Creative Ways To Upcycle Old Perfume Bottles

how to make use of old perfume bottles

Empty perfume bottles are too pretty to throw away. There are many ways to upcycle them into something useful or decorative. You can turn them into flower vases, candle holders, mini planters for herbs, or even use them for storage. You can also use them to create your own fragrances or room sprays, or sell or donate them to collectors or crafters.

Characteristics Values
Reuse as a flower vase Add a few fresh blooms to create a chic centerpiece for your table
Use as a decorative storage container Fill with small items like beads, bath salts, or spices to add elegance and sophistication to your storage solutions
Use as a candle holder Remove the top elements of the perfume bottle and replace them with a small candle
Use as a room spray Mix 10ml of anhydrous ethanol with 50ml of distilled water in a mist bottle, add a few drops of unwanted perfume, and you’ll get a wonderful homemade perfume spray
Use as a reed diffuser Fill the bottle with essential oils and pop in some reeds to spread a natural fragrance throughout your home
Use as a decorative ornament Dot your favorite perfume bottles around the house to add a chic touch to your decor
Use as a mini planter for herbs Choose perfume bottles with enough room to host the soil and space necessary to let your herbs thrive
Use as a perfume display Arrange the bottles on a stylish tray or shelf to showcase your collection
Use as a glitter globe Add glitter, water, and a touch of glycerin to the bottle, then shake to watch it sparkle
Use to make your own fragrance Mix a few of your favorite scent notes together to create a thoughtful gift
Sell or donate Post your bottles on an online marketplace like Facebook, Craigslist, or an auction site like eBay; collectors on Etsy may also be interested

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Sell or donate to collectors and crafters

If your local recycling plant doesn't accept glass perfume bottles, you can try selling or donating them instead. Many people and organisations will happily buy or accept used or partially used perfume bottles because crafters and DIY enthusiasts are always looking for pretty glass bottles to use.

Collectors or crafters' sites like Etsy are great places to market your empty perfume bottles, as buyers scour these sites to repurpose materials for crafts or collections. You could also try posting your bottles on other online marketplaces like Facebook, Craigslist, or even an auction site like eBay, as rare or ornate bottles can often sell for prices up to $100. Flea markets, collectors' markets, and antique malls are other options for selling your old perfume bottles.

If you're selling your old perfume bottles, you can increase their value by upcycling them into beautiful decorations and ornaments. For example, you can fill tiny bottles with broken jewellery, odd beads, coloured sand, or shells, or fill large, round bottles with paper flakes or sprinkles of glitter. You can also make your own perfume and package it in your old bottles, as perfume is easier to make than many people realise.

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Use as a flower vase

Old perfume bottles can be reused as flower vases. They can be used as tiny flower vases, bud vases, or mini planters for small seedlings and succulents. The size of the bottle can determine the type of flowers used, with larger bottles accommodating bigger flowers and smaller bottles being more suitable for wildflowers or a single magnolia.

To transform your perfume bottles into flower vases, you need to clean them thoroughly to remove any residual perfume. You can do this by rinsing them with water and a few drops of dish soap or filling them with water and storing them in the refrigerator. If you want to remove the nozzle and other spraying parts, pliers can be useful. You can then add some water to the bottle and cut the stalks of your chosen flowers to fit inside.

To add a unique touch, you can customise your bottles by wrapping twine or ribbon around them or painting the glass. You can also experiment with colour coordination, such as placing pink flowers in a pink perfume bottle.

Perfume bottles can make great accent pieces for bathrooms, vanities, and shelves, especially when combined with nearby lights like candles or string lights to make them sparkle.

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Make a candle holder

Old perfume bottles can be upcycled in a variety of ways. One way to repurpose an old perfume bottle is to make a candle holder. Arguably the easiest yet most effective way to pay tribute to your favourite scent, all you need to do is remove the top elements of the perfume bottle and replace them with a long candlestick.

Firstly, disassemble and wash your perfume bottle to ready it for repurposing. You may need to use a knife, pliers, or the tip of a pair of scissors to remove the exterior cap, plastic valve, and metal around the neck of the bottle. Once you have removed these elements, you can replace them with a long taper candle.

You can create a soothing ambiance in any room with your new candle holder. You could even cluster a few of these together to create a charming centerpiece for your dining table. Alternatively, you could fill the bottle with coloured water and place a few wooden skewers inside, sharp-end down, for an elegant room diffuser.

If you are feeling creative, you could also decorate your old perfume bottle with paint or paper mache before inserting a candle. You could even glue on some rhinestones or feathers to make it truly unique.

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Create a room diffuser

Old perfume bottles can be reused in many ways, one of which is creating a room diffuser. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a room diffuser using an old perfume bottle:

Firstly, you will need to clean the bottle thoroughly to ensure there is no residual perfume left. Next, remove the exterior cap, plastic valve, and metal around the neck of the bottle using pliers. This step is important to ensure that you can fill the bottle with your desired ingredients and create a functional diffuser.

Now, it's time to fill your bottle with the desired ingredients to create a pleasant scent. One option is to fill the bottle halfway with aromatic essential oils or room spray. You can choose your favourite essential oils or a blend of oils to create a customised fragrance. If you want to dilute the essential oils, you can add a few drops of water, but this is optional.

After filling the bottle with oils, you can add other ingredients to enhance the diffusion process. One option is to place a few wooden skewers or reed diffuser sticks into the bottle, sharp end down. The oil will gradually creep up the skewers or reeds and diffuse the scent into the room. Alternatively, you can fill one-third of the bottle with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, and then add your essential oils. This method creates a longer-lasting diffusion as the carrier oil slows down the evaporation rate of the essential oils.

Finally, you can decorate your diffuser by adding rhinestones, feathers, or painting designs on the bottle to make it aesthetically pleasing.

By following these steps, you can create a functional and decorative room diffuser using an old perfume bottle, reducing waste and adding a personalised touch to your living space.

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Use as decorative storage

Old perfume bottles can be used as decorative storage containers. They can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your storage solutions. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Fill them with small items like beads, bath salts, or even spices.
  • If you have a wider-necked bottle, fill it with fairy lights for a stylish and atmospheric finish.
  • For a unique and creative storage idea, turn your old perfume bottle into a mini planter for your favourite herbs. Ensure the bottle has enough room for soil and for your herbs to thrive.
  • Perfume bottles can also be used as decorative storage for DIY perfumes or room sprays. Create an aromatherapy spray by filling the bottle with almond oil, essential oils, and water.
  • For a fun craft project, fill the bottle with coloured water and place it on a tiered dish, mirror, or perfume display.
  • If you're looking for a more elegant display, use your old perfume bottles as decorative storage for alcohol. Amber-coloured drinks like whiskey will look refined in a crystal or glass casing.

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