25 Ways to Diffuse Essential Oils {without a diffuser}

1.  Inhale Directly from an Essential Oil Bottle

This basic approach to getting the aromatic benefits of essential oils works great in a pinch.  Simply uncap the essential oil bottle, hold it a few inches from your nose and move your hand back and forth over the top of the essential oil bottle, moving the essential oil vapors towards your nose.

 

2.  Use Your Hands

Put a drop of essential oil in your hand, rub your hands together, then cup your hand over your nose and inhale deeply

 

25 Ways to diffuse essential oils without a diffuser

Would you like an easy reference of all 25 ways to diffuse essential oils {without a diffuser}?

Click here for a FREE PRINTABLE that you can use for yourself, share with your team, or use as a class handout.

 

3.  Use an Essential Oil Inhaler

These inhalers are extremely easy use to make and use.  I love how convenient they are to carry in my purse so that I always have them when I need it.

Click here for a great tutorial on how to make an essential oil inhaler and recipes for essential oil inhaler blends from Stephanie Blue.

essential oil inhalers-- These inhalers are extremely easy use to make and use. I love how convenient they are to carry in my purse so that I always have them when I need it. DIY essential oil inhalers-- These inhalers are extremely easy use to make and use. I love how convenient they are to carry in my purse so that I always have them when I need it.

 

4.  Make a Reed Diffuser

Reed diffusers are great for small spaces and rooms where you may not have easy access to a wall outlet.  They’re perfect for bathrooms, foyers, and closets!

It only takes a few ingredients, and you probably have most (if not everything) you need already in your kitchen.

Click here to get the recipe and instructions as well as ideas for 11 different spring and summer essential oil reed diffuser blends.

Click here to get recipes for 25 reed diffuser blends for winter and Christmas

How to Make a DIY Reed Diffuser with Essential Oils-- Reed diffusers are great for small spaces and rooms where you may not have easy access to a wall outlet. They're perfect for bathrooms, foyers, and closets!

 

5.  Toilet Paper Roll

Put a few drops of essential oil on the cardboard tube inside a roll of toilet paper.  Every time someone unrolls some toilet paper air will flow across the essential oil and diffuse it into the air.  Use single oils like lavender, lemongrass, or orange.  Or combine a couple different essential oils for great new blended scents.  Here are a few to try for a fresh and clean scent your bathroom: 

lavender + lemon

eucalyptus + spearmint

orange + grapefruit

lemon + rosemary + lavender

5074cd5c0921c188db914807c50acc73

 

6.  Furnace Filter

Put a few drops of essential oil on your furnace filter.  When the furnace blows air over the filter the essential oils will be diffused throughout your home.  The scent will fade after a couple of days.  You’ll need to add additional drops of essential oil to the furnace filter every couple of days.

furnace filter essential oil diffuser-- Put a few drops of essential oil on your furnace filter. When the furnace blows air over the filter the essential oils will be diffused throughout your home.

 

7. Make room sprays

I love making room sprays!  It’s an all-natural (chemical and toxin-free) way to freshen my home, bring in the scents of the season, and get the amazing therapeutic benefits of essential oils.  They’re so easy to make and they save money over those commercial sprays.
These room sprays are, of course, great to use in your own home, but they also make FABULOUS GIFTS for teachers, friends, hairdressers, moms, neighbors, sisters, …  makes a unique hostess gift, thank you gift, gift exchange item, teacher gift, ….  They’re cute, functional, non-toxic, and smell AMAZING!!

the basic recipe is very simple:

16 oz glass bottle like this or like this

8 oz distilled water

2 oz.  organic witch hazel (or substitute 2 tsp epsom salt)

30-40 drops essential oil

click the links below for room spray recipes

immune-boosting room sprays

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5 winter room sprays

25 Best Christmas room sprays

20 Best Fall Room Sprays

winter room fresheners made with essential oils-- I love making room sprays! It’s an all-natural (chemical and toxin-free) way to freshen my home, bring in the scents of the season, and get the amazing therapeutic benefits of essential oils. They're so easy to make and they save money over those commercial sprays.

Christmas room fresheners made with essential oils-- I love making room sprays! It’s an all-natural (chemical and toxin-free) way to freshen my home, bring in the scents of the season, and get the amazing therapeutic benefits of essential oils. They're so easy to make and they save money over those commercial sprays. 

