With the days getting warmer, a popular alternative to scented candles are the fast growing reed diffuser category. What is a reed diffuser? First and foremost, you don’t light it like a candle! Reed diffusers are a method of distributing scented oil throughout an environment, either home, office or wherever fragrance is desired, which is almost everywhere!
Usually a dozen or more bamboo or willow/rattan reeds are placed in the mouth of the container of the oil, so that the tips tend to array in a circular motion. The reeds transfer the scent up to the surrounding air by capillary action. This is much like a celery stick that wicks up water.
Why is there so much price difference on diffusers? Most retailers carry this category because of the popularity of this flame-free alternative, and consumer demand continues to grow season after season. The best diffusers are alcohol free and use premium fragrance oils and the finest ingredients. When looking at diffuser options, ask the associate in the store what the liquid base is, if there is any alcohol in it (which dilutes the fragrance and causes faster evaporation), how the “fragrance throw” is, and how long it will last. Fragrance throw is the term experts use to define how large of a space the fragrance will cover. For example, Archipelago Botanicals reed diffusers have a fragrance “throw” of over 500 feet, which are one-two large rooms. Impress the store staff with your diffuser knowledge!
Once you get the diffuser home, follow this process: Open the container, place the reeds in the liquid for several hours, and then flip the reeds so the oil that has been absorbed begins to fragrance. Do it over a sink or where dripping is not an issue as some oils can stain. The reeds should be flipped weekly, or as needed to maintain the fragrance “throw”. If more fragrance is needed, flip the reeds more often or place near a ceiling fan or an air conditioner vent where the air circulation will intensify the fragrance.
And with fragrances like Mango Tangerine, Pink Grapefruit, Lanai and Pomegranate Citrus, your environment will be scented with summers best.
For more information, please visit Candleman in the Gateway Village Center at 28269 Newhall Ranch Road, call 661-257-9420 or shop online at www.candlemanvalencia.com .