How Long Does a Reed Diffuser Last?
One of the questions we're asked most often about reed diffusers is “How long will it last?”
Unfortunately, there isn't one exact answer.
How quickly your diffuser liquid is used depends on several things, including the temperature of the room, where you position it, how much air moves around it and how many reeds you use.
So if your diffuser seems to last longer in one room than another, there's probably a perfectly good reason.
Temperature Makes a Difference
The warmer the room, the faster diffuser liquid will generally evaporate.
That's why we recommend keeping your diffuser away from radiators, fires, strong direct sunlight and other sources of heat.
A diffuser sitting on a sunny windowsill above a radiator is likely to disappear rather more quickly than one kept in a cooler part of the room.
Watch Out for Strong Draughts
Some natural movement of air can be helpful because it carries the fragrance around the room.
Too much, however, can increase evaporation.
Avoid placing your diffuser directly beside an open window, fan or somewhere with a particularly strong draught.
You're looking for gentle air movement rather than a wind tunnel.
How Many Reeds Are You Using?
The number of reeds can affect both the strength of the fragrance and how quickly the diffuser liquid is used.
Generally, more reeds mean more fragrance but faster consumption, while fewer reeds give a subtler fragrance and can help the liquid last longer.
You don't necessarily need to use every reed supplied. If you're using your diffuser in a smaller room, try fewer and see whether you're happy with the fragrance level.
Should You Turn the Reeds?
We recommend turning the reeds once when you first set up your diffuser and then allowing them to work naturally.
Turning them again can give you a temporary boost of fragrance, but doing it regularly will also increase the amount of diffuser liquid being released and can make your diffuser run out more quickly.
So if longevity is important to you, resist the temptation to keep flipping them.
Does Room Size Matter?
Room size won't necessarily determine how quickly the liquid itself evaporates, but it can make a considerable difference to how strong the fragrance seems.
A diffuser that smells wonderful in a hallway or bedroom may seem much more subtle in a large open-plan room simply because the fragrance is dispersing through a much larger space.
If you can't smell your diffuser as strongly as you'd expected, that doesn't automatically mean there's something wrong with it.
How Can I Make My Reed Diffuser Last Longer?
A few simple things can help:
- Keep it away from radiators and other heat sources.
- Avoid strong direct sunlight.
- Don't position it in a strong draught.
- Try fewer reeds if you'd prefer a subtler fragrance.
- Don't routinely turn the reeds.
- Follow the instructions supplied with your diffuser.
And always keep your diffuser somewhere stable, protect furniture and other surfaces from spills, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Every Home Is Different
Two identical reed diffusers won't necessarily last exactly the same amount of time in two different homes or even in two different rooms in the same house.
Temperature, airflow, positioning and the number of reeds can all make a difference.
So rather than worrying if yours doesn't last exactly the same number of days as somebody else's, look at how you're using it and where you've put it.
A few small changes can sometimes make quite a difference.
Quick Answers
How long does a reed diffuser last?
This varies according to the diffuser and how it's used. Room temperature, airflow, the number of reeds and how often they're turned can all affect how quickly the liquid is consumed.
How can I make my reed diffuser last longer?
Keep it away from heat, strong sunlight and excessive draughts, consider using fewer reeds and avoid routinely turning them.
Does using more reeds make a diffuser run out faster?
Generally, yes. More reeds can increase fragrance diffusion but can also increase the rate at which the diffuser liquid is used.
Should I keep turning my reed diffuser reeds?
No. We recommend turning them once when setting up the diffuser and then allowing them to diffuse naturally. Regularly turning them can increase fragrance temporarily but will also use the liquid more quickly.
