There are many types of diffusers out there, and each of them are great for different reasons. We explain in this article about the styles and benefits of each. But when it comes to passive diffusers, we have all the extra details you need right here.

What is a Passive Aromatherapy Diffuser?

The biggest benefit of passive diffusers (or sometimes called evaporative diffusers) is that you do not need any power source such as electricity or batteries. So, essentially they gently diffuse the aroma of your oils using either natural evaporation or air flow. Most of the time, passive diffusers absorb the Essential Oils and slowly the scent releases into the air around it. You might see them made from clay, lava, wood, cotton, or ceramic.

How do you Use a Passive Diffuser?

Using a passive diffuser is incredibly easy and straightforward. All you need to do is put your chosen Essential Oils or Blend onto the absorbent part of the product and let the scent dissipate into the environment. One thing to note is that the scent of the oils will be more subtle than with an active diffuser like an electric ultrasonic model. This is because of the nature of this style. It is much more personal and intimate.

REVIVE’s Ceramic Diffusers like the Flower or the Gnome are meant to be a beautiful and decorative addition to your home that also offers the functional benefits of aromatherapy. These types of diffusers generally require about 5 to 8 drops of oil to generate enough scent. Keep in mind that softer aromas might need more drops.

REVIVE’s Lava Stone Diffuser Bracelet is a really great way to use your oils on the go. Simply adding 2 to 3 drops of oil to the lava jewelry is enough to get a day’s worth of personal, portable scent.
The Branch Diffuser by REVIVE is the easiest way to diffuse your beloved Essential Oils in your car! Instead of choosing a store-bought hanging tree or “candle” brand freshener, the Branch is just as effective to scent your car but without the toxins. One of the best parts about this diffuser is that it clips into your air vent so the rushing heat or air conditioning moves the smell along into the cabin of the car. We recommend at least 5 drops of oil on the wick, but many of our customers report using 10-15 drops of oil to get the strength of scent that they desire

How Long Does the Scent Last?

The scent of the oils on this type of diffuser typically lasts a few days. Because Essential Oils naturally begin to dissipate when exposed to oxygen, it will also depend on which oils are used, the amount, and the size of the diffuser. Blends with heavier base notes have bigger molecules that may linger longer, while lighter oils like citrus will diminish quicker. Air temperature and conditions can also come into play here. If you have your heat on high and the air is drier, the oils will tend to diminish quicker as well. 

No worries though, all you need to do is add more oils!

What are the Benefits of a Passive Diffuser?

One of our favorite things about a passive diffuser is that it supplies a more continuous and subtle release of fragrance creating a wonderful ambiance in any room. Additionally, it is a great option for an area that does not have electricity. As you know, many Essential Oils are antibacterial and antimicrobial, so just having this in your space can help to freshen the air and kill germs. Another thing to note is that if you are sensitive to light or sound, it is helpful to know that passive diffusers are silent and do not contain any light emitting sources. Lastly, because passive diffusers have a milder and more contained scent, they are great for pet owners or family members of those with sensitivities.

How do you Clean your Passive Diffuser?

If you always plan on using the same oil on your diffuser, then you really have no need for cleaning it. But, if you want to avoid the intermingling of scents, it may be an integral part of using a passive style diffuser. To clean a ceramic model like the gnome, you can simply soak it in warm water and gently scrub it with a gentle, unscented soap and then let it air dry. This would work well for the lava bracelet as well, just be careful not to damage the elastic. For wick style diffusers like The Branch, you don’t need to clean anything at all. Just switch out your cotton wick as needed when you want to use a different scent.

As you can see, passive diffusers are an inexpensive and useful tool for your Essential Oils. So, now that you know more about them, give them a try!

Who doesn’t love having their home filled with a beautiful scent? Whether it be for deodorizing, mood, or to create a comforting atmosphere, having your Essential Oils in the air can help with so many things. Because of this, the use of Essential Oil Diffusers has gained traction in contemporary wellness practices, as well as everyday home use.

What Exactly is an Essential Oil Diffuser?

In general, diffusers are devices to disperse Essential Oils into the air. They are often very cost effective because just a few drops of oil can last for several hours. Additionally, they are actually pretty easy to use once you know how.

Essential Oil (or Aromatherapy) Diffusers can be categorized into a few different types. Each of them uses unique mechanisms to deploy the aromatic compounds of the oils. The most common kinds of diffusers are ultrasonic, passive/evaporative, cool mist, heat, and nebulizers.

Essential Oil Diffusers: What are the Different Types?

Whether you have a simple tea light candle diffuser or an electric ultrasonic diffuser, proper use is key. Here we will describe how to use each kind to achieve all of the benefits that Essential Oils have to offer.

Passive/Evaporative Diffusers

These types of diffusers are very simple and essentially the easiest to use, but they also have a lighter and less consistent aroma. Basically, these types of diffusers just rely on natural evaporation of Essential Oils. Examples of passive or evaporative diffusers are reed diffusers, ceramic pieces like the REVIVE Passive Flower Diffuser, lava stone jewelry like REVIVE’s Black Lava Stone Bracelet, or cotton applications like REVIVE Branch Diffuser. To use, simply put a drop or two of your Essential Oils onto the absorbent material and inhale the beautiful scent as it wafts off of the item. These are a good choice for the office when you want to reduce stress, you can use these Essential Oils to calm and relax.  You can re-apply as desired for more or different scents.

