Heidi Norton
There are many ways to get rid of bottles of perfume, depending on your desired outcome. If you want to dispose of the bottle, you can recycle it or throw it away, but if you want to keep the bottle, you can clean it and reuse or repurpose it. Cleaning a perfume bottle is a nuanced task, as you must ensure that the bottle is completely free of the previous scent before refilling it. You can use a combination of vinegar, water, dish soap, uncooked rice, and rubbing alcohol to clean the bottle. If you want to get rid of the bottle but not the perfume, you can transfer the remaining perfume to a different bottle. Finally, if you want to get rid of the bottle and the perfume, you can sell or donate it, or repurpose it as an ornament, candle holder, or suncatcher.
Ways to get rid of perfume bottles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clean the bottle | Use white vinegar and warm water, dish soap, uncooked rice, rubbing alcohol, acetone, lemon juice, baking soda, cold black tea, or sun exposure |
| Reuse the bottle | Refill with a new fragrance, turn into an ornament, candleholder, or sell on auction sites or to crafters |
| Recycle the bottle | Protect ecosystems and save energy |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the bottle with vinegar and water
If you're looking to clean out your old perfume bottles, you'll need to start by emptying them of any excess perfume. Spray or pour out any remaining liquid—you can either spray it into the air to freshen up your space or rinse it down the drain.
Once your bottle is empty, it's time to fill it up with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Gently shake the bottle to mix the liquids and let it sit for about an hour. The vinegar will cut through any lingering grease and perfume oils, ensuring your bottle is fresh and ready for a new scent.
To give your bottle an even deeper clean, add a teaspoon of uncooked rice to the vinegar and water solution. The rice acts as a gentle abrasive, scrubbing away any stubborn residue without scratching the glass. You can also add a teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap for an extra boost of cleaning power. Swirl the bottle gently to allow the rice and soap to work their magic on all the internal surfaces, reaching even the hardest-to-clean areas.
After swirling, leave the bottle to air dry, ensuring it is completely dry before putting the cap or lid back on. If you want to be extra thorough, you can use a fine brush, like a soft-bristled toothbrush, to clean tight spaces like the bottleneck and sprayer. For intricate details or stubborn residue, a cotton swab can carefully remove blemishes without causing harm.
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Soak in alcohol and lemon juice
So, you want to get rid of a perfume smell, but you'd like to try a home remedy? Lemon juice is a great natural deodorizer with deodorizing properties that can help neutralize the scent of perfume. Lemon juice can be applied directly to the skin or fabric where the perfume was applied. Leave it for a few minutes, then rinse it off with water. The acidity of the lemon will help to neutralize the scent.
You can also use lemon juice in combination with alcohol to get rid of a perfume scent. Lemon juice and alcohol can be combined to wipe the perfume off your skin. Mix a quarter of water with a quarter of ml of lemon juice and wipe the perfume off your skin. The acid in the lemon juice will break up the perfume molecules, quickly neutralizing the scent.
If you are looking to get rid of the scent of perfume from a bottle, you could try filling the bottle with lemon juice and leaving it to soak for a few hours or even days. The lemon juice may help to neutralize the scent of the perfume. You could also add some alcohol to the lemon juice to help break down the perfume molecules.
If you are looking to get rid of a perfume scent from your skin, clothes, or surroundings, there are many other methods you can try. Soaking in a milk bath can help neutralize perfume odors. The lactic acid in milk helps break down fragrance molecules. Add a couple of cups of milk to a warm bath and soak for 20-30 minutes. Baking soda is another excellent neutralizer of unwanted odors. To get a scent off your skin, mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water and use this paste to rub the fragrance off.
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Turn it into an ornament
There are many ways to turn old perfume bottles into ornaments. Here are some ideas:
Hanging Ornaments
Tie a decorative string around the neck of your perfume bottle to create a loop, and turn it into a hanging ornament. Hang it on a Christmas tree, or on a hook in your window as a suncatcher. You can add glitter to the bottle to make it shimmer and give it a festive look. Choose bottles with ridges or exterior patterns, as these will refract lots of light and make beautiful suncatchers.
Candleholders
Perfume bottles can be turned into elegant candle holders. Place a slim birthday candle in the open top of the bottle for a small, stylish light. You can use these as an alternative to tea lights in a meditation room or on your dining table for a cosy atmosphere. You can also tweak the neck of the bottle or find one that's wide enough to fit a taper candle, so you don't have to worry about wax spills.
Fairy Light Holders
Stuff a string of fairy lights into a pretty glass bottle to create a magical light feature. This is a simple way to make your room feel enchanting.
