How to store perfume so it lasts

Perfume doesn't last forever, but a well-stored bottle can stay true for many years. A bottle kept on a sunny windowsill or next to a steamy shower can change much faster. The good news is that storing fragrance well is easy once you know what damages it.

What damages fragrance

• Light. Sunlight, and UV in particular, breaks down fragrance materials. Clear bottles are the most exposed.
• Heat. Warmth speeds up the chemical changes that alter a scent.
• Temperature swings. Repeated heating and cooling, like a bathroom that goes from cold to steamy every morning, is especially hard on perfume.
• Air. Oxygen slowly changes fragrance oils. As a bottle empties, there's more air inside, which is one reason the last few sprays can smell a little different.

Where to keep your bottles

• Somewhere cool, dark and steady: a drawer, a wardrobe shelf or a cupboard.
• In their original boxes if you have space. The box blocks light completely.
• Not in the bathroom, despite how common that is. Heat and humidity change daily there.
• Not on a windowsill or near a radiator.

Everyday habits

• Put the cap back on after every use.
• For travel, decant into a small atomiser rather than carrying the full bottle around.
• Display bottles away from direct sunlight if you like to keep them out.

Has it gone off?

Signs that a fragrance has turned include a sharp or sour opening, a flat or "off" smell, or a noticeable change in colour. Colour alone isn't always a warning: some ingredients, such as vanilla, naturally darken over time without spoiling the scent. Trust your nose over your eyes.

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