I am often asked asked about diffusers - what is my favorite? 

Frankly, a good diffuser is hard to find.  If you've used one before, you may have found they stop working within months -- lots of complaints are heard in our essential oil support groups!  But a diffuser is an essential tool to use to clean the air of threats, support your immune system, positively effect your resporatory system, create fabulous aromas, help you to sleep or relax and/or improve your mood.

I've tried numerous brands and wasted TONS on money on diffusers that only worked for a couple of months. 

I really like doTERRA's Petal and AromaLite best. You can't use points to buy them, but you do EARN points, so that helps bring the "cost" down. So Petal really nets down to about $40. Petal seems to be a little work horse, but it only lasts about 4 hours. AromaLite costs more but diffuses longer -- about 7 hours usually.

I've used GreenAir and *generally* have good luck with them, although I've heard others say theirs broke after a few months. In the past when they were around $20 - 25 it was worth the risk, and they have a decent return policy.  But now it looks like they're up around $32 - $35. And they only diffuse for 4 hours, too. So honestly I think I'd just stick to doTERRA's Petal.

If you do look around on Amazon, just DON'T buy the cheap oils they try to sell you! -- PLEASE!  They are not pure and you will not get the therapeutic effect you are seeking. You might even see "doTERRA" sold on Amazon.  Don't trust those!  Often those are bought through fraudulent means and doTERRA is trying to get them off the market. They may not be the real deal.  And you're not getting the best price or earning points back for FREE oils.  Support your small business owners -- like me, frankly -- who work hard to teach you how to use your oils safely and effectively AND how to save money. (Thank you!)  Here are TEN Reasons to get your own doTERRA wholesale account with me.

Bottom line: doTERRA Petal for a four-hour diffuser. AromaLite for an eight-hour one. Hope this helps! :-)

​<< For a general "care & feeding" of your diffuser, please take a look at THIS post >>

***
What are you waiting on?  Enroll in LIFE today!  Learn how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off --> click here.

Check out this month's specials here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

You can also ask to join my private "discover doTERRA Facebook group.  No obligation -- just a place for you to learn more and ask questions.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

Hey, y'all -- Please show my blog a little love and share the health by liking and sharing using the buttons below!  I really appreciate it!! 

Here's a quick tip for making your own diffuser blend.  When deciding on what to mix together you can go go freestyle or follow some basic guidelines.

The big important rule to remember?  Relax and have fun with this!  :-)

Freestyle
Open two or three doTERRA essential oil bottles and hold them together.  Waft all the open bottles at once under your nose to get a general sense of how well they blend together.  If you like how they smell together you can adjust the ratios of oils -- say 1:1:1 or 2:1:1, etc. if you have three oils.

Easy, right?!?  You can totally do this!

Follow a Basic Formula

Essential oils can be roughly divided up into these groups:  Floral, Mint, Tree, Grass/Herb, Citrus and Spice.  

In the summer you might yearn for bright happy scents of Citrus.  In the fall and winter the warm Spices might speak to you.  This is purely a personal preference!  And like all things essential:  You really don't know what YOU like and what works for you until you TRY different oils.  Experiment and enjoy the process!

​Mint + Citrus always smells great and is cheerful and uplifting.  Citrus also cleans the air for healthier breathing!  Examples: Spearmint + Lemongrass (not a citrus, but has a lemony smell) or Citrus Bliss + Patchouli (did you know Patchouli is part of the mint family?) or Wild Orange + Peppermint or the classic Lemon + Peppermint + Lavender

​Tone down a Floral with a Mint or a Tree Oil:  

Examples: Ylang Ylang + Frankincense or Elevation + Balance.

Warm up blends with Spice:

Examples: Wild Orange + Clove + Ginger or Ginger + Cinnamon + Sandalwood

Ground a blend with Trees:

​Examples: Grapefruit + White Fir or Wild Orange + Frankincense or Bergamot + Arborvitae.

You can customize your diffuser blend to the season ... to your mood ... to the weather outside (rainy & gloomy?  go with a Citrus!) ... to supporting different body systems (respiratory or immunity, etc.).

Get creative!  Let me know what inspires ... comforts ... energizes ... centers ... YOU!!

