How to preserve your open perfume and stop it going off
Written by:Viola Levy
Read time:xxx
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Posted:20/04/2020
While you might be checking the expiry date on your milk cartons or storing raw chicken in your freezer so it keeps, you might not think your perfume can ever go off. Sadly, this isn’t the case as the scent you love so much can in fact lose its sharpness over time. And as much as those pretty bottles look too good not to put on display, doing this might be ruining the scent inside. Here are some easy ways you can prolong your favourite perfume.
Don’t put them on a windowsill or near a radiator
While you might enjoy how the sunlight beams through those perfume bottles like a stained glass window, it’s best to get them off the sill and into a cool dark place such as a drawer or cupboard. (You can always display the empty bottles after you’ve used up the scent inside them!) This is because direct sunlight is fragrance’s worse enemy – similar to how harsh rays can damage our skin, they can also degrade the essential oils inside a perfume. You also shouldn’t store them near a heat source like a radiator for similar reasons – as the heat breaks down the chemical bonds that give a scent it’s distinct character.
Keep them in their boxes if the bottle is clear glass
If the thought of hiding your fragrances out of sight makes you sad, there might be some leeway if the bottle is dark or opaque, as this can partially deflect the sunlight and help preserve the perfume for longer. If it’s a clear glass bottle, you might want to keep it in its box, so the actual glass isn’t in contact with the sun.
Get them out of the bathroom!
At first it might seem like a no-brainer to store your scents in the bathroom. You usually have shelf space and it’s where you can easy access them after you’ve washed and towelled down. Unfortunately, the heat and steam can be a deadly combination where fragrance is concerned, breaking down a perfume’s chemical bonds similar to other kinds of heat. If you don’t want your favourite EDT or cologne to get ruined, store it in an enclosed space such as a bathroom cabinet. Otherwise move them to somewhere like the bedroom and keep them in a drawer.
Put them in the fridge if you have room
If you’ve invested in a ‘signature scent’ and really want to get your money’s worth, then the best place to store it is the fridge – as bizarre as that sounds. Being a cool and dry environment, it will ensure the essential oils don’t break down. But if you don’t have room, then a cool storage cupboard or larder is just as good. And if you're still intrigued and want to know more, here's some more tips on how to keep your perfumes fresh in the fridge.
Transfer your perfume into a travel atomiser
One fool-proof way to ensure you make the most out of your perfume while it’s still fresh, is to use it up quickly, and not let it linger on the dressing table! One way of doing that is to transfer some of the fragrance into a purse-friendly travel atomiser, so you can carry it around with you to top up throughout the day.
How to preserve your open perfume and stop it going off
While you might be checking the expiry date on your milk cartons or storing raw chicken in your freezer so it keeps, you might not think your perfume can ever go off. Sadly, this isn’t the case as the scent you love so much can in fact lose its sharpness over time. And as much as those pretty bottles look too good not to put on display, doing this might be ruining the scent inside. Here are some easy ways you can prolong your favourite perfume.
Don’t put them on a windowsill or near a radiator
While you might enjoy how the sunlight beams through those perfume bottles like a stained glass window, it’s best to get them off the sill and into a cool dark place such as a drawer or cupboard. (You can always display the empty bottles after you’ve used up the scent inside them!) This is because direct sunlight is fragrance’s worse enemy – similar to how harsh rays can damage our skin, they can also degrade the essential oils inside a perfume. You also shouldn’t store them near a heat source like a radiator for similar reasons – as the heat breaks down the chemical bonds that give a scent it’s distinct character.
Keep them in their boxes if the bottle is clear glass
If the thought of hiding your fragrances out of sight makes you sad, there might be some leeway if the bottle is dark or opaque, as this can partially deflect the sunlight and help preserve the perfume for longer. If it’s a clear glass bottle, you might want to keep it in its box, so the actual glass isn’t in contact with the sun.
Get them out of the bathroom!
At first it might seem like a no-brainer to store your scents in the bathroom. You usually have shelf space and it’s where you can easy access them after you’ve washed and towelled down. Unfortunately, the heat and steam can be a deadly combination where fragrance is concerned, breaking down a perfume’s chemical bonds similar to other kinds of heat. If you don’t want your favourite EDT or cologne to get ruined, store it in an enclosed space such as a bathroom cabinet. Otherwise move them to somewhere like the bedroom and keep them in a drawer.
Put them in the fridge if you have room
If you’ve invested in a ‘signature scent’ and really want to get your money’s worth, then the best place to store it is the fridge – as bizarre as that sounds. Being a cool and dry environment, it will ensure the essential oils don’t break down. But if you don’t have room, then a cool storage cupboard or larder is just as good. And if you're still intrigued and want to know more, here's some more tips on how to keep your perfumes fresh in the fridge.
Transfer your perfume into a travel atomiser
One fool-proof way to ensure you make the most out of your perfume while it’s still fresh, is to use it up quickly, and not let it linger on the dressing table! One way of doing that is to transfer some of the fragrance into a purse-friendly travel atomiser, so you can carry it around with you to top up throughout the day.
Ever wondered what an EDT is exactly?
We break it down for you.
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