Is perfume flammable? Be careful with this combustible liquid

Indeed, perfumes can catch fire easily due to the high ratio of alcohol used in the fragrant mixing procedure. Alcohol alternatives in fragrances are also dangerous unless the packaging defines them as non inflammable. Your signature perfume is a subliminal technique for you to set your persona. The lingering scent sets the atmosphere wherever you pass by. In short, a signature scent defines the kind of person you are. However, this personality setting technique comes at high risk: Inflammability. Let's dive deeper into perfume inflammability. 

Role of alcohol in perfume inflammability

Most fragrances include alcohol and hence are combustible to some extent. It is important to note that perfume manufacturers do not use the label "non-flammable" for a reason; it's challenging to create a decent odor without adding combustible diffusing and conserving elements. Alcohol aids in the blending of various fragrances. Strong odors don't mix nicely, and the same applies to essential oils, which are used to make distinct scents.

The alcohol content in the perfume segments the different components for them to mix correctly and form a unique scent. You may have noticed the perfume smelling differently at other times; it is the alcohol working its magic. Although alcohol assists in blending the different scents all together, it raises and softens individual notes after it comes in contact with skin. In short, the essential use of alcohol in perfume making makes those premium bottles highly flammable and, hence, life-threatening.

Do perfumes explode in heat?

A scent bottle has the potential to burst in a hot environment. Although rare, extreme heat conditions can cause the air inside the bottle to stretch and snap the bottle. However, it is more likely to occur if the bottle is of low-grade glass. The quality of the bottle plays a significant role in deciding whether the extreme heat can damage it or not. When plastic bottles meltdown in such conditions, the gas gets away and poses a fire threat.

On the contrary, the scent will surely deteriorate if exposed to heat. Even climate fluctuations can disrupt its chemical structure. The scent's base notes can fade, leaving it smelling bland or wrong. Prolonged exposure to heat can also cause the perfume to lose its overall smell.

Is it safe to put perfume in a car?

Perfume explosion usually occurs in high-temperature environments when the gas trapped inside the bottle breaks free and shatters the bottle. It can harm your car, but it also poses a severe hazard. If you're extremely cautious about the inflammability of perfumes, you should consider buying alcohol-free perfumes as they are generally less combustible.

Additionally, scents made from certain organic ingredients, like beeswax, are less flammable than alcohol perfumes. Hence, storing such perfumes in a car is safer than high alcohol content fragrances. However, alcohol-free doesn't imply non-inflammability unless the manufacturer explicitly mentions it on the packaging. Even if we set aside the risk of explosion, leaving a perfume bottle in the car can make it lose its original scent. The heated environment in the car is, in short, destructive for your favorite scent. A temperature of 12°C to 22°C (53.6°F to 71.6 °F) is ideal to ensure that the perfume doesn't pose any threat.

How to avoid an explosion?

Before examining how perfumes are stored to ensure their longevity and safety, considering the shipping/transportation of perfumes is equally important. Fragrance items demand additional attention when packing, but it's rewarding. When scents are transported, they are frequently labeled as hazardous items. Along with harming your favorite perfume, poor packaging also poses the risk of explosion. 

To avoid explosion, you should keep perfume bottles away from kitchens and other areas with extreme heat risk. It is best to store them in a cool and dry environment, which will ensure that the scent doesn't lose its notes and lasts long. When the perfume comes in contact with light, it can break down its composition. Extend the life of cologne by preserving it away from sunlight to prevent tampering with its delicate make-up.

Ending Thoughts

The perfect odor may change our mood, connect us with certain past experiences, or make us reminisce about some people and places. However, due to its highly flammable nature, we should be cautious of its storage.