Bud Vases
Fill a cleaned perfume bottle with lukewarm tap water and add a few slim buds, such as baby's breath sprigs, to create a decorative accent. Place your perfume bottle vase on a windowsill, vanity, or kitchen table to add a cheerful touch to your home.
Display Pieces
Vintage or colourful perfume bottles with interesting shapes or embellishments can make great display pieces. They can add a distinct and alluring look to your dresser or vanity, especially if they are antique or vintage.
Before decorating your bottle, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned. Empty the bottle and rinse it with warm water. You may need to use pliers and scissors to remove the cap and sprayer, and take care not to break the glass. Fill the bottle with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and warm water, shake it, and leave it for an hour before pouring it out. Then, fill the bottle halfway with warm water, add a teaspoon of dish soap and a teaspoon of uncooked rice, and shake it again.
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Sell it to collectors
Selling your perfume bottles to collectors can be a great way to make some money, especially if your bottles are vintage or antique.
How to Find Collectors
To find collectors, you can browse the catalog of the International Perfume Bottle Association (IPBA) to get an idea of whether your perfume bottle is valuable. You can also reach out to an IPBA member for a list of reputable dealers and appraisers who can help you determine the value of your bottle.
Another option is to find a knowledgeable collector whose collection is in the same category as your bottle. You can also review auction catalogs, such as the yearly auction held by Perfume Bottles Auction by Ken Leach, which has catalogs from previous years and realized prices. Several online auction houses also have searchable auction results.
Where to Sell
You can sell your perfume bottles at a collector's market, rent a showcase at your local antiques mall, or set up a stand at a larger, advertised flea/collector's market. Online marketplaces such as Etsy are also a great option, especially if you have multiple perfume bottles to sell.
Tips for Selling
If your perfume bottle is antique (100 years old or more), it may be of interest to collectors, particularly those with an interest in 19th and early-20th-century design. Collectors often view these bottles as art, and the more beautiful and unique the design, the more likely it is to fetch a high price.
If your bottle is vintage, it may still be valuable, especially if it is in good condition and has an interesting design. Czechoslovakian perfume bottles, for example, are highly collectible due to their rich colors, finishes, and ornate designs.
If your bottle comes with its original box and any related papers, brochures, or other items, be sure to include these in the sale as they can add significant value. Take clear photos of the bottle and its packaging, and provide detailed descriptions of any scents or memories associated with the perfume, as these can also attract buyers.
Finally, if your bottle is sealed, some collectors may prefer that you lift any paper seals from the corners rather than cut them.
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Refill it with a new fragrance
If you want to refill your old perfume bottle with a new fragrance, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the process is successful and mess-free. Firstly, it is important to remove any excess perfume from your bottle. You can do this by spraying the remaining perfume into the air or rinsing it down the drain. Once your bottle is empty, fill it halfway with warm water, add a teaspoon of dish soap and a teaspoon of uncooked rice, and gently shake the bottle to mix the contents. Leave this mixture in the bottle for an hour before pouring it out.
Now that your bottle is clean, gather the tools you will need for the refill process. This includes the main perfume bottle, pliers, scissors, an empty bottle, a funnel or syringe, and tissues. Before you begin, wrap a tissue or thin cloth around the cap sleeve to avoid any scratches or marks on the bottle. Then, use your pliers to gently remove the sprayer or nozzle from the bottle. Wiggle the sprayer back and forth until the base is completely visible. Be cautious when removing the base of the sprayer, as it may be sealed with metal or plastic. If the base is metal, it may be more challenging to remove and you will need to take extra care not to break the glass underneath.
Once the sprayer is removed, use a tissue to clean the neck of the bottle, ensuring no fine pieces of glass or plastic remain. Now you are ready to transfer your new fragrance into the bottle. Use a funnel or syringe to avoid messes or spills. When you have finished transferring the liquid, seal the bottle by reapplying the base to the neck. And that's it! You have successfully refilled your old perfume bottle with a new fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Spray or drain out the excess perfume. You can spray it into the air to give your space a nice smell or rinse it down the drain.
First, fill the bottle with equal parts warm water and white vinegar. Shake gently and leave for an hour. Then, fill the bottle halfway with warm water, add a teaspoon of dish soap and a teaspoon of uncooked rice, and shake again. Finally, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
You can try soaking the bottle in rubbing alcohol, lemon juice, or nail polish remover overnight, then washing with soap and water. You could also leave the bottle to sit in the sun for a few days to let the fragrance dissipate.
You could recycle the bottle by selling it to collectors or crafters on sites like Etsy, or listing it on auction sites like eBay. You could also repurpose the bottle as a suncatcher, ornament, or candle holder.
You will need a flat-head screwdriver or pliers with pointed tips. Gently insert the screwdriver under the rim of the top, or use the pliers to grip it, and use it as leverage to lift off the top.
