As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Full Disclosure Here
When you’re getting started with aromatherapy, one of the first things you must learn is how to store essential oils correctly.
Proper storage is crucial for preserving the potency and efficacy of essential oils.
Essential oils contain an assortment of volatile compounds. These volatile compounds can degrade quickly if exposed to incorrect conditions.
For starters, excessive exposure to heat or light can change the composition of the oil and compromise its integrity. This can happen surprisingly quickly.
Essential oils are expensive. Knowing how to store essential oils correctly will maximize their shelf life, ensuring you get the goodness out of every last drop.
Remember: Even with proper storage, essential oils have a limited shelf life. Check the expiration date and use them within their recommended timeframe.
Table of Contents
Three Key Principles for Essential Oil Storage & Care
Proper care and storage of essential oils can significantly extend their shelf life and preserve their potency.
These three fundamental principles of essential oil storage are non-negotiable:
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Exposure to sunlight can break down the molecular structure of essential oils, altering the chemical composition and leading to degradation.
Minimize Oxygen Exposure: Oxidation can degrade essential oils. Close the caps of bottles tightly when not in use to prevent unnecessary exposure to air.
Maintain Stable Temperatures: Extreme temperature fluctuations can affect the quality of essential oils.
Store them at a consistent temperature, ideally room temperature, to avoid premature degradation.
Storing essential oils in dark amber or cobalt bottles and placing the bottles in a cool, dark place will prevent these three main causes of degradation.
Remember: Even with proper storage, essential oils have a limited shelf life. Check the expiration date and use them within their recommended timeframe.
Essential Oil Storage: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
1. Always Use Dark-Colored Glass Bottles
The choice of container is crucial for preserving the quality of essential oils.
Bottles used to store essential oils must meet two specific requirements:
- They must be made of glass
- They must be dark colored
Notice that essential oils by reputed companies are always sold in amber or cobalt glass bottles. That’s not for decoration or convenience.
Dark-colored glass bottles are designed to protect these concentrated oils from light and prevent chemical reactions.
Essential oils are highly concentrated. When stored in plastic, rubber, or metal containers, the components in the oil react with these materials, causing degradation of the oil and the container.
Glass is the only material impervious to these potent oils, which is why they are only sold in dark-colored glass bottles.
Why dark-colored bottles? The dark color protects the potent oil from unnecessary exposure to light. Excessive light exposure can damage the volatile compounds in the essential oil, altering their properties and benefits.
It’s best to store essential oils and blends in their original containers. The question of transferring only arises when making your own blends.
Store your homemade blend in a clean, dry, dark-colored glass bottle to ensure continued protection. You can use an old clean and dry essential oil bottle or buy a few spare bottles.
2. Store Bottles In A Cool, Dark Place
Although dark-colored glass bottles provide some protection, storing them in a cool, dark place adds another layer of protection.
Direct sunlight can still penetrate the dark-colored glass and degrade the oils.
Fluctuating temperatures can also impact the quality and efficacy of essential oils.
Storing essential oils in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or cabinet away from direct light and heat sources will help preserve the integrity of the oil.
3. Invest In An Essential Oil Storage Box
As you expand your collection of essential oils, you will need a place to keep the bottles safe and organized.
Essential oil storage boxes are specifically designed to accommodate essential oil bottles and protect them against damage, spills, and exposure to light.
These boxes have small compartments with sufficient space to hold a single bottle. This helps keep your collection neatly arranged and easily accessible. It also prevents the bottles from clashing against each other or falling to the floor and breaking.
Essential oil bottles generally have a small round label on the cover for easy identification without pulling the bottle out from the storage box.
Compact storage boxes also maximize storage space and protect children and pets from accidental exposure to essential oils.
When selecting an essential oil storage box, consider factors such as:
Size: Ensure the box can comfortably hold your entire collection.
Material: Choose a durable and easy-to-clean material, such as wood, plastic, or metal.
Features: Look for features like dividers, compartments, or handles for added convenience.
