To refill a reed diffuser, wash and dry the bottle, pour in a traditional refill to just below the neck, then add fresh reeds and flip them after an hour. It takes a few minutes plus drying time, and the same bottle can be refilled again and again.
Below is each step, which refill fits which kirri diffuser, and the one mistake to avoid.
Before you start: pick the right refill
- 200ml reed diffuser: the 500ml traditional refill is made for it. One bottle typically tops up a 200ml diffuser for 4 to 8 months.
- 100ml reed diffuser: use the 100ml traditional refill, which is also made for the wood diffuser and car diffuser.
- Other passive diffusers: the 500ml refill also works in rock diffusers and any diffuser without a motor.
- Same scent or a new one: topping up with the same scent is simplest. Switching scent? Follow every step below.
Never use a traditional refill in an electric diffuser. Refills are high in perfumer's alcohol, which is what lets them scent a room through reeds without a motor. That alcohol damages electric diffusers, so keep refills out of the Micro, Element, Beacon and Pillar. The Micro and Element take Micro Oil (15ml), and the Beacon and Pillar take Macro Oil (30ml) or Aura Oil (100ml). Not sure what fits? Check which oil fits my diffuser.
Step 1: empty and clean the bottle
Topping up the same scent? You can skip the wash. Just take the old reeds out first.
- Pour out what's left: if you're changing scent, tip any leftover oil away. Two scents mixed in one bottle rarely smell the way you'd hope.
- Wash it: use hot water and a little dishwashing liquid, then rinse well.
- Dry it completely: any water left behind dilutes the refill. Leaving the bottle upside down overnight works well.
- Protect your surfaces: work over a sink or a tea towel, as oil can mark timber, stone and painted finishes.
Step 2: pour in the refill
Use a small funnel and pour slowly. Fill to just below the neck, not to the brim, so the reeds don't push oil over the top when they go in.
A 500ml refill holds more than a 200ml bottle, so you'll have some left for the next top-up. Close the refill bottle tightly and store it upright, out of direct sun.
Step 3: add fresh reeds
Reeds fill with dust and dried oil over time, and they hold on to the last scent. Washing won't clear them. Fresh reeds with every refill give you the strongest result, and a reeds pack of 6 has you covered.
- Start with 4 to 6 reeds: in a 200ml bottle, then adjust. Our guide to how many reeds to put in a diffuser explains how.
- Flip after an hour: turning them over puts the soaked ends in the air and gets the scent going faster.
- Give it a day: the scent builds as the reeds soak through, so judge it after 24 hours.
How to make each refill go further
- Use fewer reeds: fewer reeds draw oil more slowly, so the bottle lasts longer.
- Keep it out of sun and heat: warmth speeds up evaporation, especially on a sunny windowsill in summer.
- Avoid draughts: fans, air-con vents and open windows carry scent away and run the oil down.
- Flip weekly, not daily: each flip gives a burst of scent but uses more oil.
For typical lifespans by size, read how long reed diffusers last. Everything else is in our complete reed diffuser care guide.
Refilling FAQs
Can I reuse my reed diffuser reeds?
Only with the same scent. Reeds keep the fragrance they've soaked up, so a new scent always needs new reeds. They also clog over time, so see how often to change reed diffuser reeds.
Can I put a reed diffuser refill in my electric diffuser?
No. The perfumer's alcohol in traditional refills damages the Micro, Element, Beacon and Pillar. Use the diffuser oil made for your model instead.
Can I refill the kirri wood diffuser?
Yes, with a 100ml traditional refill. Fill the top bowl no more than three-quarters full and stick to one scent, as the scent sinks through the beech wood. More on the wood diffuser.
More reed diffuser guides
- Not working? Reed diffuser not working? Here's how to fix it
- Too soft? How to make a reed diffuser stronger
Ready to top up? Shop traditional refills, or find a new 200ml reed diffuser.