Keep Your Cologne Fresh: Tips To Avoid Going Bad

Keeping cologne from going bad is a tricky business. Cologne and perfume have a number of enemies that can hasten their demise, including light, heat, humidity, and oxygen. To preserve your cologne, store it in a cool, dark place, like a refrigerator or a cupboard, and keep it in its original bottle.

Store in a cool, dry place

Keeping cologne in a cool, dry place is one of the most important ways to prevent it from going bad. Heat and humidity can alter the aroma and affect the physical properties of cologne ingredients, so it's best to avoid storing cologne in places that experience temperature fluctuations or high humidity, such as bathrooms. Instead, opt for a cool, dry storage area such as a closet or cupboard outside of the bathroom.

The ideal temperature for storing cologne is around 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5-6 degrees Celsius). This temperature range will help maintain the integrity of the cologne's composition and ensure that it lasts for a long time. If you live in a hot climate or don't have access to a cool storage area, consider investing in a small refrigerator dedicated to storing your cologne and other fragrances. This will provide the necessary cool, dry conditions to prevent the cologne from spoiling.

In addition to temperature control, it's important to shield your cologne from light exposure. Light can break down the sensitive chemical makeup of cologne, altering its scent and potentially damaging its bottle if it's made of plastic. Therefore, storing cologne in a dark place, such as a closet or a box, is ideal.

By following these storage guidelines, you can effectively prevent your cologne from going bad and ensure that it retains its original scent and quality for an extended period.

Keep away from light

Keeping your cologne away from light is one of the best ways to ensure it stays fresh for longer. Cologne is sensitive to light and heat, and over time, exposure to both will alter its chemical makeup and scent.

The best place to store cologne is somewhere cool, dry, and dark, like a closet or a box. Avoid windowsills and well-lit rooms, and definitely do not leave it in the car. The bathroom is also a poor storage choice due to its fluctuating temperatures and humidity.

If you're looking for somewhere a little more out of the way, consider storing your cologne in the fridge. The cold temperature and lack of light will help preserve the cologne's integrity, and you'll get many more years out of your bottle. This is a technique used by the Osmotheque in Versailles, a museum of vintage and ancient perfumes.

If you're hesitant to store your cologne next to food, a cool basement or a dark cupboard will also do the trick. Just remember to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Avoid oxygen exposure

Oxygen is one of the biggest enemies of perfume. Introducing a bottle of fragrance to oxygen causes the scent inside to dilute and become oxidised. Leaving the bottle unhinged for even a couple of hours can start to ruin the mixture's balance and catalyse its evaporation. Therefore, it is important to always keep the bottle sealed when not in use.

Perfumes and colognes with high oil concentrates can break down over time when exposed to oxygen, light and heat. So, it is best to store them in a cool, dark place, away from windowsills and bathrooms.

The fridge is a good option for storing your cologne as it is a cold, dark place. However, if you are uncomfortable with this idea, you could store your cologne in a cool closet or basement nook.

If you want to go the extra mile to prevent oxygen exposure, you could double pack your cologne by keeping it in its original box and then placing it in an airtight bag. The mix of no light and no air will guarantee minimum oxidation levels, protecting your fragrance from harmful rays and leaving it smelling great for longer.

Don't store in the bathroom

Don't store cologne in the bathroom.

The bathroom is the last place you should store your cologne. Bathrooms are prone to extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations, which can cause the cologne's chemical makeup to break down. Humidity can affect a cologne's makeup and cause unwanted chemical reactions. The introduction of light can also break down the liquid's chemical makeup and even melt the bottle if it's plastic.

If you're in a humid environment, be extra cautious and store your cologne in a room with a dehumidifier. Find a closet or cupboard outside of the bathroom to store your cologne. Keeping it in its original box can also help to increase its longevity.

The ideal storage temperature for cologne is around 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5-6 degrees Celsius). A cool, constant temperature is important, so avoid storing cologne in places that are too hot or too cold.

In addition to the bathroom, avoid storing cologne on windowsills or in other areas with direct sunlight. Light and heat are great catalysts for chemical change, and changes in the molecules of your cologne will lead to changes in its scent.

Keep in the original bottle

Keeping your cologne in its original bottle is one of the best ways to ensure its longevity. While it may be tempting to transfer your cologne to a different bottle, perhaps one that is flashier or more decorative, doing so will expose the liquid to air, which can harm the fragrance. The original bottles for colognes are made to be airtight and have a specific spray head that disperses just the right amount of scent and prevents contamination with air.

Perfume bottles can be as extravagant as mini chandeliers, but they shouldn't be kept as centrepieces on your dresser or dressing table. The introduction of light, both natural and man-made, can break down a cologne's chemical makeup and even melt its bottle if it's plastic. Therefore, it's best to store your cologne in a place free of light, such as a closet or a dark cupboard.

It's also important to keep your cologne away from windowsills and bathrooms, as these areas can be exposed to sunlight and extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations, respectively. Instead, opt for a dry, cold storage cupboard or a refrigerator set to around 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5-6 degrees Celsius). The cold temperature will help preserve your cologne's delicate chemical balance.

Additionally, remember to always keep the bottle sealed when not in use. Oxygen is a perfume's worst enemy, and leaving the cap off or opening the bottle too frequently will expose the fragrance to air, leading to oxidation and the creation of off-odours.

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