Reed Diffuser Formulation: Cloudiness and Strong Alcohol Smell
คำถาม
I am making a reed diffuser using the following ratio: Essential Oil 20%, Alcohol 20% (I tried increasing it to 30% but it was still cloudy), and Base diffuser type 1 60%. I encountered two problems: 1) The mixture becomes cloudy even when using ethyl alcohol. What is the cause of this problem, and are there any ingredients that can fix it? 2) With some essential oils, the mixture is not cloudy or separated when using the above ratio, but the alcohol smell is very strong. Is there an alternative formula that can be mixed with essential oils without using alcohol, or is there a way to reduce the alcohol smell?
คำตอบ
Reed Diffuser Formulation Issues
You're encountering common challenges when formulating reed diffusers with essential oils: cloudiness and a strong alcohol odor.
Cause of Cloudiness
The cloudiness likely occurs because some components in your specific essential oil are not fully soluble in the mixture of Reed Diffuser Base (Type 1) and alcohol at the concentration you are using (20% essential oil). While alcohol helps solubility, essential oils are complex, and their solubility varies greatly. The ratio you are using (20% essential oil + 20-30% alcohol + 60% base) has a higher concentration of the fragrance/alcohol part (40-50%) than the base's suggested range (25-30% fragrance in 70-75% base). This higher concentration of essential oil might exceed the solubility limit.
Cause of Strong Alcohol Smell
The strong alcohol smell is simply due to the presence of alcohol in your formulation. Alcohol is volatile and has its own distinct odor, which can dominate or interfere with the delicate aroma of essential oils, especially at higher percentages (20-30%).
Solutions
1. Addressing Cloudiness
- Reduce Essential Oil Concentration: Try reducing the percentage of essential oil in your formula. This is the most direct way to improve solubility.
- Adjust Base/Alcohol Ratio: While you tried increasing alcohol, which can help solubility, it worsens the odor issue. The Reed Diffuser Base (Type 1) description mentions pre-mixing fragrance with alcohol before adding to the base if separation occurs, suggesting alcohol is intended as a co-solvent, but the overall ratio is key.
- Consider a Different Base: The most effective solution might be to use a different diffuser base specifically designed for essential oils that offers better solvency without requiring high levels of alcohol or having a strong inherent odor.
2. Addressing Strong Alcohol Smell
- Reduce Alcohol Percentage: If reducing essential oil concentration helps solubility, you might be able to reduce the alcohol percentage, thereby lessening the odor.
- Use a Low-Odor or Alcohol-Free Base: As mentioned above, switching to a different diffuser base that is low-odor or alcohol-free and has good solvency for essential oils is the best way to avoid the alcohol smell entirely or significantly reduce it. Look for bases specifically marketed for use with essential oils and described as low-odor or alcohol-free.
In summary, the cloudiness is likely a solubility issue related to the specific essential oil and concentration in your current base/alcohol mix. The alcohol smell is inherent to using alcohol. Exploring alternative, low-odor or alcohol-free diffuser bases designed for essential oils is recommended to solve both problems simultaneously.
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