Diffusing Essential Oils: Everything You Need to Know to Do It Right
If you are at all interested in aromatherapy, then you probably already know what it means to diffuse essential oils. When you diffuse essential oils, you are releasing and dispersing the aromatic molecules into the air. It is an easy way to introduce aromatherapy into your home.
Inhaling those essential oils you are diffusing is also one of the safest and often most effective ways to take full advantage of what those essential oils have to offer. It is also one of the fastest ways to get the essential oils working in your body right away.
Before diffusing your essential oils, however, it is important to understand how to do it safely and in the best way possible. So, today, we will go over everything you need to know to do it right.
Types of Diffusers
There are a few different types of diffusers you can choose from when setting yourself on the path to aromatherapy success.

Ultrasonic Diffusers
This is one of the more common diffuser types currently available. An ultrasonic diffuser uses water to create a very fine mist that releases into the air when you diffuse the essential oils. They also play the role of a small humidifier at the same time.
With this kind of essential oil diffuser, you will find that it takes very little essential oil to produce a noticeable aroma in the space. They are also easy to use. Simply fill the reservoir of the diffuser with water, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and then press the button to turn it on.
Nebulizing Diffusers
This is one of the more powerful essential oil diffusers you can choose. Instead of water, this diffuser uses an electric pump to atomize the molecules and evenly disperse them throughout the air.

No heat or water is required for this diffuser to operate, so the essential oils are not damaged or diluted in any way as they are being diffused. A nebulizing diffuser ensures that the essential oils stay intact and in their pure form while retaining their integrity.
Ceramic Diffusers
This is a diffuser that allows the essential oils you put in it to evaporate and then disperse into the air. It only takes a couple of drops of essential oil placed onto the ceramic diffuser to accomplish this.
If you have a smaller space, then this is the ideal diffuser. However, if you need to diffuse oils in a much larger space or even outdoors, then you will want to go for one of the other, more powerful, diffuser types.

How Much Essential Oil to Use
The average amount of water that a diffuser can hold is around 100ml. For this amount of water, it is recommended that you add only 3 to 5 drops of your essential oil. However, it also comes down to your own personal preferences as well as the size of the room you will be diffusing the oils in.
Since essential oils are highly concentrated, it is important to not add too many drops to your diffuser. Just a small amount of oil has the ability to release a fair amount of fragrance into the space.
If you are using a ceramic or nebulizing diffuser, this rule of thumb still applies. It only really requires up to 5 drops of essential oil in your diffuser to take advantage of the aromatherapy benefits and the aromatic scents. However, you can put 15 to 25 drops of essential oil in a nebulizing diffuser depending on its size and the amount of time you wish to diffuse for.
How Long to Diffuse Essential Oils
Another common question when it comes to diffusing essential oils is how long you should be diffusing. Again, there really is no exact or specific amount of time just like the amount of oil you use is also a bit in the air. However, another rule of thumb is to diffuse your essential oils for 15 to 20 minutes. This gives the oil enough time to disperse throughout the room.
Different essential oils will also linger in the air for different amounts of time, as well. If you are diffusing top notes (peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus), then they may linger in the air for only an hour or two.
When you diffuse middle note oils like rosemary and geranium, they will begin to evaporate within two to four hours. Finally, the heavier oils with base notes like myrrh, cedarwood, and ginger can linger in the air for days after being diffused.
Keep in mind that the environment will also affect the diffusion of your essential oils, as well. The temperature in the room, along with the kind of air circulation there is will also affect the speed in which the essential oils linger and evaporate in a space.
Warmer rooms tend to evaporate the oils much faster than in a cooler room. So, if this is the case, you can consider adding in a few extra drops of your essential oil if the room is going to be a bit on the warmer side.
Therapeutic Benefits of Essential Oils
Now that we have a better idea of the types of diffusers, how much to diffuse, and how long to diffuse, let’s take a closer look at the therapeutic benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy.

