How do you use an electric fragrance diffuser?

Electric Fragrance Diffuser

If you’re into aromatherapy, using an electric oil diffuser is the best way to get the most out of your essential oils.

When you use an electric oil diffuser, you’ll be able to inhale your essential oils, allowing you access to the full spectrum of health and wellbeing benefits. You’ll also be able to mix oils, meaning you can create custom aromas and blends tailored for your needs.

So, how do you use an electric fragrance diffuser? Let’s take a look. 

What is an electric fragrance diffuser?

An electric fragrance diffuser is an aromatherapy tool that is used to mist or spray essential oils into the air. When essential oils are misted into the air at interval periods, they’re much easier to inhale. According to many studies, inhaling your essential oils is the most efficient way to benefit from aromatherapy

Benefits of using an electric fragrance diffuser

When you use an electric oil diffuser, you’re increasing the efficiency of your essential oils. By inhaling them (instead of applying them to the skin), the essential oils pass through your nasal passage and directly into the body. 

When essential oils are absorbed into the body, they can reach your limbic system and offer enhanced benefits to brain and body function. Here are just a few benefits of inhaling essential oils:

  • Improved mood
  • Improved cognitive function
  • Enhanced sleep quality 
  • Mood regulation
  • Soothes anxiety
  • Stress reduction
  • Can decongest blocked noses, help to sooth sore throats
  • Help migraines
  • Fight bacteria

How to use an electric fragrance diffuser

So, how do you use an electric fragrance diffuser? Here’s how we recommend using these aromatherapy tools:

Step 1: Pick the right electric fragrance diffuser

Before you can begin diffusing essential oils, you’ll first want to find the best electric diffuser. There are a couple of things to bear in mind before choosing a diffuser:

  • Size and capacity. The capacity of your fragrance diffuser is going to determine how long it can run before running out of essential oils. At Smellacloud, we use ultrasonic technology to power our diffusers; this means you only need to use a small amount of essential oils mixed with water.
  • Ultrasonic vs. cold-air diffuser. There are several types of electric oil diffuser, but the two main models are either ultrasonic or cold-air diffusers. We recommend ultrasonic diffusers, as they’re customisable to your needs and much more affordable. 
  • Duration settings. Our fragrance diffusers come with several duration settings: this way, you can pick the diffuser that corresponds to your needs. Our modes include 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours. 

Step 2. Choose and mix your essential oils

Once you’ve picked a fragrance diffuser, your next job is picking out some essential oils to diffuse. 

The great thing about essential oils is that you can mix them together to create a potent aromatherapy cocktail, customised to you and your family’s needs. 

Whether you’re looking to clear the air in your home, reduce personal stress, or ward off insects, there’s an essential oil that can get the job done.

Best essential oils for diffusers:

Lavender - Lavender has potent anxiolytic properties, which means that it helps to fight anxiety. Slightly sedating, Lavender is ideal for soothing and relaxing, and can also be useful in aiding sleep quality and sleep regulation.

Chamomile - Chamomile contains many healing properties and is antimicrobial; this means that it can help fight bacteria in the air. It can also help you recover more quickly from a cold while preventing others in your household from catching your bug. 

Bergamot - Bergamot is an intense yet light citrus scent that helps improve and regulate moods. Some people may have an allergic reaction to bergamot, so make sure to patch-test first before diffusing.

Sandalwood - Ideal for reducing stress, sandalwood is an antiviral, antiseptic and even contains aphrodisiac properties. 

Clary Sage - Clary sage is a known fighter of cortisol, the stress hormone. If you’re looking to create a custom aroma blend to reduce anxiety, clary sage is an ideal contender. 

Rose - Diffusing rose oil can relieve muscle tension, soothe anxiety and relax the body. Rose is great to add to a custom fragrance blend if you’re dealing with muscle aches or injury.

Eucalyptus - Ideal for use during winter to help coughs and colds, Eucalyptus oil can help decongest, sooth ailments while relaxing muscles and easing tension.

Lemongrass - Perfect for diffusing during the summer months to ward off insects and flies, lemongrass oil is a potent antimicrobial and antioxidant. Diffusing lemongrass can even help prevent mould from developing in your home, as this essential oil is also antifungal.

Pro tip: if you dislike the scent of one particular essential oil but want to reap its benefits nonetheless, blending your essential oils is a great way to conceal any unpleasant odours. Rose is a powerful - and for most, pleasant - scent that can be added to any fragrance blend to cover more intense fragrances, such as bergamot or ​​eucalyptus.

To add your essential oils to your fragrance diffuser, simply fill the diffuser with water (don’t overfill the diffuser - the amount of water necessary should be visible on the device). Once you’ve filled your diffuser with water, add up to 15 drops of your chosen essential oils.

Step 3. Place your diffuser in an optimised space

Once you’ve chosen your desired essential oils and added them to your diffuser, you need to place your fragrance diffuser in an optimised place. It’s best to place your diffuser in a space you frequent a lot in your home; a living room or your bedroom is ideal.

It’s completely safe to use your oil diffuser in your bedroom; in fact, it’s the best place to put it if you’re looking to improve your sleep quality. If you use an odour-neutralising air purifier, make sure to turn this off before launching your fragrance diffuser.

Once you’ve chosen the ideal place for your diffuser, all that’s left to do is select your chosen diffusing time. And voila! All the benefits of aromatherapy, without the hefty price tag of a spa appointment.