Anisha Riggs
Old perfume bottles are often too pretty to throw away, and there are many ways to repurpose them. Recycling old perfume containers can protect ecosystems, save energy and natural resources, and reduce waste sent to landfills. Perfume bottles can be upcycled into flower vases, reed diffusers, oil burners, or candle holders. They can also be used to store homemade perfumes or room sprays. Old bottles can be sold or donated, and many people and organizations will happily buy or accept used or partially used perfume bottles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling | Protect ecosystems, save energy/natural resources, and reduce waste sent to landfills |
| Reusing | DIY projects, home decor, vases, candle holders, room diffusers, oil burners, lamps, storage, flower vases, centrepieces, display shelves, decanters, decorative items, etc. |
| Selling | Online marketplaces (Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, Etsy), major retailers, collectors, crafters |
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What You'll Learn
Sell rare or old bottles to collectors
If you have rare or old perfume bottles, you might be able to sell them to collectors for a substantial sum. Antique perfume bottles are highly sought-after collectibles, even if the scent within has long dissipated. The design of antique perfume bottles was often more creative than those of today, with bottles shaped like hearts, grapes, people, and even lizards.
Collectors view these bottles as art, and there is even an International Perfume Bottle Association (IPBA), dedicated to the collection of perfume bottles and vanity items. The IPBA holds an annual convention and collector's market where you can sell your bottles. They also have a yearly auction, where a rare Lalique bottle from 1912 sold for $84,000 in 2022. Other top-selling bottles at this auction included a 1926 Lucien Gaillard bottle that sold for $20,400 and a 1928 Julien Viard bottle that sold for $27,000.
If you want to sell your old perfume bottles, you can try contacting a knowledgeable collector or reviewing auction catalogs. You can also try selling your bottles at a flea market or collector's market, or through online auctions such as eBay, Ruby Lane, and Etsy. When selling to collectors, it is important to note that the better the condition and design of your bottle, the more likely it is to fetch a high price.
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Use as a vase or candle holder
Old perfume bottles can be reused as vases or candle holders. Here are some ways to do this:
Vases
Perfume bottles can be reused as flower vases, adding a unique and chic touch to your decor. If you have a wide-brimmed bottle, you can fill it with fairy lights and a few flowers or plants to create a stylish ornament. Alternatively, you can create a decorative pattern on a wall by arranging different coloured perfume bottle caps or sticking to a singular theme. You can also fill the bottle with water and add some rocks or other decorative items for additional dimension. If you want to keep the bottle as a statement piece, choose an artificial flower and seal it inside by prying off the top of the bottle.
Candle Holders
Perfume bottles can also be turned into candle holders. Simply remove the top elements of the bottle and replace them with a long candlestick. You can also fill the bottle with wax and use it as a candle, although this requires more steps and additional materials such as a small funnel, wick, and wax. If you want to make your candle more decorative, you can add items such as flowers or beads to the outside of the bottle.
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Make DIY room sprays or perfumes
There are many ways to make DIY room sprays or perfumes using old perfume bottles. Firstly, you can use the old perfume itself as a room spray. Spray it on pillows, throws, or curtains, or even on light bulbs to spread the scent throughout the room. You can also dilute the perfume with perfumers alcohol, grain spirit, or vodka to make a room spray.
Another option is to create your own DIY aromatherapy room spray by mixing a few drops of perfume with water and essential oils. You can also add witch hazel to help the essential oils mix with the water, or use alcohol as a preservative and to help the oils disperse in the air when sprayed. Some essential oils with calming properties include rosemary, frankincense, cedar, and lavender. If you're looking for antiseptic properties, consider lemongrass, eucalyptus, orange, or peppermint.
You can also use your old perfume bottle as a room diffuser. Fill the bottle halfway with aromatic essential oils or room spray and place wooden skewers inside, sharp-end down. The oils will creep up the skewers and slowly diffuse a pleasing scent into your room.
