How to Use a Young Living Diffuser: A Complete Guide

A diffuser is the easiest, most popular way to enjoy Young Living essential oils at home. It disperses a fine, scented mist into the air so you can fill any room with the natural aroma of your favorite oils. Whether you just opened your first Young Living diffuser or want to get more from the one you have, this step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to know.

What you’ll need

• Your Young Living diffuser (Desert Mist, Dewdrop, Aria, or any model)
• Clean water (room temperature)
• Your favorite Young Living essential oils

How to use your Young Living diffuser, step by step

1. Remove the lid and lift out the inner cover.
2. Fill with water up to the fill line. Use room-temperature tap or distilled water – never overfill past the marked line.
3. Add your essential oils – 5 to 10 drops, depending on the size of your diffuser and how strong you’d like the aroma.
4. Replace the cover and lid, then plug the diffuser in.
5. Choose your settings – most Young Living diffusers let you select run time (for example continuous or intermittent) and optional ambient light.
6. Relax and enjoy the aroma filling your space.

How many drops of essential oil should you use?

A good starting point is one drop of essential oil per 25-30 ml of water. As a quick guide:

• Small diffuser (about 100-150 ml): 3-6 drops
• Medium diffuser (about 200-300 ml): 6-10 drops
• Large diffuser (400 ml+): 10-15 drops

Start with fewer drops – you can always add more next time to suit your preference.

Best Young Living oils to diffuse

If you’re new to diffusing, these crowd favorites are a great place to start:

• Lavender – a soft, floral classic for winding down in the evening
• Lemon – bright and fresh, perfect for the kitchen or workspace
• Peppermint – cool and invigorating
• Thieves – the warm, spicy signature Young Living blend
• Citrus Fresh – an uplifting citrus medley

Browse the full range in our Essential Oil Singles and Essential Oil Blends collections.

Easy diffuser blends to try

• Cozy Evening: 3 drops Lavender + 2 drops Cedarwood
• Fresh & Clean Home: 3 drops Lemon + 2 drops Peppermint
• Bright Morning: 3 drops Citrus Fresh + 2 drops Peppermint

Caring for your diffuser

Clean your diffuser regularly to keep it running well: empty any leftover water after each use, wipe the inside with a soft cloth, and once a week wipe the well with a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to remove oil residue. This keeps each aroma crisp and your diffuser working beautifully for years.

Ready to start diffusing?

Explore Young Living diffusers and accessories, or if you’re brand new, read our Essential Oils 101 beginner’s guide to choose your first oils. When you’re ready, use the Buy Now button on any product to order directly from Young Living with your referral discount applied – or become a member to unlock the best pricing.