In the heart of Peshawar's old city stands the Sethi Mohalla — a labyrinth of ornately carved havelis built by the Sethi family, one of the most powerful merchant dynasties of 19th century Central Asia. Trading silk, spices and dried fruits along the ancient routes between Peshawar, Russia and China, the Sethis brought the world's finest goods through the Khyber Pass and into their extraordinary homes. This reed diffuser was made to evoke that world — the opulence of a Sethi drawing room at dusk, heavy with the scent of saffron, rose and oud, the air thick with the warmth of amber and sandalwood.

Getting started

Remove the seal: open the bottle carefully and wipe away any oil around the neck.

Soak the reeds: place the reeds in the oil and let them absorb it for 1 to 24 hours.

Flip to start: after the first soak, turn the reeds over so the saturated ends face upwards for a quick boost of scent.

Controlling the scent

Adjust the number of reeds: use fewer reeds (3 to 5) in a small room or for a subtle scent, and add more for larger rooms.

Flip sparingly: turn the reeds every 1 to 2 weeks to refresh a fading scent. Flipping too often makes the oil evaporate faster.

Where to place it

Protect your surfaces: stand your diffuser on a tray, coaster or plate. The oil can permanently mark wood, painted, polished or plastic surfaces.

Choose the right spot: a place with natural airflow, such as a hallway or entrance, carries the scent best.

Avoid heat and sun: keep it away from direct sunlight, radiators and heating vents, which make the oil evaporate too quickly.

Looking after it

Replace the reeds: swap in fresh reeds every 1 to 3 months, or whenever you refill the bottle. Dust and old oil clog the reeds over time.

Never dilute: do not add water to the fragrance oil. Oil and water don't mix, and it will stop the reeds drawing up the scent.

Safety first: keep your diffuser out of reach of children and pets, never light the reeds, and wash your hands if you touch the oil.

Fragrance oil in an Augeo base. Augeo is a solvent made from a renewable source, with excellent solubilising power, a slow evaporation rate and low odour.

UK standard delivery £6.95 (2–3 working days), free on orders over £100. Express delivery £9.95. International delivery £24.

Unused, undamaged items can be returned within 14 days. Please see our refund policy for details.