Unwanted Scents: Creative Ways To Use Unloved Perfumes

what to do with perfume you don

There are many reasons why you might not like a perfume, from simply disliking its scent to experiencing skin irritation or allergies. If you have perfumes that you don't like, there are several things you can do with them besides throwing them away. You can try layering it with other fragrances or oils to create a new scent, use it as a room or wardrobe freshener, or spritz it on your bedsheets, clothing, or pillows. You can also repurpose the perfume bottles as decorations or use them to make DIY flower vases or oil burners. Alternatively, you can give unwanted perfumes to friends or family, donate them to charity, or try to sell or swap them.

Characteristics Values
Use it as a diffuser Mix the perfume with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio and put it in an empty diffuser bottle
Use it as a room freshener Spritz it throughout the space or add a few drops of perfume to boiling water
Use it as a wardrobe scent Place cotton balls soaked in the perfume liquid inside your clothing storage units like wardrobes and drawers
Use it as a bath aroma Pour a few drops of perfume into your bathwater
Use it as a linen spray Spritz it on bedsheets, pillows, covers, handkerchiefs, scarves, etc.
Use it as a car freshener Spritz it on tissue paper and stuff the perfumed tissues inside things like handbags, pant legs, and backpacks
Use it as a gift Give it to someone who likes it
Use it as a decoration Put your favorite fresh/dry flowers in an empty perfume bottle or fill it with pearls, crystals, jewelry, or any other decorations
Repurpose the bottle Use it as a vase or an oil burner
Swap it Post a swapping offer
Sell it Sell it online or at a store
Donate it Donate it to a women's shelter or a charity shop

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Layer with other fragrances to create a new scent

Layering fragrances is a great way to use up perfumes you don't like. Fragrance is versatile, so experiment with different scented products to create something unique. Here are some ways to layer fragrances:

  • Layer with scented lotions: One-note lotions are handy for layering as they can help bring out a certain note or suppress one that you don't like. They can also make the perfume last longer.
  • Layer with other perfumes: Layering perfumes can lead to unexpected and pleasant fragrance combinations. For example, layering a cloyingly honeyed fragrance with a clean, fresh fragrance might create a scent that is just sweet enough to be attractive without being overwhelming.
  • Add power: Ramp up the perfume by adding more base notes such as patchouli, labdanum, vetiver, woods, or musk.
  • Add freshness: Look for citrus notes like bergamot, neroli, lemon, lime, or 'green' notes like galbanum, tomato, or violet leaf to add a fresh twist to the original scent.
  • Add sweetness: A touch of vanilla, tonka bean, caramel, ripe fruits, chocolate, or even candy floss can round out the perfume, making it swoon-worthy and addictive.

Remember, when layering, it's best to start with less than you think you need, as you can always add more. You can also try layering the scent over a differently perfumed body lotion or oil to create a unique fragrance.

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Use as a room diffuser

There are several ways to use perfume you don't like as a room diffuser. One way is to use an empty diffuser bottle and mix the perfume with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio. You can adjust the ratio to your liking. Alternatively, you can spritz the perfume on tissue paper or cotton balls and place them in a bowl to diffuse the scent throughout a room. You can also spritz the perfume directly onto items such as bedsheets, scarves, or handkerchiefs, and place them in a room to diffuse the scent. Another option is to boil water and add a few drops of the perfume to it. The aroma will fill the room.

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Gift to friends and family

Gifting unwanted perfumes to friends and family is a great way to declutter your shelf and make room for fragrances that you will actually use and love. It is also a good way to ensure that you get your money's worth from the perfume. Here are some tips to help you decide whom to give your unwanted perfume to:

Ask Friends and Family

Before donating your unwanted perfume to a charity shop, it is a good idea to ask your friends and family if they would like it. They might appreciate trying out a new scent, and you can be sure that it is going to a good home.

Research Similar Scents

Look up the name of the fragrance online and find out what similar scents it has. If you know someone who likes one of these similar scents, they will probably also enjoy the perfume you are giving away.

Create Gift Sets

If you have multiple perfumes that you no longer want, you can create gift sets by pairing them with other items. For example, you could fill a cheap handbag with various items such as tampons, socks, and underwear, and include the perfume as a thoughtful extra. Alternatively, you could include the perfume with other self-care items such as scented lotions or bath oils.

Repurpose the Packaging

If you are unable to give away the perfume itself, you could repurpose the packaging as a gift box for another present. This is a great way to ensure that no part of the product goes to waste.

Donate to Women's Shelters

If you are unable to find anyone in your immediate circle who wants your unwanted perfume, consider donating it to a women's shelter. This is a thoughtful way to give the perfume to someone who will appreciate it and get a second use out of it.

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Donating to charity is a great way to get rid of unwanted perfume. It's important to note that not all charities and shelters will accept used beauty products, so it's recommended to call ahead and check if they will accept your donation. Sealed and unopened perfumes are more likely to be accepted by charities.

One option is to donate to a local women's shelter. You could also fill a cheap handbag with other useful items such as tampons, socks, and underwear, and include the perfume in a small atomizer. This way, you can be sure that your donation is going directly to someone in need.

There are also organizations that specifically deal with donations of beauty products. For example, Project Beauty Share in the US accepts new, unopened, and unexpired cosmetics, hair and skincare products, nail polish, perfume samples, and personal care items. You can ship donations to them, or to similar organizations, even if you're not local.

If you're in the UK, Give and Makeup is a charity that supports women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. They accept second-hand makeup and other beauty products, but ask that you only donate items that you would be happy to give to a friend.

Another option is to host a beauty product swap party or sale with your friends and donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice.

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Use as a wardrobe scent

If you have a perfume that you don't like, don't worry, there are plenty of ways to use it other than wearing it on your skin. One way to use it is to make your wardrobe smell nice. Here are some tips on how to do that:

Firstly, you can place cotton balls soaked in the perfume inside your wardrobe or drawers. The scent will slowly seep into your clothes, and by the time you take something out to wear, your clothes will have a faint aroma. You can also spritz a handkerchief or tissue paper with the perfume and place it among your clothes when they are halfway through the dryer cycle. This will also result in your clothes smelling faintly of the perfume.

Another way to use perfume to scent your wardrobe is to create a DIY diffuser. Grab an empty diffuser bottle and mix the perfume with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio (or adjust it to your preference). This can then be placed in your wardrobe to add a subtle fragrance to your clothes.

You can also spritz the perfume on pieces of tissue paper or wrapping paper and use them to line your wardrobe or drawers. This will add a pleasant aroma to the space and your clothes.

Using these tips, you can make the most of your unwanted perfume and enjoy its scent in a different way.

Frequently asked questions

There are many options for what to do with a perfume you don't like. You could try layering it with other fragrances or scented lotions to create a new scent, or you could use it as a room or wardrobe freshener. You could also repurpose the bottle as a vase or diffuser.

If you want to get rid of a perfume, you could try selling it online or giving it away to friends or family. You could also donate it to a women's shelter or charity shop.

If you want to make the most of a perfume you don't like, you could try experimenting with different scents to layer with it. You could also try using it in your laundry or adding a few drops to your bathwater for a unique and novel way to use it up.

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