by Melissa Chichester
Whether you’re new or experienced with aromatherapy, keeping oils and other ingredients needed to make your own spa library requires proper organization and storage. By developing a system of organization with your oils, you can ensure that they stay stable, are rotated through frequently, and maximize their uses for many years to come.
Proper essential oil storage not only saves space in your home, it more importantly protects the integrity of the oils. Most oils are housed in cobalt or brown bottles to protect them from light and heat, and this can be extended more with proper planning.
To maximize the life of your oils, avoid storing them in a hot and humid area, like the bathroom.
Baths and hot showers raise the temperature of the room, which may compromise the compounds in the oil bottles. Instead, opt for an area that is cool and dry to extend the life and strength of your essential oils. Many aromatherapy enthusiasts store their oils in refrigerators (not freezers!) to protect them from heat, especially those who live in warm and humid environments year-round.
Another popular option for essential oil storage is wooden boxes that protect the oils from light. Exposure to light heats up the oils and may destroy any therapeutic properties your oils have. Wooden boxes are an economical option that allows you to keep oils organized and protected. The proper storage also helps you use all of your oils more frequently. Have you ever had something stored on the back of a shelf, forget about it, and then it isn’t usable the next time you see it? Don’t let this happen with your oils! If you have a lot of oils that aren’t organized, try organizing them into scent group.
When oils are arranged into scent groups, it is easier to find them and use them for the way you intend them. We’ve divided up some of our favorite groups along with several uses for them. Adding your favorite uses to Pinterest (especially the recipes below) is a great way to stay inspired with your essential oils.
Woody: Warming and comforting, woody scents are a popular base note in handmade perfumes and diffuser blends. Pine and sandalwood are two of the most popular woody notes. Learn how to incorporate some of these woody scents here: 10 Handmade Aromatherapy Gift Ideas.
Floral: Comforting and soothing, florals are especially pleasant for making your own home cleaning blends and are always a perfumery favorite. Check out some of our favorite recipes in the links below:
Herbaceous: Green and earthy, scents like basil, rosemary, and patchouli often have a hint of spice to them. Because of this, they’re versatile when blending with other oils, like in the recipes below:
Citrus: Is there anyone who doesn’t like the cheerfulness that is projected from citrus fruits? Clean, crisp, and bright, citrus scents are known for being uplifting and joyful. Plus, they can play nicely with just about any other essential oil scent family. As you can tell from the list below, we’re kind of obsessed with this group.
