Reed Diffuser vs. Candle: Everything You Need to Know
There are numerous options when it comes to home fragrance products. From potpourri and sprays to candles and reed diffusers, there are many products from which to choose, and all promise to fill your home or office with pleasant aromas. Here at Homesick, scented candles are our specialty. However, we also offer many of our most popular fragrances in reed diffusers. Some are available as car fresheners too. All of our products do an exceptional job of infusing spaces with delightful aromas without the use of toxic chemicals, lead, phthalates, plastics, parabens, etc. We’re passionate about high-quality products that smell amazing and are safe to use around your kids and pets.
If you are shopping for new home fragrance products, you’ve likely wondered which ones are right for you. Sure, choosing the perfect scent is a big part of the process, but you should also consider which type of product best suits your lifestyle and meets your needs. Our candles and reed diffusers are our best-selling items, so we’d like to share some information to help you choose the right option. Keep reading to discover everything you know about reed diffusers vs. candles.
A Few Reasons to Consider Scenting a Space
People infuse their homes with aromas for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of adding a bit of freshness to busy households without having to deep clean every single day. This is especially true for homes with kids and pets!
Fragrances are also closely tied to our memories. A single whiff of a certain scent can mentally transport you to another place and time. A candle packed with the scents of the beach, for example, can take you back to your honeymoon on a tropical island. Or the smell of apple pie might trigger warm, loving memories of your grandmother. The link between scent and emotion is strong, and it’s one of the many reasons people choose to use candles, reed diffusers and other products. Certain smells trigger various emotions too. For many people, the scent of lavender evokes a sense of peace and serenity. Citrus scents, on the other hand, can boost happiness and even have an energizing effect.
Clearly, scenting a space is about much more than just making it smell good. The right fragrance can make you feel good too! That’s all the more reason to be mindful when selecting home fragrance products.
Reed Diffusers
Reed diffusers deliver ‘round-the-clock fragrance without the need for a heat source. They don’t even require electricity like a plug-in diffuser. Because of this, they are an excellent choice for families with kids and pets. If you’ve seen them before but have never tried them for yourself, you might be asking “How do reed diffusers work?” Though they may look different from the fragrance products you typically use, they are simpler than you might think.
Every reed diffuser consists of three primary parts: a small, narrow-necked bottle made from glass or ceramic, fragrance oil and reeds. Diffusers may arrive with the oil already in the bottle, or it could be in a separate container. Either way, once set up, the bottle is filled partway with fragrance oil, and the reeds are arranged in the bottle with the tops sticking out.
The reeds release the fragrance through capillary action. The reeds are filled with tiny channels that absorb the oil and transfer it upward toward the tops that are sticking out of the oil. Think of them like straws that carry the oil from the bottle upward and into the air. When the oil reaches the end, it evaporates, releasing the fragrance into the air. It usually takes about an hour for a reed diffuser to start releasing the fragrance. As long as you flip the sticks every two or three weeks, they should last for two to three months.
Benefits of Reed Diffusers
Reed diffusers require minimal maintenance. Plus, they provide an “always-on” fragrance experience that is perfect for bathrooms, bedrooms and entryways. Since they are flameless, you don’t need to worry about keeping an eye on them at all times. All Homesick reed diffusers are non-toxic, too, so you don’t need to be concerned about using them around your children or pets. They’re made using essential oils and carefully designed to be an ideal solution for busy households. As mentioned above, reed diffusers last up to three months. On the other hand, our average 13.75 oz candle has about 60 to 80 hours of burn time. If you are looking for something that will keep your space smelling fresh for a long time, reed diffusers are definitely the product for the job.
You can place a reed diffuser just about anywhere. You don’t need to be near an outlet or away from flammable materials. We just recommend making sure it’s in a spot where it’s not likely to get tipped over.
Drawbacks
If spilled, the oil from a reed diffuser can be tricky to clean up, and it can damage certain surfaces. Reed diffusers also don’t create the same sort of ambiance as candles. If you’re looking for a home fragrance product to fill your home with pleasant aromas and create a warm, welcoming vibe, a reed diffuser might not quite hit the mark. They are lovely home decor items, though, and they work perfectly when you don’t need the warm glow of a candle.
Scented Candles
There aren’t many people who don’t like scented candles. They are a fun treat to buy for yourself when you want to freshen up your home or infuse it with the scents of the season. With fall officially upon us, lots of folks are enjoying their favorite fall scents — like pumpkin, vanilla and nutmeg — while you are reading this post! Plus, candles are timeless gifts that just about everyone loves to receive for any occasion.
