Can You Refill a Reed Diffuser With Any Oil?
No, because a reed diffuser needs a thin liquid made to travel up the fibre reeds and evaporate, and proper reed diffuser refill oil works best. Water, perfume, thick oils like olive oil and household products either won't climb the fibre reeds, won't smell, or can be unsafe.
Why does the liquid matter?
A fibre reed works like a straw, so the liquid has to be thin enough to travel up the tiny channels and light enough to evaporate from the top. Reed diffuser refills use a base liquid made for exactly this job, which is then blended with fragrance so the scent rises with it. If you care about what goes into that liquid and where it is made, see our guide to British made reed diffusers.
Which oils work and which don't?
Here is how the most common liquids compare when you pour them into a reed diffuser, from the one that works best to the ones to avoid.
| Liquid | Works? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Reed diffuser refill oil | Yes | Made to climb fibre reeds and evaporate |
| Essential oils in water | Poorly | Oil and water separate; water does not wick well |
| Essential oils in a thin carrier | Sometimes | DIY blends vary; strength and safety are hard to get right |
| Olive, sunflower or other thick oils | No | Too thick to climb fibre reeds |
| Perfume | Short lived | Evaporates fast and is costly |
| Household disinfectants | Not advised | Not made for reed diffusers. See our Can You Put Disinfectant in a Reed Diffuser? |
| Water | No | No scent, and it can stop oil wicking later |
In short, a proper refill oil is the only choice on this list that is made to do the job well from the first day to the last.
What about DIY reed diffuser oil?
DIY recipes online mix essential oils with a carrier, and some people have good results with them, but there are two things to keep in mind:
- The strength of a homemade blend is hard to judge until it is already in the bottle and filling the room.
- Homemade blends have no safety label to tell you how to use and store them safely around your home.
If you do try it, keep the bottle well away from pets and children, and place it somewhere high and steady where it cannot be knocked over by accident.
Can you mix two scents?
You can, but it is best to finish one bottle before you start the next, because mixing old and new oil often gives a muddy smell. Rinse the bottle out, let it dry fully, and then use a fresh set of fibre reeds with the new scent so it smells clean.
Can you use a different brand's refill?
Usually, yes, as long as it is a proper reed diffuser refill and not another kind of oil, but use fresh fibre reeds so the old fragrance does not mix in with the new one.
How do you refill properly?
For a clear walk through of each stage of the process from start to finish, see our step by step guide: how to refill a reed diffuser.
Quick answers
What can I use to refill my reed diffuser?
Use a reed diffuser refill oil, because it is designed to climb the fibre reeds and release the scent evenly into the room rather than all at once.
Can I put essential oils in my reed diffuser?
Not on their own or mixed in water, because they need a suitable carrier to help them travel up the fibre reeds and into the room.
Can you refill a reed diffuser with water?
No, because water carries no scent of its own, and it can stop the fibre reeds working properly when you add oil to the bottle later.
The simplest option
If you would rather not mix anything yourself, a new reed diffuser is the easy answer, because it comes with fresh fibre reeds and oil made to climb them. Choose by room: the Kew Morning reed diffuser suits kitchens and hallways, and the Hampstead Spa reed diffuser suits bathrooms and bedrooms. For living rooms, where guests gather, the one to choose is the Belgravia Linen reed diffuser. Already have one of ours? Our 200ml reed diffuser refills come with a fresh set of fibre reeds.
All of our reed diffusers are made from organic natural ingredients, with a plant based reed diffuser base and are vegan, so you always know what you are bringing into your home.
If you still have questions about refilling your reed diffuser, you will find more answers in our reed diffuser FAQs.
New to IVNA London? Every scent we make comes as a reed diffuser and a matching luxury scented candle, both handmade in England.