20 best fall room fresheners made with essential oils-- I love making room sprays! It’s an all-natural (chemical and toxin-free) way to freshen my home, bring in the scents of the season, and get the amazing therapeutic benefits of essential oils. They're so easy to make and they save money over those commercial sprays.

 

8. Wear a Diffuser Necklace

Do you have an essential oil diffuser necklace yet?  I love mine.  It’s such an easy, convenient way for me to always have my favorite essential oils with me.

Here are a few of my favorite oil blends for my diffuser necklaces:

for energy:  2 drops wild orange and 2 drops peppermint

to relax: 2 drops grounding blend and 2 drops lavender

to brighten my mood:  2 drops joyful blend and 2 drops invigorating blend

summertime blend:  2 drops bergamot, 1 drop lime, 1 drop lemon, 1 drop wild orange, and 1 drop peppermint

click here for instructions from Mommypotamus on how to make a diffuser necklace out of air dry clay

how to make DIY diffuser necklaces

 

click here for instructions on how to make this beautiful diffuser necklace for less than $1 each

diy diffuser necklace-- LOVE this!! You can make this diy homemade essential oil diffuser necklace for less than $1 each!!

 

9. Make a Diffuser Bracelet

Click here to learn how to make this diffuser bracelet from Mommypotamus

How to make a diffuser bracelet for essential oils

 

10. Make a DIY Diffuser for Your Car

Diffusing essential oils doesn’t have to stop when you leave your house.

Click here for 8 DIY car diffuser hacks that you can make using supplies you probably already have on hand

DIY car diffuser hacks-- easy ways to diffuse essential oil in your car

 

11.  Use a Cotton Ball

Just need a quick burst of essential oils?  Try using a cotton ball.  Put a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and then place the cotton ball in your car vent, in your floor vent, or even on the blade of a fan (please be safe– unplug fan and then tape the cotton ball to the fan and completely remove hands from the fan before plugging it back in and turning it on).

 

12.  Tissue Method

Don’t have a cotton ball?  No Problem.  You can use a tissue instead.  Put a couple drops of essential oil on a tissue and put it near where you work or sleep.

 

13. Pillow Method

Don’t have a cotton ball or a tissue?  No problem.  Use a cloth or even your pillow case.  Put a couple drops of essential oil on the corner (or even underside) of your pillow.  Perfect way to drift off and have a great night’s sleep.

click here to check out my 12 favorite essential oils for getting a great night’s sleep

 

14. Stuffed Animal

Similar to the pillow method, you can also put a couple drops of a kid-safe essential oil (like lavender) on a favorite stuffed animal.

 

15. Shower Steamer

No time for baths, but love the aromatherapy benefits of bath bombs? Try shower melts!

The basic recipe is 1 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup distilled water, and 25 drops essential oil.  Mix together.  Add more baking soda and/or water to get the consistency to a thick paste.  Spoon into silicone molds.  Let air dry for 1-2 days, and then once completely dry store them in airtight containers.

To use place a shower steamer on the floor of your shower. Put it in a spot where it will get a little wet, but out of the main water stream. As the water hits it, it will dissolve and give off the aroma (and benefits) of the essential oils you used to make it. Be careful though to not get it too wet too quickly or it will just completely dissolve and run down the drain before you even get to enjoy the smell of the oils.

click here for recipes and instructions for making lots of great smelling essential oil shower steamers

DIY shower steamers and melts made with essential oils-- No time for baths, but love the aromatherapy benefits of bath bombs? Try shower melts!

 

16.  Washcloth Steamer

Don’t have the time to make a shower steam (#15 above)?  There’s a simple alternative– just put a few drops of essential oil on a washcloth.

Put the washcloth in a spot on the shower floor where it will get a little wet, but out of the main water stream. As the water hits it, it will give off the aroma (and benefits) of the essential oils.

 

17.  Facial Steamer

Pour hot water into a bowl and add a few drops of essential oil, cover your head and the bowl with a towel, and breathe deeply.

click here for instructions and tips from Stephanie Blue

essential oil steamer

 

17.  Bath Salts

After a long day (or loooooonnnnnnng week), there’s nothing better than a nice hot bath with essential oils.

click here for 15 of my favorite essential oil bath salt recipes

click here to learn more about the benefits of using baking soda, sea salt, Epsom salt, and essential oils in your bath

DIY 15 recipes for relaxing bath salts made with essential oils-- After a long day (or loooooonnnnnnng week), there's nothing better than a nice hot bath with essential oils.

