Storage is among the best ways to keep perfume quality and its longevity. Most people are unaware that the method they employ in storing their fragrances considerably affects the scent it emits and the length of time it will survive. Perfume is a sensitive mixture of volatile oils, alcohol, and water, which by nature make it prone to some environmental factors like light, heat, and air. Proper storage of your perfume will ensure its fragrance remains true, fresh, and lasting.
Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat
Perhaps the most important factor in the storage of perfume is its being kept away from direct sunlight and heat. Perfume is kept in a cool and dark place mainly for quality’s sake. Ultraviolet sunlight will degrade perfume molecules and the subtleties, making the fragrances different and not quite true to character. Heat affects composition and how quickly the scent dissipates when one wears the cologne or perfume. You would be better off keeping your perfumes in a drawer, in a cupboard, or even in a special perfume box, away from these environmental elements.
Choose a Stable Temperature
Perfume prefers a stable temperature; it should be from 15-20°C (59-68°F). Large differences in temperature will result in the deterioration of the fragrance and affect its smell and longevity in general. You can avoid placing them in highly variable-temperature areas, such as bathrooms where there are frequent hot showers taken or very warm places near radiators and sun-exposed areas. It is highly advisable to keep them in rooms that have a constant temperature level neither very high nor low, like a bedroom or closet. Keeping your fragrance in a location at the ideal temperature will mean it stays the same as intended.
Fine Fragrance Storage
Fine or luxurious fragrance collections, plus special edition perfume bottles, benefit from a bit more in regards to storage. As an example, a cologne like Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male presents a true design original inside its bottle with incredibly high-end composition ingredients. To store this type of fragrance for the longest period, consider purchasing a storage case or cabinet that has been designed especially for perfume. Most such cases will offer controlled temperature conditions, extra protection against light and also against air. A few serious collectors of perfumes take this as far as to store their perfume bottles in climate-controlled spaces simply to preserve the smell fresh for longer; these could well be bottles which are extremely expensive or just really rare.
Keep the Bottle Sealed
Another secret to keeping perfume fresh is letting the bottle be sealed at all times. The perfume will face air exposure from an unclosed cap or when the bottle isn’t well-enclosed. This may make it oxidize, which means weakening the fragrance and changing the smell. In addition, air exposure can cause evaporation of the alcohol that acts as the carrier for the perfume oils. Always close the cap tightly after use to avoid this process.
Store Perfumes in Their Original Boxes
Most perfume bottles come nicely packaged either in decorative boxes, sleek boxes, or even outer cases, particularly the pricey ones. In most instances though, it does seem like packing on such serves usually as an unnecessary means to box, based on its attractiveness in appearance. Perfumes housed within their respective boxes could quite act as good protectors against a variety of dangers in their being exposed to sunlight and variable changes in temperatures. Besides, boxes just protect them against dust or something that will interact with perfume chemically. So, even if you’re displaying your perfume on a vanity or shelf, consider keeping it in the box to protect it from these elements.
Avoid Storing Perfume in the Bathroom
While the bathroom may seem like a convenient spot to store your perfume, it’s not the ideal place. The temperature and humidity in bathrooms can fluctuate significantly, particularly when you’re showering or taking a bath. These can all have a disastrous effect on your fragrance’s quality. Besides a change in temperature, humidity results in the acceleration of the decay process of a perfume. Thus, steam in the air contributes to the variation in the different components of that fragrance, further causing it to lose its perfume. Instead, store your perfumes in the closet or even dresser.
Use Perfume Within a Reasonable Time Frame
The fragrance could either become weak or change scent as its components break down. If opened right, it is best to utilize the most from your perfume in the three to five years. Of course, some perfumes-perhaps the ones with a more organic or subtle composition-do have a significantly shorter life. If the fragrance color has changed or it simply smells wrong, then that is a bottle retirement. Follow these few simple yet effective tips to store your perfume, and years after, you’ll be able to enjoy the delightful fragrances of your favorite scents. Proper storage does not only preserve the fragrance itself but also ensures each spritz feels as fresh as if you had bought it on day one.
