Citrus essential oils are one of the most popular fragrances that commercial industries use. They are easily attainable at most popular essential oil brands and usually one or two of them comes in a standard essential oils starter kit.
However, some citrus oils can corrode the plastic components used in essential oil diffusers, damaging the materials and leaving behind a permanent scent that you don’t really want around when you choose to switch up your diffuser blend to other oils.
Reading some diffuser reviews may make you hesitate to use citrus essential oils in your unit. You may ask, “What’s wrong with citrus oils in diffusers?”, “Are you sure citrus oils corrode the diffuser plastics?”, and: “Well that sucks, how else could I use my citrus oils then?”
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
These are the questions I’m going to answer for you. This article will give you a bunch of ideas about citrus essential oils and how to apply them without using diffusers.
Contents
Citrus Essential Oils Uses & Benefits
Citrus essential oils, in general, possess antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. They are known detoxifiers and also help in weight loss. However, it is important to keep in mind that most of them, especially cold-pressed essential oils, are phototoxic. Keep them away from light to prevent skin irritation and allergies. Also, keep yourself out of the sun for 24 hours after putting citrus oils (diluted), on your skin.
Citrus essential oils have a bright, sweet and tart aroma.
- Lime Essential Oil (Citrus Aurantifolia)has a characteristic light green color with a sweet, tart aroma that came from Mexican Lime or West Indian Lime. Lime oil is used a lot for preventing contamination. In fact, you can use lime as a first-aid to inhibit tetanus infection.
- Bitter Orange Essential Oil (Citrus Aurantium), as its name suggests, has a characteristic bitter orange aroma. With its carminative and digestive remedial benefits, you can use this in treating constipation and other related digestion problems.
- Petitgrain Essential Oil (Citrus Aurantium)has a characteristic clear yellow appearance that came from the leaves and twigs of the orange tree. As a result, it has less of the fruity aroma and more of the fresh, woody and slightly floral scent.
- Neroli Essential Oil (Citrus Aurantium)has a distinct orange-brown color with a floral aroma that can only come from the fresh blossoms of the orange tree.
- Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus Bergamia)is a green oil that came from bergamot orange peels.
- Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus Limon) has the familiar lemon scent, but just stronger as it is concentrated.
- Yuzu Essential oil (Citrus Junos) has a greenish orange color that came from the fruit peel. It has a characteristic bright, fruity aroma that you can use for relieving fatigue and anxiety.
- Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus Paradisi) has a sweet and tangy aroma that came from grapefruit rinds. It is known to be useful for treatment of water retention and accumulation of toxins.
- Mandarin Essential Oil (Citrus Reticulata) came from the citrus rinds and has the sweetest aroma among the citrus oils. A lot of industries in soap making and cosmetics apply orange oil in their products.
- Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus Sinensis) is what is commonly known as the generic orange oil. It is a popular scent which came from the citrus orange rinds.
- Blood Orange Essential Oil (Citrus Sinensis) has a similar aroma to that of Sweet Orange essential oil, but with a slightly sour characteristic.
Citrus Essential Oils in Your Diffuser
Essential oils are small in terms of molecular size. Diffusers work by distributing these tiny particles into the air. Once in the air, you breathe in the oil particles, and the nerve connections in you nose send the therapeutic signals to the brain.
So, can you use citrus oil in your diffusers? The answer would be yes. However, there are inconvenient consequences. Citrus oils originate from fruits that are naturally acidic. When you use them in your diffusers, it could corrode the inner components.
Your Diffuser’s Plastic Materials…
Generally, diffusers are made of plastic materials that are not highly corrosive, but susceptible to it, nonetheless. A lot of it here depends on the quality of your manufacturer’s choice in plastics used.
Corrosion of your essential oil diffuser due to citrus oil use could lead to early damage of the diffuser. Also, as a result of the corrosion of plastic, you may diffuse petrochemicals into the air if you continue using this diffuser unknowlingly.
There are some glass essential oil diffusers that would have no of citrus oil diffuser damage – like this one here. It’s around $52 so still extremely attainable.
If you plan to use citrus oils in your regular diffuser, and this unit happens to have plastic components, please check with your manufacturer to ensure high-quality plastics are used in the production. Also make sure that the oil doesn’t remain sitting in there, especially when not in use. Clean your diffuser within 12 hours after each use.
