Diffusing is one of the easiest ways to use essential oils.
There are endless combinations and it can be really fun to play with as your collection grows.
These are my tips for making diffusing fun and easy!
Smell the oils with open bottles first
Choose a couple oils and open the caps. Hold them in one hand (I typically do 2-3) and swirl them under your nose to give you an idea of what they’ll smell like together.
If one oil is overpowering, hold that bottle lower than the rest to see if that helps blend the smells better. Do less drops of the oil(s) you held lower.
When putting oils into your diffuser, start with one drop of your stronger oils and do 2 or more drops of the rest. Remember, you can always add more oil, but you can’t take it away. Start low.
Once you’ve added your drops, let your diffuser run for a few minutes before adding more of a certain oil. It can be a bit of a game.
When you find a blend you love make sure to write down the oils and amount of drops so you can recreate it later! Even give it a fun name if you’d like!
Look up oils for the emotions you’re feeling or would like to feel
One of my favorite oil resource books is Essential Emotions. You can look up the properties of oils or blends you like, or you can look up suggestions by emotion.
For example, if you want to feel creative, the top 3 suggestions are Wild Orange, Tangerine, and Citrus Bliss.
If you’re feeling frustrated and want to turn that around, the top 3 suggestions are Geranium, Cardamom, and Neroli.
Or you can combine emotions. If you want to feel calm and connected, the top 2 for each are Lavender, Citrus Bloom, Marjoram and Vetiver respectively.
Once you have a list of a few oils, follow my first tip to experiment with the smells before adding them to your diffuser. (Or just wing it!)
Make it simple
My biggest tip is to make it simple. You can absolutely diffuse one oil at a time without blending! And if you find yourself repeating the same combinations over and over, pre-mix them in a 30ml dropper bottle (or repurposed empty oil bottle.)
Now instead of dropping multiple oils from multiple bottles, your favorites are ready to go all at once. Remember to label your bottle with cap stickers or other fun labels so you remember what’s in it.
Keep them right by your diffuser with a full container of water for easy diffuser refills and you’re set!
I usually do about 5 drops of oil in the diffuser, but I’m not a stickler. Do more or less - whatever you want!
One thing to remember
Diffusing is different than what you may be used to with candles. Synthetic fragrances are made to be stronger and there are additives to make the smells last longer.
Essential oils are pure nature. There isn’t anything added to them to make them stronger or last longer, so you may feel it is less intense at first.
But don’t worry! I have some tips for that too.
Add your oils to the diffuser first, then fill with water. This will allow the oil to disperse longer.
Have different diffusers going in each room or sections of the house. This allows your olfactory system (your nose) to have new sensory experiences as you go throughout your home.
How your nose works:
The olfactory system is constantly taking in tons of information. Imagine if you smelled every single possible smell in your home at the same time, all day. You’d be overloaded. So our olfactory system tunes out smells that stay consistent.
It’s not that your diffuser isn’t working or your house doesn’t smell good. It’s just that your brain has tuned it out.
This is why having different oils in different rooms can help you smell them longer or if you go outside for a while and come back inside. It becomes new to your brain again.
The benefits of your oils will stay in the air long after you no longer smell them, even if your diffuser turns off. It’s such a great passive way to receive the benefits of your oils to everyone in your home.
Diffusing around Pets
One last tip from questions I get a lot is for diffusing around pets.
Personally I have never had adverse reactions with any oil and my pets. I have 2 German shepherds and we have had chicks inside as well and diffuse throughout our house.
There is an entire section about oils and pets in the book Essential Life. I have many customers who have pets and also haven’t experienced adverse reactions. Some even use oils topically on their pets and love using oils for them! This book can be a great resource for you.
I do have a few tips if you’re nervous.
Diffuse in large open areas where your pet can move around or leave if they want.
Put a drop on your hand and let your pet smell it to see if it is interested.
Over the years I have collected diffusers and now have one in every room, but start with what you have!
I have used diffusers from Walmart or Amazon as well as from doTERRA. I have with time switched them all to doTERRA because I love the look and quality. But I won’t turn you away from other diffusers either.
If you’re interested in the doTERRA diffusers, check out this post for my reviews.
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