Diffusers are the easiest, and probably the most fun way to use essential oils. A huge plus is also that they are super-easy to use and require very little maintenance.
The main questions I get are;
Can I use tap water in my diffuser?
How many drops of essential oil should I use? And,
How do I clean my diffuser properly?
I’ve answered the latter two questions in pretty good detail, just click on the links about for all you need to know about those two.
As for using tap water in your diffuser, or what type of water you can use, the answer is pretty simple.
Yes – you can use tap water to fill up your diffuser.
There are a couple of things to be aware of however….
- If you know the tap water where you live is hard then it’s a good idea to filter it. If you get a build up of limescale in your kettle, for example, you’re going to get a buildup of deposits in your diffuser.
- It’s also a bonus if you can filter the water before using it anyway as diffusers do start building up deposits from the oils over time. So the purer the water, the better it is for the longevity of your device.
If you want to use distilled water in your diffuser, or filtered, purified, then go ahead. It will only do good. Myself, I use water straight from my tap, the water is soft where I live and has never caused any issues.
A few extra tips when filling up your diffuser:
- Always use room temperature water.
- Never overfill your diffuser. There will be a max line on the jug that came with it, or inside the unit, or both.
- Don’t add too much essential oil. Check my guide here if you’re unsure how many drops to add per the size of your diffuser.
- Use fresh water when changing oils or if your unit hasn’t been used in a few days.
Further reading – If you’re having issues with your diffuser working properly check my guides to Young Living and NOW diffuser problems.

I’m a MA, (CMT) Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and Reiki Master — I’m a licensed massage therapist with over 10 years of experience in the industry.