Create a Positive Environment
When you diffuse essential oils, it is a more than effective way to take full advantage of the therapeutic benefits your oils have to offer. Depending on the essential oils you choose and their properties, you can create a calming relaxing atmosphere. You can also level out your mood, increase your focus and concentration.
Promote Better Sleeping Habits
There are also many essential oils that can stimulate the release of hormones in the body that can lead to more peaceful and uninterrupted sleep patterns at night. Oils that can help promote better sleep include lavender, bergamot, and sandalwood.
Improve Respiratory Health
If you have any inflammation in your respiratory tract, aromatherapy and essential oils can help. Essential oils like lemon, tea tree, and eucalyptus can boost the immune system while helping with sickness.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many benefits to aromatherapy. Diffusing is just one way you can harness the power of your essential oils, while promoting a greater sense of health and well-being in your home environment.
I’ve been lucky not to experience any ill effects with essential oils. I have a friend who did experience a bit of sensitivity/redness, but she’s going to keep trying various oils.
Interesting information. Thanks!
thanks for the info
This is a great post about diffusing essential oils
Love the explanation of diffuser types
These are great tips for diffusion and how to use essential oils.
I always use it in the bathroom
These oils dispersed into the air gives you a much better sleep pattern and a deeper sleep. I practice yoga and workout at the gym. I can tell you for certain that it makes my breathing exercises more effective.
Diffusing oils has been always a trending thing, definitely helps relieve your daily tension.
Great explanation. I had been wondering what the difference was. Now I’m considering the nebulizing diffuser.
It would be good to warn pet owners about certain pet reactions to some oils.
i have the ultrasonic diffuser. love mine. The essential oils have really helped me relax too.
Great article regarding different types of diffusers. Thanks for sharing
Our local vitamin store diffuses lavender. It always smells so good! I like that it is relaxing!
I have my Ultrasonic Diffuser on right now. I’ve been using it every day that I’m staying at home all the time. I switch up which oils I use.
I use my diffuser all the time. It is so relaxing!
I’ve been wanting to use essential oils & a diffuser but didn’t know where to start! Thank you for this info! 🙏💕
I was wondering what the difference was in the types of diffusers and which was the best
These are great tips. I keep a diffuser in the bathroom.
I have so many pets in my house that I really worry about diffusing oils.
Love diffusers. Thanks for a great post!
Do your homework if you have pets before diffusing essential oils.
I love lavender in the late evening to help me sleep.
Invaluable resource – didn’t realise there where so many types – now to purchase some thanks
I love my ultrasonic one- but had no idea there were so many types
I really enjoyed this one, love the information on the different diffusers and oils
I like using ultrasonic diffusers for my essential oils and sometimes I mix the oils like lemon and grapefruit and they smell wonderful
Great guide
Very educative!
This page will do my aunt a lot of good with a camouflage face from wrong diffusions and mixtures.
I’m sending her a link
I never knew about how many different diffusers there are!
Always found a good diffuser can put me in a good mood
Interesting, never tried this.
I love using diffusers
Food for thought
I am really sensitive to smells, so I’m hesitant to try diffusing oils. We have a strong air purifier too – wouldn’t the two cancel each other out?
Ive tried essential oils but im super allergic to most scents so tbh theyre really not for me but i do use a humidifier to help what a blessing minus the scents i can breathe now in humid climates
Thanks for taking the time to explain the different type of diffusers. This will help me in deciding which one is right for me.
Never knew about nebulising diffusers. Will have to look into it.
cool
great
I love these suggestions. I love the aromas.
I want to get a ceramic diffuser.I want to put in Lavendar
This has been so helpful..thanks
I love diffusing oils. I have many different ones.
I have never had any bad effects from essential oils. I think yoga and some aromatic essential oils would be very relaxing together. Thinking about getting a nebulizing diffuser
Good info! I had a diffuser but I don’t know what happened to it. I lost it during a move so I definitely want to get a new one!
I love all this valuable information as I like to use my diffuser often. I love the benefits of some of the oils and how it freshens the air in our home.
Oh yeah, this is what i like most about essential oils, their scent!
Thank you for this article! I found it very informative. I regularly infuse my essential oils and found myself being educated on better ways to do this. I also will have to get some cedarwood oil as I am looking for a lingering scent. I currently have been using grapefruit and it is so fresh but doesn’t linger for long.
I have a diffuser given to me so this is very helpful info.
Honestly I don’t really use diffusers, but I did just send this article to my sister who loves them!
I had no idea there were so many different kinds of diffusers! Thanks for the info.
good i used it
Great article, Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks for this video.
I never knew of all the different diffuser types.
I have not yet tried a diffuser but I use essential oil in burners and I use on my skin with a base oil usually tea tree
we use a burner and Patchouli is our usual chioce
I think I would really like to get a diffuser so these are good points to know.