Chances are you’ve used candles at some point. Even if you currently don’t use scented candles, you’ve likely at least lit the candles on top of a loved one’s birthday cake and are at least somewhat familiar with how candles work. Still, you may not be able to fully answer if someone were to ask you to explain.
So, how do candles work? Sure, you know that you light the wick, which melts the wax, and then the space fills up with the candle’s fragrance. Let’s look a little bit deeper, though. Combustion reactions are the foundation of how candles work. Once illuminated, the flame’s heat melts the wax at the wick’s base. Capillary action draws the liquid wax up through the wick where the flame vaporizes it. During vaporization, the wax is broken down into oxygen and hydrogen molecules.
The molecules then react with the oxygen in the surrounding area to generate light, heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide. The heat melts more wax and enables the process to continue until you blow out the candle, it runs out of wax or the wick burns down. As the wax is vaporized when it reaches the flame, its fragrance is released into the air. Even if you are not particularly into science, you can’t deny that the process is pretty cool!
Homesick candles come in glass jars and are made from a natural soy wax blend and premium cotton wicks to allow for a clean, consistent and safe burn. And we use only the best fragrance oils to create unique scents that delight the senses. Our candles are non-toxic and free of plastics, lead, artificial dyes, phthalates and parabens to ensure a safe, premium fragrance experience.
Benefits of Candles
When it comes to creating a warm, inviting ambiance, candles reign supreme among all home fragrance products. There is just nothing better than the soft glow of a candle (or several candles) when you want to set a mood. Whether it’s a romantic evening, a cozy fall Sunday on the sofa or a festive birthday party, you can always rely on candles to create the perfect vibe.
Thanks to brands like Homesick, candles offer a unique olfactory experience. While just about every candle company offers classic fragrances like pumpkin spice and vanilla, our candles feature unique scent blends to remind you of your favorite places and the best times in your life. From state- and city-inspired candles to candles to remind you of your first home, wedding day or even your grandmother’s kitchen, we have candles to let you enjoy all of the memory and emotion-triggering effects of fragrance.
As mentioned previously, candles also make excellent gifts. They’re something that most folks appreciate, and they are a great option for the people on your list who are nearly impossible to shop for. And they aren’t just for women! There are plenty of masculine fragrances for the guys on your shopping list to enjoy too.
Used glass candle jars have countless purposes. You can use them to store small items or upcycle them into lovely home decor items. If you love crafting and recycling, you will love discovering all of the things you can do with an empty candle container.
Candle Drawbacks
Candles are safe when used appropriately. If you are looking for a home fragrance product you can just set and forget, though, this probably isn’t the one for you. You should always keep an eye on lit candles and make sure they are located in safe areas of your home or office. And if you have pets or kids, you need to be extra careful to make sure they keep themselves out of trouble. Using a candle safely is by no means difficult, but it isn’t as easy as just flipping reeds every few weeks.
If you plan to use your candle regularly, you can expect it to have about 60 to 80 hours of burn time. This isn’t a drawback, so to speak, because that is a considerable amount of time. But when compared to the two to three months a reed diffuser lasts with constant use, you definitely don’t get as many hours of active fragrance release with an average candle.
If you don’t choose a high-quality candle brand, like Homesick, you run the risk of buying candles made using inferior materials. This could result in an uneven burn (and wasted wax), poor scent throw and more. Low-quality candles tend to be sootier, too, and can release known toxins into your environment. Candles are amazing home fragrance products — but only when you invest in good ones! Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about any of these potential drawbacks when you choose Homesick for your scented candle needs!
Which Is Better?
When it comes to choosing home fragrance products for your home, office or to give as gifts, there’s no simple answer in terms of what option is best. Reed diffusers may be better for busy homes with kids, but candles are better when you are looking for something that will set a mood in addition to delivering fragrance. Determining which one is best for you largely comes down to personal preference.
Reed diffusers and scented candles have their own pros and cons, so it is important to be mindful when shopping to ensure that you get the product that’s right for you (or your intended recipient).
No matter which option you choose, though, buying from a brand that is passionate about quality and safety is the best way to ensure a positive scent experience. At Homesick, we work hard to make high-quality products that go above and beyond what our customers expect. We make candles and reed diffusers that make people feel good, remind them of good times and fill a room with a unique, pleasant scent. Browse the collection today to find your new favorite!
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