***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

Show my blog a little love and share the health by liking and sharing using the buttons below!  I really appreciate it!!  

Diffusers.  You love 'em.  You hate 'em.  Some have one brand and it lasts at least two years. Others have the same one and it lasts a month.  They are a persnickety bunch, that's for sure.  Here's my take on diffusers -- totally my opinion based on a year of using various diffusers and hearing about many, many others' experiences.

Part 1 -- general info -- will cover some global information about diffusers, including how to care for them.  In Part 2 I review diffusers and make some recommendations.

Diffusing is really a terrific and fun way to use your pure essential oils!  Especially if you want to effect mood, cleanse the air or support your respiratory system, diffusing therapeutic essential oils is a very effective means to support your wellness goals in a natural, pure and chemical-free way.  Experiment and have fun!

Things to consider:

• Heat degrades the therapeutic value of the essential oil.  So we're not going to use lamp bulb rings or such.  In the same vein, a steam humidifier is not the best way to use your essential oils and unless an appliance says it's okay to add essential oils, I wouldn't.
• Mini diffusers that use a pad that you drop oils on are fine as a secondary diffuser or for a car, but for true therapeutic value, use an ultrasonic diffuser or a waterless one.  You want teeny tiny droplets -- an ultra-fine mist -- of oils evenly distributed in the air.  Ultrasonic diffusers or waterless are best at achieving this.  More about them later, in part 2.

As a gross generalization, let me say up front that diffusers tend to be finicky creatures.  You have to treat them carefully or they will just plain die on you.  Please, whatever brand you get, read the directions enclosed in the box. 

If you have an ultrasonic diffuser, the big things to remember are:

• Don’t overfill.  If there's a line or a red cap or whatever the line of demarcation is -- don't go past it!  
• Usually tap water is fine but again, follow the directions for your diffuser.
• DO NOT get water in the little slot at the top or bottom or side of the unit.  That slot is the air intake and if you get water inside the slot it can short out the fan and electrical components inside the unit. When filling the unit or draining it, do this from the opposite side of the slot.
• Clean the unit weekly following the directions provided with your unit.  At minimum – unplug, carefully rinse (avoid that pesky air intake slot!) with hot water about three times (including any inserts) and leave out to dry.
• Don't leave water standing in your diffuser for long periods.  If you're not going to use it for a few days, rinse it and leave it out to dry.
• In general, a total of 6 – 8 drops of oil should be added to the diffuser for good effect. Add more or less as needed, but a maximum of 10 – 12 drops should be enough.  When we are really needing extra boosts and support, sometimes (this is rare though) I will use up to 20 drops for specific applications.
• Avoid placing your diffuser in direct sunlight or near a fan.
• Thick oils such as Vetiver are wonderful but they will gunk up the diffuser more quickly – you may have to rinse as above more frequently.
• Usually using the colored lights (if available) is optional – follow the directions on your unit to turn the lights on and off.
• Don't drop your diffuser.  Treat it gently!

General Tips ...

The closer the diffuser is to you, the better.  Have it close-at-hand and turn it off when you leave the room, unless others are in the area.

Places/situations to use a diffuser:

• living rooms beside your favorite chair for reading, relaxing or watching TV
• while you're exercising 
• when you're cleaning or working in a certain room (kitchens, for example)
• when you're working at your desk 
• at your bedside at night
• bathrooms
• Don't forget to bring your diffuser along on trips to freshen and purify hotel-room air.  

Diffusers will run for different amounts of time.  You may find it helpful, as you use and learn about your essential oils, to use some oils in the mornings, others in the afternoon and still others in the evening and overnight.  Depending on issues you wish to address, you can use different oils or blends of oils.  

As you grow in your experience, you will find you own favorite go-to diffuser mixes -- your tried and true ones.  But don't be afraid to mix it up and try new blends!  One rainy day, I needed a fresh, happy aroma as I cleaned out my garage. I put four drops of lemongrass and three drops of spearmint in one of my diffusers and hauled it out to the garage with me.  I hadn't read about it and didn't really even think too deeply about it -- I just did it.  It's now a favorite of mine and many of my friends!

