Malaysia’s warmth is constant, and its humidity unforgiving. While this tropical climate nourishes lush landscapes, it can quietly degrade the delicate nature of DIY supplies—especially essential oils, waxes, clays, and botanicals.
Preserving the quality of craft materials begins not with more, but with mindful storage. Each drop, strand, or cube is part of a vision. To honour that vision, a little foresight goes a long way.
1. Store Essential Oils in Amber Glass, Away from Heat
Essential oils are volatile by nature. Light, heat, and oxygen accelerate their breakdown. Amber glass bottles protect them from UV exposure. Keep them in a cool drawer or a wooden box—never near windows or heat sources.
2. Label with Dates and Batch Notes
Crafting often involves ingredients with long names and short memories. Include purchase dates and blend ratios on masking tape or printed labels. This not only improves traceability but keeps projects grounded in order.
3. Use Silica Gel Packs for Dry Materials
For ingredients like dried flowers, mica powders, and bath salts, moisture is the quiet enemy. Drop silica packs into jars or storage bins. These small packets absorb ambient humidity, keeping supplies crisp and usable.
4. Organise Materials by Type, Not by Size
Storing like with like—moulds with moulds, pigments with pigments—makes retrieval easier and limits overhandling. Transparent containers reduce rummaging and prevent cross-contamination between textures or scents.
5. Keep Waxes and Butters Cool & Sealed
Shea butter, soy wax, and cocoa butter are prone to melting or going rancid. Store them in sealed jars or double-zip bags, tucked into pantry-style cupboards. Avoid the fridge unless clearly instructed by suppliers.
6. Invest in Stackable Storage with Ventilation
In humid climates, airless storage becomes a breeding ground for mould. Use breathable materials like bamboo or fabric-lined boxes and ensure shelves allow some air movement. Elevating containers off the floor also helps.
7. Maintain a Storage Audit Every 3 Months
Humidity creeps slowly. A quarterly check allows for early detection of spoilage, expired ingredients, or pest presence. Crafting is a ritual—so too is the maintenance of its tools.
Humidity may be a part of life, but with thoughtful steps, it need not be part of loss. A well-kept space allows creativity to flourish without waste—and for each ingredient to serve its purpose fully.