Seamus Hammond
There are many ways to repurpose old fragrances that you no longer enjoy. Firstly, you could gift, swap or donate the fragrance to a friend, family member or charity shop. You could also use the fragrance as a room spray, or spray it on dried or artificial flowers. If you have pets, you could use a few drops to clean the floor. You could also use the fragrance to scent your wardrobe or drawers, or to spray on your vacuum filters. For those who are creative, old perfume bottles can be used for DIY projects or as decorations.
What to do with old fragrances
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gift it | Pass on the fragrance to friends or family, or donate to a charity shop or women's shelter |
| Swap | Exchange fragrances with a friend or use a platform like Fragrance Swap |
| Layer | Combine fragrances to create a new scent |
| Room spray | Use as a room spray, or spritz on dried or artificial flowers, tissues or clothes |
| Vacuum filters | Spray on vacuum filters for a delicate fragrance in each room |
| Fan | Spray handheld fans with the fragrance |
| Clean | Use a few drops to clean the floor if you have pets |
| Sell | Sell the fragrance on platforms like r/fragranceswap |
| Recycle the bottle | Reuse the bottle as a vase, a room diffuser or a centerpiece for a wedding or party |
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What You'll Learn
Donate or gift to friends, family, shelters or charities
If you have old fragrances that you no longer want, consider donating or gifting them to friends, family, shelters, or charities. This is a great way to declutter your space and give someone else the opportunity to enjoy a fragrance that may be more suited to their taste.
When it comes to friends and family, you can offer them the fragrance directly, or even consider swapping fragrances with a friend if they have a scent that you prefer. This is a cost-effective way to acquire new fragrances without having to purchase them.
For those who are interested in donating to shelters or charities, it is important to first research the specific needs and requirements of the organization. Some charities, such as Dress for Success, require unopened fragrances with an expiration date of at least six months in the future. Other organizations, like Project Beauty Share, accept a wider range of donations, including new and gently used personal hygiene, beauty, and cosmetic products to support women and families overcoming hardship. Anglo Doorstep Collections is another option, as they collect a variety of toiletry donations, including perfumes that are at least 50% full, directly from people's homes and distribute them to partnered charities.
Additionally, you can get creative with your old fragrances before gifting or donating them. For example, you can use the fragrance as a room spray, spritz it on dried or artificial flowers, or scent your wardrobe and drawers by spraying it on a tissue or handkerchief and placing it inside. These simple steps can help extend the life of your fragrances and provide a pleasant aroma in various spaces.
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Use as a room spray or air freshener
There are several ways to use old fragrances as room sprays or air fresheners. One way is to mix 10ml of anhydrous ethanol with 50ml of distilled water in a mist bottle, add a few drops of the fragrance, and you'll have a homemade air freshener. You can use this spray on fabrics such as carpets, bed sheets, and clothes. However, it is recommended to use it within two weeks in case it goes bad.
Another way to use old fragrances as room sprays is to dilute them with perfumers' alcohol or a grain spirit like vodka. You can then spray the mixture onto fabrics or other surfaces, such as dried or artificial flowers, to add a subtle fragrance to the room. If you're using an oil-based fragrance, be cautious as it may stain certain fabrics and surfaces.
You can also spray fragrances onto lightbulbs, which will then diffuse the scent as they heat up. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the fragrance to the water in a diffuser, which will also help to spread the scent throughout the room.
If you're looking for a more subtle fragrance, you can try spraying it onto vacuum filters or tissues/cloths used to clean ceiling or standing fans, which will gently fragrance the air when in use.
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Layer with other fragrances
Layering fragrances is an art, and one that can give your old perfumes a new lease of life. Layering is a great way to create a unique, signature scent, and it can be a fun way to experiment with different fragrance combinations. The key to successful layering is to understand the basic fragrance families and how they work together.
