DIY: Essential Oil Reed Diffusers

Like to make gifts, but are pushed for time? Want to give homemade, but feel uncreative? Essential oil reed diffusers are easy to make with extra points for presentation -- they look so pretty when done! They are also a welcome, more natural way to fill a home with lovely scents! Diffusers allow you to use essential oils to scent your home instead of heavy chemically-scented products that easily irritate eyes and airways. They are natural, fairly non-toxic (depending on your oil choices) and blend better with a home's own "scent".

What You Need:

• essential oil(s) of choice
• a carrier oil (mineral oil, almond oil, safflower oil)
• vodka
• good quality bamboo skewers
• small jar or vase with a very narrow neck
• cork to fit neck of jar/vase

Steps:

1. Measure 1/4 cup of oil into a glass measuring cup. 2. Add about 12-14 drops of selected essential oil(s), a splash of vodka and mix well. 3. Pour into jar or vase and cork the neck. 4. Take the skewers and cut to required length. They should be about twice the height of the diffuser container.

To Use:

1. Open diffuser bottle and insert 4-6 of the skewers. Leave for about 10 minutes and then remove and insert the other end of the skewers into the container. 2. Enjoy!

Tips:

Put diffuser somewhere out of reach of children and pets. Make sure the bottle has a very narrow neck, as this encourages the oils to diffuse through the skewers instead of evaporating. If gifting to someone, consider making a nice label for the bottle and tying a bundle of the "reeds" to the neck with some raffia ribbon.

Another way to do this is to substitute rose water or orange flower water (available at most Middle Eastern and Asian groceries) for the carrier oil. You may need to add a bit more vodka if you do it this way to help the essential oils blend with the scented water.

I like a blend of cinnamon and balsam fir this time of year! Lavender and orange oil is also a favorite combination of mine.