There are two types of dipropylene glycol available: dipropylene glycol, industrial grade and dipropylene glycol, fragrance grade (DPGF).

As you may have surmised, dipropylene glycol, fragrance grade is commonly used as a carrier for fragrances, and as an ingredient in cosmetic formulations, including hair care and bath products, perfumes, facial makeup, deodorants, shaving and skin care preparations.

Dipropylene glycol, fragrance grade is a water-soluble and colorless liquid with low-odor and low volatility. Because of these characteristics, Dipropylene glycol, fragrance grade is an excellent solvent for many organic materials. It is soluble in water, soap bases and oils, though it may hasten "trace" in cold process soaps, so use with due diligence. It mixes beautifully with all essential oils, fragrance oils, absolutes, CO2 extracts and resins.

Dipropylene glycol, fragrance grade may be used to dilute and convey both fragrance oils and essential oils for use in potpourri -- including simmering potpourri -- incense-making, reed diffusers and perfume.

Standard Reed Diffuser Formula

If you can boil water, you can make reed diffuser oils for home fragrancing. It's simple and easy and a huge savings over retail.

These measurements are in parts instead of exact measurements. We do this so you can easily increase or decrease a formula to suit your current need. To increase the size of your batch, increase the size of the measure. For instance, for a small batch, you might use ounces as you measure. For a larger batch, you might use pounds.

To begin, use:

3 parts fragrance/essential oils to 7 parts dipropylene glycol, fragrance grade, (DPGF).

Stir or shake gently in a large non-reactive container and dispense into a UV resistant cobalt or amber bottle. Fill your oil bottle 3/4 full of diffuser fragrance and insert reeds. If you find the scent is not strong enough, increase the amount of fragrance oil by one part and re-mix. We do not recommend more than 50% fragrance oil to 50% DPG.

You may also mix essential oils in the same manner as fragrance oils.

Formulator's Notes: If you find that your mix is too thick and will not "wick up" your reeds, try diluting the oil with a small amount of Perfumer's Alcohol. We recommend using up to 10% in alcohol to make your mix more "wickable".

Certain essential oils, generally citrus oils, present a clouded product when mixed with DPG. While not aesthetically pleasing, the clouding will not effect the scent or its throw.

Oils that contain the aromachemical vanillin, such as our Vanilla fragrance oil, will become brown the longer they are exposed to air. This will not effect the scent or its throw.