To decant perfume, transfer a small amount from your bottle into a clean, labelled travel atomiser — usually by spraying it directly into the atomiser with an adaptor or "spray-to-spray" funnel, or, if your bottle has a removable sprayer, by pouring through a small funnel. Work somewhere clean, away from heat and flames; use glass where you can; leave a little space at the top; and label the decant with the perfume’s name and the date. Decanting is handy for travel and for carrying a scent in a bag, and it lets the main bottle stay closed, cool and dark at home.
What you need
- A travel atomiser — glass inside is best; many have a metal or plastic outer case. Refillable atomisers that fill from the bottom by pressing onto your perfume’s nozzle are the simplest.
- A small funnel or adaptor, if your atomiser does not fill from the bottom.
- A label — paper tape and a pen are enough.
- A clean cloth for drips.
Make sure everything is clean and dry. Traces of an old perfume or water will affect the new one.
Method 1: Bottom-filling atomiser
- Remove the cap from your perfume bottle.
- Press the atomiser’s base onto the bottle’s spray nozzle and pump gently. Perfume flows in through a valve at the bottom.
- Check the level through the window, and stop before it is full.
- Wipe both and replace the cap.
This is the cleanest method and works with most crimped bottles, because nothing is opened.
Method 2: Spray into a funnel
- Place a small funnel in the atomiser’s neck (with its sprayer removed).
- Hold the perfume nozzle close to the funnel and spray in short bursts, so the mist condenses and runs down rather than drifting away.
- Replace the atomiser’s sprayer firmly and wipe away drips.
Some perfume is lost as mist, so expect it to take a little longer than you think.
Method 3: Pour
Only if your perfume’s sprayer unscrews by design. Remove it, pour slowly through a funnel, and replace it straight away. Never prise off a crimped sprayer; it damages the seal and the bottle will leak. See Refillable Perfume.
Decant what you will use in a few weeks; let the bottle at home keep the rest.
Keeping your decant in good condition
- Decant small amounts you will use within weeks or a few months.
- Keep it out of heat and sunlight — a hot car or a sunny windowsill ages perfume fast. See How to Store Perfume.
- Close it tightly; small atomisers lose perfume to evaporation if their seals are loose.
- Don’t refill with a different perfume without cleaning thoroughly.
Labelling
Write the perfume’s name, its concentration if you have more than one version, and the date. A decant without a label is easily forgotten or confused.
Travelling with decants
Small atomisers are made for travel. Airport security rules on carrying liquids still apply; for flights in the United States, see Can You Bring Perfume on a Plane?. Pack atomisers upright in a sealed bag in case of leaks.
What not to do
- Don’t decant near a flame or heat source. Perfume is flammable.
- Don’t sell or share decants as if they were sealed products. Buying decants from others is covered in Perfume Samples and Decants, including what to look for in a seller.
- Don’t force a crimped bottle open.
The wider guide to buying and keeping perfume is How to Buy Perfume.
Common questions
How do I decant perfume without spilling?
Use a bottom-filling atomiser or a spray-to-spray adaptor, so nothing has to be opened or poured.
Can I decant from a crimped bottle?
Yes, by spraying into the atomiser. Do not try to remove a crimped sprayer.
How long does a decant last?
Kept closed, cool and dark, a decant keeps well for months. Small containers hold more air relative to perfume, so use them sooner than a full bottle.
Are plastic atomisers safe for perfume?
Glass is best. Some plastics can absorb fragrance or react with alcohol over time.
