How to Choose Bases for Diffusers and Room Sprays

Selecting the right base is essential when crafting reed diffusers or room sprays, significantly influencing fragrance dispersion, product performance, and customer satisfaction. This guide provides clear instructions to help you make the optimal choice for your specific project.

Role of a Base

A base is a liquid used to dilute fragrance oils, facilitating effective scent diffusion and ensuring product safety. Choosing the correct base directly affects how well your fragrance travels and lasts.

For Reed Diffusers: Select a base with low viscosity to ensure fragrance oils travel smoothly up the reeds, resulting in even and steady evaporation.

For Room Sprays: Opt for a base that evaporates quickly, leaving no residue on surfaces or fabrics.

Main Types of Bases 

1. DPM (Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether)

Pros: сost-effective, easily accessible, good solvent properties.  Cons: higher viscosity; can hinder reed diffusion, risk of reed clogging, possible residue and oily finish.  Best for: Budget-sensitive projects with less stringent diffusion requirements.

2. Perfumers Alcohol

Pros: rapid evaporation, strong initial fragrance impact, excellent for room sprays.  Cons: highly flammable, noticeable alcohol smell, careful handling, may need solubilizers (e.g., polysorbate, PEG-40) for proper fragrance blending.  Best for: Room sprays requiring quick drying and impactful fragrance bursts.

3. VOC Base, e.g. Augeo Clean Multi

Pros: low odor; doesn’t compete with fragrance, environmentally friendly, bio-based, biodegradable, efficient diffusion in both reed diffusers and room sprays, no additional solubilizers needed.  Cons: slightly more expensive.  Best for: Premium-quality products, environmentally-conscious brands, or versatile production needs.

Step-by-Step Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Base

Consider the following detailed steps to determine the ideal base:

Step 1: Define Your Product Type

Reed Diffusers:  Ensure the base has a low viscosity (thin consistency) for optimal reed absorption and steady evaporation.  Room Sprays:  Choose a base designed for quick evaporation to avoid residue or stains.  Multi-Product Use:  Selecting a versatile base simplifies production for multiple product lines.

Step 2: Assess Compatibility with Your Fragrance Oils

Check how well your fragrance oils blend with your chosen base.

Alcohol-based bases often require additional solubilizers; non-alcoholic bases like Augeo Clean Multi usually blend well on their own.

Step 3: Determine the Desired Customer Experience

For a safer and cleaner home fragrance, select bases with minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Decide if a strong initial scent or a long-lasting, subtle fragrance is your priority.

Step 4: Consider Sustainability and Safety

Traditional bases like DPM typically contain petroleum derivatives.  You might want to choose eco-friendly alternatives for a sustainable and safe formulation.  Always follow labeling regulations, especially for flammable or allergenic ingredients.

Essential Tips for Working Effectively with Bases

Testing: Always conduct small-scale trials first to evaluate scent throw, evaporation rates, and potential residue. 

Recommended Ratios:

Reed Diffusers: Approximately 70–80% base to 20–30% fragrance oil. 

Room Sprays:  Typically around 10–20% fragrance oil, following IFRA guidelines. 

Safety and Labeling: Clearly label your products with safety information, usage instructions, and ingredient disclosures.