Fragrance Oils for Diffusers and Oil Burners: How to Use Them
The quick answer: to use fragrance oils in a diffuser, fill an ultrasonic or electric diffuser with water to the line and add a few drops of oil, usually 3 to 5, or as your diffuser's instructions advise. In an oil burner, add water to the dish first, then a few drops of oil, and never let the dish burn dry. Our 10ml fragrance oils work in both.
Fragrance oils are one of the most flexible ways to scent your home. One small bottle can be used in an ultrasonic diffuser in the living room, an oil burner in the kitchen, or both. This guide explains how to use them, how many drops to add, and how fragrance oils differ from essential oils.
What are fragrance oils?
Fragrance oils are concentrated scents made for home fragrance. They come in a huge range of scents, from fresh and clean to fruity, sweet and festive. You add a few drops to water in a diffuser or oil burner, and the scent is released into the room.
Our fragrance oils come in 10ml bottles, priced from £2.50 each. They include favourites like apple pie, cinnamon, eucalyptus, jasmine, strawberry and mulled wine.
Fragrance oils vs essential oils: what's the difference?
- Essential oils are taken from plants, such as lavender, orange or eucalyptus. They are often chosen for a natural, botanical scent.
- Fragrance oils are blended scents. This means they can smell like things that can't be turned into an essential oil, such as apple pie, espresso martini or a festive spice.
Both work in ultrasonic diffusers and oil burners. Choose by the scent you love. Browse our premium essential oils as well as our fragrance oils, and read the most popular essential oils for ideas.
How to use fragrance oils in a diffuser
Ultrasonic and electric diffusers
- Place your diffuser on a flat, stable surface, away from electrics and wooden furniture that could be marked by mist.
- Fill the water tank to the fill line with room-temperature tap water.
- Add a few drops of fragrance oil, usually 3 to 5, or as your diffuser's instructions advise.
- Replace the lid and switch on. The fine mist carries the scent into the room.
- Add another drop or two next time if you want a stronger scent.
Our ultrasonic oil diffusers are flame-free, which makes them a good fit for bedrooms, home offices and living rooms. For a full walkthrough, read how to use an essential oil diffuser.
Cleaning your diffuser
Empty and wipe the tank between scents so the old oil doesn't mix with the new one. Always follow the cleaning instructions that came with your diffuser.
How to use fragrance oils in an oil burner
- Place the burner on a heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, draughts, children and pets.
- Fill the dish with water.
- Add a few drops of fragrance oil to the water.
- Light one unscented tealight underneath.
- Keep an eye on the water level and top it up as needed. Never let the dish burn dry.
- Never leave a lit tealight unattended. Let the burner cool fully before you clean it.
Many tealight burners can be used for oils with water or for wax melts, but always check your burner's instructions first. Don't put oil and water in a burner dish at the same time as wax melts.
Which fragrance oil should you choose?
- Fresh and clean: eucalyptus and similar scents suit bathrooms, kitchens and home offices.
- Fruity: strawberry and apple scents feel bright and cheerful in living spaces.
- Sweet and bakery: apple pie and other bakery scents make a kitchen feel homely.
- Floral: jasmine and other floral scents are soft and relaxing in bedrooms.
- Festive: cinnamon, mulled wine and spruce berry are perfect for Christmas. See how to make your home smell like Christmas.
Because the bottles are small, it's easy to build a little collection and switch with the seasons or your mood. You can also try two complementary scents together, a drop of each, to create your own blend.
Diffuser, oil burner, reed diffuser or wax melts?
Fragrance oils are best when you want to choose exactly when the scent is on and how strong it is. If you'd rather have constant background fragrance, a reed diffuser works without heat or power, and a 100ml refill lasts 8–12 weeks. For a cosy option, try wax melts in a burner. For a quick refresh, a room spray works in seconds. Our guide to layering home fragrance shows how to combine them.
Safety tips for fragrance oils
- Fragrance oils are for home fragrance only. Don't apply them to skin and don't swallow them.
- Keep bottles closed, upright and out of reach of children and pets.
- Wipe up any spills straight away, as oils can mark some surfaces.
- Always follow the instructions that came with your diffuser or burner.
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Fragrance oils FAQs
How many drops of fragrance oil should I put in a diffuser?
Usually 3 to 5 drops, or as your diffuser's instructions advise. Add more next time if you'd like a stronger scent.
Can I use fragrance oils in an oil burner?
Yes. Add water to the dish first, then a few drops of oil, and top up the water so it never burns dry.
Can I use fragrance oils in a reed diffuser?
Reed diffusers need a ready-made diffuser liquid, not neat fragrance oil. Use one of our reed diffuser refills instead.
Can I mix fragrance oils?
Yes. Start with a drop of each of two scents that work together, then adjust to taste.
What size are your fragrance oils?
Our fragrance oils come in 10ml bottles, priced from £2.50 each.