How to burn a candle so it does not tunnel
The first burn sets the memory of the wax. How long to let it run, how to trim the wick, and when to stop.
How to get the most from a reed diffuser
Where to put it, how often to flip the reeds, and why a diffuser lasts longer in July than in May.
A reed diffuser works without a flame. The rattan reeds are full of tiny channels; the scented oil climbs up them and evaporates from the tips into the room. It is simple, but a few things make a real difference to how strong it smells and how long it lasts.
Place it where air moves gently, not strongly: a hallway, a bathroom shelf, the corner of a living room where people walk past. Away from direct sun, which warms the oil and makes it evaporate too fast, and away from the fan or the air-conditioner outlet. Keep it out of reach of children and cats, and on a coaster, since the oil can mark polished wood.
When you first set it up, put all eight reeds in, wait an hour, then flip them so the soaked ends are at the top. After that, flip the reeds once a week. If the scent is too strong for a small room, take out three or four reeds; if it is faint, add them back.
Our 120 ml bottle lasts 10 to 12 weeks in a living room. It lasts longer in the monsoon, when the air is heavy and humid, and less in the hot months of April and May. When it runs out, replace the reeds as well as the oil, since old reeds clog with dust and stop drawing. Our refill bottle comes with a fresh set of reeds for ₹850.
