Essential oil diffusers don’t last forever. They may break. They may stop working.
Or, in my case, one of my diffusers got lost. (I might have left it too close to the recycling bin. That’s my best guess because it just sort of disappeared.)
Essential oil diffusers aren’t all that sturdy That’s why I don’t spend a lot of money on them.
I take reasonable good care of my diffusers. But I expect to eventually replace them.
Actually, I did just clean the one I own now. Hopefully, regular cleaning will help extend its life.
In theory, regular cleaning should also prevent mold from growing in your diffuser.
However, I’ve never noticed a mold problem. Even though I don’t use my diffuser every day. That’s probably because essential oils contain natural antimicrobial compounds.
Should You Clean An Essential Oil Diffuser?
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So yes, if you own a cold air essential oil diffuser, definitely do regular cleanings.
If you don’t own a diffuser, you may want to invest in a basic one. They’re a lot of fun to use. (Mine lights up and changes colors.)
Essential oil diffusers can make your house smell great. So no more need for those toxic scented candles made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. Now that I have a diffuser I never need to use a scented candle before company comes to visit.
Because essential oils are enormously popular, there are numerous products designed for their use. Some people use essential oil warmers. But I greatly prefer an essential oil diffuser instead of a warmer. In an earlier post I explain why a diffuser is much better.
How To Clean An Essential Oil Diffuser
There are various ways to clean your essential oil diffuser. One way is with vinegar. You can fill the well half way with water. Then add 5 to 10 drops of pure white vinegar. Run your diffuser for at least a 1/2 hour.
(I have read other blog posts on cleaning diffusers. One noted that some come with warranties. Vinegar may invalidate the warranty. So make sure you read the fine print. Because I buy inexpensive diffusers, which work really well, I don’t worry about warranties. Better yet, I don’t leave it anywhere near the recycle bin.)
How To Clean A Diffuser With Lemon Juice
If the smell of vinegar disgusts you, some people have suggested replacing it with lemon juice. Honestly, though, I don’t want to do this because I’m afraid it would corrode the parts.
So I really can’t recommend lemon juice because I’m reluctant to use lemon juice on my own essential oil diffuser.
If you really can’t stand the smell of vinegar this might be an option. But vinegar seems much safer, in terms of protecting your diffuser from harm.
But I prefer a third option. Hydrogen peroxide.
How To Clean An Essential Oil Diffuser Without Vinegar
There is a way to clean a diffuser without vinegar. This is more of a deep cleaning. You can soak the removable top and interior top in warm water and rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for about a half hour. Then wipe it clean.
- 7 cups of warm water
- 1/8 cup of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
After wiping it, rinse the top with water to remove any traces of the alcohol or peroxide. Then wipe it again with a clean cloth.
I prefer using hydrogen peroxide to rubbing alcohol.
Then you can take a clean toothbrush, wet it and place a little non-toxic liquid Castile soap on it. Use the toothbrush to clean any inside surface that comes into contact with water.
Then rinse the water well of the diffuser thoroughly, to remove any soap residue. Wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
It would seem as if an essential oil diffuser will benefit from both running vinegar through it, since it can reach the interior parts. Also, follow up with a regular deep cleaning.
As I mentioned earlier, I don’t buy high priced essential oil diffusers. My very basic one is easy to take apart and easy to clean. You can see the brand of essential oil diffuser I use below.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
