Keep Your Electric Diffuser to a Suitable Place
Using an electric diffuser allows you to access all the benefits of essential oils, unlike heating oils in candle or wax warmers. In fact, applying heat to essential oils can actually denature many of the most important chemicals and compounds, so you are essentially just diffusing the oils for scent, and not for the more beneficial aspects. For this reason, you should always use a diffuser that doesn’t rely on heat to push out the scent. Heat diffusers often rely on heat and are not as effective as electric diffuser, fan diffusers, nebulizing diffusers.
The electric diffuser can deliver a consistent mist of essential oils to a space that can leave you feeling relaxed, uplifted, confident, energized, creative, and motivated, among others, depending on the type of oil you choose!
Essential oil diffusers are a great way to improve your quality of life and relax. There’s something really special about enjoying a natural, relaxing scent filling a room anytime you like.
When getting started with mine I had to learn the basics. I’d love to help you by sharing what I’ve learned along the way.
I’ve put together a great post packed with info and facts about aromatherapy (essential oil) diffusers. I’ll also answer your main question: What’s the best place to put an essential oil diffuser?
Where should you put an essential oil diffuser?
The truth is that there really isn’t a “perfect” place to put them. However, there are some basic guidelines that can help and will work for nearly everyone.
Essential oil diffuser placement tips
- Although you can use them on a floor, placing them at least 2 feet above the floor is ideal, similar to humidifiers
- Bedroom: Placing your diffuser a few feet from your bed is recommended. A minimum of 3 feet or so is good
- Don’t put your diffuser where it will be constantly exposed to sunlight (Ex.: near a window)
- Avoid placing it on top of or very close to wooden surfaces subject to moisture or water damage. A tray or other water-resistant cover underneath it can prevent problems from mist droplets or spilled water
- A non-metallic, level surface is ideal. Do not place on carpet or similar surfaces that can become damp
- For best results, place your diffuser closer to the center of the room or even to one side, where ever convenient (this is a “nice to have” recommendation and not essential)
As I mentioned above it’s definitely best to keep them away from wood surfaces (or use a material underneath them to protect the wood).
Based on my personal experience I can say it’s very easy to spill water during everyday maintenance & use. You also don’t want stray water falling on your favorite furniture.
It seems like every other time I refill my diffuser’s water tank some droplets get on my shelf.
Shown: A simple diagram showing examples of where to put your aromatherapy (essential oil) diffuser. While it’s not “critical” to follow these by any means, they’re a good rule of thumb to follow. I recommend keeping your diffuser several feet from your bed on a good, flat surface above the floor. It should be a surface that won’t be harmed by water droplets or spills. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep the unit a few feet from your bed as well.
As shown in the diagram I’ve provided, here are some good basic rules of thumb for where to put your diffuser:
- Out of direct sunlight such as near a window
- Several feet from your bed or where you sleep (use 3 feet or more as a rule)
- 2 feet or more above the floor
- Away from furniture or other items that can be affected by water
These are just the basics “at a glance.” Read on and I’ll add more detail as we go.
Should a diffuser be on the floor or a table?
You can put your diffuser on either a table or the floor. However, at least about 2 feet from the floor is best. Your essential oil diffuser’s vapor mist will distribute evenly within your room over time. Additionally, both they and I recommend you don’t use them alone without something to protect the surface from spills or water droplets.
Placing your essential oil diffuser at least 2 feet above the floor is ideal. If you’re wondering why it’s because they’re actually smaller versions of cool mist humidifiers which manufacturers recommend be placed at least 2 feet above the floor.
That’s because as they work, humidifiers and diffusers create and output that doesn’t rise the same way as others. For best results they need to be placed higher in the air.
If placing it on a shelf, desk, or some type of table, be sure it’s stable and not prone to accidents. You definitely don’t want anyone accidentally tipping yours over so be careful where you put it!
Protect against stray water
Much like humidifiers, it’s best to use them with some type of tray or protective material underneath them. That way you’ll be sure to avoid problems from spilling water or water droplets produced by the output nozzle.
In my personal experience, it really depends on the particular design and operation of the one you’ve bought. Some are messier than others when it comes how easy they are to spill and if they produce random water droplets that can fall on your furniture.
Use water-safe surfaces or protective material
As not everyone has a water-resistant table to use, find an item that’s water-resistant to cover the area around your diffuser. Pick one that’s large enough to cover the area around it by about 1/2 feet to 1 feet in size as a rule.
Yes, you can use a diffuser on the floor if you need to. They’ll still work well but not nearly as efficiently for filling your room with scent, so I would recommend against it.
If at all possible raise them above the floor as I recommended above.
Either way, don’t use them on carpet. Carpet is notorious for allowing water to become trapped and build up over time, potentially leading to more problems.
Keep them out of direct sunlight
Don’t place your diffuser near a strong source of sunlight and heat like a window. Sunlight and warmth encourage algae and bacterial growth, a common problem found in containers of water. The best place is one that’s in a cool place without too much sunlight.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, don’t place your oil diffuser in direct sunlight such as near a window. Sunlight and warmth create a great breeding ground for the build up & growth of nasties such as algae and bacteria.
You definitely don’t want that!
Keeping it clean
Depending upon your water supply you may need to clean out your diffuser’s water tank occasionally. To do so, clean the water tank with a mixture of white vinegar and water using a soft cloth to wash the inside surfaces.
Don’t use detergent to clean it.
I get really good results using white vinegar (recommended by manufacturers) to clean not only my humidifiers but my aromatherapy diffuser too.
Will a diffuser keep you awake at night?
When it’s time for bed, sometimes it’s best to have your diffuser placed a bit further away from your bed. Although they won’t harm anything nearby (aside from wood surfaces I mentioned earlier), it’s better to put them where the vapor mist and aroma are distributed better. Also, some diffusers make a very small amount of noise. If you’re a very light sleeper (like me) that might be enough to wake you up.
Heavy sleepers aren’t going to have problems waking up when using their essential oil diffuser overnight. However, if you’re a light sleeper like I am it’s possible the occasional very slight bubbling and “gurgling” sound some make might interrupt your rest.
For example, my personal bedroom aromatherapy diffuser has a distinct electric motor sound I can hear if it’s too close. Additionally, there’s a very slight bubbling effect I can hear.
Those noises are typical for smaller units but aren’t only found in small models. In fact it really depends on the brand and design – some make similar noises on a bigger scale just like humidifiers do.
Generally speaking, though, most essential oil diffusers have a whisper-quiet operation and aren’t very likely to disturb your sleep.
My advice is to go ahead and place yours a few feet from your bed just to avoid issues.
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