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名牌居家擴香超簡單省錢自製指南 | DIY Reed Diffuser Guide - Adjustable Longevity & Strength

Anita Huang

Carrier Oils? Alcohol? NO

If you’ve ever tried using some kind of neutral oil (like almond), 75% or 95% alcohol, or glycerin as a DIY reed diffuser base and find that these substitutes don’t fill your space with the pleasant scent that store bought options do, you are in the right place. To me, they don’t work, and I’ve found the real solution.

If you don’t want to complicate things, all you need are two ingredients, isododecane and fragrance oil of your choice. I’d use 30~40% of fragrance oil versus 60~70% of isododecane, give it a quick mix, and voila your reed diffuser refill solution is ready. In addition to your preference of strength, the percentage range can depend on the type of scent you choose. I tend to use more fragrance oils with light and floral scents, and use less with musky scents.

Adjustable Longevity & Strength

If you would like this diffuser solution to last longer - for a cup or 250ml of solution, from my experience, can extend from 6 weeks to 10 weeks - add isohexadecane. However, you do not want too much isohexadecane, as it can smother the fragrance oil and the scent cannot evaporate. My rule of thumb is generally 2:2:1 fragrance : isododecane : isohexadecane.

I currently live in a three bedroom apartment, this solution works fine in the bedrooms and bathrooms. In larger spaces though, it may not be strong enough to fill the room. In Taiwan, I’ve found a supplier that sells cheap and convenient premade perfume base, which I use to make my own perfume, eau de toilette or home scent spray with fragrance oil. If this kind of product is not available to you, I’d use 95% alcohol to increase the evaporation and strength of the diffuser solution. I use 3:3:1 fragrance : isododecane : perfume base or 95% alcohol.

Not Essential Oil

I don’t use essential oils for my reed diffusers. I find the strength of the scent too weak and thus a waste of money and good essential oils. Unless of course, you are placing it on a desk, where you’d enjoy the scent at close proximity. I find that heated methods are much better for essential oils, like candles, mist diffuser or a lamp.

Fragrance Oil

You can find a wide selection of fragrance oil at most DIY cosmetics, candles or soap suppliers, such as Bramble Berry. I have even found scents that are indistinguishable from name brands like Jo Malone, Dior or Chanel at my local suppliers.

Alternatives

Isododecane and isohexadecane are not the only ingredients that can be used to make diffuser solution of course. Sometimes, I use dipropylene glycol as a substitute to isododecane. There are also many petroleum derivatives I’ve tried that work equally well as diffuser base. However, I tend to revert back to isododecane and isohexadecane, since I also use it in my DIY Makeup Brush & Sponge Cleaner.

我使用的基底原料:

更多居家用品 DIY Household Essentials:

DIY原料線上購買:

冠亦商行
順億化工
iHerb.com
城乙化工行
第一化工 
香草工房
Amazon.com
Lotion Crafter
MakingCosmetics