How to store essential oils at home

Choose the cupboard before buying the box

Keep bottles closed, away from heat and direct sunlight. Dark glass helps protect the contents; it does not make a sunny windowsill a suitable place. A cupboard away from the cooker is a more practical starting point than a decorative rack beside it.

Our advice is to choose the location first and buy an organiser only if you need one. Check that a bottle can stand upright with its cap on and that the cupboard closes without catching the tops. Keep the original labels readable.

Make the next bottle easy to find

A small collection does not need a complicated system. Put the oils you use together in one section and keep unopened replacements behind them. We suggest writing the opening date in your own inventory rather than covering the product label.

Before ordering another bottle, check what you already own. An inventory with three columns—name, opened date and amount remaining—is enough to help you avoid duplicates. Our first-order guide helps with choosing a smaller starting collection.

What about expiry dates?

Do not assign every oil the same number of years. Follow any product-specific date and storage information on the packaging. A bottle whose history is unknown cannot be assessed from a photograph or a familiar smell alone; contact the supplier if you have concerns.

Keep oils out of children’s reach. Leave the dispensing insert in place and close the cap after use. For a household setup that includes a diffuser, read where to place it.

Before your next order

Sort your existing bottles before comparing kits. If you only need a replacement or two, a large collection may add duplicates. You can review the account opening steps without committing to a particular kit.

Source checked 1 November 2026: dōTERRA packaging and storage overview and essential oils and children, storage guidance.

Questions and answers

Does dark glass make a sunny shelf suitable?

No. Store the bottle away from direct sunlight even when the glass is dark.

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