 

18. Bath Bombs

I love the bubbling and fizzy of a good bath bomb!  Such a fun and relaxing way to take a bath.

click here to learn how to make bath bombs with essential oil

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19. Gel Diffuser

Have you tried making a gel air freshener? These are incredibly simple to make. It’s just polymer absorbent crystals (like these), water, and essential oils. Couldn’t be easier.

Here’s the recipe: 1 tsp water-storing crystal (like this), 1 cup hot water, and 20 drops essential oil. Stir together until well mixed. Keep gel freshener in glass jar without a lid (so that the gel/oil mixture can easily scent the air).

click here for full recipe and instructions  (photo credit:  shakentogetherlife.com)

DIY homemade gel air fresheners made with essential oil-- These are incredibly simple to make. It's just polymer absorbent crystals, water, and essential oils. Couldn't be easier.

 

20. Mason Jar Oil Candle

click here to get recipe and instructions  (photo credit:  MsDawn.com)

mason jar oil candles scented with essential oils

 

21. Baking Soda in a Jar

Want the perfect little air freshener for a closet or mud room?  Try baking soda and essential oils in a mason jar.  Easy and effective!

click here for the instructions on how to make your own from Tidy Mom

diy homemade air freshener made with essential oils-- Want the perfect little air freshener for a closet or mud room? Try baking soda and essential oils in a mason jar. Easy and effective!

 

22. Scented Pinecones

If you have collected pinecones from your yard or nature, then first start with baking the bugs out of your pinecones.  Bake in 200 degree oven for 1 hour and then let completely cool

If you bought your pinecones at a store or are reusing ones from your collection of decorations, then you can skip the baking step.

Place your pinecones in a large glass or stainless steel bowl.  Sprinkle  pinecones with 15-20 drops of cinnamon essential oil (or Christmas blend of your choice).  Toss them to coat.  Cover bowl tightly.  Every couple of days shake pinecones to distribute essential oil and scent.  After a few weeks the pinecones are ready to use.

shutterstock_1801365

 

23. Essential Oil Fire Starters

How cute are these?!  Wouldn’t they make a great gift, too!

click here for recipe and instructions  (photo credit: designsponge.com)

DIY homemade essential oil fire starters

And here’s another super cute recipe for making essential oil fire starters!

click here for recipe and instructions (photo credit: hellonatural.co)

diy homemade fire starters made with essential oils

 

24. Diffusing Ornaments

How cute are these? Set of 10 wood slice tags (each is 2-2.5 inch diameter). Perfect for a gift tag or ornament. Add a few drops of white fir or douglas fir essential oil and even your artificial tree will smell like it was just cut fresh from the Christmas tree farm. Add a couple more drops of essential oil every few days as needed.

click here to get these wood slice Christmas tree ornaments

diy homemade diffuser ornaments made with essential oils-- How cute are these? Set of 10 wood slice tags (each is 2-2.5 inch diameter). Perfect for a gift tag or ornament. Add a few drops of white fir or douglas fir essential oil and even your artificial tree will smell like it was just cut fresh from the Christmas tree farm. Add a couple more drops of essential oil every few days as needed.

Or make your own essential oil diffusing ornaments with just cornstarch, baking powder, and water.  click here to get recipe for making your own

diy homemade diffuser ornament made with essential oils

 

25. Orange Pomander

click here to get recipe and instructions then use clove essential oil to refresh the scent throughout the season  (photo credit: simplebites.net)

 

Would you like an easy reference of all 25 ways to diffuse essential oils {without a diffuser}?

Click here for a FREE PRINTABLE that you can use for yourself, share with your team, or use as a class handout.

25 ways to diffuse without a diffuser PRINTABLE image

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Sarah Lewis

A little thing about me: I 💙 essential oils. I also love using my background in research to help people learn more about essential oils and all the wonderful ways they can be used. I share DIY recipes for natural cleaners that really work, non-toxic beauty solutions, and holistic wellness. My essential oil recipes, info, and tips have been viewed more than 20 million times. I've been featured on MindBodyGreen, Health & Natural Living, All Natural Ideas, This Natural Home, Natural Living Ideas, and Passion for Savings.
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