Heat Diffusers

This next style of diffuser is another somewhat simple way to diffuse oils and most of the time without electricity. A very basic way of using heat for diffusion would be adding Essential Oils to a bowl of warm water. Many people will do this for steam inhalation when they are feeling stuffed up using these Essential Oils for Congestion. Another basic way of heat diffusion is a tea light diffuser. These are often a cute ceramic or terracotta piece with a tea candle in the base and a reservoir on top. By adding a bit of water and a couple drops of oil in the top and lighting the candle, the gentle heat will warm the oil and create a nice aroma for a small space. Other times, you may see light bulb rings or plug in diffusers as heat options as well. These are great to use too as long as you do not overheat your Essential Oils. Once they get over 100 degrees, the therapeutic benefits start to dissipate.

Ultrasonic and Cool Mist Diffusers

Even though they are not exactly the same thing, cool mist and ultrasonic diffusers work very similarly and create the same type of result.  These types of diffusers use sound frequency or vibration to create a fine mist that disperses into the air. No heat is needed for this, but they do need to be either plugged in like the REVIVE Halo Diffuser or charged with a USB like the REVIVE Air Personal Mist Diffuser.

One of the greatest aspects of this type of diffuser is that they often have several different lighting options for ambiance, as well as settings for intermittent diffusion. Because of this, we love this type of diffuser best.

Nebulizing Diffusers

Unlike most of the diffusers we have already discussed, nebulizers do not use any water or heat. They force a stream of air through a small tube that contains Essential Oil. Then this airstream turns into a fine mist that distributes the aromatherapy throughout your space. This generally is the strongest smelling option but the downfall of these diffusers is that they are usually the most expensive and they use up your oils a little quicker.

Benefits of Using an Essential Oil Diffuser

The incorporation of Essential Oils in a diffuser used in your home has so many incredible benefits. It can have great psychological, physiological, and spiritual benefits. In addition to that, it can actually improve the air that you breathe! 

Improved Mood: The chemical compounds the Essential Oils that you diffuse can help change your state of mind. When diffusing citrus oils, you can feel uplifted and energized, while diffusing woodsy oils, you can feel more grounded or reduce stress.

Improved Physical Health: The therapeutic benefits of diffusing Essential Oils can also affect you physically. For example, if you diffuse Eucalyptus or Laurel, they can help to clear congestion and reduce inflammation. 

Create Ambiance: Diffusing nostalgic or comforting Essential Oils can set the tone for your space. Whether you are trying to promote some holiday cheer or emulate baked goods, those scrumptious smelling oils in the atmosphere are a perfect touch.

Better Sleep: If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep at night, diffusing sedative oils by your bed can really be beneficial. Utilizing REVIVE sleep blends or creating your own blends like these, can really promote better relaxation and reduce insomnia.

Cleaner Air: If you diffuse antimicrobial or antiviral Essential Oils, they can naturally remove many germs from the space and even help kill airborne viruses. REVIVE offers some great pre-blended options or you can check out these options for cold and flu season.

How to Use and Essential Oil Diffuser: 5 Quick Steps to Getting Started

1. Choose Your Diffusers: First, pick what diffuser you want to use. REVIVE has some of the BEST diffusers in the industry! We really love the ultrasonics for the flexibility and setting options.
2. Plug it in if Applicable: When using an electric diffuser, be sure to plug it in.
3. Fill it with Water: Most Essential Oil Diffusers (aside from nebulizers) will need to be filled with some water. According to package directions, add the correct amount of water needed.
4. Choose your Oils & Add them to the Diffuser: Depending on your goal for diffusion, choose what single oils or blends you would like to use and add them in. Most diffusers call for only 3-5 drops!
5. Pick your Setting & Enjoy the Benefits: If your diffuser has an intermittent setting or a timing setting, now is when you would decide which one you would like. Turn it on and reap the benefits of aromatherapy!

Cleaning your Diffuser

Regular maintenance of your diffuser is essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Your diffuser will come with an instruction guide, so definitely follow their guidelines. But, in general, it basically involves just rinsing the reservoir and wiping it down as needed. Every few weeks, you may want to wipe it down thoroughly with vinegar to remove any built up residue.

Diffuser FAQ’s

Is it okay to diffuse everyday?

• Yes, Essential Oils are a healthy way to add scent to your home and an easy way to get their benefits. We do, however, recommend limiting the amount of time per day or using an intermittent setting so that you do not experience nose blindness. 

Do you put hot or cold water in the diffuser?

• Cool or room temperature water is best.

Can you use any Essential Oil in your Diffuser?

• Yes, you can use any pure Essential Oils or blends. But please ensure they are genuine oils like REVIVE carries.

Can I use a diffuser as a humidifier?

• Even though diffusers have water in them, it is not meant to be a humidifier. The amount of water that comes out is not a significant amount.

How many drops of oil do you put in your diffuser?

• Follow your instruction guide for exact recommendations. Most regular size diffusers only require 3-5 drops, but some larger diffusers call for 5-10 drops of oil.

How do I know what type of diffuser to get?

• Well, what do you like? Many people choose their diffuser based on style or look. You may also want to consider where you will be using it. If it is in your car, the Branch or Pebble diffusers are great options. If it is for your child’s room, you might love Harry the Hedgehog. Or if you are trying to fill your whole living room, you would love the Valencia.

Final Thoughts on How to Use an Essential Oil Diffuser

As you can see, Essential Oil Diffusers are a wonderful way to use your oils and a great addition to your home. They can make it so easy to get the benefits of your therapeutic oils. Of course, we recommend the amazing diffusers and Essential Oils/blends that REVIVE offers, but they do offer some other great options like easy to use roll-on blends and some incredible CBD products. No matter what your aromatherapy need, REVIVE is here for you.