The Best Places To Store Your Cologne

Knowing where to store cologne is essential to preserving its quality and longevity. Improper storage can reduce the potency of the fragrance, requiring more applications to achieve the desired level of fragrance. It can also cause the scent to change, sometimes rendering it unwearable. To prevent this, it is important to keep cologne in a dark, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and maintain a consistent, moderate temperature.

The bathroom is one of the worst places to store cologne due to temperature fluctuations and high humidity. Instead, a bedroom or hallway closet is ideal as it keeps the cologne away from light and generally maintains a consistent temperature. It is also important to minimise air exposure by keeping the lid on tight when not in use.

Additionally, it is best to avoid storing cologne in direct sunlight or near radiators or other sources of heat. This is because rapid spoilage can occur due to heat and light exposure.

Keep it in its box

Keeping your cologne in its box is one of the best ways to ensure its longevity. The cardboard box might seem flimsy and insignificant, but it was designed to hold the cologne and can drastically increase the life of the scent. Boxes provide an extra layer of protection from light, heat, and humidity—three of the biggest aggressors when it comes to fragrance degradation.

Perfumes are not designed for long-term use, and improper storage can reduce their potency over time. By storing your cologne in its box, you can help maintain its original scent for longer. Keep the box sealed and stored in a cool, dry, and dark place, like a closet or cupboard. Avoid storing it in the bathroom, as the heat and humidity from showers can affect the quality of your cologne.

If you want to take it a step further, you can even store your cologne in the refrigerator. While this might seem extreme, it can help to prolong the life of your cologne by keeping it at a stable temperature and away from light and heat. However, this is not necessary, and a cool, dark place in your home will also do the trick.

Remember, the key to keeping your cologne fresh and long-lasting is to protect it from light, heat, and humidity. So, if you want to keep your cologne in its box, make sure to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Avoid sunlight

Sunlight can quickly degrade perfume, so it's best to avoid storing your cologne in direct sunlight. Even artificial light can damage your cologne, as the introduction of light can break down the sensitive structure of a fragrance.

If exposed to light, your cologne will only last three to six months at most. The scent will become unpleasant and will give off sour hints. Therefore, it's best to store your cologne in a dark, closed storage space such as a cupboard or a drawer. You could also keep your cologne in its original box as a way to offer extra protection against unwanted light.

If your cologne comes in a colourful bottle, it may be less susceptible to damage from light. However, it's still not worth the risk of displaying it. You don't want your cologne, especially expensive cologne, to lose its scent.

Another option is to use a custom opaque case to protect your cologne from light exposure. Some fragrances, such as Idôle, offer this as an option.

Avoid heat

Heat is one of the biggest enemies of cologne. To make your cologne last longer, it's important to store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and sources of artificial light.

The introduction of light can break down a cologne's chemical makeup, and even melt its bottle if it's plastic. Similarly, heat can cause chemical reactions that will ruin the scent. For example, the heat from a shower can cause the temperature in a bathroom to fluctuate, which is not good for cologne. The kitchen is another no-go area, as it may get very hot during cooking.

Instead, store your cologne in a closet or cupboard outside of the bathroom. A closet in the living room or hallway is a good option, as long as it's not near a window or door that lets in a lot of sunlight or drafts. The bedroom is another good place to store cologne, especially if you have a dehumidifier set up.

If you're looking for a more creative storage solution, you could try storing your cologne in the refrigerator. However, make sure your refrigerator is not too cold, as very cold temperatures can also damage cologne.

To summarise, keep your cologne away from heat sources and store it in a cool, dry place to make it last longer.

Avoid humidity

Humidity is a key factor to avoid when storing cologne. Humidity can cause chemical reactions that break down the structure of the scent, altering the smell. Humidity can also cause the perfume to evaporate, leaving you with less of the scent to use.

Therefore, it is best to avoid storing cologne in rooms with fluctuating moisture levels, such as the kitchen or bathroom. These rooms tend to hold steam, which is not beneficial for the cologne. If you live in a humid place, consider investing in a dehumidifier. This will help remove moisture from the air and keep your cologne lasting longer.

The bathroom is one of the worst places to store cologne due to the fluctuating temperatures and high levels of moisture in the air. The heat from the shower or bath can oxidise the more delicate ingredients in the cologne, causing the scent to smell off or change colour.

If you have no choice but to store your cologne in the bathroom, ensure it is stored in a cabinet or corner safe from steam.

Keep it in a constant, cool temperature

Keeping your cologne in a constant, cool temperature is one of the most important factors in preserving its fragrance. Fluctuations in temperature can accelerate the degradation process and cause the scent to weaken over time. Therefore, it is best to store your cologne in an area of your home that maintains a steady, cool temperature.

The bathroom is not a suitable place to store your cologne due to the changes in temperature and high humidity levels. The heat and steam from showers, as well as the temperature fluctuations, can spoil your cologne much faster. Similarly, avoid storing your cologne in the kitchen as the temperature can get very hot during cooking.

A hallway or bedroom closet is a much better option for storing your cologne. Keep it away from direct sunlight and sources of heat, such as radiators or heaters. The ideal storage temperature for fragrances is between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius, or 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you live in an area with a hot climate or high humidity, you may consider storing your cologne in the refrigerator. The fridge maintains a stable temperature and keeps the perfume away from light and heat, preventing oxidation and chemical degradation. However, very cold refrigerators can damage the perfume, so avoid storing it in a freezer or a fridge that freezes items.

Frequently asked questions