How to store essential oils to extend shelf life

[@trishdavi7049]

I store mine in an insulated cooler bag when travelling. This protects them from heat and light...especially in a vehicle in summertime. Thank you for sharing your tips and organisational skills. I particularly like the one of downsizing to smaller bottles when larger ones are near emptied to prevent some oxidization. A vacuum sealer for bottles could be worthwhile

[@aromatherapyoils]

Hi Trish, The cooler bag is a great idea when traveling. Thanks for sharing!

[@aineems8748]

Thank you for sharing the tips.

[@aromatherapyoils]

You're most welcome! It's truly our pleasure to share 💜

[@iowamaple1212]

Thanks for the tips, so beneficial. I had put a few of mine in the fridge, it gets to warm in my home in the summer.

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad this was helpful for you, and you were able to store a few or your oils in the fridge 💜

[@MickF04]

Essential oils here in Central Texas won't last long if not refrigerated. We've learned that the hard way the past four years. The essential oils we purchased this week will end up in our overflow refrigerator, which we use for bottled water, bottled and canned drinks, sealed/unopened food, and frozen goods.

[@aromatherapyoils]

Taking special precautions due to the intense heat in your area is great thinking! Glad you've been able to use your overflow refrigerator to keep your oils cool 💜

[@jeanne17118]

I have a mini fridge in my basement where I store my oils and hydrosols alphabetically. I keep track of the purchase date and the date they were opened but have been overlooking the distillation date. Sometimes I am tempted to buy oils when they are on sale but if I already have a full bottle (or 2) I try not to buy more. I also try not to mail order oils or hydrosols during a summer heat wave because they might spend a long time in a hot truck.

[@aromatherapyoils]

Hi Jeanne, Typically they have climate controlled areas where they keep the packages. Once delivered, sometimes they might be in a mailbox all day.

[@TheMohogane]

Great EO storing tips, thanks so much

[@mashellenelson9258]

I store mine in a big essential oil wood chest that has 4 pull out drawers alphabetically. Although I do not know how old some are without looking back into my aroma orders. I'm going to make an excel spreadsheet like you mentioned.

[@aromatherapyoils]

That's wonderful! Sounds like you have an organized way to store your precious oils 💜

[@pamimarsh2841]

Good information! Thank you

[@aromatherapyoils]

You're most welcome! Glad it was helpful for you! 💜

[@barberbetty8]

great tips, thank you!

[@aromatherapyoils]

You're so welcome!

[@tammyjustacloserwalk]

Thank you for the great tips. I'm going to start checking the gcs list and distillation date from now on. I have been keeping some of my oils in my fridge for a while.

[@aromatherapyoils]

That's an excellent plan! We're glad you found this to be informative 💜

[@tabortooth11]

Awesome tips, Karen, thanks!! BTW - gorgeous kitchen!!!

[@aromatherapyoils]

Thanks so much!

[@keerthi4005]

Thank you Karen... so lovely to hear from you...

[@aromatherapyoils]

Same to you! And thank you:)

[@tamarasimionov2328]

Tank you for this information!

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stefpaelinck1457]

You have a lot of essential oils. That is a lot of money inside that storage. But greatful tips to keep them longer. I have also a little collection of essential oils. My top most favorite is néroli. When I sniff right from the bottle it makes me happy.

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michelleford9951]

I will tried this tonight

[@keshahunt1476]

This was very helpful, Thanks for sharing

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad it was helpful, Kesha!

[@ngahuiaharvey4170]

Awesome thank you so very much

[@breeviewAWAKENING]

Thank you for the helpful tips.

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lindaa5597]

This is very helpful and useful information. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@aromatherapyoils]

My pleasure!

[@MistyRoads]

Thank you so much! That was very informative.

[@aromatherapyoils]

You are so welcome! Glad you found it informative 💜

[@shelleysandhu8144]

Thank you. It was very helpful.

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad to hear that!

[@TheEmicompu]

Great tips! Thanks Karen :-)

[@aromatherapyoils]

Thanks for watching!

[@valenciahardy6730]

Thanks great information

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad it was helpful, Valencia! 💜

[@donnakelly8911]

If you have unopened oils you havent used, do the same rules apply?

[@aromatherapyoils]

Hi Donna, sorry for the late reply. And yes, the same rules apply for opened of unopened oils.

[@lazellapatterson6463]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@aromatherapyoils]

It's truly our pleasure to share 💜

[@deborahhunt7448]

Thank you these tips Karen. Could you share how you label your spreadsheet to track the dates of your oils? (An example)?

[@aromatherapyoils]

Hi Debra, My apologies for the last reply! I keep it simple and make a spreadsheet and across the top I have - all in a separate column, Essential Oil Name, Date of distillation, Date of expiration. Then I can sort by expiration date.

[@deborahhunt7448]

@@aromatherapyoils Thank you!

[@sueriansean]

In your video you are using both refrigeration and pantry. I'm a little confused. Should I store my lavender oil in cupboard or refrigerator?

[@aromatherapyoils]

It is recommended to store essential oils in a cool dark place (or a refrigerator) to help extend shelf life - citrus oils especially! Lavender would be just fine in a cupboard. 💜 You can read more on our blog: www.aromahead.com/blog/how-to-store-essential-oils-to-prolong-their-shelf-life-acp

[@gloriasgallery820]

Great tips! I store all my oils in the fridge!

[@aromatherapyoils]

Great idea!!

[@umachakraborty2318]

Very useful topic

[@aromatherapyoils]

Thank you for your feedback, Uma!

[@CJW1928]

Good tips…

[@aromatherapyoils]

Glad it was helpful!

[@missalphaomegagod-2u]

Thank you!

[@aromatherapyoils]

You're welcome!

[@michellesciti]

How are you 🙂 Does refrigeration change the properties if too cold?

[@aromatherapyoils]

Hello Michelle, My apologies for the late reply. Refrigeration and coldness doesn't affect the essential oil properties.

[@syndistrand1547]

Are there only certain oils you can keep in the fridge?

[@umachakraborty2318]

Thanks ma'am

[@lennyburdick3192]

How do you dispose of oils? Do they count as hazardous waste? I have some that are 20-30 years old, that I still have because of the disposal question. I do not want to leave this problem to my heirs.

[@aromatherapyoils]

Hi Lenny! That's a great question! Some people add them to their compost, returning them back to their roots so to speak. And it makes the compost smell a little better! :)

[@leleansmith1129]

One thing I do with my oldest oils is to use them in the kitchen in my waste bin. It gives my kitchen the aroma of the EO while also masking smells from my bin. I suppose you could also use them in a compost bucket which some people use in their kitchens for food waste.

[@ammorales1524]

What is the best size container to buy Essential Oils in (ounces)? Thank you!

[@aromatherapyoils]

It really depends on how you plan to use the oils. If you plan to use the oils to make blends for yourself and your family, 5ml (0.25oz) or 15ml (0.5 oz) bottles might work best for you. If you're planning to make products to sell, then larger 4oz or 8oz bottles might be the best option. Hope this helps! 💜

[@ammorales1524]

@@aromatherapyoils Thank you very much indeed!

[@kathypelot2187]

Thank you

[@aromatherapyoils]

You're welcome

[@christinakinne9790]

Thank You for the tips!

[@aromatherapyoils]

You're most welcome!