For example, reeds with clear channels will allow for faster, more even fragrance diffusion. Denser, more erratically-porous reeds will be slower to saturate and may create a weaker fragrance throw.
Types of Reeds
The type of reed or diffuser stick is crucial to how well and how quickly fragrance is dispersed in a room. The material and structure of the reeds determine how effectively they wick and release scent, which can significantly impact the diffuser's performance.
Rattan diffuser reeds: All-natural rattan reed sticks are the classic option for reed diffusers. Rattan reed sticks are naturally porous and draw the scented diffuser base solution up through multiple cells that look like tiny straws bunched together.
Rattan diffuser reeds
Rattan, a term encompassing various climbing plants, is a popular choice. Natural rattan reeds have numerous open channels, allowing fragrance oils to travel efficiently.
Choosing the Perfect Reed Diffuser for Your Space
Selecting the perfect reed diffuser for your space is a sensory adventure. Consider the size of your room and the intensity of fragrance you desire—smaller spaces may call for lighter scents while larger areas can handle more robust aromas.
Beginners should start on either 2 or 2.5 strength, as those will be easy to play and produce a good sound. A student should only move up to a higher strength reed if they're overblowing too easily, or that the reed isn't providing enough resistance. Professional musicians usually play anywhere between strengths 3 &5.
The reed diffuser smell strength is based on the oil strength and number of reeds. You can make reed diffusers smell stronger by flipping reeds periodically and cleaning the vessel and replacing oil completely. Antica Farmacista recommends flipping your reeds on a daily or weekly basis.
Popular makes of reed are Vandoren, Rico, Hemke & La Voz, and benefit by being more consistent than most,enabling the saxophonist to produce a clear sound.
Interestingly, the “constant scent” advantage of reed diffusers is also their biggest disadvantage. If you're out of town or out of the house for most your day, your scent may go largely unappreciated, diffused throughout an empty home, since there's no way to turn off a reed diffuser.
Rattan and bamboo sticks are known for their excellent wicking properties. Choose sticks that are durable enough to withstand prolonged exposure to essential oils without disintegrating or deteriorating quickly.
You should also consider the thickness of the reeds. For optimal performance, we recommend a stick around 3 mm thick. Thicker reeds absorb more oil and thus diffuse more scent into the air, but this also means your diffuser will consume more oil and therefore won't last as long.
Avoid direct sunlight
Your reed diffuser might look great basking in the sunlight, but trust us, that's a no-go. Sunlight and heat will contribute to the oil's evaporating at a much faster rate, reducing its lifespan. So make sure you choose a cool, shady spot.
If you have topped up your diffuser with a refill and the reeds are completely saturated, or if they are no longer diffusing/giving off scent, they may have become clogged with dust. Best thing to do is to replace them with new reeds to get the scent rolling again.
The ideal number of reeds to use depends on the size of the room as well as your sensitivity to fragrance, but a good rule of thumb is to start with four reeds. Allow 24 hours for the fragrance to disperse after adding the reeds then assess whether you'd prefer a stronger fragrance.
Opt for natural rattan or bamboo reeds for optimal performance. Length and Diameter: The length and diameter of the reed sticks can affect the rate at which fragrance oil travels up the reeds. Longer, thicker reeds may release the scent more slowly.
The good news is reed diffusers are generally safe, though some precautions are recommended. Reed diffusers don't require the use of flame and they don't involve spraying anything into the air. If anyone in your family has severe respiratory concerns, be careful about using any kind of fragrance.
The easiest way around this is to choose fresheners with ingredients that you know and can research if needed. Think dye-free candles made of beeswax and scented with essential or natural oils, Rapinchuk says. (If you're concerned about whether the beeswax is harvested ethically, soy is a good alternative.)
A major disadvantage of the technique is that, reed plants may be very invasive in many farming or natural environments. Consequently, the key research challenge of reed drying beds relate to methods to prevent escape of the reed.
It's labor intensive and Employees in France actually cost a fortune. So if the thought ever crossed your mind that saxophone reeds are priced too high, just keep in mind that the Rigotti family is doing the manual labor themselves to produce these reeds for us, at the highest level of quality.
In general, a thinner reed, say 2 or 2.5, will have a brighter tone. Thinner reeds vibrate more easily, so they are good for beginners.
For a 100ml diffuser, we recommend 3-5 drops. As you increase diffuser size, add more drops accordingly, starting small and increasing gradually to achieve the desired scent effect. Remember that some essential oils are stronger than others, so adjust based on intensity.
Reeds should optimally be replaced every 6 months to maintain their effectiveness in diffusing scent. To maintain hygiene, you can clean the reed bottles thoroughly with hot soapy water or run through a dishwasher cycle. This will thoroughly clean the bottle and make it suitable for reuse.