Best laundry scent boosters to make every wash super fresh
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Most of us have seen a dramatic detergent advert on the telly.
We’re talking about the ones which have children clad in pristine white clothing rolling around in the mud and jumping on fabric sofas, only for a wash (likely hotter than fire and brimstone) mixed with (probably half a £10 bottle of top-shelf) detergent to magically remove any trace of dirt, grime or muck from each and every fibre.
After taking out those brighter-than-our-futures garments from the wash, our protagonists tend to bury their faces in piles of fresh laundry – inhaling the swirling aromas of ‘summer orchard’ and ‘sweet lavender’. This, frankly, is the only semi-realistic part of televised laundry adverts.
Despite mixed reactions to Danni Dyer’s ambassadorial role for Surf, we can’t help but relate to the desire for our clean clothes to produce cartoon bouquets of tropical flowers which bloom and burst above our heads, leaving us in an aromatherapy-induced happy daze.
Yet the recommended singular two-in-one pods and caps of detergent often fail to produce that aromatic, lasting scent. Between drying, folding and putting away our garments and sheets, those fresh fragrances have all but dissipated.
This is where scent boosters come in. Commonly realised in waxy beads or concentrated liquids, laundry scent boosters do exactly what they say on the tin. Rather than offering a cleansing, stain-fighting detergent, they simply amplify the aromas of clean laundry and give it staying power.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best laundry scent boosters available to purchase in the UK to elevate your laundry routine.
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Cosmeau Laundry Scent Booster – Sea Breeze
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All laundry scent boosters by German-born, sustainability-focused lifestyle brand Cosemau are vegan, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, non-toxic and plastic-free.
The scented beads are corn starch based and contain nanocapsules which attach themselves to fabrics. The scented particles last on clothing and linens for up to 12 weeks, releasing fresh bursts of aromatherapy thanks to natural friction working to release those nano capsules over time.
Though available in a variety of scents including cherry blossom, wild forest and fresh spring, we think that sea breeze offers a wonderfully fresh scent which will delight the senses all year round. Simply pour the pearls into the base of the drum before adding your laundry, et voilà! Beautiful, lasting and environmentally friendly aromas.
Juliette Has a Gun Not a Detergent
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Bio or non-bio?: Technically bio, though 95 per cent natural ingredients
Form: Liquid
You may already recognise the name of this René Magritte-esque scent booster. The luxury scent by Romano Ricci has been on the market as an Eau de Parfum for over fifteen years, but its latest iteration as a non-detergent somehow feels far more luxurious than an atomised spray.
The compact bottle may be pricey, but it contains 500ml of cleansing and scent-boosting liquid which has been developed with sensitive skin in mind. Inside, 95 per cent of ingredients are of natural origin, and the bottle itself is made from 100 per cent recyclable plastic. Though it can be used as a detergent, we recommend popping half a cap of this liquid gold in with your regular detergent to take the scent levels up a notch. That way, you won’t go through it all in a week.
The Ritual of Karma Scent Booster & Softener
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A luxurious option bursting with refreshing scents of white tea, lotus and sandalwood, this laundry scent booster will have you smelling like a spa wherever you go. Sweet and floral yet grounded by a woody base, this option is a two-in-one scent booster and fabric softener. Though it lasts up to 30 washes, you can certainly make it go further by dialling back the suggested quantity.
Durance Scented Linen Water 1L Lavender
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Grandma’s best-kept secret, your laundry will never be the same again once you add a pipette of concentrated lavender water to your washes. An ancestral Provencal tradition, fresh lavender water is often added to laundry to keep linens smelling like springtime all year round. This environmentally friendly linen water is crafted with over 95 per cent natural ingredients and can even be popped into a spray bottle for use during ironing.
Fairy Fresh In Wash Scent Booster for Sensitive Skin 570G
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Old is gold, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to Fairy – who has been in the laundry business for well over 100 years. Consistently the best option for those with sensitive skin, this dermatologically tested in-wash scent booster is non-bio and features zero dyes.
“Mild freshness” is the name of the game for this scent-booster, making it perfect for those looking for an aromatic lift that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Indeed, the almond milk and manuka honey scent is subtle yet uplifting and works to make that fresh laundry feeling last for weeks on end.
Lenor In Wash Scent Booster Spring Awakening 570G
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Many of us have been using Lenor fabric softener since our parents taught us how to do our own laundry, which makes us particularly partial to their scents – even if purely for the sake of nostalgia. Too much fabric softener isn’t great for certain garments and should be used more sparingly. Opt instead for this, which gives lasting power to those lovely Lenor detergent aromas.
With this Spring Awakening scent booster, you can retain that obscure yet strangely fitting springtime scent which features natural patchouli and white cedar. This is a top-shelf laundry product when it comes to supermarket buys, and far less overwhelming than the heavily marketed Lenor Unstoppables.
Fabulosa In-Wash Fragrance Boost 27 Washes Cotton Fresh 500g
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The vast majority of Fabulosa’s fragrance boosters are overwhelmingly sweet, but this cotton fresh scent offers a clean and lasting aroma that makes linen smell like it’s been washed for the very first time.
Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster
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Hailing from the USA, luxury laundry brand Dirty Labs has made a name for itself thanks to the bio enzyme technology that is imbued in all of its products. The enzyme formula contains Phytolase, which breaks down hard to remove biological stains like sweat and sebum – meaning no more yellowed necklines and underarms. This scent-booster, unlike most others, isn’t heavily fragranced but instead helps to banish odour and make whites even whiter.
Verdict
Our top pick due to its vegan, budget and skin-friendly formulation, the Cosmeau Laundry Scent Boosters are a fragrant delight which doesn’t overwhelm the senses. A close second for the sheer luxury is the Juliette Has a Gun Not a Detergent.