How to Make a Reed Diffuser with Queer Candle Co.

Queer Candle Co. is an Artists & Fleas merchant and has been making candles since 2017. As a queer-couple-owned business, they donate 10% of their monthly earnings to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, an NYC grassroots organization working to “guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence.”

Owners, Ab & Al, shared how to make Reed Diffuser on Meatpacking’s Instagram. The steps can be found below!

1) Grab your container! We prefer to use containers that hold between 4 and 6 ounces of liquid. A container with a narrow mouth and lid is preferable so it’ll be a little harder for your cat, your toddler, or yourself to spill it.

2) We use two ingredients in our reed diffusers: our non-toxic, phthalate-free fragrance oils, and a diffuser base liquid. The base liquid is a mixture of organic compounds that help the fragrance oil travel more quickly through the reeds you’ll put into the finished product. Natural oils are heavier than synthetic options, so the base liquid dilutes the mixture enough to ensure that the fragrance oil can permeate the reeds without clogging them.

Your second step is to measure out these two ingredients. You’ll want to use three parts base to every one part fragrance oil – for example, if you want to end up with a four-ounce diffuser, you’ll use three ounces of diffuser base and one ounce of fragrance oil.

Less is more with the fragrance oil! If you add too much fragrance (for example, if you used equal parts base and fragrance), the reeds will get clogged and won’t produce any discernible scent throw. Sticking to the recipe is key.

3) Mix it up! We usually use a funnel to mix the base and fragrance together in our container. Once you’ve added both ingredients, you should put the lid on your container and gently mix it around – no need to go crazy, as it’ll continue mixing naturally once you’re done!

4) Add your rattan reeds to the container. The more reeds you use, the more you’ll smell the diffuser, but the faster you’ll run through the mix. We like to use seven reed sticks per every four ounces of liquid, but you can customize to make the scent a little stronger or a little more subtle.

5) Using our recipe, your diffuser will last about one month per ounce! Reed diffusers are perfect small spaces like the bathroom. We also like to have one on our desk and on our nightstand. They aren’t going to be as strong as a lit candle, but it is a great way to have constant coverage of a scent you love, especially if your nose is a little more sensitive.

6) To keep things fresh, we recommend flipping your reeds once every week or two. You can also shake up your container to reinvigorate the liquid.

7) Enjoy! You can always shop QCC’s signature reed diffuser scents on our website.