CLEANING TIPS

Waterless diffusers:

1. Clean the nozzle before switching oils.
2. Rinse the nozzle with tap water, or for deep cleaning, submerse the quick-change top in rubbing alcohol for 30–60 minutes.
3. Wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Ultrasonic diffusers:
 
Quick-Clean after Each Use

1. Make sure to unplug your diffuser prior to cleaning.
2. When removing excess water from the water tank, pour from the rear of the diffuser to avoid spilling on the operating buttons.  Identify the air intake slot and avoid getting water in the slot.
3. Triple-rinse with hot water.  
4. Leave open to dry.
5. As needed -- Use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol or vinegar to wipe the ultrasonic mist chip found inside the water tank.

 
Deep Clean Every Month
 
Cleaning is a necessary step to ensure that oil residue doesn’t build up in your machine preventing it from working properly. Periodically, it is a good idea to run your diffuser through a cleaning cycle. If you use your unit every day, then running a cleaning cycle monthly is a good idea. To do so, do the following:

1. Fill your diffuser half way with clean water.
2. Add 10 drops of white vinegar.
3. Let the diffuser run for about 5 minutes to allow the water-vinegar mixture to disperse throughout the unit and clean it.
4. Drain the diffuser completely.
5. Using a cotton swab dipped in vinegar, clean the tight spots and corners of the diffuser.
6. Rinse with clean water.
7. Use a dry cloth to wipe the diffuser and dry it thoroughly.

 
Diffuser Blends to Try:
 
Refreshing Trio: 
3 Spearmint
3 Peppermint
3 Wintergreen 

Forest Meadow:
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Juniper Berry
3 drops White Fir
2 drops Arborvitae 
 
Sweet Dreams: 
3 drops Vetiver
3 drops Wild Orange

​Stay tuned for part 2 ... my review of diffusers ...

***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

​







Here's the final set of fabulous essential oil diffuser blends, collected from all over the internet. Don't you get tired of the constant one-note cinnamon aroma during the holidays?  That's just one thing I love about (health-giving) essential oils -- almost endless choices and rich, varied and unique scents! 

Remember, these blends don't just smell good, they are cleansing to the air, supportive of healthy breathing, mood-lifting, non-toxic and chemical-free.  Bonus!!  

It's hard to pick, but I think Orange Pomander is my favorite out of this group.  Fresh and just a little spicy!  What's yours?

Orange Pomander
3 drops Wild Orange
2 drops Clove
2 drops Rosemary
 
Spiced Chai
3 drops Cardamom
1 drop Clove
1 drop Cassia
1 drop Ginger
 
Wassail
3 drops Wild Orange
2 drops Juniper Berry
1 drop Ginger
1 drop Clove
 
Fall Treat
3 drops Wild Orange
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Cassia
 
Thankful Heart
1 drop Ginger
3 drops Coriander
2 drops Clove

Links to the other three collections of holiday diffuser blends:
Part one
Part Two
Part Three
​***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

​
Here's five more fine-smelling diffuser scents for everyday and for when you're entertaining friends and
family ...






Harvest
3 drops Tangerine
2 drops Cassia
1 drop Clove
 
Woodland Walk
2 drops Wild Orange
2 drops Cassia
2 drops White Fir
 
Harvest Gathering
3 drops Cassia
2 drops Cedarwood
1 drop Wild Orange
  
Flannel
3 drops Cardamom
1 drop Cinnamon
1 drop Wild Orange
1 drop Clove
 
Snuggle
2 drops Cinnamon
2 drops Clove
2 drops White Fir
***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

​Gathered from around the 'net, here are six more health-giving wondrous scents to welcome friends and family to your home (well, TEN, counting the graphic!) ... 










Thanksgiving Candle
3 drops Frankincense
2 drops Douglas Fir
1 drops Cypress
 
Gratitude
20 drops Bergamot
10 drops Grapefruit
10 drops Cypress
10 drops Frankincense
4 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Ginger 
<mix these together in an empty essential oil bottle -- shake well and add 6 - 8 drops of mixture to your diffuser>
 
Crisp Autumn
3 drops Wild Orange
3 drops Patchouli
1 drop Clove
 
Autumn 1
4 drops Cardamom
2 drops Wild Orange
1 drop Cinnamon
1 drop Clove
 
Autumn 2
6 drops Wild Orange
1 drop Patchouli
1 drop Ginger
 
Pumpkin Spice*
2 drops Cinnamon
1 drop Clove
1 drop Ginger
1 drop Wild Orange
1 drop Cardamom

ENJOY!!
***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

The holiday blends listed below were gathered from all over the 'net ... and more to come!

