How to Store Perfume So It Lasts

Fragrance is sensitive to heat, light and air. Store it well and a bottle can keep smelling as intended for years; store it badly and it can change within months.

Keep it cool and stable

Heat speeds up the breakdown of aromatic materials, and so do repeated swings in temperature. A wardrobe shelf or drawer is better than a windowsill. South African summers make this especially important: never leave a bottle in a parked car, where temperatures climb quickly.

Keep it out of the light

Direct sunlight — and even strong indoor light — can alter a fragrance. Keeping bottles in their boxes is the simplest protection.

Avoid the bathroom

Steam and constant temperature changes make the bathroom one of the worst places for perfume, however convenient it is.

Keep the cap on

Air exposure oxidises fragrance over time. Replace the cap after each use and store bottles upright.

Signs a fragrance has turned

A noticeably darker colour, a sharp or sour opening, or a smell that’s flatter than you remember can all mean a fragrance has started to degrade.

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