The smell is one of the five senses that affects all people’s sensory systems and can provoke different emotions or feelings. It’s been known from ancient times that fragrance has a powerful influence.
Today the desire for smelling nice and feeling good has evolved into a whole new level. We tent to choose perfumes, wet wipes, skincare and almost everything we use daily based on how it smells. What is the first thing you do even subconsciously when you see a new product for hygiene or personal care? You want to smell it.
What about using essential oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that are produced by different methods from parts of the plant. That is why many of them have a natural strong scent. For example, it takes 50 rose petals ta have 1 drop of oil.
The most common way of using these oils for their unique fragrance is by diffusing them. There is some confusion when it comes to diffusing essential oils because you can find many different options like aroma lamps, humidifiers, aroma pens and more.
Diffusion is the net movement of anything (for example, atom, ions, molecules) from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Having in mind this there are many different forms of diffusing oils.
Diffuser vs Humidifier
One of the main differences between these two is that diffusers are specifically designed to handle essential oils while humidifiers are made to handle water. Humidifiers can disperse essential oils into the air, but a diffuser will nebulize them into minuscule particles that can be more readily inhaled and absorbed.
There are four types of essential oil diffusers: ultrasonic, nebulizing, heat, and evaporative. They can be also categorized as active or passive. The active ones use electricity or airflow. They can be car diffusers, ultrasonic diffusers that need to be plugged in a socket. Passive diffusers offer a less intense aroma output due to the fact that they don’t use any additional stimulation. Diffuser jewelry or keychains can be qualified as passive.
Types of Diffusers
Heat Diffusers
These diffusers work with heat to make the liquid start to evaporate and be released into the air. They can be either aroma lamps or electrical ones. They probably won’t last too long because of the heat.
Evaporative Diffusers
For this type of diffuser, you only need to add oil drops to the filter or pad. The fan then blows air through the filter or pad to help the oil evaporate quicker and spread the aroma into the room. These can be heat-based or non-heat based.
Nebulizer Diffusers
This type of diffuser has a tube, where you add oil. Air-jet blows across the top of the tube, followed by a vacuum effect that sucks oil to the top of the tube. Air then blows across the oil’s surface at the tube top and tiny oil droplets are diffused throughout the room.
Ultrasonic Diffusers
These types of diffusers are usually used by mixing oil and water. That’s why it also has a humidifying effect. However, water and oil don’t mix so if you see the oil drops staying on the surface it is ok.
They are also known as cold air diffusers because they release a fine cool mist into the air. This happens when the disk inside vibrates and agitates the water to cause the oil to break into tiny particles.
You can use hydrosols with this type because they are water-based and mix well with pure water while keeping the aroma of the plant.
Humidifiers
A humidifier is designed to work with water and is usually preferred by people who live in areas with a dry or cold climate. Colder air doesn’t hold as much water as warmer air does and that’s why using a humidifier can improve and keep one level of moisture in a room. This allows better sleep and lowers dehydration. Usually, people use plain water but adding hydrosol may have a great effect as well.
Types of Humidifiers
There are four types of humidifiers that you can choose from.
Warm Mist Humidifiers
This type is called warm mist because the water should boil in order to produce steam. Then this steam is being released in the air.
Evaporative Humidifiers
The water in this type of humidifier is being added into the reservoir which is soaked up by a wick, filter, or belt. Then the fan blows air through it.
Impeller Humidifiers
In order for this humidifier to work it needs spinning disks within a diffuser. They break the water into tiny drops and release it out.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
These types create sound vibrations because they use a vibrating metal diaphragm. They can release both warm and cool mist.
Taking care
If you want your diffuser to last long and work good you should clean it from the inside regularly. Using microfiber cloths and cotton swabs are good. Rubbing alcohol can be used once or twice a month.
As a conclusion, you can choose many ways of diffusing oils or humidifying. It comes down to the question of what you really are looking for. If you want aromatherapy in your home then a diffuser may be good but if you want to add more moisture in the air and maybe you are in an office with people that may not like the oils you like then a humidifier is the solution. Always check for kids and pets and their preferences as well.