Our goal is to be an asset to you on your oily journey. That’s why we developed this list of Our Best Essential Oil Diffuser Tips to give you a place to start as you explore the world of aromatherapy.
The first day I opened my Young Living diffuser I immediately read the manual front to back and plugged it in. I added 8 drops of essential oils (as directed in the instructions) with the appropriate amount of water and turned it on. I developed a headache after 30 minutes and I couldn’t understand what had gone wrong.
I really wanted to use essential oils to change the environment in my home. But this was a rough start. I found out that I needed to ease into diffusing to give my body the chance to adjust to these powerful oils.
I wanted to understand how best to diffuse. I didn’t want to just dump oils in and hope for the best.
So I read everything I could get my hands on and then researched more about the wonderful effects of diffusing various essential oils. For me, knowing the basics was crucial. I’d like to share with you some of what I learned so that even beginning oil users can feel like experts at diffusing.
Let’s discuss the following in Part 1:
- What is essential oil diffusing?
- Which essential oil diffuser should I use?
- How many drops of essential oils do I diffuse?
- How long do I need to diffuse for the best effects?
- How do I take care of my essential oil diffuser?
Essential Oil Diffuser Tips
It’s important that this free essential oil diffuser guide is going to give you our best tips and guide you as you explore. These are based on our research and personal experience. Your experience might vary, but I hope to give you a starting point to explore diffusing safely.
What is essential oil diffusing?
Ultrasonic diffusers allow you to distribute the tiniest components of essential oil into the air through super-fast vibrations.
Essential oil diffusing allows you to enjoy the aromatic benefits of essential oils in a safe and beneficial method for your entire family.
Which essential oil diffuser should I use?
We mainly use ultrasonic diffusers from Young Living because they provide a cool-mist humidifier with a quality essential oil diffuser. I mostly use the dewdrop diffuser and the home diffuser. I like the home diffuser because it has an intermittent flow that helps to diffuse for a longer period of time. The home diffuser and dewdrop both have a night light feature that can also be turned off. My kids love this.
If you’d like to know more about which Young Living diffuser will work best for you, check out this great diffuser comparison chart. {Click on the link or image to see it in more detail.}
I also recently received a USB diffuser as a gift. Can’t wait to try it out! I think this is going to be great for when I work on my laptop. There are limits on which oils can be diffused in this device, so make sure to read the user manual.
You might have also considered reed diffusers as an option. I don’t recommend these diffusers at all. Ultrasonic diffusers are better than reed diffusers because ultrasonic diffusers distribute the full qualities of the essential oils while reed diffusers simply allow the oils to evaporate. The evaporation method of reed diffusers creates an uneven distribution of the oils because the lighter components evaporate first, leaving the heavier components to stay around longer. This creates an inconsistent experience.
There’s another group of diffusers called atomizers or nebulizers. They don’t use water at all but atomize the liquid essential oils into a fine mist. They’re pricier than ultrasonic diffusers but offers a more pure oily experience.
I’ve had my eye on this beautiful nebulizing diffuser. It’s got fantastic reviews which means that I might be adding it to my Christmas wish list.
How many drops of essential oils do I diffuse?
When you first start diffusing it’s important to remember to start low and go slow. This is the key to finding scents that you can appreciate without overwhelming your senses (like I did!)
One or two drops of essential oil are usually plenty when you’re first experiencing oils in your ultrasonic diffuser. It takes some time for your body to get used to oils when you are first starting. As you diffuser more often, you might want to increase the number of drops.
How long do I need to diffuse for the best effects?
Pay attention to the recommendations on the oil bottle to see how long to diffuse each one. Each oil will have a recommended diffusing time and also how often you can diffuse each day. Some oils should only be diffused for 20 – 30 minutes at a time. Essential oils are extremely concentrated plant extracts and it’s important to follow label instructions.
With that in mind, if you are blending essential oils in your diffuser you always want to use the recommended diffusing time for the most conservative time frame. So if you blend oil that has a recommended diffusing time of up to one hour with another essential oil that recommends diffusing for up to 30 minutes, then you should only diffuse the blend for 30 minutes also.
How do I take care of my essential oil diffuser?
You’ll want to keep your diffuser in tip-top shape so that you can enjoy it for years to come. Follow these usage and cleaning tips to take the best care of your ultrasonic diffuser:
- Make sure to empty your diffuser and store it dry after each use
- Unplug your diffuser before cleaning
- Clean the diffuser plate after each use by wiping clean
- If the diffuser plate starts to show a buildup of essential oils, then clean it with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol
- You can clean the lid of the diffuser with soap and water, as necessary
We hope these Essential Oil Diffuser Tips help guide you on a wonderful journey of exploring and appreciating the wonderful world of aromatherapy!
Learn more diffuser tips in Part II available HERE!
Part II answers the following questions:
- What recipes can I use when I’m just starting to diffuse?
- Which essential oils do I use for relaxation, energizing, purifying, etc?
- How can you know if a combination is going to smell great diffused?
- Which recipes can I start? (Over 100 recipes linked!)
- How do I keep track of all these essential oil diffuser recipes I love?
- What should you write in your essential oil recipe journal?
Nancy Padulsky says
Is it OK to diffuse with windows open?
Beth K says
I don’t see a reason not to. 🙂
Greg says
Do you know where you should place the diffuser?
I only smell it if I’m very close to me. I have a large open concept space. Thank you!
