11 - 2016 - Range Products

How long do oils last?

While we do our best to ensure that our oils have a best before date on the label, this date is just a guideline. Here is a little more information about the longevity of oils.

The shelf life of an essential oil or carrier oil can vary dramatically, depending on the chemical stability of the oil. Unlike the food we eat which can have a more predictable timeframe, it is extremely difficult to predict the point at which and essential oil or carrier oil is going to go off. It is dependent so many variables and there are a large number of external factors that can cause the oxidization that leads to degradation. For example air, direct sunlight or heat. This is why correct storage is so important and it is recommended that oils are stored in an airtight, dark coloured bottle, in a cool place where there is minimal temperature fluctuation, away from sunlight. Preferably full so there is a minimal amount of air inside.

However, as every single essential oil has it’s own unique chemical composition with it’s own rate of deterioration, making it hard to pin point when the oil will go off, even under perfect storage conditions. Some oils may last far beyond the recommended best before date, while others, if stored improperly, may deteriorate earlier.

Carrier oils do not last as long as essential oils and will go rancid. Vitamin E or Rosemary extract are antioxidants can be added to help to prolong shelf life. Although essential oils do not go rancid, they slowly degrade, and the colour, texture and odour is the easiest way to tell if an oil is still suitable for use. If the oil is thicker, darker or no longer smells like it should, it is safe to assume it is no longer usable. Trust your nose.

When we clean our bathrooms we all seem to spend so much time trying to get our mirrors and shower screens clean and streak free. Here is a natural recipe for a cleaner that is gentle on you and the environment, as well as bringing back that sparkle.

1cup Vinegar

2cups Warm Water

1Tablespoon Arrowroot Powder (can be found in the baking section of your supermarket)

8 Drops of Cold Pressed Lemon Essential oil

Pour all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well.

There is a huge variety of things you can add to a soap to give it some texture and that extra little something to make it special. Here are a few ideas….

We know that Apricot Kernel Oil is a good, moisturising oil to use in soap but adding pulped dried apricots can not only give your soap colour but will add skin softening properties, vitamins and minerals.

Aloe Vera Gel can add soothing, moisturising qualities to a soap bar for dry, chapped skin.

A small amount of Borax is an excellent addition to a laundry soap. It increases the cleaning power, and acts as a water softener and disinfectant.

Finely ground coffee can be useful in a kitchen soap s it’s odour removing qualities help to remove strong smells such as onion or garlic from your hands.

Glycerine is an effective humectant, drawing moisture to the skin and increasing the moisturising properties of the soap.

Lanolin is sheep wool fat. It has exceptional skin softening qualities for even the driest skin.

A good abrasive for a foot soap or gardeners or mechanics hand soap is Pumice powder. This ground volcanic rock removes dry skin and calluses and helps to remove tough grease and grime.

Seaweed Powder can help to improve the texture and colour of the skin.

Shea Butter not only helps to make a harder soap bar, its moisturising and nourishing properties and a truly creamy, luxurious quality to your soap.

Adding Vitamin E to your soap not only adds all its beneficial properties, its antioxidant qualities make it a useful preserving addition to a soap if you have added any herbs or flowers.

Crushed Walnut Shell is an excellent natural abrasive that is more gentle than many other abrasives, making it a good option for a body soap.

With the weather getting warmer and the inside of the car beginning to get hotter, it is a good idea to think about ways to keep it smelling fresh. A very quick and simple way to achieve this is to get a wooden clothes peg and drip about 10drops of your favourite essential oil onto it. Allow a couple of minutes for the peg to absorb the oil and then clip it to the air vent in the front of your car. Then turn on the air conditioning and wait for the smell to gently flow around the car.

The weather is warming up and due to the rain the mozzies will be out in force. If you are looking for a gentle, natural way to ease the itch, try adding 1drop of Lavender oil and 1drop of Teatree oil to a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate. Add a little water to form a paste and gently apply to the bite regularly to soothe the irritatation.

If you are struggling with a large block of bees wax a quick tip is to either grate it or chop it into small pieces, melt it down and pour it into an ice cube tray. Allow to set and then pop out the small blocks. Then they will be ready for when you only need small amounts in recipes.

Month: November 2016

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