Scented Candles Or Reed Diffusers - Which Do You Prefer?
Many people with an interest in adding the dimension of scent to their home décor and accents are torn between scented candles and reed diffusers. They don't know which would best suit them and the décor in their home. While the choice is very much a personal one, there are some indicators as to which might be best for you, although that might not be the best aesthetically.
Available Fragrances
You might believe your choice to be dominated by the size of your rooms and the type of décor, and also perhaps by the availability of specific preferred home fragrances. In respect of the last factor there, both methods of adding fragrance to your rooms offer a wide range of possible scents ranging from floral accents such as rose and lavender through the essential oils obtainable from citrus and other fruits to the more earthy tones of sandalwood and cedar.
So don't think that a candle has the edge over reed diffusers or otherwise, because there is not a great deal of substance behind such claims. Where the reed diffuser does score is in the aspect of safety, and it is on this that we shall dwell initially. The term is obviously being used in reference to the live flame of a candle in comparison to the simple evaporative technique used by a reed diffuser, or even an electric diffuser if you prefer that kind of thing.
Relative Safety
Live candles can be knocked over, and they don't always go out. If candles are your preference you therefore have two options: don't have pets or children, or keep your candles in a safe place and in a stable container. One of these options is easier than the other, and it is doubtful that you will clear your home of pets and children simply to have scented candles!
Candles can be burned in holders with a low centre of gravity so that when knocked they move about, but do not topple over. They can also be burned in protected holders that are safe even if knocked over. Reed diffusers, on the other hand, are the safe option, period!
The Attraction of Scented Candles
Nevertheless the attraction of the beautifully crafted candles you can buy these days, and of mankind's fascination with fire, render a scented candle very attractive to many homes, particularly when decorated in the traditional way. They are available in a wide range of fragrances and also of designs, shapes and sizes.
They can be floated in water, likely the safest option, and stood tall on a mantelpiece or dining table. Scented candles are becoming very popular with many people, and the reason is very understandable. However, watch these kids and keep an eye on the cat!
The Elegance of Reed Diffusers
If your room is decorated in very clean lines, geometric or possibly in an oriental style, then reed diffusers tend to blend in well. The look of several long straight colored reeds rising from a tall glass holder filled with scented oil is very modern and oriental, and is preferred to a candle by those that prefer that unique form of decor. They are the more elegant option of the two.
Kids and Kittens
So in deciding what's best for you, look at your home, at the way your rooms are decorated and the impression you are trying to project. Look also at the age and inquisitiveness of your children and don't put temptation within their reach. Consider whether your cat can be equally inquisitive in places where he or she can definitely reach, and make your decision. Sometimes it's not always about creating an impression, but about being practical.
If you must discount luxury scented candles for a while, then reed diffusers can look very beautiful and a large number of people prefer them to scented candles. A beautiful display of reed diffusers and their glass or ceramic holders can be so impressive that you could virtually design the rest of your room around them. However, they can attract dust if left too long, and can also block up in cold weather when the oil becomes more viscous. Nevertheless it is as easy to replace the reeds and oil as it is to buy another candle.
Your Final Choice
So there you have the evidence for and against each, and you can make the judgment based upon both the aesthetic and the safety aspects of each. How many houses have burned down because a candle has toppled over? In fact, it has been claimed that more than five fires are started by candles every day, the vast majority because of carelessness, such as placing an unsupported candle by the edge of a table.
Nevertheless, where scented candles are used properly, in the correct holder and intelligently sited away from edges that can topple over because of a pet knocking against the table, for example, they are relatively safe. You have no such problems with reed diffusers, but many prefer the appearance and smell of a live flame particularly now that live fires are less common. So scented candles or reed diffusers for you? It's your choice, and each is safe when used as intended.
Available Fragrances
You might believe your choice to be dominated by the size of your rooms and the type of décor, and also perhaps by the availability of specific preferred home fragrances. In respect of the last factor there, both methods of adding fragrance to your rooms offer a wide range of possible scents ranging from floral accents such as rose and lavender through the essential oils obtainable from citrus and other fruits to the more earthy tones of sandalwood and cedar.
So don't think that a candle has the edge over reed diffusers or otherwise, because there is not a great deal of substance behind such claims. Where the reed diffuser does score is in the aspect of safety, and it is on this that we shall dwell initially. The term is obviously being used in reference to the live flame of a candle in comparison to the simple evaporative technique used by a reed diffuser, or even an electric diffuser if you prefer that kind of thing.
Relative Safety
Live candles can be knocked over, and they don't always go out. If candles are your preference you therefore have two options: don't have pets or children, or keep your candles in a safe place and in a stable container. One of these options is easier than the other, and it is doubtful that you will clear your home of pets and children simply to have scented candles!
Candles can be burned in holders with a low centre of gravity so that when knocked they move about, but do not topple over. They can also be burned in protected holders that are safe even if knocked over. Reed diffusers, on the other hand, are the safe option, period!
The Attraction of Scented Candles
Nevertheless the attraction of the beautifully crafted candles you can buy these days, and of mankind's fascination with fire, render a scented candle very attractive to many homes, particularly when decorated in the traditional way. They are available in a wide range of fragrances and also of designs, shapes and sizes.
They can be floated in water, likely the safest option, and stood tall on a mantelpiece or dining table. Scented candles are becoming very popular with many people, and the reason is very understandable. However, watch these kids and keep an eye on the cat!
The Elegance of Reed Diffusers
If your room is decorated in very clean lines, geometric or possibly in an oriental style, then reed diffusers tend to blend in well. The look of several long straight colored reeds rising from a tall glass holder filled with scented oil is very modern and oriental, and is preferred to a candle by those that prefer that unique form of decor. They are the more elegant option of the two.
Kids and Kittens
So in deciding what's best for you, look at your home, at the way your rooms are decorated and the impression you are trying to project. Look also at the age and inquisitiveness of your children and don't put temptation within their reach. Consider whether your cat can be equally inquisitive in places where he or she can definitely reach, and make your decision. Sometimes it's not always about creating an impression, but about being practical.
If you must discount luxury scented candles for a while, then reed diffusers can look very beautiful and a large number of people prefer them to scented candles. A beautiful display of reed diffusers and their glass or ceramic holders can be so impressive that you could virtually design the rest of your room around them. However, they can attract dust if left too long, and can also block up in cold weather when the oil becomes more viscous. Nevertheless it is as easy to replace the reeds and oil as it is to buy another candle.
Your Final Choice
So there you have the evidence for and against each, and you can make the judgment based upon both the aesthetic and the safety aspects of each. How many houses have burned down because a candle has toppled over? In fact, it has been claimed that more than five fires are started by candles every day, the vast majority because of carelessness, such as placing an unsupported candle by the edge of a table.
Nevertheless, where scented candles are used properly, in the correct holder and intelligently sited away from edges that can topple over because of a pet knocking against the table, for example, they are relatively safe. You have no such problems with reed diffusers, but many prefer the appearance and smell of a live flame particularly now that live fires are less common. So scented candles or reed diffusers for you? It's your choice, and each is safe when used as intended.
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