Firstly, identify the fragrance family of your old perfume. Is it a floral, woody, citrus, or oriental scent? Once you know this, you can start to layer with complementary fragrances. For example, if your old perfume is a floral scent, try layering it with another floral fragrance with similar notes, or a citrus scent to add a fresh twist. You could also try layering with a musk or vanilla fragrance to add depth and create a more sensual, sophisticated aroma.
If you have an old, woody fragrance, try layering with another woody scent to create a rich, forest-like aroma, or add a spicy fragrance to the mix to create a warm, inviting scent. Alternatively, layer with a fresh, citrus fragrance to add a modern twist to a classic, woody perfume.
For citrus fragrances, layering with other citrus scents can create an uplifting, vibrant aroma. Alternatively, layer with a floral fragrance to add a sophisticated twist, or a green, herbal fragrance for a crisp, fresh scent.
Oriental fragrances are often rich and complex, so layering with another oriental scent can create an intense, luxurious aroma. Alternatively, layer with a fruity fragrance to add a playful twist, or a spicy scent for added warmth and depth.
When layering, it's important to remember that less is more. Start with a small amount of each fragrance and adjust as needed. You don't want to overwhelm your senses or those around you.
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Use as a scent for dried or artificial flowers
If you have old fragrances that you no longer want to wear, you can use them to scent dried or artificial flowers. This is a great way to use up old fragrances and create a pleasant aroma in your home.
To do this, simply spray the fragrance onto the dried or artificial flowers. You can place the scented flowers in a vase or bowl and set them out as a decorative piece. The fragrance will gradually evaporate, releasing a subtle scent into the room. This is a good option for older fragrances, as you may not want to use them on your skin anymore.
You can also spritz the fragrance into the air or onto a tissue and place it in your drawers or wardrobe to keep the space smelling fresh. This is a great alternative to using the perfume directly on your clothes, as some fragrances may stain fabrics.
Additionally, you can create your own scented spray for dried flowers by mixing anhydrous ethanol, distilled water, and a few drops of your old fragrance in a mist bottle. This allows you to refresh the scent of the dried flowers and create new fragrance combinations. However, be cautious and always test for colour fastness, as there is a possibility of discolouration depending on the flower colour, fragrance, and saturation.
Using old fragrances to scent dried or artificial flowers is a simple and effective way to repurpose unwanted perfumes and create a pleasant aroma in your living space.
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Recycle the bottle as a vase or work of art
Recycling old perfume bottles is a great way to protect ecosystems, save energy and natural resources, and reduce waste sent to landfills. Before you recycle your old perfume bottle, you should pull off the nozzle and plastic hose with pliers and discard them in the regular trash. Then, look on the bottom of your bottle for a recycling symbol. If you see a number 70, 71, or 72, recycle the bottle with your other glass items. Just make sure you wash it out first.
If you want to get creative, you can recycle your old perfume bottle as a vase or work of art. Here are some ideas:
- Vase: Turn your old perfume bottle into a bud vase. A bud vase is a tiny flower vase that holds only one or two small flowers or a handful of wildflowers. It's perfect for displaying a single magnolia in your kitchen or bedroom to fill the air with its sweet and refreshing fragrance. You can also place a small flower, like a baby's breath sprig, in your old perfume bottle and use it as a vase.
- Work of Art: Old perfume bottles can be used as decorative pieces in your home. You can cluster several old perfume bottles on a small tray and turn them into a decorative centerpiece. For a unique touch, fill the bottles with plain water and store them in the refrigerator. Then, when the weather gets hot, you can spray the water to cool yourself off. Another idea is to fill the bottle with small glass beads, old necklaces, or bracelets to add a pop of color to any room.
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Frequently asked questions
You can swap them with a friend, donate them to a charity shop, or gift them to someone who might appreciate them.
No, you should not use old fragrances as a disinfectant.
Yes, you can use old fragrances as a room spray. You can also spray them on dried or artificial flowers.
No, it is not advisable to use old fragrances on your body or in your bath water.
Yes, you can spray old fragrances on a tissue or a handkerchief and put them in your wardrobe or drawers.
