Why Some Scents Don’t Make the Cut for Reed Diffusers

Reed diffusers offer a subtle, continuous fragrance that fills a room without the need for flames or electricity. Yet, not every scent that works well in candles or wax melts translates successfully into a reed diffuser. If you’ve ever wondered why certain fragrances don’t appear then read below.

Why Some Fragrances Don’t Work Well in Reed Diffusers

1. Fragrance Oil Compatibility

Not all fragrance oils behave the same when used in reed diffusers. Some oils are too thick or contain ingredients that do not travel well up the reeds. This can cause the reeds to clog or the scent to barely diffuse into the air. For example, heavy or resinous scents like patchouli or amber may not wick effectively, resulting in weak fragrance release.

2. Diffusion Strength and Longevity

Certain scents naturally perform better in heat-based formats like candles or wax melts, where warmth helps release fragrance molecules. Reed diffusers rely on capillary action and evaporation at room temperature, which means some fragrances may smell faint or change character. Citrus or light floral scents often work well, while complex or smoky scents may lose their impact.

3. Supply and Formulation Challenges

Some fragrance oils require special formulations to be safe and effective in reed diffusers. Suppliers might limit availability of certain scents due to stability issues or regulatory restrictions. For example, some essential oils or natural extracts can degrade quickly or cause discoloration in the diffuser liquid, making them less practical for this use.

4. What i do to ensure you get the best from Hubble and Bubble reeds

   Research how much scent i can use .

   Test in every room in every condtion.

   See how the reeds perform

   Take my time in getting it right

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right scents for reed diffusers requires careful testing and understanding of how fragrance oils behave in this format. Not every scent that smells great in a candle will perform well in a diffuser. By testing new fragrances, consulting suppliers, and listening to customer feedback. You may notice that our beloved Lemongrass scent isn’t available as a reed diffuser. This is because current regulations don’t allow us to use the fragrance safely at the levels required for reed products — so we choose to stay fully compliant and responsible.