How to Store a Fragrance

If your fragrance does not seem to be as potent as it was when it was first purchased, it may not be stored properly. The way a fragrance is stored is very important to the scent's longevity. All fragrances have a shelf life which is generally three to five years. This is especially true for fragrances made of synthetic substances.

When choosing a fragrance it is important to understand that not all fragrances are created equal. Fragrances are made from about 78% to 95% denatured alcohol with remainder being the essential oil scent.

The most expensive fragrances are those of perfume which contain approximately 22% of the essential oil scent. Lesser expensive eau de parfum can have the same scent, but has only 15 to 22 percent of the essential oil. Eau de toilette, an even cheaper variation of a scent has only eight to 15 percent of the essential oil. The most economical of fragrances is cologne which is made up of only 4% of the essential oil. Therefore, the percentage of essential oil in a scent is directly related to the scent's longevity.

Here are some tips when storing your fragrance for getting the most out of its scent:

• Store your fragrance in a cool, dark and dry place. A good option is a dresser drawer or cupboard. This is very important, because temperature and humidity changes can alter the chemical ingredients in the fragrance.


• Always avoid direct exposure to light if possible as it can alter the chemical balance of a fragrance, causing it to change scent and color. Store it in the darkest place possible.


• Always remember after use to close the fragrance's container tightly. This prevents the alcohol base from evaporating.


• Air tight fragrance storage bags are another good option for storing your bottles of perfume and increasing the scent's lifespan. They limit the fragrance's direct air exposure which can destroy a fragrance's chemistry over time.

It is important to understand that no matter how well a fragrance is cared for each has its own shelf life. Eventually it will still lose some of its scent over time simply due to its chemical make up.