Over the years, I’ve accumulated an army of fragrances ranging from budget-friendly to high-end luxury, but the question has always puzzled me: Where should I apply my perfume to achieve the maximum longevity? On my skin, where natural oils and personal chemistry can alter the scent, or on my clothes, where the scent might remain more true to its original composition?

Is it even okay to spray perfume directly on fabric? 

I’ve spent time researching and experimenting with different clothing and perfume combinations to get to the bottom of this. 

In case you’d rather watch a video, checkout this great explanation below. 

How Long Does Perfume Last On Clothes?

In my experience, the average perfume usually lasts between a day to a week on my clothes, depending on the quality of the perfume. What you invest in really shows in terms of how long your fragrance stays on your clothes. Cheaper colognes tend to fade away after 6-24 hours.

Here are three more factors that I’ve found affect how long perfume lasts on clothes;

• Type of fabric: The type of fabrics you’re wearing make a big difference to how well they retain your fragrance. Natural fibres like cotton and wool seem to soak up and hold onto the scent for a longer time compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester.
• Concentration of perfume: The concentration of the perfume oils is another game-changer. Popular perfumes, the ones you see advertised everywhere, often have lower oil concentrations, meaning they don’t last as long. For example, lower concentration perfumes like Eau de Toilettes don’t last more than a few hours on my clothes. Meanwhile, Ead De Parfums, which have a higher concentration, can leave my clothes smelling amazing for days.
• Environment: I’ve also noticed that environmental conditions can be a factor. In humid conditions, it feels like my perfume is evaporating off my clothes faster, while cooler conditions seem to make it last longer.

Does Perfume Last Longer On Clothes Or Skin?

Generally, I’ve found that perfume tends to last longer on clothes, providing a more consistent sillage, or scent trail. The projection also usually holds steady throughout the day when applied to fabric. 

On the flip side, applying perfume directly to skin offers a more nuanced, evolving scent experience because your fragrance will react with your body chemistry although it may not last as long.

Where to Spray Perfume on Your Clothes

If you’ve decided to apply perfume directly to your clothes, the next question is: where on your clothes should you spray to reap the greatest rewards?

Here are my recommendations on where to spray your perfume on your clothes:

• Collar area: I’ve found that spraying around the collar or neckline is usually a win, especially if I’m going to be moving around. Each time you move your head or turn, you get a lovely waft of your chosen scent.
• Cuffs: If you’re wearing long sleeves, a spray on the cuffs can work the same way as it does directly on your skin. As you move your arms, the scent disperses nicely.
• Hemline: A light spray around the hem of a skirt, dress or shorts can be effective, especially when there’s movement involved. It’s the same reason lots of people spray perfume on their ankles.
• Inside clothes: If you don’t want your fragrance to be overpowering, spray it on the inside lining of your coat. This way, as you walk, you’ll occasionally catch your scent trail throughout the day. 

Should You Spray Perfume Directly On Your Clothes?

Ultimately, whether you should or shouldn’t spray perfume on your clothes is down to personal preference. However, applying perfume or aftershave to your clothes isn’t without its complications. Fabric sensitivity, potential stains, and even accelerated wear on certain materials are all considerations to weigh.

Personally, I often spray my clothes because I want to smell fresher for longer. I like the fact that those around me can still smell my perfume long after it has worn off. 

To help you decide whether spraying perfume on your clothes is right for you, I’ve put together a list of the main benefits and risks to consider. 

How to Make Perfume Last Longer on Clothes

I’m obsessed with trying to get my perfumes to go as far as possible, which is why I’ve trialled and errored my way through a whole bunch of tactics. 

Here’s my tops tips for making perfume last longer on your clothes: 

• Choose high-quality perfume: Invest in perfumes with higher oil concentrations like Eau de Parfum, as they tend to last longer than Eau de Toilettes.
• Wear cotton or wool: I’ve found that perfume lasts much longer on my clothes made from natural fibres like cotton and wool. They’re more absorbent than synthetic fabric like polyester so hold onto the fragrance for longer.
• Pre-treat your clothes: Spray a little unscented fabric conditioner or water on your clothes before putting your perfume on them. Moisture can help lock in the scent.
• Spray from the right distance: I always used to think the closer you sprayed to your skin, the more potent the smell. But, it turns out, the optimal distance is about 6 to 8 inches (or 15-20 centimetres) away from the fabric to distribute the scent evenly.
• Target high-movement areas: Apply perfume to areas like collars, cuffs, and hemlines. As you move around, these areas will naturally diffuse the scent as you go about your day.
• Avoid rubbing: Don’t rub the fabric together after spraying as this can break down the perfume molecules, making the scent dissipate faster.
• Layer your scent: If possible, use other products from the same fragrance line, like lotions or fabric sprays, to layer the scent and make it last longer.
• Store clothes properly: After wearing clothes with perfume on them, hang them up in an airy space to allow the scent to linger rather than throwing them into a cramped laundry basket.

Pros of spraying perfume on clothes

• Longevity: As we’ve discussed, clothes generally hold onto a scent for a longer time than the skin does. If you’re trying to make your perfume last longer, targeting your clothes is definitely going to help. 
• Scent integrity: Fabrics don’t have their own scent or body chemistry to interfere with the perfume, so the fragrance often stays truer to its original composition.

Cons of spraying perfume on clothes

• Fabric sensitivity: Delicate fabrics like silk can be sensitive to perfumes, especially alcohol-based ones, and may suffer discoloration or other forms of damage. One study even found that perfume can cause cotton clothes to wear thinner overtime.
• Staining: Dark-coloured or oil-based fragrances can sometimes leave visible stains, especially on light-coloured clothing. I once sprayed ambery fragrance on a white tee and was mortified to see that it left a coloured stain that didn’t wash out. 

TIP: Patch test fragrances before applying them to your clothes. Grab a piece of white paper and spray your perfume on it. If it discolours the paper, it’s best to avoid applying to your clothes. 

How to Remove Perfume From Your Clothes

Removing perfume from your clothes can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re someone like me who loves a good, strong scent. 

If you’ve accidentally turned yourself into a walking perfume bottle, a standard wash might not be enough to get rid of the scent. 

Instead, you might have to up your laundry game by adding specific odour-eliminating products to your washing cycle. I’d recommend looking for laundry detergents that are specifically designed to remove odours, not just cover them up. 

In a pinch, I’ve added a half-cup of baking soda to a wash and it’s done the job. 

If you have outdoor space, you can also try airing your garments out – you’ll be amazed at how good fresh air and sunlight can be at getting rid of perfume. 

As a temporary fix, you can even use fabric refreshers like Febreze to mask the persisting smell. It won’t remove the smell from your clothes, but it will cover it for a short time. 

Looking for a fragrance that will last all day? Checkout the Fragrance Explorers guide to long-lasting perfumes for women.