Diffusing essential oils is such a wonderful, warm  and health-giving way to welcome friends and family to your home.  Don't bombard your friends with with chemicals and synthetics!

Of this group, "Oatmeal Cookie" is one of my favorites, ever.  It's become one of my go-to diffuser blends.​  It really does smell like fresh-baked oatmeal cookies!  In fact, when I had my old house on the market, diffusing that blend helped my house to sell!

​Autumn Invitation
3 drops Wild Orange
1 drop Ginger
1 drop Clove        
2 drops Frankincense
 
Thanksgiving Joy
4 drops Cypress
2 drops White Fir
2 drops Sandalwood
 
Oatmeal Cookie
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Cassia
3 drops Wild Orange
 
Spicy & Fresh
1 drop Lemongrass
2 drops Cypress
1 drop Cinnamon
 
Forest
2 drops White Fir
3 drops Arborvitae
1 drop Lime

​***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

#31 drops of oil – October 26

Company’s coming!

What a great way to welcome friends and family to your home! Instantly wrap them in one of these comforting, homey aromas of fall.

And guess what?  Yes, they smell great and evoke positive feelings (maybe grumpy Uncle Rodger won’t be so grumpy this year!) … but doTERRA oils are supportive to your immune and respiratory systems and cleansing to the environment!  No toxins, no synthetic chemicals -- just pure, healthy essential oils.

Tip #26 – Welcome friends and family to your home throughout the holiday season with safe, non-toxic, all-natural and health-giving essential oils in your diffuser.

​#31 drops of oil – October 3:

There’s a reason why doTERRA is the world’s largest essential oil company!  If you’ve tried other brands of oils, you will smell the difference between our premium essential oils and other brands.  I’ve heard it more times than I can count, “Wow, these oils smell so fresh and different from others I’ve tried!” 


And guess what??  The difference in how they smell is just the beginning.
 
If you want true therapeutic-level essential oils that are tested and proven to be effective and safe to be used aromatically, topically and internally, there’s only one brand I trust for me and my family.

So let’s talk about the first way -- AROMATICALLY --to use your essential oils!

AROMATIC -- Some essential oils, when diffused, can be very stimulating, while others can be calming and soothing. Diffusing essential oils can also cleanse and purify the air and support your immune and respiratory systems.

Studies show convincing evidence that simply inhaling the aroma of a pure essential oil is effective for calming nervous or anxious feelings in a variety of settings. 

Using essential oils – pure ones! – aromatically can provide the boost you need to get through your day!

So instead of chemical-laden air fresheners, diffuse essential oils for their great aroma AND for their therapeutic value!  And think of this:  when you diffuse, you are "treating" your whole family ... anyone have a grumpy toddler or spouse in the house?
 
Aromatic - ways to use:

• Place 4 - 8 drops in ultrasonic diffuser with water.  Diffuse in the morning, throughout the day, right before bed and while you sleep.  Using this application method helps create an atmosphere where your entire family can enjoy the calming, stimulating, and soothing benefits of essential oils.
•  Open a bottle and sniff!
• Place 1 - 3  drops in palm of hand and cup hands over nose and inhale deeply
• Dilute and dab under and around nose
• Place 2 – 3 drops in an aromatherapy necklace
• Make your own nasal inhaler. 
• Drip 2 – 3 drops onto the floor of your hot shower, away from the water path, and breathe in.
• Add to household surface cleaners or to a load of laundry.
• Add a couple of drops to pillows and bed linens

TIP # 3:  Diffuse your essential oils throughout the day to boost mood and help with normal stresses.

See the rest of 31 drops of oil here! 

​***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

Show my blog a little love and share the health by liking and sharing using the buttons below!  I really appreciate it!!