Last Updated on January 10, 2023
Heat diffusers, ultrasonic diffuser and aromatherapy diffusers all do the same thing. They make the air smell great. In this article, we’re taking a look at the various ways you can maximise your diffuser’s potential. We’ll also give you an in-depth answer to the question, ‘How do diffusers work?’
What Exactly Is an Essential Oil Diffuser?
Essential oil diffusers are available in various colours, sizes and designs. It creates a relaxing scent in your home by using the power of extracted plant essences. Diffusers can also aid in aromatherapy, decrease bad odours and more.
There are several types of essential oil diffusers, but most diffusers work either with or without heat.
Heated Diffusers
Choosing a heat diffuser can be beneficial since it can alter the oil’s aroma and composition. What’s more, the process behind it may enhance the oil’s healing benefits while allowing you to enjoy the beautiful smell of oils in the air.
Evaporative Diffusers
Alternatively, evaporative diffusers feature a fan to blow essential oils into the air, which causes lighter components of the oil to split from larger particles. Although there isn’t any danger in how diffusers like this operate, you might not get all of the essential oil benefits you desire.
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How Do Diffusers Work?
Essential oil diffusers are marvellous home accessories. Let’s find out how they produce the calming scent we enjoy.
In general, on the inside, they’ll feature a small ceramic disc. Once you fill the water tank, add your chosen essential oil fragrance and switch on the unit. The disc creates vibrations at the base, which breaks the oil molecules into microdroplets. The oil diffuser then releases this mist with water into the air, creating a wonderful diffusion of smells in your home or office space.
But, turning water into vapour typically requires heat. Fortunately, this process is simple. It is something that ultrasonic diffusers are best at. Simply fill up ultrasonic diffusers with essential oil and tap the button to begin the vibration process.
Different Types of Essential Oil Diffusers
There are multiple variations of essential oil diffusers, each with various health benefits and distinct inner workings.
Ultrasonic Diffusers
An ultrasonic diffuser requires water to operate, which is similar to how humidifiers work. One of the biggest benefits of this type of diffuser is that in most cases, it can serve as a humidifier, too. Therefore, you may use it in various climates, including dry months. An ultrasonic diffuser is simple to operate and can add some moisture to the air, so you have a better chance of not getting dry skin, mould and more.
Moreover, these diffusers use ultrasonic vibrations, which operate at a frequency that the human ear can’t detect. The vibration causes a separation of water particles, which, when negatively charged, become light enough to disperse into the air to create a mist. You can even see this mist when it leaves the diffuser. The negative ion bonds may clean your space by adding some moisture to the air while giving off a wonderful smell from the essential oil you chose. It may even improve your health and wellbeing when you inhale the healing aroma.
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Nebulising Diffusers
Nebulising diffusers force a stream of air at high pressure. This air turns the essential oil into a mist, which then dissipates around the room. Compared to other essential oil diffusers, this unit doesn’t require water or heat to distribute essential oils into the atmosphere, making it easy to use with way too much effort.
Use a nebulising diffuser by adding around 20 drops of your essential oil to the reservoir. Then, add a glass spout on top and set a timer for around 15 minutes. Within this timeframe, the oil has enough time to melt.
Evaporative Diffusers
An evaporative fan diffuser has an absorbent pad or material that soaks in the essential oil. Add a few drops of your favourite scent to the diffuser, and it’ll evaporate on its own without any heat or water. When the essential oil evaporates, the diffuser uses its fan to spread the mist throughout the room.
More simple evaporative diffusers do not use any mechanisms at all. Cloth, wood and reed diffusers use natural evaporation to release scents into the air.
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Heat Diffusers
Heat diffusers work by using heat to evaporate essential oils. They don’t necessarily use electricity since a candle can create the needed heat. The heat melts the essential oil, so it dissipates into the room. Since heat diffusers require a hot candle, you’ll need to be careful of where you put the diffuser. Avoid locations where open flames aren’t allowed and place them away from pets and children.
Common Mistakes When Using Diffusers
Diffusers may be a great choice at transforming the aroma in any setting. It may even improve the air quality in your surroundings. However, not everyone knows how essential oil diffusers work and the ways you can ensure that they last you a long time. Below are some common mistakes that people make when they own a diffuser.
Using a Lot of Essential Oils
Too many oils into the air isn’t always a good thing, despite thinking that it’ll increase the aroma in your living space. It’s best to stick to up to 6 drops, except for nebulising diffusers that require more essential oils. And if you stick to small bursts of using the diffuser, you’ll be able to smell the oils more.
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Not Removing Other Souces of Smell
You can also try to remove other smells in your room that might be contributing to your nose not detecting the essential oils in your diffuser. Clean your space. Take out old trash, remove dirty plates lying around, vacuum pet hair, or remove other mould and musty odour sources.
Diffusing Around Pets
Did you know that a dog can smell 15 times more than a human? When you use a diffuser, they’re detecting that smell much more than you. The oils may be overpowering or even toxic for them may lead to them feeling stressed out. Avoid using strong diffuser around pets and stick to simple reed diffusers instead, which have a much milder scent. Also, check that the essential oils you purchase are safe for your pet.
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Using a Diffuser for Prolonged Times
Avoid using your diffuser for too long, as it may lead to olfactory fatigue. When your nose receives a constant stream of scent molecules, it can exhaust your senses that you become immune to the scent.
Instead, give your nose a break by using the diffuser for only 10–15 minutes or a maximum of one hour. You’re more likely to enjoy the benefit of the smells this way, too. Lastly, clean your diffuser after each use to avoid any buildup of oil residue.
An Air of Positivity
How do diffusers work? They disperse essential oils into the air to surround an area with inviting scents. Users may even experience a variety of health benefits.
Do you own a diffuser? Is it an ultrasonic or a reed diffuser? How does your diffuser work? Do you have any go-to essential oils? Let us know in the comments.
Amy is a U.K.-based writer and editor with a penchant for helping consumers find the best home products for their needs, as well as providing easily digestible guides for living better at home. Her dedication to her work means she can usually be found elbow-deep in research or hunting down samples of the latest and greatest on behalf of her readers.
An avid DIYer herself, Amy’s passion lies in teaching others how they too can achieve their dream homes by tackling some of those pesky projects themselves! Whether it’s building furniture from scratch or turning an old dresser into a coffee table, Amy is always happy to share what she knows about making your house feel like home without spending a fortune.