Expert: Judy Frayne - 11/26/2008

Question
The other day I bought a bulk of essential oils and I did some research about
storage to keep them lasting longer and it was said that you could store them
in the refrigerator though this sounds a bit strange to me since it was also
said that oils shoudl avoid any sort of light if you want them to last longer.
Since you are opening the refrigerator very often, exposing the fridge light,
woudl this make the oils expire faster? Or is it only the UV lights form the sun
that affect the expiration?

My other option twas to store the oils in a cooler with some ice, foil, which
keeps it away from the fridge light.

Answer
Hi there Andrew.
When I was being taught aromatherapy we were taught to treat the oils like people - sounds a bit daft - but they all have their characteristics - from the refreshing, childlike citrus oils, through what I call the worker oils that get in and make a physical difference, to the slower, deeper oils that affect the psyche.
Yes, they all should be kept away from UV light, and kept cool. But I wouldn't store all my 'friends' in the fridge.I only know wholesalers that do this for large quantities of oil being stored. I reserve a very special place for mine in a wooden cabinet, that keeps them away from light, and is in a cool part of the house.

Citrus oils will 'go off' first and they don't have a long shelf life.But most oils will keep for a good long time - I have some that are several years old, if you keep them tightly capped and store them well. Essential oils should always be in glass bottles with non metallic lids. carrier oils can be stored in plastic, but should have shelf life date on them.

Look about for a really nice storage container - maybe a cupboard or a really nice box, something that gives you pleasure.

My tutor told us a story about a student of hers who had just purchased all the oils for her course. She rang my tutor and said that none of the oils she had bought had any aroma. My tutor asked her where she was storing her oils and she told her that they were being kept under the kitchen sink, with all the cleaning materials ! She was advised to rescue them immediately and put them somewhere pleasant. Within hours of being stowed away in the lady's lingerie drawer, each oil exuded the most fabulous aroma when uncapped.   You have to keep them happy Andrew  :-)

Best wishes
Judy