Investing in a quality essential oil storage box is worth it to create a safe, organized, and visually appealing space for your collection.
4. Refrigerate Sensitive Oils
While most essential oils can be stored in a cool, dark place, some may require refrigeration, especially in hot, humid climates.
For example, citrus essential oils such as lemon, lime, bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin, and tangerine are heat-sensitive and will degrade at temperatures above 100°F.
Floral absolutes such as neroli and jasmine are also particularly vulnerable to heat, with damage occurring above 90°F.
If you live in a warm climate or don’t have air conditioning, storing these oils in the refrigerator can help prolong their shelf life.
Carrier oils also benefit from refrigeration, as heat can accelerate their degradation.
Refrigerating diluted oils (essential oil + carrier oil) can help extend their shelf life, especially if they contain heat-sensitive components. Ensure the bottle is tightly sealed before storing.
5. Close Bottle Caps Tightly When Not In Use
It may seem more convenient to leave a frequently-used essential oil bottle open for convenience but this is a mistake.
Exposure to air can lead to oxidation, which alters the chemical composition of the oil, reducing its potency and potentially causing adverse reactions.
Always close the bottle lid tightly after use to prevent oxidation through contact with atmospheric oxygen.
This one simple step can significantly extend the shelf life of your essential oils and ensure their optimal effectiveness.
6. Avoid Using The Dropper As A Cap
Essential oil bottles come with a screw-on cap, under which is a stopper designed to dispense oil drop by drop. If you prefer using a rubber dropper when using essential oils for your DIY projects, remove it after use and close the bottle with the original screw-on cap.
When you use the dropper as a permanent cap, the tip of the dropper comes in contact with the oil, compromising both the oil and the dropper.
For long-term storage, replace the dropper with the original screw-on lid to prevent evaporation and maintain the integrity of your essential oils.
7. Use Separate Droppers for Different Oils
To prevent cross-contamination and maintain the purity of your essential oils, avoid using the same dropper for multiple oils.
Even trace amounts of other oils can compromise the integrity of an essential oil.
Using separate droppers for each oil preserves the quality and effectiveness of your essential oil collection.
8. Label Homemade Blends Clearly
Single essential oils always have a label highlighting the contents, composition, and use by date.
Labeling is necessary only if you buy bulk essential oils or experiment with homemade blends. In both cases, you’ll need to transfer the contents into smaller bottles, which are unlikely to be labeled.
Labeling the bottle will make it easier to identify the contents and avoid accidental mishaps, which may have adverse consequences.
Use clear tape to secure labels and prevent smudging, so that the details remain legible.
9. Mark Purchase & Expiry Dates Clearly
Properly noting the expiration date on your essential oil bottles is crucial for safe and effective use.
Expired oils can lose potency or become contaminated, potentially causing adverse reactions. Marking the expiry date prevents accidental use.
Writing the purchase date on the label will help you track the age of the oil.
Most essential oils last for at least a year, but citrus oils may begin to degrade after six months.
If an oil has expired, consider using the diluted version for cleaning purposes like freshening up the bathroom or garbage bin. Do not use it in your diffuser or bath and body care products.
10. Store Oils Out of Reach Of Children And Pets
Essential oils can be dangerous if ingested or applied to the skin without diluting. Treat them with caution, similar to caustic chemicals.
Store bottles on the highest shelf of a locked cabinet to prevent access by children and pets.
Place bottles away from the edges of shelves to minimize the risk of spills or breakage.
By taking these precautions, you can ensure your safety and the safety of others around you.
Proper storage is essential for preserving the quality and potency of essential oils. By learning how to store essential oils you can significantly extend the shelf life of your oils and ensure their safe and effective use.
Related Reads:
What Are Essential Oils: A Beginner’s Guide
Essential Oil Safety Guide – 15 Important Safety Tips
Beginner’s Guide To Buying Essential Oils
How Many Drops in 10ml Essential Oil
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
Leave a Reply