Storing lavender essential oil properly after production is crucial for maintaining its therapeutic potency, aromatic quality, and extending its shelf life. Essential oils are sensitive to degradation, primarily through oxidation, which is accelerated by exposure to light, heat, and oxygen.
Here are the ideal storage conditions for lavender essential oil:
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Dark Glass Bottles: Why: Light, especially ultraviolet (UV) rays, can break down the delicate chemical constituents in essential oils, causing them to deteriorate and lose their efficacy and aroma. Best Practice: Always store lavender essential oil in dark-colored glass bottles, typically amber or cobalt blue. These colors act as a barrier, filtering out harmful UV radiation. Clear glass offers no protection and should be avoided.
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Airtight Seal (Tight-Fitting Lids): Why: Exposure to oxygen (air) is a primary cause of oxidation, which alters the oil's chemical composition, reduces its therapeutic benefits, and can lead to the formation of undesirable byproducts or off-notes. Best Practice: Ensure the bottle caps are tightly sealed immediately after each use. Minimize the amount of time the bottle is open. Using bottles with built-in orifice reducers helps control dispensing and limits air exposure. If you use a large bottle and the oil level drops significantly, consider transferring it to a smaller, full bottle to reduce the "headspace" (air above the oil).
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Cool Temperature: Why: Heat significantly accelerates the degradation and evaporation of volatile compounds in essential oils. High temperatures can change the oil's chemical composition, making it less effective and potentially altering its scent. Best Practice: Store essential oils in a cool place, ideally at or below room temperature (around 68-72°F or 20-22°C). Avoid storing them near heat sources such as radiators, stoves, direct sunlight, or even on top of electronic devices that generate heat. While not strictly necessary for all oils, some experts recommend refrigeration for consistency of temperature, particularly for citrus oils, but it's generally fine for lavender too. If refrigerated, allow it to return to room temperature before use if you don't want it cold.
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Dark Place (Away from Light): Why: Even in dark glass bottles, prolonged exposure to ambient light can have a cumulative negative effect. Best Practice: Store bottles in a dark cupboard, drawer, essential oil storage box, or a dedicated cabinet. This provides an additional layer of protection from light.
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Dry Environment (Avoid Humidity): Why: While essential oils are hydrophobic, moisture can introduce impurities or promote unwanted reactions, potentially leading to cloudiness or affecting the oil's stability. Best Practice: Avoid storing essential oils in high-humidity areas like bathrooms. A dry cabinet or drawer is ideal.
In summary, the golden rule for storing lavender essential oil is: Cool, Dark, and Tightly Sealed.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly prolong the shelf life of your lavender essential oil, preserving its potent aroma and therapeutic properties for an extended period, often 3-4 years or even longer when stored under ideal conditions.
The Lavender Farm in Door County Wisconsin takes these storage principles seriously to deliver the highest quality lavender essential oil to its customers. You can buy lavender products online at islandlavender.com, confident that their products are handled with care from distillation to your home.