FAQs - The Best Reed Diffusers by PAIRFUM London

Are there any special usage instructions?

You may regulate the perfume intensity & longevity to your personal taste through the number of reeds you insert and by how frequently you turn them. The more reeds you use and the more often you turn them over, the stronger the perfume in the room will be. Air flow and local conditions will also affect the longevity of the fragrance infusion.

Why is there only one bottle / glass shape but many different perfumes ?

Every one of the 'private collections' use the same bottle across the entire range of their perfumes.

Many of the top brands now use the same bottle across many different products. See Estee Lauder 'Pleasures', Dior J'adore, Chanel, Tom Ford, etc.

Why do we use black reed diffuser sticks?

Black reeds stand out from the norm but will blend subtly into your home decor. Simply place them into our Italian glass decanters.

You may turn the reeds to increase the fragrance in your rooms.

How long will my perfume reed diffuser last?

This will depend on the fill level of your reed diffuser:

• 50 ml - will fragrance for 2-3 months
• 100 ml – you may expect it to perfume for 3-5 months
• 200 ml – will fragrance 5-8 months
• 250 ml – expected to perfume for 6-9 months

It also depends on how many reeds you use. The above figures are based on using all 10 x diffuser reeds we supply in a pack. If you only 5 x sticks instead of 10, then you will proportionally increase the longevity, i.e. 3-5 months become 6-10 months.

Obviously, a reed diffuser with only 5 x reeds can't be expected to be equally as strong as well you use 10 reeds.

How long do reed diffuser sticks last?

Typically, reed diffuser sticks last as long as the product they are designed for, e.g. 6-9 months for Pairfum's Large Bell Reed Diffuser.

Having said this, their longevity depends on a number of factors:

1. Despite best endeavours, over time, reed diffuser sticks lose their efficiency and become blocked as they get dusty and saturated with the diffuser oil and its essential oils.
2. The time that it takes for a reed diffuser stick to become saturated and blocked can be increased by using larger reeds with a bigger diameter.
3. The heat and airflow in the room. For example, if a room is warmer, then essential oils that would normally evaporate very slowly will diffuse in greater numbers and the diffuser sticks will function for longer.

Why are there no names on the perfume bottle / candle glass / etc.?

It is for aesthetic reasons.

Some perfume bottles have names printed on them but others don't.

For example, Kenzo / Moton Brown / etc and many others don't have a name printed on the bottle. It tends to be brands with a minimal / simple / elegant / modern design.

We believe a name printed on the bottle usually does not improve the design / look of the extremely elegant Pairfum bottle.

The perfume which is most similar to the Flacon of Pairfum is 'Flower' by Kenzo. It does not have a name printed on the bottle.

It is our opinion that for example the bottles in D&G's unisex scent collection would look much nicer without the white sticker. It is only in-store, i.e. on the shelf, that the stickers of the D&G's unisex scent collection help the consumer to choose their preferred perfume.

It is for this reason and when visiting a store, you will find Pairfum tester bottles / glasses that carry a 'tester' sticker with the different perfume names on them.

Is a refill available?

Yes, refills are available. We offer the following in our shop:

• refill liquid - click here to buy
• rattan reeds - click here to buy

Once the content of one bottle has been diffused the fibre reeds will be fully saturated and need to be replaced.

Additionally, our fragrance formulation are be stored in a special aroma barrier container to preserve the effectiveness of the product to ensure your next Pairfum® aromatic diffuser perfumes as well as the one you have just enjoyed.

What are the reeds made from?

They are natural rattan reeds and they have been coloured black with natural dyes (i.e. minerals).

We find that colouring the reeds actually improves their effectiveness slightly (about 5%), as the colouring process opens more pores inside the reeds.

We agree, it sounds like a contradiction but we have recorded improved performance in our tests and increased porosity is the only possible explanation.

Why has my diffuser changed colour?

The formulation uses natural essential oils and when exposed to sunlight or the oxygen in the air, these may change colour.

This is especially pronounced in diffusers that contain vanilla, jasmine, citrus oils, spices, sandalwood but there are many others. Over time the product will become progressively darker.

However, be assured that this does not affect the performance of the product at all.

Think of it more, as a sign of quality.

Natural essential oils vary in colour from batch to batch.

This explains the slight differences in colour you may notice between two new products. In other words, they were produced in different batches.

We try to minimise this but it does happen and it is not a sign that a product has expired (i.e. ‘gone off’).

As we use naturals extensively, we continuously check the olfactive profile (the perfume profile) of our ingredients using a variety of techniques to ensure consistent quality.

Our careful and considered use of naturals is one strength that sets us apart from our competitors.

What Precautions should I take when using my diffuser? Safety Instructions?

