How to Use An Essential Oil Diffuser

Neal's Yard Remedies

Neal's Yard Remedies

Writer and expert

An electric diffuser is a lovely way to give your room a more calming ambience. Filling the air with tiny, fragrant particles of beneficial essential oils, they help to enhance your wellbeing and promote self-care while leaving your space beautifully scented with natural aromas. 

What is an Electric Diffuser?


A versatile and safe option, the electric diffuser is a good choice for essential oil lovers. With no heat or naked flames required, they can be used to help you relax, to improve clarity and focus, help clear stuffiness and congestion, refresh an atmosphere, or just leave a lovely scent throughout your home. 

Here are our top tips on how to use an essential oil diffuser…


Choose a good location


Select an open area in your room, preferably not right against a wall or on the floor, but near a power source and plug in your electric diffuser.

 

Place the diffuser on a solid surface or table top but be aware that there may be some moisture emitted, so make sure any wood or precious surface is protected with a tray or mat.

 

Make sure that the room is well ventilated so that there isn’t too much of a build-up of vapour. This is especially important if there are children or pets in your house and if you do have a dog or a cat, you should also leave the door open so that your animal friend can leave if they want to (they may love it but just in case!)

Different types of diffusers on shelves

Add water to your diffuser


Fill your diffuser reservoir to the fill-line (or use the measuring cup) with clean tap water or distilled water. Make sure that there is always sufficient water in your diffuser as it relies on water to generate the fragrant mist. 

Close up of water pouring

Add essential oils


Add between 4-6 drops of your chosen essential oil or aromatherapy blend to the water into the essential oil diffuser (or follow the manufacturers’ instructions). 

Switch it on


Place the lid of the diffuser on the top and set which features you would like depending on the model, such as the colour or timer.

 

Switch it on and enjoy the fragrance. Most diffusers have an auto-cut off and you want the electric diffuser to run for about 15-20 minutes to enjoy the benefits but not over-saturate the room.

Diffuser and essential oils on a table

Clean your diffuser


After each use, empty and rinse the water tank of your diffuser and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

 

This is especially important after using citrus oils which can otherwise damage the disc if left in the water tank, or if using a different type of essential oil to keep the smell pure.


Whether you’re looking for a Calming effect, a hint of Optimism, or you need to De-Stress – our experts have created organic essential oil blends for every mood to help you get started with your diffuser. 

If you’d like to learn more about essential oils and their uses, take a look at aromatherapy, for wellness and natural beauty no matter where you are on your journey.