Why Can't I Smell My Reed Diffuser Anymore?
You've put a new reed diffuser in the hallway and for the first few days you notice it every time you walk past.
A couple of weeks later, you find yourself wondering whether you can smell it at all.
Sound familiar?
Before deciding that your diffuser has stopped working, there are a few things worth checking, including one that has absolutely nothing to do with the diffuser itself.
You may simply have got used to it
Our sense of smell is rather clever.
When we're exposed to the same fragrance continuously, our brain gradually learns that it doesn't need to keep drawing our attention to it. This is known as olfactory adaptation, although you'll also hear it called fragrance or nose blindness.
The diffuser can still be fragrancing the room, you're just not noticing it in the same way anymore.
It's why a visitor might walk into your house and immediately comment on how lovely it smells while you're thinking, “Really? I can't smell a thing!”
Check where you've put your diffuser
Position can make a surprising difference.
Some gentle movement of air can help fragrance travel around a room, which is why hallways and areas where people regularly walk past can work particularly well.
But avoid putting your diffuser directly beside a radiator, in strong sunlight, next to an open window or somewhere particularly draughty. Too much heat or airflow can simply make the liquid evaporate more quickly.
And always place it on a stable surface where any accidental drips won't damage furniture.
Do you need to turn the reeds?
No, on a good quality diffuser once the reeds have absorbed the diffuser liquid, they'll naturally draw it upwards and release the fragrance into the air.
Some people like to turn their reeds for a temporary boost of fragrance, but you don't need to keep doing this routinely. It can also make a mess , diffuser liquid isn't something you want dripping onto a polished table!
If you do choose to turn them, do it carefully and protect the surface underneath.
Your reeds don't last forever
Over time, reeds can become less effective, particularly if you've been using the same set for a long period.
If you refill your diffuser, we'd recommend using fresh reeds rather than automatically putting the old ones back in. They're an important part of how the diffuser works and replacing them can make quite a difference.
Think about the size of the room
A diffuser that works beautifully in a hallway, bathroom or bedroom may seem much more subtle when you move it into a large open-plan kitchen or living room.
That's simply because the same amount of fragrance is being dispersed through a much larger space.
You can also adjust the number of reeds you use. More reeds generally give a stronger fragrance but use the diffuser liquid more quickly; fewer reeds create a more subtle fragrance and can help it last longer.
Try leaving the room
This sounds ridiculously simple, but it's one of the best tests.
Go outside for a while, take the dog for a walk, pop to the shops, just get away from the fragrance for a bit.
Then notice what you smell when you first walk back through the door.
You may suddenly discover that your apparently scentless diffuser has been working perfectly well all along!
Continuous fragrance should be just that
One of the lovely things about a reed diffuser is that it quietly fragrances your home all day without you having to light anything or switch anything on.
You shouldn't necessarily expect the same intense hit of fragrance every time you walk into a room.
So before replacing a diffuser you think has stopped working, check its position, consider the room size and give your nose a little break.
You might find the problem wasn't the diffuser after all.