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Recycle the perfume bottle
Recycling old perfume bottles can protect ecosystems, save energy and natural resources, and reduce waste sent to landfills. If you're looking to recycle your old perfume bottles, here are some ideas to get you started:
Clean and disassemble the bottle
Before recycling or repurposing your perfume bottle, it's important to clean it thoroughly. Remove the exterior cap, nozzle, and any other components that can be disassembled. You can use tools like pliers and wire cutters to detach these parts. Once disassembled, wash the bottle with soap and water or white vinegar to remove any residual perfume or oil.
Check for recyclability
Not all recycling centres accept perfume bottles, so it's important to check with your local recycling company or research the types of glass they accept. Look for a triangular arrow symbol with a number inside on the bottom of the bottle to identify the type of glass. However, the presence of this symbol does not always indicate recyclability.
Repurpose the bottle
If your local recycling centre doesn't accept perfume bottles, you can get creative and repurpose them into something new. Here are some ideas:
- Vases or bud vases: Cut off the top of the bottle to widen the opening and place a small bouquet of flowers or a single stem inside.
- Candle holders: Remove the top elements of the bottle and replace them with a long candlestick, creating a stylish and romantic ambiance.
- Room diffuser: Fill the bottle halfway with aromatic essential oils or room spray and place wooden skewers inside to diffuse the scent into the room.
- Art and decoration: Paint the bottle with acrylic paint, cover it in paper mache, or decorate it with rhinestones, feathers, or gold leaf to create a unique artwork. Alternatively, display the bottle as-is or fill it with fairy lights to add a chic touch to your decor.
- Bathroom storage: Upcycle the bottle topper into a lid for your bathroom storage containers.
- Oil burner: Fill the bottle with scented lamp oil and add a wick to the top. Decorate with beads, flowers, or other elements for a unique touch.
- Room spray or perfume: Refill the bottle with a DIY perfume, room spray, or aromatherapy spray made with essential oils and water.
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Use as a unique table centrepiece
Old perfume bottles can be used as unique table centrepieces in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:
Flower Vase
Perfume bottles, especially larger ones, can be upcycled into flower vases. Add a few fresh blooms or a single stem, and you've got a chic and elegant centrepiece for your table. This is a simple yet effective way to showcase your favourite flowers and bring a touch of nature indoors.
Candle Holder
Perfume bottles can also be transformed into candle holders. Remove the top elements of the bottle and replace them with a long candlestick or a taper candle. This creates a stylish and romantic centrepiece, reminiscent of classic wine bottles with dripping candle wax in vintage Italian restaurants. The warm glow of candlelight adds a soothing and charming ambiance to any table setting.
Fairy Lights
For a magical touch, fill your old perfume bottle with fairy lights. This DIY project adds a whimsical and atmospheric element to your table. The soft glow of fairy lights creates a unique and enchanting centrepiece, especially if the bottle has a wide brim to showcase the lights.
Reed Diffuser
Create your own reed diffuser by filling your old perfume bottle with essential oils and placing wooden skewers or reeds inside. This is a stylish and elegant way to keep your dining area fragrant. You can experiment with different essential oil combinations to find your favourite scent.
Mini Planter
Turn your old perfume bottle into a mini planter by adding some soil and pebbles. Small succulents or air plants are perfect for this. A touch of greenery can brighten up your table and create a natural and organic centrepiece.
There are endless possibilities for upcycling old perfume bottles into unique table centrepieces. Get creative and choose a project that reflects your personal style and taste.
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Frequently asked questions
Old perfume bottles can be recycled, donated, or upcycled. Upcycling old perfume bottles is a great way to show off your artistic side and create something useful and beautiful.
Old perfume bottles can be upcycled in many different ways. You can turn them into DIY flower vases, candle holders, or reed diffusers. You can also use them as decorative pieces around the house or as centrepieces for a wedding or party.
To recycle old perfume bottles, you first need to clean them out and disassemble any components that are not made of glass. Then, find out what type of glass your local recycling centre accepts and drop them off there. If your local recycling centre does not accept glass perfume bottles, you can try selling or donating them instead.
You can use old perfume bottles to store homemade perfume or room spray. You can also place partially-full bottles in your wardrobe or lingerie drawer to give your clothes a subtle scent.