Beth K says
It might be that you’d want to place the diffuser where it’s going to be circulated best. I put mine on the bar between my kitchen and living area. But I’d use two diffusers for stronger smells in a larger coverage area.
Lisa says
Nancy, I do all the time. I often times think it enhances the effectiveness, because you’ve got the fresh air blending with your oil. But this is just my opinion.
Cherry says
Is there somewhere in the VO (or do you have a list) that lists the oils and which are base, middle and top notes?
Beth K says
We are working on just that! I’ve never seen it in the Virtual Office, but I think it’s a fascinating thing to study and use when blending.
Jo says
I’d really like that info too!
Jennifer MacLellan says
What essential oil is a good one to start with in my home in the dew drop diffuser?
Beth K says
Great question! I think it depends on your mood and what you’re trying to achieve. You can check out all of our diffuser recipes here to find a blend that fits you. http://www.recipeswithessentialoils.com/diffuser-recipes/
Elaine Hall says
Using the therapro, how many hours would a bottle of Thieves last, approximately? Are there other diffusers that you can use multiple oils and will do a large square foot area?
Tara G says
Is there a recommended type of water that should be used, or is regular tap water okay?
Beth K says
Great question! Every diffuser will have guidelines about what should be used. I have some diffusers that only take distilled water and others that take tap water.
Sheila mitchell says
I never knew that there was a difference in waters!? Sometimes I use bottled and other times I use faucet water!
P says
I will only use bottled water because my tap water is not great quality (we have issues with PFOA contamination in the supply, due to a local manufacturing facility upstream and we are a groundwater community. I’ve been a bottled water drinker for years).
crystal says
Just wondering if you ever bought the nebulizing diffuser and if so what do you think of it.
Beth K says
I have not tried it yet. I honestly would love any input from anyone who has it. I’m interested but not pushed over to actually buying yet.
Susan says
I have a neubilizer. After experiencing a younge living essential oil diffuser I see s big difference on how it distributes the water with oils. I find the neubilizer not as effective as what I saw today. I will be purchasing a younge living essential oil package
Beth K says
Thanks for the comment. I think that information could be helpful to others trying to learn what will work best for their situation, too.
Sue says
I purchased the one on your wish list. I love it, but the oils go fast. It sends out a very concentrated stream of scent, similar to burning incense intensity. The glass is very fragile. Broke my smooth glas the first time I cleaned it with soapy water and it slipped out of my hand. The one in the pictur is just a little les fragile. Still need to handle with care. I bought a replacement for $20. That one now has a small crack in it . Definitely covers a larger square foot room quickly.
Beth K says
Great feedback! Thanks so much for the great details.
Beth says
What area of your web is the Tag Cloud?
Beth K says
Hi Beth! On a laptop, you should be able to see the tag cloud on any post by scrolling down. It will be on the right hand side.
Olivia says
Hi! I was wondering if you would recommend the home diffuser or dew drop diffuser. I’m a teen and would like to use it in my room, but I’m not quite sure which one is the best option for a small room. Thanks!
Jenn says
Either one is great. They are both very similar so you really can’t go wrong either way. 🙂
Janet Harris says
Thank you so much ladies. I am new to the oils and did not have a clue that there are recommendations on the bottle for how many drops to use. I have been using way to many drops and running the diffuser for the full 4 hours…. Yikes…. You girls are awesome! Pls make more videos. I need you. ❤️❤️
BRENDA HOWARD says
hello ladies,
I have only ordered my premium starter kit…like 4-5 months ago..I want to start ordering…so that after several months paying …I will finally be able to get oils for 24%???
Can you send me the information on how this process of each month in a row what is the % ranking?
Also, please explain what all the initials mean in free items.
If I do not want recurring orders..might want to pick my own for the first 4-5 months.?
thank you ladies for taking time out to answer my questions.
where are you ladies from?
Beth K says
We have a post here about essential rewards that might help – https://www.recipeswithessentialoils.com/benefits-signing-essential-rewards/
Tamra Keels says
Is this okay to use for someone in remission?
Beth K says
We are not doctors and cannot speak to the issues regarding medical conditions or treatments. I do hope you can contact your doctor and get the help you need.
Yadelis says
Hi, I just recently bought a diffuser with some essential oils (lavender, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus). Last night I used it for the first time with only 3 drops of lavender and it gave me a headache. Is this normal? Will the headaches go away as I get used to using it for a while?
Note: I have the Plant Therapy AromaFuse diffuser which is big and holds a good amount of water, I only filled it halfway and put the 3 drops in it to diffuse (when it’s full 6-10 drops of essential oils can be used).
Jenn says
Sometimes our bodies can take time to adjust. You can reduce the amount of drops, reduce the amount of time diffused, change the location of the diffuser, try a different essential oil – lots of different options to help! 🙂
Carolyn says
Enjoyed the video. I would like to try the pepper oil.
Beth K says
It’s amazing! Seriously one of my favorites.
Alice Macguire says
Nice infographic. And the video is great. This is a very helpful post. Thank you!
lisa says
do you have to stir the oils together gently when adding them to the diffuser for equal blending or do you mix the combos separately and add to water? if you don’t mix them, will they diffuse in concentrated spots as the air moves the water around?
Diana M says
Hi Lisa! No, you do not need to mix the oils in a diffuser. Ultrasonic diffusers use a heating element that gradually evaporates the mixture of oil and/or water.
Emma says
Love your diffuser comparison chart! So handy, thank you!!