How to use an essential oil diffuser

Fill an ultrasonic diffuser with room-temperature water to the line, add three to five drops of essential oil per 100 ml of water, close it and switch it on. Run it for thirty to sixty minutes, then give the room a pause. Empty and wipe it after use, and clean it properly once a week.

Drops: 3 to 5 per 100 ml water
Run: 30 to 60 minutes
Water: room temperature, to the line
Clean: once a week

Two kinds of diffuser

An ultrasonic diffuser vibrates water and a few drops of oil into a fine cool mist, so it needs water. A nebuliser has no water at all: a small bottle of oil screws into it and the oil is turned into a fine scent by air pressure. A nebuliser is stronger, so short sessions of ten to fifteen minutes are enough.

How many drops

Three drops per 100 ml of water is a soft start, five is fuller. A 120 ml diffuser takes four to six drops. Start low: a scent that fills the room in the first minutes often feels too strong after an hour. Use pure essential oils or blends made for diffusers, not base oils, which clog the plate.

Cleaning

After each use, empty the tank and wipe it dry. Once a week, unplug it, fill it halfway with water and a spoon of white vinegar, run it for five minutes, empty it, and wipe the small plate at the bottom gently with a cotton bud. Rinse, dry and it is ready.

On our shelf

Aroma Diffuser Humidifier 120ml USB-C Colour Changing Ultrasonic, with water · 120 ml

China£18.95Members: +£0.95 back

Essential Oil Diffuser Nebulizer USB-C Motion Sensor 10ml Nebuliser, no water · 10 ml bottle

China£27.95Members: +£1.35 back

French Lavender Essential Oil 10 ml 10 ml · Pure

France 4.9 (25)£4.49£449.00 per litreMembers: +£0.10 back

Essential Oil Blend Relaxing Lavender Mandarin 10ml

Italy 5.0 (1)£4.89£489.00 per litreMembers: +£0.15 back

See all: Electric Diffusers

Questions people ask

How many drops of essential oil in a 100 ml diffuser?

Three to five. Start with three and add more next time if you want a fuller scent.

Can I leave a diffuser on all night?

Better not. Most diffusers have a timer: one hour at bedtime is plenty, and the room is fresher for the pause.

How do I clean a diffuser?

Once a week: water with a spoon of white vinegar, five minutes running, then empty, a cotton bud on the plate, rinse and dry.