Improving Reed Diffuser Scent Throw and Formulation
Question
I've tried mixing fragrance oil with diffuser base, but the scent throw isn't as strong as commercially available products. Should I add ethyl alcohol? Also, does the fragrance oil need to be specifically for reed diffusers? Lastly, if I plan to sell this product commercially, would adding alcohol have any excise tax implications?
Answer
Improving Reed Diffuser Performance
You've asked about improving the scent throw of your reed diffuser, the type of fragrance oil to use, and tax implications for commercial sale.
Adding Ethyl Alcohol
Adding ethyl alcohol to your mixture of fragrance oil and diffuser base can help improve the diffusion. The Reed Diffuser Base (Type 1) description mentions that if the fragrance and base separate, mixing the fragrance with ethyl alcohol first before adding it to the base can help. Ethyl alcohol can act as a co-solvent, helping the fragrance oil dissolve better in the base. It can also reduce the viscosity of the mixture and improve evaporation through the reeds, leading to better scent throw.
Fragrance Oil Type
While many fragrance oils can be used in reed diffusers, their performance can vary. Some fragrance oils are more suitable for diffusion than others due to their composition and volatility. If you are finding that your current mixture isn't diffusing well, it might be due to the specific fragrance oil used or the ratio of fragrance to base. Experimenting with different fragrance oils or adjusting the ratio (typically 25-30% fragrance oil to 70-75% base) might help. The choice between different types of diffuser base (like Type 1 and Type 2) can also depend on the strength and characteristics of the fragrance oil.
Excise Tax Implications
Regarding the excise tax implications of adding alcohol for commercial sale, I am unable to provide information on tax regulations. It is recommended to consult with a legal or tax professional familiar with local laws and regulations concerning the sale of products containing alcohol.
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