refill reeds by K. Hall Designs. Not all brands offer diffuser refills, but K. Hall, DayNa Decker, Trapp and Archipelago Botanicals offer diffuser refill oil. You can also find diffuser refill oil for Thymes Frasier Fir. Do diffusers work again once the reeds are new? Very often they do.
Do diffusers work with kids and pets around?
Diffuser trick: Many customers are afraid to bring diffusers into their home because they have kids and/or pets that might have too much fun playing with this new “toy”. You can get an inexpensive diffuser hook to hang most diffusers up on a wall away from any curious hands/paws.
K. Hall, Antica Farmacista, Archipelago Botanicals Excursion, NEST Fragrances and VOTIVO diffusers work well with the diffuser hook. I find this very useful in our powder room where there isn’t any shelf space for a diffuser. I hung it right next to the doorway so as you walk in the bathroom it smells amazing.
Do diffusers work if they are cheap?
Please do me a favor and don’t buy a cheap brand at a discount store or home decor store. In most cases those are the brands that disappoint customers and turn them away from the product when really it’s the brand and not the concept.
Discount and home decor stores don’t specialize in home fragrance, and I assure you, the cheap price tag is from cheap ingredients. Premium ingredients can cost up to thousands of dollars an ounce! If you want your home to smell beautiful, invest in a beautiful diffuser from a reputable home fragrance brand. You won’t be disappointed.
Quick answers: do diffusers work in your situation?
Do diffusers work in a powder room? Yes, and it is one of the best spots, because a bathroom is small and you can hang the diffuser near the door. Do diffusers work without a flame? Yes, and that is the point. They keep going when you cannot watch a candle.
Do diffusers work in a big, open space? Only if the diffuser is big enough and the brand is strong. The article mentions a large DayNa Decker that carried through an open front of the house, while a small bottle would be lost there.
Do diffusers work forever? No. The oil may last, but the scent fades, and after a year or two it is usually time to replace the oil and reeds. Treat that as normal wear, not a defect.
So, do diffusers work? In our experience they do, when you give them the right room, the right brand and fresh reeds. For more ideas, see 8 Uses for a Reed Diffuser, and for background on how they operate, the Wikipedia article on the reed diffuser is a useful read.