Pretty tedious, right? While there may be diffusers made out of anti-corrosion materials, I would say it’s best to be cautious and not take the chance of a chemical reaction between your essential oils and the diffuser’s plastic materials.
Either switch to a glass diffuser, or have a look at the following cheap and shockingly creative ways to apply citrus essential oils into your daily life without using a diffuser!
How to Apply Citrus Essential Oils without Using a Diffuser?
Here are some simple and creative alternative ways of applying citrus essential oils, or blends containing citrus oils:
Diffuser Jewelry
Necklaces, bracelets, keychains, earrings – jewelry can be diffusers, too! My favorite are bracelets, as they are easy to match to any outfit, and quick to move up to your nose to take an extra sniff of your essential oils. Many places sell diffuser jewelry as part of their line of accessories.
Diffuser jewelry needs just 1-3 drops of your essential oil of choice.
If you prefer to make your own, use some air dry terra cotta clay (find it HERE for around $6), form it to your desired shape, and design it into a shape of your choice. Add the essential oils and now you can go anywhere with your pocket smelling fresh and sweet!
How long the aroma lasts would depend on the type of essential oil. But you can always re-apply the oils, or make another piece of DIY jewelry.
Terra Cotta Pendants
Many crafty small businesses offer ready-made terra cotta pendants. You can browse a large selection on Amazon and you’re sure to find a pendant symbol that matches your style. Pendants are also affordably priced and come on decent quality leather strings. The packaging is simple but professional, so these diffuser bracelets, car diffusers, or necklaces are definitely gift-worthy as well.
Candle Method
Scented candles never get old. Aside from the soft glow ambience and the calming mood they bring about, the aroma definitely adds flavor to the overall setting.
Add 10-20 drops of your favorite citrus oil and mix it with a teaspoon of carrier oil, say grapeseed oil. The presence of the carrier oil will give a more lasting aroma. Add the mix to your candle and spread it over the entire area apart from the wick. Leave it for at least an hour for the oil to absorb. Then, you may light the scented candles. Perfect for an aromatherapy bath!
Spray
A do-it-yourself essential oil spray would be an organic way to freshen up your surroundings without the use of the artificial fragrance from aerosols. You simply need drops of your favorite essential oil, water and an alcohol as an emulsifying agent. Then, you can spray the scent to your rooms or your car. No aerosols, just organic fruity scents.
Reed Diffusers
Reed diffusers give an impression of calm simplicity. They are just like candles, but even safer without the fire. You can buy reed diffusers, although, it could easily be done at home. Here’s a recipe to follow for a DIY reed diffuser. All you need are reed diffuser sticks or bamboo skewers, drops of your favorite essential oil, a light carrier oil (such as Almond oil), and a fancy vase or bottle with a narrow opening.
For a lasting fragrance, a light carrier oil is preffered so that the oil would absorb to the sticks faster compared to a heavier oil. A container with a narrow opening would reduce the rate of evaporation.
Reed diffusers could last as long as all of the oil evaporates. Even then, you could fill it once again.
Cotton Balls
Cotton balls with drops of your favorite citrus essential oil is another effortless way to freshen up your dank cabinets and your musky closets. Add 2-3 drops of oil onto the cotton, and place where needed. Nature will do the work.
Toilet Paper Roll
This method is a great idea to apply especially if you are expecting visitors at your house. On your roll of tissue, put a few drops of citrus oil into the carton roll, then place it back in its dispenser. When the visitor goes to your bathroom, a citrus whiff of air will fill the room.
Personal Inhalers
Personal inhalers are your very own portable aromatherapy emergency refuge. During unfortunate occasions when you feel dizzy or unwell, grab your first-aid personal inhaler. Inhalers are available at very affordable prices, so you could easily get one. Then, just add about 15 drops to the cotton pad. It may be less or more, depending on your preference.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of cheap and creative ways to apply citrus essential oils by simply using everyday supplies. Try those alternatives to diffusing, and share them with your friends! If you have some more ideas, feel free to comment below and let us know.
Steph
I think that some of these oils are necessary to use without a diffuser. Thanks a lot for explaining the issue!