How to Diffuse Essential Oils

These days it seems like the grocery store is full of candles, air fresheners, room sprays, and plug-ins all with the purpose of changing the air we breathe (and smell) in our home. Now those are all fine and dandy, but when we start to look at the ingredients that's when things get a little "stinky".

Phthalates (cause cancer, hormonal abnormalaties, reproductive problems, and birth defects) petroleum, lead, formaldehyde and other artificial fragrances are not exactly what I want myself or my family to be breathing in on a daily basis. (source 1, source 2) Now while I'm sure there are some green alternatives out there like beeswax or soy candles, my favorite alternative is a diffuser with essential oils. A diffuser basically runs off water and a few drops of essential oils. These are then turned into a fine mist that is sprayed into the air.  The result is cleaner, greener, nicer smelling air...naturally. Now aside from improving the smell of the room, the molecules of the essential oils are also suspended in the air and can have numerous health benefits for those that breathe them in.

I use GreenAir Spa Vapor Ultrasonic Oil Diffuser ($30 on Amazon.com) There are a variety of difusers on the market, some are very expensive, and this is one of the cheaper ones...but it is a good little diffuser. It's an ultrasonic diffuser which disperses oils into a microfine vapor that allows them to be suspended in the air for extended periods of time and to be better inhaled. And since the diffuser does not heat the oils, it's purity and properties remain in tact.

Here's some other benefits of this diffuser:

• Doesn't use much oil, just 5 drops of an essential oil gives you several hours of diffused oils
• Cleans and purifies the air
• Moisturizes the air
• Improves your mood and focus
• Reduce stress

Other features:

• BPA-free
• automatic shut off when water is getting low
• energy efficient
• has a soothing light that changes colors every 5 seconds, this light can be turned off and the diffuser can  just run "plain" without any lights (which makes it nice at night).
• quiet

Now let's see the diffuser in action in this week's video...


Directions for Use:
So my main motivation to do this video/post is because this is actually the second diffuser I've bought...I broke the first one! It was my own fault, I didn't have the directions for it and was doing it all wrong. So when I got the new one, I read and re-read the instructions, and it turns out there were a lot of rules I was breaking with my first diffuser, so I was determined this time around to get it right.

Now this diffuser isn't too complicated, but it does have a lot of little details that you can't overlook, like filling it up, because if you get too close to the fill line it won't spray out much mist. Or if the water is too cold, it won't work.  So here's my instructions, with pictures to hopefully help you use, know, and love your diffuser...without breaking it!

1. Add 1/2 cup lukewarm tap water to the diffuser with a
 measuring cup.

2. Now place the vapor insert onto the diffuser.
3. Now drop 5 drops of your favorite essential oil onto the
vapor insert "well". Some things I have read say to put it
directly in the water, while I like to actually put it on the
vapor insert.

4. Now place the dome on top.

5. Now place the mist nozzle on top, this will be how you direct
the mist.

6. Make sure the unit is plugged in and then you can press
the power button on the right side to get the mist going.
If you want the changing lights, press the button on the
left side to turn those on.

7. Now you're good to go, breathe in the mist and feel good!

Directions for Cleaning:
Okay so now that you've used your diffuser, it's time to clean it. Now to me the instructions are a bit confusing, because on one part it says to wash it after every use, but in another section it says to wash it after every 10 hours of use. So here's how I do it...if I can after every use, I will do the following steps.

1. Spray all the pieces with a vinegar/water solution
(1/2 cup water + 1/2 cup vinegar) that is recommended in the
 instruction manual. 

2. Then I spray inside the basin of the diffuser.

3. Then I use this little brush that came with the diffuser
to help remove any oil residue. Then I carefully
rinse it with water and wipe it dry.

4. Next I rinse all the pieces with water and place them on
a cloth napkin to dry.

I let them dry until I'm ready to use them again...

Here's when I run the diffuser...

I love to run this one in the mornings when I'm getting ready or just anytime when I need a little energy boost. 

Cooking in the kitchen? Citrus oils are my go-to. 

After bath time, our bed becomes the hangout for Avery to read books
and watch a few of her favorite videos on the
iPad, you can bet I keep some oils going to chill things out
before bedtime.

If someone is sick I will run some oil in the diffuser
right next to their bed. Usually I turn the light off, so it
won't disrupt my sleep, but I left it on for you to see here.

Cold and flu season? I plug in the diffuser and run it with some
immune boosting oils when I get home from my job as a teacher to keep
our home smelling good and keep them germs away.

Sometimes I'll put it in our living room so we can all breathe it in
and fight off the germs while we are playing, reading
books, or watching Disney princess movies.  ( :

So that's my diffuser in a nutshell, as you can tell I love it and use it daily. Have you ever used a diffuser? If so, which one? What were your favorite oils to use with it? Or do you have the Green Air Spa Vapor diffuser like I do, but have some questions? Post it all below!  Here's to some happy, healthy, sweet smelling green homes.

*Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and this is my honest opinion of it.*