How do I Decant a Perfume Atomizer?

Throw a decanting party to swap perfume samples with friends.

If you want to share a favorite fragrance with a friend or need a travel-sized, airplane-approved bottle, you can decant a small amount of the perfume from its original bottle into a vial. Perfume atomizers, or spray bottles, are the trickiest to decant, because unlike with splash bottles you can't pour the fragrance directly into the vial. Don't let it make you nervous, though. Stay cool and calm and you'll be able to decant your perfume collection without any mishaps.

Things You'll Need

• Empty vial
• Stainless steel funnel
• Electrical tape
• Crafting clay
• Plastic gloves (optional)
• Labeler (optional)

Instructions

Decanting a Perfume Atomizer

1. Place a lump of craft clay down onto a flat working surface. Using your fingers, form a trench in the clay wide enough for the base of the perfume atomizer.

2. Wedge the perfume atomizer securely into the wedge of clay to prevent it from falling over and spilling while you decant.

3. Insert the stainless steel funnel into the vial and secure it with electrical tape.

4. Examine the sprayer on your perfume atomizer. Depending on the design, it may unscrew easily. In this case, insert the stainless steel funnel into the vial and carefully pour the fragrance into the funnel. If the top appears to be crimped on, don't try to remove it. You could damage the spray mechanism.

5. Snap the vial cap into place.

Decanting an Atomizer with Crimped Top

1. Insert the stainless steel funnel into the vial to catch any splashes. Secure the funnel in place with the electrical tape.

2. Hold the atomizer's spray nozzle directly above the entrance to the funnel tube.

3. Press down the nozzle and spray the perfume into the vial, aiming carefully. A very strong spray stream is more likely to splash, so use moderate pressure.

4. Snap the vial cap down firmly.

Tips & Warnings

• Plastic gloves are a good idea, especially when you're a decanting beginner. You might not love your favorite perfume so much after your palms smell of it for days.

• If plan to decant a number of different perfumes, consider investing in a labeler so you can keep track of which vial contains which fragrance, or store the vials in plastic freezer bags labeled with permanent marker.

• Build up your confidence decanting water out of a spray bottle a few times before you attempt to decant a treasured or expensive perfume.

References

• Now Smell This: How To Decant Perfume
• Perfume Posse: Perfume Decanting 101

Resources

• Pilot Vials
• Accessories for Fragrance