Have an essential. the oil that is expiring soon? Fret not, these three Smart (at least for me) ways can help you find a new purpose for your expiring essential oils.
My expiring essential oil
I recently bought different essential oils from one company and have seen that one of them is expiring four months from now. (I have written this journal entry on September 21, 2022, and the essential oil will expire on January 2023 ) If I’m not mistaken essential oils usually have two years shelf life, but sadly mine is newly bought but will already expire in four months.
Anyway, I don’t want to complain even if the product that was sent to me seems like it is not newly manufactured that’s why it has a shorter shelf life than it’s supposed to. Instead of being irritated, I thought it was a good opportunity for me to be creative and resourceful.
While I was thinking that my Camphor essential oil was about to expire in four months, I decided to read more about it so I would know its therapeutic properties and what are the different ways I can use it. I want to consume and empty its bottle before it expires.
Aha, moment!
While I was browsing some blog sites and e-commerce websites, I have seen the last suggested way from the Natural French Soap Blog on how to benefit from using Camphor essential oil
“Protect Your Clothes Against Moths
The potent aroma of camphor makes it a great bug-repellent…
…With camphor in your wardrobe, hungry moths will be deterred from chowing down on your fancy knitwear.”
Aha!
I’ve got an idea! So I don’t have to worry even if I don’t empty my bottle of Camphor essential oil before it expires.
Of course, the article did not suggest that you use an expired essential oil.
I just got an idea that I could use my Camphor essential oil as a bug repellant/moth repellant when it’s already expired!
I thought I can use my essential oils even when they are already expired as long as I will not directly apply them to my body. Of course this is just my theory at the moment I’m writing this entry but I’m not sure if it will work.
Creative ways to use your expiring essential oils
Here are the different ways I’m planning to experiment with expired essential oils.
1. Natural air freshener
I don’t have a diffuser at the moment, so I have to buy a flexible diffuser. I’ve learned that there are some diffusers that are choosy since they don’t work well with different brands of essential oils. So I want to have a diffuser that is versatile and can be used with any essential oil brand because I want to try different brands to learn more about essential oils.
Others think of using a humidifier when they think of using essential oil as a natural freshener, but I’ve learned from reading some articles that a humidifier is good if you want to have some moisture in your room. A humidifier needs water hence your scent should be water-soluble. I think my essential oils are oil soluble not water soluble. Some stores offer two kinds of “essential oils”, one is oil soluble and the other is water soluble. When I bought my essential oils, there was no option provided for their soluble kind, but just the volume of it (ml). That’s why a diffuser would work best for my soon-to-be expired essential oil than a humidifier.
If you decided to use a diffuser and used a small one, I think you can use your expired essential oil as a home air freshener and car freshener as well.
Update: Some essential oils are not ideal to be used as an air freshener. Choose an essential oil that has a more pleasing aroma so you could relax and sleep better.
Opt for essential oils with calming or uplifting effects.
2. Curtain spray
I like natural linen spray, and I used to spray them on my pillow and bed sheet before I sleep, but when I forget the expiration date of my linen spray I don’t use them on things that will have direct contact with my body anymore. Instead, I spray them on curtains so their scent would still stay in my room. I think I can do that on my Camphor essential oil.
I think it’s also important to consider the scent of essential oils. Some essential oils can be considered fragrant oils, however not oils have that pleasant smell because they are too strong and overwhelming and can make you feel dizzy. Hence, not all expired essential oils can be used as natural air fresheners and curtain sprays.
3. As a scent for house cleaning products
As I’ve mentioned earlier, I think it’s best to avoid your skin having direct contact with expired essential oils for safety reasons. So if you expect you will soak your hands in water with expired essential oil when you’ll wash the rug, then better not do so. I think it’s best if you will use plastic hand gloves so the expired essential oil will not penetrate on your skin. If you don’t have gloves, then maybe you can drop some essential oil on the floor and use a floor map to clean the floor.
Update: Just like what I’ve mentioned above choose essential oils with better scents. For cleaning, you can use essential oils with citrusy scent as they can overpower the bad odor.
I haven’t tried the above suggestions yet, but I hope to update this journal entry when I’ve already done them. Whether they are effective or not, I hope that I can document them here (not promising to update this because I may forget or be lazy at that time)
If you were able to try this before I do, I’d be delighted to know. Let me know if the suggestions worked or not.
Happy Crafting 💋❤
Originally posted at misswoman.wordpress.com
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