Himalayan salt is all the rage. Not only can you buy salt lamps for your home, Himalayan salt caves are being built for people to enjoy the potential benefits. I thought it would be fun to create a smaller version of a salt lamp by making a Himalayan Salt Diffuser. This simple DIY uses just two ingredients to freshen the air.

DIY Himalayan Salt Diffuser by a vase with lavender and old books

There are a lot of claims about the benefits of Himalayan Salt, ranging from purifying the air to elevating mood to improving sleep. Unfortunately, most of these claims haven’t been proven… yet. It seems this is an area that needs more research. There are, however, scientific research studies showing improved sleep quality with lavender essential oil (source) and increased energy with a variety of oils (source).

Whether you want to use this DIY Himalayan Salt Diffuser by the bedside for improved sleep or simply place it in the bathroom to freshen the air, it’s an easy DIY that can be made in minutes.

What You Need to Make A Himalayan Salt Diffuser

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Ingredients Needed For A DIY Himalayan Salt Diffuser

Course Himalayan Salt
Essential Oil– You can use any essential oil of your choosing. I went with lavender as I plan to put the diffuser on my nightstand. If you are not sure where to buy essential oils, check out my guide to choosing the best essential oil for you. I do not sell essential oils, so this guide is without bias towards a specific brand.

Supplies Needed For A Himalayan Salt Diffuser

Small Bowl or Dish
Tea Candle (Optional)- Adding a candle to this homemade diffuser will warm the salt and essential oil for a stronger scent; plus it adds a little ambiance 🙂 . If you choose to add a candle, make sure to use a dish that can withstand the heat. If you are planning to use this diffuser at night, do not burn the candle while sleeping. For ambiance, you can use a battery operated candle instead.

How to Make A Himalayan Salt Diffuser

Honestly, this might be one of the easiest DIYs on this blog.

Start by filling your chosen bowl or dish with Himalayan salt.

Adding Himalayan Salt to Bowl to create a DIY Diffuser

Add several drops of essential oil to the salt and give it a thorough stir. You want to make sure the essential oil is evenly distributed in the salt. (Feel free to add a blend of essential oils as well.)

For every cup of Himalayan salt, you can add up to 48 drops of essential oil. Keep in mind, you likely won’t need 48 drops unless you are using a mild scented essential oil. I recommend starting with 15-20 drops, adding more if needed.

Adding essential oil to Himalayan Salt to make a DIY Diffuser

While completely optional, adding a tea candle creates a warm ambiance while also enhancing the scent of the essential oil as its heated.

Do not leave the salt diffuser unattended if you choose to use a candle and keep the diffuser out of reach of children and pets, whether using a candle or not.

Tealight candle lit in DIY Himalayan Salt Diffuser

Over time, the scent of the essential oil will begin to fade. When this happens, simply add a few more drops of essential oil to the salt and stir.

Looking for more ways to naturally freshen your home? Try these ideas!

DIY Room Spray | DIY Air Freshener | DIY Carpet Deodorizer

Common Questions About Himalayan Salt Diffusers

Are There Benefits to Himalayan Salt Diffusers?

There are quite a few claimed benefits of Himalayan Salt. Let’s break it down.

Air Purification– One claim about Himalayan Salt is that it can purify air through its production of negative ions. It would take quite a bit of Himalayan salt to produce enough negative ions to see benefits to air quality, so this diffuser most likely isn’t going to actually purify the surrounding air. If you are looking for this benefit, you can purchase an air purifier that is proven to do its job well.
Boost Mood– Another claimed benefit of Himalayan salt is improved mood. The only study I found about mood was related to negative ions, not necessarily Himalayan salt specifically. The study did find some improvement to those suffering from depression, but again, the amount of salt used in this diffuser isn’t going to produce enough negative ions to elevate mood.
Improved Sleep– The same study mentioned above also tested negative ions against sleep quality and found no statistically significant improvement.

So… does that mean there are no benefits to a Himalayan Salt Diffuser? No! The benefits may not come from the salt, but rather the added essential oil…

There are studies (linked above and cited below) showing improved sleep quality with lavender essential oil. Healthline has a whole list of essential oils that have been shown to improve energy, including peppermint, sweet orange, spearmint and rosemary. While I cannot find any scientific studies related to air quality and essential oils, the use of essential oils can definitely add a pleasant scent to your space.

What Essential Oils Are Best for A Himalayan Salt Diffuser?

As mentioned above, there are a variety of essential oils you can use in a salt diffuser depending on what you are hoping to achieve.

Essential Oils for the Bedroom

If you want to improve sleep, I definitely recommend lavender essential oil. Here are a few other essential oils that may also support better sleep quality.

Cedarwood | Vetiver

Essential Oils for the Bathroom

We all know the bathroom can be a source of unpleasant odors, so the best essential oils are those that smell good or are blended to freshen the air.

Deodorizing by Plant Therapy | Purify by Revive | Purify by Rocky Mountain Oils

Essential Oils for the Office

Struggling to stay awake at the office? Try these essential oils in the Himalayan Salt Diffuser for an energizing scent.

Peppermint | Spearmint | Rosemary | Anything Citrus: Lemon, Orange, Lime, or Tangerine