Aroma Pets

Storage

• Aromatics need to be stored in a cool dark, animal proof place (a fridge is best)
  Do not leave them on kitchen counters or suchlike, as dogs will go to great lengths to reach them when they need them.
  All aromatics are best stored in glass bottles. Essential oils will destroy plastic containers.
  Hydrosols must be refrigerated.

Each item has its own shelf life, with some of the more delicate carrier oils starting to oxidize after 3 months (flaxseed). Some essential oils improve with age. As a general guide, the heavier, thicker essential oils, like vetiver, last longer. The lightweight citrus and pine essential oils last for a year. Check with your supplier for recommended shelf life on each item.

Whatever the label on the bottle says  (European regulations require a 3 year "use by date"), shelf life is dictated by how you keep them. Essential oils oxidize with exposure to light and air, which makes them more likely  to cause sensitization when put on the skin. It is best to buy smaller bottles more often, and make sure your supplier is also storing the oils properly. 

Hydrosols have a low pH index, which inhibits bacterial growth. However, the pH level rises with age, along with the risk of bacterial contamination. The lower the pH the more stable the hydrosol, and the longer they will last.

To make your aromatics last longer, avoid introducing bacteria into the bottles. Don't put your fingers, on your dog's nose, on the top of an open bottle of hydrosol or carrier oil. Decant into a smaller bottles and use these as testers, to keep the main storage bottle frre of bacteria and clean.

Reference: The Aromatic Dog: Nayana Morag