GROW WITH CONFIDENCE
How To Make A Reed Diffuser
A beautiiful, slow burning home fragrance you can make in under five minutes. Here's exactly how, with the rations that actually work.
Welcome
If you're new to making your own home fragrance products, reed diffusers are the perfect place to start. No melting, no thermometer, no curing time. Just measure, mix, and pour - then enjoy weeks of scent that fills the room without ever lighting a flame.
This guide uses our Luxe Diffuser Base, which carries fragrance evenly through fibre or rattan reeds for strong, even diffusion. You'll be done in five minutes.
Step Zero
Five ingredients plus a pouring jug. Most of what you need is already in your kitchen.
The carrier that holds your fragrance and delivers it through the reeds. Stays clear with any fragrance, no cloudiness.
Shop Luxe Diffuser Base175+ fragrances to choose from. Floral, fresh, warm, gourmand - browse by scent family or check our Top 10.
Browse fragrances100ml or 200ml options in round or square shapes. Pick the size that suits the room and the look you're after.
Shop glasswareThe cap sits on top of the bottle to hold the reeds in place. The bung is optional but useful for travel or storage.
Shop diffuser capsFibre reeds carry fragrance faster, rattan is the classic look. Choose length to suit your bottle - 20-25cm for 100ml, 25-30cm for 200ml.
Shop reedsA clean measuring jug or beaker for mixing. Anything with millilitre markings will do.
Shop pouring jugsThe process
From empty bottle to scented room in less than five minutes. Read through once, then follow along.
Pour 75-80% of your bottle's volume of Luxe Diffuser Base into a clean pouring jug. For a 100ml diffuser, that's 75-80ml. For a 200ml diffuser, 140-160ml.
Pour 20-25% of your chosen fragrance oil into the base. For a 100ml diffuser, that's 20-25ml. For a 200ml, 40-60ml.
Stir gently for approximately one minute. The mixture should stay clear - Luxe Diffuser Base is formulated to work with any fragrance, even high-vanillin ones.
Slowly pour the mixture into your diffuser bottle, leaving a small gap at the top. Take your time - a slow, controlled pour avoids splashes and air bubbles.
If you're transporting or storing the diffuser before use, push in the rubber bung first. Otherwise, twist on the diffuser cap. The cap holds the reeds in place and gives the finished diffuser a clean look.
When you're ready to use the diffuser, push 6 reed sticks through the cap into the liquid. Six is the sweet spot - enough for strong scent throw without overpowering the room.
The maths
A quick reference for the two glassware sizes we stock. Save or screenshot.
Stronger scent:
75ml base + 25ml fragrance
Best for larger rooms or where you want the scent to be noticeable as soon as someone walks in.
Softer scent:
80ml base + 20ml fragrance
Best for bedrooms, smaller spaces, or where you want a subtle background fragrance.
Stronger scent:
140ml base + 60ml fragrance
Built for open-plan rooms, hallways, or commercial spaces where strong scent throw matters.
Softer scent:
160ml base + 40ml fragrance
A balanced option for living rooms and other shared spaces. Lasts longer too.
When things go sideways
The most common diffuser issues and how to fix them.
What's happening: either the fragrance load is too low, the reeds need flipping, or the room is too large for a single diffuser.
Fix: first, flip the reeds. The dry end is at the top after a week or so, and flipping puts the soaked end back into the air for a strong burst. If you've been making with 20% fragrance, try 25% next time. For very large rooms, a 200ml diffuser or two 100mls will perform better than one small bottle.
What's happening: almost always means you've used a different base (like Signature Spray Base) instead of Luxe Diffuser Base. Cloudiness with diffuser base is rare.
Fix: check the base. Luxe Diffuser Base is formulated to stay clear with any fragrance. If yours has gone cloudy with Luxe, contact us - we'll help you troubleshoot.
A 100ml diffuser typically lasts 6-10 weeks with 6 reeds and weekly flipping. A 200ml lasts 10-16 weeks. Less reeds = longer life but softer scent. More reeds = shorter life but stronger scent. Adjust to suit your space.
Yes, with caveats. You can top up the liquid, but replace the reeds at the same time - old reeds get clogged and stop carrying fragrance well. Reeds aren't designed to last forever, so plan on fresh reeds with each refill.
Fibre reeds: carry fragrance faster and more evenly. Stronger initial scent throw. Our recommendation for most makers.
Rattan reeds: the traditional natural look. Slightly slower scent throw, but more visually warm and "homemade" feeling. Great if the aesthetic matters as much as the fragrance.
Send us a photo and tell us your base + fragrance + bottle size. We've helped hundreds of makers troubleshoot their diffusers - whatever the issue, we've probably seen it.
Email hello@purecandlesupplies.com.au or call 03 9730 2213.
Keep going
Got the diffuser down? Here's where to grow from here.
Grab Luxe Diffuser Base, your fragrance, and a bottle - or chat with the team if you need help picking a scent.
Shop Luxe Diffuser Base Ask The Team