How Essential Oil Diffusers Work

How ultrasonic essential oil diffusers work.

Essential Oil diffusers are largely misunderstood in terms of how the ultrasonic technology works.

When you place water in the water chamber and place aroma oil or essential oils in the water, the oils will float to the top and sit there. Activating the diffuser directs an ultrasonic signal through the water.

Following activation of the signal, the water – through its own natural impedance response to the ultrasonic energy transmission, is caused to gently vibrate. This minuscule vibration causes a breakdown of the essential oil molecules and the water molecules, allowing both to dissipate into the surrounding area in the resultant cool mist.

Using ultrasonic energy to transmit essential oil or aroma oil is a very effective way of diffusion because it requires no heat generation.

The application of heat to release essential oils is another way of releasing their scent, but the heap itself can cause a denaturing of the oil’s properties.

Because ultrasonic diffusers use no heat, they allow full integrity for the properties of the oils.

This makes the diffuser very safe to use around young children and pets – a commonly asked question. The diffusers do not generate any heat whatsoever – even the vapour mist, which looks like steam, is cool to touch.

Ultrasonic diffusers are also very effective in that they have an auto-stop function on depletion of water in the chamber – so they tend to last a lot longer (no burnout).

On release, the vapour has a positive effect on the surrounding air – adding positive ions to the surrounding space as well as the lovely scent and the medicinal properties of the essential oils – much like the relaxing and health-giving experience of being near the ocean (also a powerful emitter of negative ions), diffusers deliver negative ions to the rooms they are used in – allowing a freshness and a somehow cleaner feel to the air.

Positive ions have the ability to neutralise mould spores and improve energy. Anyone who is sleeping poorly, feeling overly stressed or who is feeling under the weather generally will benefit from diffuser presence.

Cleaning your diffuser

If you are using your diffuser daily, you may need to give it a clean. The main thing to bear in mind when cleaning diffusers, it not to allow water to enter the air vent (this is usually a slot at the top of the water chamber), as water ingress to the circuitry will cause it to fail.

The easiest thing to do is to use a cotton tip, dip it in lightly soaped water & run it around the centre of the base (using no pressure), then a clean cloth,  very lightly dampened in mild soapy water) to lightly wipe the rest of the water chamber.

If you wish to, you can then add a little water to rinse, swirl it gently and empty the diffuser, taking care to tip away from the air vent and electric power inlet.

Allow your diffuser to power off after use.

Whether you use intervals, intermittent mist or continuous mist, it’s important to allow your diffuser to power off for a period at the end of the misting period. Topping up the water continuously will probably shorten the life of the diffuser.

If you want the diffuser to run overnight, set it up with a full water chamber in the evening & press the mist button when you are ready. it will mist until the water is low, then power itself off (including the lights).