Did you know cleaning your essential oil diffuser is well...essential? If your essential oil diffuser just isn't quite working right, it could be time for a good cleaning. We're going to show you how to clean an essential oil diffuser with alcohol, which is one of the best methods.
How to clean a diffuser
If your diffuser isn't preforming like normal it likely needs a cleaning.
Cleaning an essential oil diffuser is super, super easy and should be done regularly to keep it in tip top shape. Oils can leave behind residue that will build up over time and can affect the performance of the diffuser.
You should wipe down your diffuser after each use and/or between switching oils. Diffusers should be deep cleaned 1 or 2 times a month depending on how often you use it.
There are a ton of diffusers on the market, which means there are different ways to clean them. Some diffuser require specific products or techniques to clean them and cleaning them incorrectly can damage them.
First thing to do is check your diffusers user manual, it should tell you the exact cleaning guidelines. Some cleaning techniques will actually void the warranty on the diffuser. Which is why reading the user manual is a good idea.
For instance a lot of tutorials will tell you to clean your diffuser with vinegar, which is a great cleaner but can damage the unit and it voids the warranty in the case of Young Living diffusers.
How to clean a diffuser with alcohol
If you can't find the user manual the method below will work for cleaning just about every diffuser on the market.
Unplug the unit and separate the parts for easier cleaning. Use a dilution of water and rubbing alcohol to wipe down the inside and outside of the unit. I usually use a 1:1 dilution.
You can also use diluted Thieves cleaner, or lemon essential oil to help if you have a lot of gunk built up. If you are adding Thieves or an essential oil to the mix I suggest a 2:1 dilution, 1 part being alcohol and 2 parts being water.
After you've wiped it all down take a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and clean around the metal ultrasonic plate to remove any buildup.
Make sure the unit is dry before plugging it back it and using it.
Make it a habit
We all know we'll put off cleaning our diffusers until we have too. Unless we make it easy for ourselves.
Keep a soft rag or paper towels and cotton swabs near the diffuser along with a small spray bottle of water and rubbing alcohol. Make it a habit of wiping it down before you use it. Just spritz the paper towel, give it a wipe down on the inside of the unit, and use as normal. It will only take a minute and make your oiling experience that much nicer.
And that's how to clean an oil diffuser.
Speaking of cleaning and oils, check out my post on cleaning your empty essential oils bottles and my secret weapon for cleaning around the house.
Vicky
Great info & easy read...just a quick question, what is the dilution ratio? Thank YOU 🙂
Alycia Louise
Thank you Vicky and that's a wonderful question. I'll have to add it up in the post. I usually use a 1:1 ratio unless I'm adding Thieves cleaner or an essential oil, then I will further dilute the alcohol to a 2:1 ratio.
Danielle
Thanks for sharing. I am finding a lot of build up on the bottom air intake (dust possibly). I have carefully used a toothpick to try and scrape it out however, it didn't do the job all that well. Do you have any ideas for this problem? Thanks in advance.
Alycia Louise
Hi Danielle,
Great question. If a toothpicks not doing the trick I suggest using a pressurized can of air. Start with the can further away so blast isn't as strong and slowly move it closer until it starts dislodging the build up.
mandalynn314
Hi there. I love that diffuser and was wondering where you got it from! 🙂
Alycia Louise
Hi there 🙂
The diffuser pictured is the Desert Mist Diffuser from Young Living. You can buy it on it's own without signing up or (the best deal) is getting it in a kit when you sign up as a member. You can find out more about it on my Essential oil Page.
Jessica
What percentage of rubbing alcohol do you recommend? In your photo, you have 91%, but would 70% work too?
Alycia Louise
I usually have 91% on hand but 70% would work as well. You could add a tiny bit more of alcohol than water to compensate for the difference.