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How should I store my perfume decants?

Best practices for storing your Scento decants to maintain fragrance quality and longevity.

Peter avatar
Written by Peter
Updated this week

How should I store my perfume decants?

To keep your decants fresh and performing their best, store them in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight. Proper storage can extend fragrance life by years.

The Golden Rules of Fragrance Storage

1. Keep Cool

  • Ideal temperature: 15-20°C (59-68°F)

  • Avoid: Heat sources, radiators, sunny windowsills

  • Don't: Store in your car or bathroom

2. Avoid Light

  • Best: Drawer, closet, or box

  • Acceptable: Shaded shelf away from windows

  • Avoid: Direct sunlight or bright artificial light

3. Maintain Stable Conditions

  • Avoid: Temperature fluctuations

  • Avoid: Humidity changes (not the bathroom!)

  • Best: Consistent environment

4. Keep Sealed

  • Store: With caps/tops securely fastened

  • Avoid: Leaving atomizers open

  • Reason: Prevents evaporation and oxidation

Best Storage Locations

Good

Avoid

Bedroom drawer

Bathroom (humidity)

Closet shelf

Kitchen (heat, humidity)

Dedicated box

Car (extreme temperatures)

Nightstand drawer

Windowsill (sunlight)

Using Your Atomizer Case

First-time subscribers receive a free atomizer case. This case is perfect for:

  • Travel: Protects your decant in bags

  • Daily carry: Fits in pocket or purse

  • Storage: Keeps decant upright and protected

How Long Do Decants Last?

With proper storage:

Fragrance Type

Expected Lifespan

Eau de Cologne

2-3 years

Eau de Toilette

3-4 years

Eau de Parfum

3-5 years

Parfum/Extrait

5+ years

Heavier, spicier fragrances often last longer than light, citrus-based ones.

Signs Your Fragrance Has Turned

Watch for these indicators:

  • Changed color: Significantly darker than original

  • Off smell: Sour, vinegar-like, or "off"

  • Weakened scent: Noticeably less powerful

  • Altered notes: Smells different than you remember

Note: Some color change is normal over time. A slight deepening doesn't mean the fragrance is bad.

Traveling With Decants

For travel:

  • Keep in carry-on: Avoid checked luggage temperature extremes

  • Use the atomizer case: Protects from pressure and impact

  • Stay under 100ml: All our sizes are travel-friendly

  • Avoid leaving in hotel room: Don't leave near windows

Special Considerations

Hot Climates

If you live somewhere warm:

  • Consider refrigerator storage (not freezer)

  • Choose a cool interior closet

  • Keep away from any heat sources

Humid Environments

If you live somewhere humid:

  • Avoid bathroom storage entirely

  • Use airtight containers if needed

  • Consider silica gel packets in storage area

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Bathroom cabinet: The worst place due to heat and humidity

Display shelf: Looks nice but exposes to light

Kitchen: Heat from cooking damages fragrances

Car storage: Extreme temperature swings destroy perfume

Constantly opening: Oxygen exposure accelerates degradation

Related Articles

Still Need Help?

Have questions about storing a specific fragrance? Email us at [email protected] and our fragrance experts will advise.

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