Do Oil Diffusers Leave Residue? Do Oil Diffusers Ruin Furniture?

Oil diffusers have become quite popular in recent time as an effective appliance for aromatherapy. It is a convenient way to administer essential oils and relieve yourself of headache, stress and other conditions like insomnia.

Diffusers come in different forms and sizes and a typical diffuser would cost between $15 and $50. Other high-end products may cost as high as $150.

With all of its health benefits, there are several concerns about the use of oil diffusers, and one of them is whether they leave residues within the appliance or in your home.

Do oil diffusers leave residue?

Oil diffusers can help you relax after a hard day’s work. But is it possible that you’ll find residue in the machine or on nearby walls or furniture?

It actually depends on a number of factors, such as the quality of oil and the type of diffuser you use.

If you use impure and viscous oils, it will not only leave a sticky residue in your diffuser but may also leave its footprints on nearby furniture and walls.

Impure oils have a high level of viscosity and will not vaporize properly. The vapor released may also contain large droplets which will not break down properly and may settle on your furniture.

When you use quality essential oils, it is very unlikely to find residue within or outside the diffuser, as long as you clean properly as and when due.

Natural and pure essential oils are quite pricey because they are not easy to come by. The strenuous process of extraction and the many quality materials used all add to its cost.

As a result, a lot of people would rather look the way of cheaper, adulterated, and diluted oils packaged by unscrupulous dealers and sold at lower prices. This is where one of the problems lies.

What you find in such cases are essential oils mixed with carrier oils, fatty oils or even alcohol. When you use such oils, the essential oil separates from the other constituents and evaporates due to its volatility.

The other fatty content remains in the diffuser as residue. When you use a diffuser equipped with a fan, some of the fatty liquids may be forced out of the appliance but will not go very far because they can’t be broken down to smaller vapors and will simply rest on nearby objects like furniture.

So, to answer the question. Oil diffusers will only leave residues if you use adulterated oils or if your diffuser is broken or not properly cleaned.

Do Oil Diffusers Ruin Furniture?

Generally speaking, many essential oils used in oil diffusers may not damage your furniture. But there are many of them that would, especially if they come in contact with your furniture and you fail to wipe them up immediately.

If your diffuser releases too much moisture, or if it leaks, this may affect your furniture. The primary cause of this mishap is a poor diffuser that may leave your essential oils all over the place.

Another matter of concern when it comes to oil diffusers is the practice of unscrupulous oil dealers who tend to add colors to the oils to give them a pleasant appearance. These colors are not as volatile as essential oils.

And even if they show some sort of volatility and are diffused alongside the oils, they will not break down easily and are likely to fall on your furniture, leading to bad stains that you should take care of immediately.

If you do find stains on your furniture from your oil diffuser, here are a few steps to take:

• Spread baking soda over the scented oil stain.
• Use a soft brush to brush the soda off the surface.
• Take a small bowl and fill it with 3 tablespoons Fuller’s Earth and ¼ cup dry solvent.
• Smooth the paste over what is left of the oil stain.
• Clean with a dry piece of cloth.

Are Oil Diffusers bad for Computers?

All things being equal, with the right appliance and the right essential oils, you shouldn’t have a problem.

The vapors from a diffuser are really tiny and will be insignificant to your PC’s components. And even if oil droplets fall on your computer’s components, they will dry up without leaving a fatty residue, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

The only concern would be having too much moisture in the air which may then form a liquid film along with your computer’s components and cause some damage. But this is rare and can be prevented by regulating the humidity in your home.

Tips and Techniques to minimize the residue while using a diffuser

With these concerns, there are simple ways to minimize the possibility of residue when you use a diffuser. Let’s take a few of them;

1. Buy quality, pure essential oils

We know it may cost you some money, but you should never settle for adulterated essential oils. Apart from possible health hazards, these diluted oils can leave some residue. Always buy pure, natural essential oils to enjoy their full benefits and prevent residue.

2. Use superior quality diffusers

There are poorly made diffusers out there, and you must avoid them if you do not want to have residue troubles. These diffusers either have leaks or do not vaporize effectively. Thankfully, we’ll provide the best 3 oil diffusers that leave less residue as you read on.

3. Clean your diffuser regularly

This point cannot be overemphasized. Apart from cleaning your diffuser after every use, using a cloth, q-tips and rubbing alcohol, you may choose to deep clean it once a month or every two months depending on the frequency of usage.

Fill the tank halfway with water, then add 15 drops of white vinegar and run the diffuser for about 10 minutes. Empty the tank, rinse and dry. You can also use q-tips to remove buildup that may be present in the corners.

3 Recommended Oil Diffusers that leave less Residue

1. ASAKUKI 500ml Premium Essential Oil Diffuser [Value for Money]

But that’s not all, this ASAKUKI diffuser leaves little or no residue as long as you adhere to operational guidelines and carry out proper maintenance.

The round shape gives it a unique presence in your home; and the device can function for as long as 16 hours.

Made of polypropylene, this diffuser has a coverage of 300 sq feet. It also has an auto-shutoff feature for your convenience.

2. URPOWER 2nd Version Essential Oil Diffuser [Best Price]

And even when you do find a bit of residue, it is easy to clean and does not support the growth of plaques.

Although small, it can take up to 100ml of liquid content and has the capacity to work for up to 6 hours. It is programmable with an auto shutoff function and has 7 color lamps to choose from.

2. Sierra Modern Home Smart Ultrasonic Diffuser [Best Features]

As an ultrasonic diffuser, this product is a top performer when it comes to oil diffusion. The black exterior is also very compatible with any furniture and complements your interior decor.

Perhaps, its biggest selling point is its advanced features that include Google and Alexa support for smart operations. This means you can easily set it up using your smartphone.

Final Words:

Nobody wants to lose their furniture or abandon a diffuser after only a short while due to residue. One of the reasons why you may find residue in your diffuser or on furniture is the quality of the appliance. This makes getting the right product a necessity.

Note that these products will not prevent residue if you use substandard or diluted essential oils or if you fail to use them properly. Relatively, these products reviewed here will give you less residue and a longer lifespan for continued enjoyment.