If you are new to essential oils and aromatherapy you may have a few questions like: what is a diffuser and how does a diffuser work?
In this post we will answer all of your diffuser-related questions and discuss how to use a diffuser in your home, office or personal space.
What is a Diffuser?
Essential oil diffusers are gaining in popularity with most home goods and retail stores carrying ample diffuser options in store. So, what is a diffuser exactly?
A diffuser is a device that disperses essential oils into your space using air pressure, mist, a fan, or a heat source. There are four types of diffusers, which dictate how the diffuser actually disperses the essential oils. The four types of diffusers include:
- Nebulizing Diffuser
- Ultrasonic Diffuser
- Evaporative Diffuser
- Heat Diffuser
How Does a Diffuser Work?
So, how does a diffuser work? Unfortunately, the answer to this question differs from diffuser type to diffuser type.
The Nebulizing Diffuser
The nebulizing diffuser operates on the premise of the Bernoulli’s Principle, which is a physics theory based on fluid dynamics. The nebulizing diffuser blasts a high pressure air stream into a small tube, which creates a suction effect. As a result, essential oils are drawn from a glass reservoir and atomized from the jet stream. The essential oil micro-particles are released into the surrounding environment creating a pleasant aroma.
The nebulizing diffuser does not require water to distribute essential oils, and is considered one of the purest ways to disperse essential oils into your space alongside evaporative diffusers.
The Ultrasonic Diffuser
The ultrasonic diffuser uses ultrasonic vibration in the water tank to create microfine essential oil particles. The particles partner with a water molecule as they rise up and through the nozzle and deliver essential oils into the surrounding space in the form of mist.
The Evaporative Diffuser
Evaporative diffusers are further classified into active and passive diffusion.
Passive evaporative diffusers include reed diffusers, which can be found at most home goods stores. The reed diffuser uses three components to deliver essential oils into your space: a glass container, an essential oil and carrier oil mixture, and a collection of wooden reeds. The reeds draw the oil mixture up through small capillaries located inside the reed effectively saturating the entire reed stick. The essential oil mixture is then dispersed into the room by way of natural evaporation from the tips of the reed.
Active evaporative diffusers accelerate essential oil evaporation by using a small fan. Active evaporative diffusers may require water or may function without the use of water; be sure to read your device manual for explicit instructions.
The Heat Diffuser
The heat diffuser uses a heat source, generally a tea light candle, to evaporate essential oils into a space. The essential oils are mixed with a carrier oil and placed in a heat proof container. The tea light candle is placed below the container heating up the oil mixture and releasing the aromas into the surrounding environment.
How to Use a Diffuser
Now that you know how a diffuser works, you may be wondering how to use a diffuser. The exact process of how to use a diffuser depends on the type of diffuser you choose to place in your home or office space. There are four steps that can be applied to all diffuser types, however, and can serve as a general guideline.
Step 1: Pick a Location
Choose a spot in your home, office, or other personal space that you would like to diffuse essential oils. When using a nebulizing diffuser, ultrasonic diffuser, or evaporative diffuser, you will need to be cognizant of outlets in which to plug your device.
Avoid placing your diffuser next to a window if you are using an ultrasonic or evaporative diffuser. Exposing sunlight to the water tank can encourage algae and bacterial growth. Also avoid placing your diffuser next to a fan or under a ceiling fan, which can interfere with the dispersion of essential oils.
Step 2: (Optional) Add Water
The next step when navigating how to use a diffuser is to fill the device water tank with water. This step is optional as the nebulizing diffuser, heat diffuser, and some evaporative diffusers do not require water to operate.
Make sure to read your device manual to determine the type of water your device requires. Some diffusers require distilled water to operate and are not compatible with tap water or filtered water.
Step 3: Add Your Essential Oil(s)
What is a diffuser if not for use with your favorite essential oils? Whether you prefer relaxing, stress reducing essential oils like lavender or chamomile or essential oils that encourage mental acuity and focus like peppermint, this is the time to add them.
Step 4: Turn on Your Diffuser
The last step is to turn on your diffuser or light the tea light candle on a heat diffuser. Enjoy the pleasant aromas and therapeutic benefits of essential oils while you go about your day!
Canopy Diffuser
Canopy Diffuser is a waterless, mistless way to diffuse aromas into your space. If you prefer short term diffusion, simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the Canopy Aroma Puck and place on top of your Canopy Diffuser. Canopy Diffuser also offers a long term diffusion option with the Diffusion Well, which is compatible with most essential oil bottles. Place your essential oil bottle into the Diffusion Well, choose from three fan speeds (low, medium, and high), and enjoy the many therapeutic benefits of essential oils.
Canopy Diffuser is anti-mold; the waterless technology prevents mold and bacteria from growing in the water tank ensuring healthy, safe diffusion. In addition, Canopy Diffuser is easy to clean, requiring only a brief wipe-down as necessary to prevent the accumulation of remnant essential oils.