Like any product, essential oils have different storage requirements depending on how you plan to use them. Some oils, like lavender, are fairly stable when exposed to heat, light, and humidity. Other oils, such as peppermint or lemon, need special care to extend their shelf life. Regardless of how long you intend to use them, it’s important to store them properly to ensure maximum flavour and quality over time. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or hot spots. To extend the shelf life of your essential oils even further, store them in a dark container to reduce exposure to light and air. The best containers for essential oils are dark, airtight containers that are large enough to prevent evaporation and provide adequate protection from pests and contaminants in the air. Here are some tips on how to properly store your essential oils:
Raw essential oils contain high levels of volatile compounds that can evaporate and be lost over time if not stored properly. To extend the shelf life of raw essential oils as much as possible, store them in a cool, dark place. If possible, store them in an opaque container that blocks out light. The ideal storage container for essential oils is a dark glass bottle with a rubber or silicone lid. This type of container is airtight and will prevent evaporation and contamination by insects or other creatures that might be attracted to the scent of the oil.Raw essential oils should be kept in a cool, dark place and out of direct sunlight. They can be kept at room temperature, but they should not be subjected to temperatures above 80°F (26.7oC) or below 56F (13.7oC). This helps to prevent degradation of the essential oil components by preventing fluctuations in humidity, which can cause them to evaporate. This is especially important for fragile oils like rosemary and lavender.
Many essential oils are fairly stable when exposed to light, but some oils, such as citrus, cinnamon, and clove, will change colour and lose their flavour and aroma if they are exposed to light. If you plan to store your essential oils in the same container they were shipped in, make sure it’s opaque to protect them from light. Even containers that are not opaque may retain some light, which can affect the quality and colour of the oil. To be on the safe side, store your essential oils in a dark container.
Some essential oils can be damaged by exposure to heat. Others are very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. You should keep essential oils in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. They should be kept at temperatures below 80F (26.7oC) and above 56F (13.7oC) to prevent them from losing their flavour and fragrance through evaporation.
Containers that are not airtight can allow oxygen to seep in and affect the quality of your essential oils. Oxygen, which is a necessary nutrient for bacteria, can cause oils to go rancid and also cause them to lose their flavour and fragrance. To prevent this, store essential oils in airtight containers to prevent contamination from bacteria that can thrive in the presence of oxygen. If you don’t have airtight containers, you can also cover your essential oils with a layer of paraffin wax. This will prevent oxygen from reaching the oil and extending its shelf life.
The quality and flavour of your essential oils is largely determined by the quality of the ingredients used to produce them. The methods used to produce essential oils, such as steam distillation, CO2 extraction, or solvent extraction, also affect quality. To maintain the highest quality, it’s important to store your essential oils properly to prevent them from losing their flavour and fragrance.