Place the reeds in the bottle and leave them for about an hour, then turn them over so the dry ends can start drawing the scent up too.
The scent builds gently over the first day or two. Turn the reeds every week or so to refresh it. Using more reeds or turning them more often gives a stronger scent, but the oil will run out sooner, so find the balance that suits your space.
When you turn the reeds, let the ends drip back into the bottle so nothing lands on your furniture, then wash your hands.
Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators and draughts, as these make the oil evaporate faster.
How long it lasts
As a general guide, a 100ml diffuser lasts around 6 to 8 weeks and a 200ml around 3 to 4 months. It really depends on where it lives, though. A warm room, a sunny spot, a draught or turning the reeds often will all use it up faster, while a cooler room and fewer turns will help it last longer.
Refilling
When the bottle runs dry, pour in a refill pouch and pop the reeds back in. If you have the 100ml, pour in half and keep the rest of the pouch sealed for next time. If you're switching to a different scent, wash and dry the bottle first and use fresh reeds, as old ones hold on to the last blend.
When to replace your reeds
Over time, reeds slowly clog up with dust and dried oil. They draw less scent up the longer they're used, so you may notice the fragrance fading even when there's plenty left in the bottle. As a guide, it's worth swapping them each time you refill, or sooner if the scent drops off. If yours are still working well, there's no need to replace them yet.
Replacement reeds come in sets of 8, and you'll find them in the options at the top of this page.
