Hurrah for Summer!
We love summer, and the Summer Solstice lands this year on June 21st. It’s time for us to spend more time outside enjoying the longer days here in Portland, (and some of our favorite festivals down on the waterfront.) It’s also time to remind our customers about caring for products as the seasons change. Created with all natural ingredients –rather than harsh chemicals, some separation or changes in the consistency of products can occur when shipped in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
So here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers to help you keep your products in top condition.
What do I do if I receive products that are separated or too thick or thin?
When you receive your products immediately open them up, stir them vigorously and let them set up at room temperature (68 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal). This solves most separation and viscosity issues that occurred during shipping.
Should I refrigerate my products to help thicken them up?
All ESSENTIAL water and oil emulsions are stabilized using a standard phenoxyethanol and EDTA preservation system or using certified organic extracts like organic willow bark, rooibos, blue-green algae, green tea or others. These products do not need to be refrigerated. In fact, refrigeration might even cause the products to thicken to the point where they are too thick. It is best to let the product set up at room temperature after mixing vigorously.
What can be done to extend the shelf life of my products?
To extend the shelf life of your products as far as possible, store them in tightly sealed containers, protected from moisture, heat and direct UV light. It is also best to have a minimum of “headspace” in your product containers. If you have used half of your product and the top half of the container is filled with air, the product will oxidize much more quickly than it would if the container were full.
You might consider transferring the product into smaller containers so they are more tightly sealed. If you notice the surface of a product beginning to darken as a result of oxidation, try pouring a thin layer of lemon juice over the surface of the product. The lemon juice will work like a nitrogen cap, forming a protective barrier between the surface of the product and the surrounding air.
How do I store my raw ingredients like Essential Oils?
Care should be taken for all of your raw ingredients as well. Keep them carefully packed in tightly sealed packaging, stored away from heat, moisture or direct UV light. Essential Oils should always be kept in amber or darkly tinted glass, sealed with phenolic caps. Be sure not to expose your oils to heat or UV light. If the contents of your bottles are getting very low, consider transferring them into smaller packaging. Essential Oils can be refrigerated to extend shelf life, and refrigeration is especially recommendable for cold pressed citrus oils. Refrigeration will never harm an oil, but some heavier, more viscous oils like Anise or Peru Balsam will solidify requiring heating before they can be poured, and repeated heating and cooling will probably shorten the oil’s shelf life rather than extend it. We recommend leaving these heavier oils at room temperature.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know at info@ewlnatural.com We’re happy to help.
Happy Summer!
