How to Use an Essential Oil Diffuser

Essential oils can help you enjoy a nice scent every time you enter your house. You can put the oil in a diffuser and let the aroma fill the room, caressing your senses and relieving your stress and anxiety. 

But if you’ve never used oil diffusers before, you may not know how they work. To use the diffuser properly and get the full sensorial experience, you must know how to operate the device. So, keep reading to find out how to use an essential oil diffuser.  

Benefits of Essential Oil Diffusers

Essential oil diffusers keep the essential oil quality intact. Other methods, such as heating the oil, result in oil molecules being burnt, making the fragrance less powerful and ruining the structure of the oil. 

Using an oil diffuser eliminates the need to use fire. Not everyone is comfortable using candles, or they may not be able to use them. Essential oil diffusers save the day, as they can give your house the desired fragrance without a flame. 

Essential oils can improve your mood. One study proves that lemon oil raised the mod of the participants. Therefore, essential oil diffusers can help you enjoy mood-lifting aromas during stressful times. 

Diffusing essential oils into the air can help clear your airways. Studies have shown that essential oils have antiviral, mucolytic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, and other properties, making them useful for certain respiratory tract diseases. 

Inhaling essential oil vapors can help improve your sleep. Many calming scents, such as lavender, can be added to your essential oil diffuser. They can calm you down so that you may get a good night’s sleep. 

How to Use an Essential Oil Diffuser

Did you buy an essential oil diffuser or are you planning on getting one? Here is how to use it accordingly:

• Step 1 | Pick the Position of the Diffuser

For the best effects, a diffuser must be placed in a proper location. Ideally, you should choose a room that has a solid tabletop or surface. If the diffuser can be placed in the center of the room, that’s even better. This will allow the scent to be evenly distributed in the nearby surroundings. 

To diffuse oils, these units release a water mist in the air. Since the device will carry liquids, it must be placed on a straight surface, so it won’t fall and spill water and oil everywhere. You can even put a towel underneath if you are keeping your diffuser on a wooden surface. 

• Step 2 | Fill the Diffuser’s Tank with Water

Lift the top off the device to reach the water tank. Then, fill the diffuser until it reaches the fill line. Depending on your diffuser model, it may either come with a water level line or a measuring cup. 

Make sure to follow these guidelines and not overfill your diffuser. Also, use room-temperature water to fill the tank. 

• Step 3 | Add Your Favorite Essential Oils

Next, you will add your favorite essential oils to the water. It is possible to use one essential oil only or mix several ones into a nice blend. It should be enough to add between 3 and 10 drops of oil, depending on how strong you want the scent to be. 

• Step 4 | Turn on Your Diffuser

After filling the tank with water and adding your favorite essential oils, put the top lid back on. Now, turn on the diffuser, but not before making the desired settings. Some diffuser models come with color-changing LED lights, nightlights, and other features. 

• Step 5 | Take a Break 

Even if the essential oil diffuser makes your house smell heavenly, you should not let it work day and night. Take frequent breaks from it. 

What you can do is let it work for up to 30 minutes for a maximum of three times a day. After the 30 minutes pass, turn the device off and give it a break. Inhaling essential oils for extended periods may not be beneficial, as it could result in headaches. 

Cautions for Using the Diffuser

While essential oil diffusers can help you relax and feel better overall, you should be cautious if you have children or kids in your home. The devices may be dangerous for them, so it’s critical to find out how to use essential oil therapy safely in this situation. 

If you have a baby, you should refrain from using essential oils near them. This is particularly important if you have a newborn. Babies may experience adverse reactions to essential oils since their respiratory systems and skin are not fully developed yet. 

But if you have a child that is older than 2, you can use essential oils around them. However, make sure to place the essential oil diffuser in a place the child cannot reach. Children are naturally curious, and a diffuser will look interesting to them – especially if it’s colorful. If they knock it over, they may spill water and essential oils on themselves, which is dangerous. 

If you have a pet, you should also be cautious with oil diffusers. If your pet has respiratory issues, using an oil diffuser may be harmful, so you shouldn’t do it. Also, if you do not want pets to inhale the vapors, you can use the device in a secured area where the cat or dog doesn’t have access. 

Furthermore, make sure the diffuser is out of reach. Dogs and cats may knock objects over, and a diffuser can be risky in this regard. 

Recipes for Essential Oil Diffusers

Now, let’s see some great oil blends for your diffuser:

Essential Oil Recipe for Beating Colds

Ingredients

• 3 drops Bergamot oil
• 3 drops Lavender oil
• 2 drops Rosalina oil
• 2 drops Siberian Fir

Instructions

1. Fill the diffuser’s tank with water. 
2. Add each essential oil to the water. 
3. Place the device in the room you’re spending time in. 
4. Turn the device on. 

Essential Oil Recipe for Better Sleep

Ingredients

• 2 drops sandalwood oil
• 2 drops of lavender oil
• 2 drops of vetiver oil
• 2 drops roman chamomile oil

Instructions

1. Bring your essential oil diffuser to your bedroom and place it on an even surface.
2. Mix the sandalwood, vetiver, lavender, and roman chamomile oil into the water. 
3. Turn the device on and let it diffuse essential oil scents into the air as you relax. 

Anxiety and Stress Relief Essential Oil Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 drops juniper berry oil
• 2 drops Siberian fir oil
• 2 drops tangerine oil
• 2 drops bergamot oil

Instructions

1. Fill the essential oil diffuser’s tank with distilled water or tap water. 
2. Add all the essential oils.
3. Keep the diffuser nearby as you try to take deep inhales and exhales and relax. 

FAQs

Do you mix essential oils with water in a diffuser?

Essential oils are mixed with water in a diffuser as they must be diluted. Usually, you can add between 3 and 10 drops of essential oil to the water. 

Should you put cold or hot water in an oil diffuser?

The best option is room-temperature water for your oil diffuser. Cold water can lead to less mist, while warm water creates a fuller mist. Room-temperature water is the most effective. 

How many drops of essential oil should you use in a diffuser?

3 drops of essential oils should be enough for your oil diffuser, but you can add up to 10 if you want a stronger scent. 

Can you use tap water in a diffuser?

You can use tap water in a diffuser, and many essential oil diffusers recommend using tap water due to the minerals it contains. 

Final Thoughts

Using an essential oil diffuser is not difficult, but it’s important to go through the right steps for the best effects. Follow the tips in this article and you’ll have an amazing sensorial experience.

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