Reed diffusers and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

[FightClubSoap]

Another Mumsnet post about candles got me thinking about the reed diffusers I’ve recently bought, they’re very cheap and seem to last a long time. I used to burn candles and found out the hard way that cheap candles can cause issues (like conjunctivitis) because they’re paraffin and produce VOCS. I stopped burning candles, then moved to a new place and decided I wanted to make it smell nice but didn’t want the soot marks or allergic reaction. Beeswax candles are nice but I wanted a continuous and stronger scent (without a flame) so I came across some reed diffusers by Cristalinas. I’m wondering if I’m BU buying these? Bought some cherry ones that are quite frankly too strong and a bit sickly artificial but a couple of others are lovely. Am I breathing in VOCs but in a different way? Is there a cheap diffuser that doesn’t produce VOCs? Am I just worrying too much about VOCs?

I think if you want unnatural smells like this in your house you might have trouble avoiding VOCs. Essential oils emit VOCs, and they are 'natural', and most reed diffusers will contain them.

Fresh flowers? Grow some you like in your garden if you have cost/environmental concerns?

I have a reed diffuser but only have two reeds in it, which reduces the strength of fragrance. In a smallish/medium room you only need one or two reeds.

Why not use naturally fragrant things like spices or flowers? Whole cloves, vanilla pods, cinnamon sticks, cedar wood, etc. Have you ever made a clove orange or a clove lemon? The fragrance lasts for months, even years if you keep it in a box.

Hyacinths are incredibly fragrant, and will flower year after year if properly looked after. One or two lilies will fragrance an entire room. If you remove the anthers before the stamens open, the lily will last even longer.

I make my own reed diffusers with Augeo (a plant-based carrier) and essential oils.

Not all VOCs are a problem, anything that evaporates into the air is a VOC but the smell of a freshly grated lemon rind is not going to cause the same issues as formaldehyde for example.