Ignoring safety instructions may lead to property damage, personal injury or fire hazard. Do not drink. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Handle with care and only with your hands as glass containers are fragile and liquid perfume may spill when the bottle is open. Ensure the bottle is upright before opening. Do not use if the bottle is cracked, chipped, or scratched. Place on an inert surface to avoid damage from perfume oils.

Do not let the bottle or perfume get in direct contact with any fabric or polished, painted, plastic or wooden material which may be damaged by perfume oils. Place away from open flames and sources of heat (e.g. radiators, lightbulbs, TV's). Do not light the reeds. Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after touching the bottle, the reeds or perfume liquid and before touching anything else (e.g. eyes, mouth). Should this accidentally happen, immediately rinse with clean water and consult your doctor. Teach everyone these rules for safe use.

Are reed diffusers safe for dogs and cats?

Yes, our reed diffusers are safe for cats and dogs.

However, reed diffusers should always be kept out of reach of your pets, especially dogs and cats. They might accidentally topple the bottle, just like children can.

Keep in mind though that dogs & cats have a far more sensitive sense of smell than humans.

With this in mind, you should use non-VOC Reed Diffusers, like all of our reed diffusers are, instead of older or cheaper ones that use alcohol and/or glycol.

Why are some fragrances easier to detect than others?

Like flowers, natural essences and perfumes vary in fragrance strength.

Our noses more readily detect heady spice fragrances than delicate floral ones. Depending on the effect you desire, you can choose your Pairfum product based on the subtleness of the effect you want to achieve.

Also, over time, our noses can become accustomed to a fragrance which we have been using for a period of time.

If you find yourself not detecting the Pairfum fragrance, move it into another room for several days and you will be amazed at the difference!

Why is the rate of evaporation faster for some fragrances than others?

Typically, this is because of the composition of the fragrance.

Light green citrus scents are more volatile and will evaporate more quickly than the heavy, woody, vanilla style fragrances that will linger for longer.

Here are other factors why a reed diffuser may last longer in one room compared with another:

• If a room is warmer or where the reed diffuser is next to a radiator, the fragrance will not last as long, as it evaporates faster.
• The air conditions of the room. If the room is large with air-conditioning or more frequent air flow, e.g. a hallway, the product will 'evaporate' much more quickly, than if it is placed in a small, room with minimal ventilation.
• The frequency with which you turn the reeds, e.g. you might remember to turn the reeds more often when it is in the kitchen than in the guest bedroom

Does the product have a use-by date?

We recommend you open and enjoy your diffuser within 12 months of purchase.

On average, all of our products will not deteriorate within the first 2 - 3 years.

In other words, you don't have to use them immediately when you receive one as a gift and there is no harm in waiting a little.

Why are some fragrance diffusers darker than others?

This is because of the natural essential oils used within the diffuser. Some of them have a natural colour, e.g. citrus oils, flower essences, spices, vanilla and many others.

As a consequence, the liquids can differ in hues from clear through to the warm browns of vanilla.

Take it as a sign of quality: your diffuser is natural and you can see the proof!

Just for the avoidance of any doubt, there are no artificial or natural colours in our diffusers.

What is the diffuser made of?

The diffuser is a combination of fragrance oil and a special non-VOC carrier liquid.

Each product has a different, specially blended combination of oils within the fragrance.

Here are weblinks with more information about VOCs and why you should choose a non-VOC reed diffuser for better air quality in your home:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compound
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropospheric_ozone

Reed diffusers for sleep ?

Reed diffusers are an excellent tool to achieve a good night's sleep.

Reed diffusers emit pleasant aromas that encourage a calming atmosphere that invokes a deep and relaxing sleep.

For best results, choose a diffuser with an aromatherapy blend particularly developed to calm, such our 'Linen & Lavender' perfume. It contains a blend of oils that is scientifically proven to help you drift off to sleep.

You can reed more about this blend on our page about Sleep & Pillow sprays.

Where should I place my reed diffuser?

Often you people will recommend placing your reed diffuser in your bedroom or your living room.

We believe that you can place a reed diffuser more or less anywhere.

We advise that you use a diffuser that matches the role of the room:

• hallway: extend a warm welcome to friends & family. What should the perfume say that welcomes them?
• kitchen: this is where delicious meals are prepared and your diffuser should fit in.
• bathroom: the best bathrooms always smell fresh & clean.
• bedrooms: do you prefer a calming scent?
• living room: select a fragrance that can create an atmosphere, one with charm and class.

Ideally, you should position your reed diffuser within the in open area with air movement, e.g. fire surround, side board, window, ... this ensures the fragrance disperses and is circulated around the room and the home.

Head over to our Reed Diffuser buying guide where we go into more detail (scroll down the page).