We did the dirty work of testing 29 fragrant detergents to see which were effective and offered the most value per load.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/bhg-product-gain-laundry-detergent-liquid-soap-plus-aroma-boost-amazon-dburreson-008-1-a4f1be9e700d4373a2c64226c997a74a.jpg "Gain Original Liquid Laundry Detergent + Aroma Boost displayed on a white shelf next to a folded blanket and a bucket")
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
There’s nothing quite like cleaning the load of clothing that’s been piling up in your laundry basket. While you may like the natural scent your linens have post-wash, there are several scented laundry detergent options that can elevate your laundry experience.
Choosing the best laundry detergent to suit your needs, however, comes down to personal preference. In addition to there being several scents to choose from, like floral, fruity, and fresh, you can also choose between several types, like powder, liquid, sheets, and pods.
To find the best-smelling laundry detergents out there, we tested several options in our testing lab and at home. We evaluated 29 options on their scent, effectiveness, feel, and ease of use.
What We Tested
We evaluated 29 laundry detergents on their scent, effectiveness, feel, and ease of use.
Note: For stains like the ones we tested, warm water and pre-treatments are recommended. However, to test the effectiveness of these detergents on their own, we did not use any pre-treatments. The stained items were also washed in cold water.
Best Floral, Liquid: Persil ProClean Original
We loved the flowery fragrance as soon as we opened the bottle of Persil’s ProClean Liquid Laundry Detergent. It’s not overwhelming, but it was strong enough to offer a subtle aroma after the dry cycle.
The clothes felt soft after laundering, with no sticky coating on it. The T-shirt and towel came out wrinkle-free, but we can’t say the same for the linen napkin. As with many of the best-smelling detergents on our list, you’ll need to pretreat any stains before using Persil ProClean.
It worked fairly well on chocolate and even the jojoba oil stain, but it only faded the other stains. The biggest struggle was the wine stain—it actually bled through to the back of the shirt—and the chlorophyll, which remained quite dark. Aside from laundry mishaps like that, Persil will work quite well for sweet-smelling everyday loads.
Product Details: Amount included: From 40 ounces | Number of Laundry Loads: 25 loads
Best Floral, Powder: Gain Original Powder Laundry Detergent
The spring flower fragrance burst from the box upon opening the Gain Powder Laundry Detergent, so we think it’s one of the best floral laundry detergents to consider. What’s more, our laundry came out rather soft and fluffy except the linen napkin, which came out feeling stiff and wrinkled.
This detergent put up a valiant fight against stains, but it was only able to remove the chocolate completely on all garments. The towel and linen kept most of the staining—the wine and the sauce changed color more than anything, so a stain pretreater is in order here.
Unfortunately, the white T-shirt turned pale green from the chlorophyll stain. The jojoba oil, mud, and foundation left faint but still noticeable stains on some of the garments. However, we think that with the right stain pretreatment method, Gain would successfully remove all or most of these stains, as we observed significant fading by at least half.
The 8.5-pound box has a carrying handle, but it’s not pourable. However, the scoop does make it quite easy to measure out the right dose of detergent per load. We used 3 ounces for one load, so note that your mileage may vary with how many loads you can get out of your container.
Product Details: Amount Included: From 45 ounces | Number of Laundry Loads: From 44
Best Floral, Sheets: Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Sheets
We liked the light, clean lavender bloom and thyme scent of Grove Co.’s Laundry Detergent Sheets. We noticed the fragrance faded after the dry cycle, but we liked that the clothes emerged smelling clean and fresh.
These sheets were able to remove most of the chocolate stain, but it only faded the others; we could still see the outlines on some of the stains. The towel was softer and fluffier after a wash, and the shirts lost their sticky coating in the wash cycle. The garments came out mostly wrinkle-free except for the linen napkin, though we expected it.
For convenience and portability, you can’t beat the ease of these sheets. They are a bit more expensive than other options, but considering how eco-friendly these are—you can even recycle the cardboard box they come in—you might be willing to pay more per load.
Product Details: Amount Included: 32 sheets | Number of Laundry Loads: 32
Best Fruity, Liquid: Gain Original Liquid Laundry Detergent + Aroma Boost
We liked the sweet smell of the Gain Laundry Detergent that had floral and fruity notes; it actually reminded us of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum. You can smell it when you take it out of the wash, and what’s even better is that the clothes emerged soft and fluffy with just a few wrinkles.
We liked how easy it was to dispense the right amount for each load. It works out to be around $0.19 per load, which we thought was a good value overall.
Aside from fragrance, the stain-fight powers were impressive. The chocolate stain was removed completely from the white and gray shirts, but it actually removed it from the napkin, too, which was quite the feat.
Gain also made a valiant effort with the wine and foundation stains, although neither were completely removed. The grass and sauce stains faded a bit, but the oil remained. Aside from those super tough stains, we thought this detergent cleaned the clothes well enough on its own, and we would expect it to do even better with the addition of a stain-removal product.
Product Details: Amount Included: From 65 ounces | Number of Laundry Loads: 45
Best Fruity, Sheets: Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
These Earth Breeze detergent sheets had a light, citrusy scent that lingered even after drying; we described it as “classy” and not at all overpowering. Everything came out soft and fluffy, especially the towel, with no coating or residue. There were no wrinkles on the T-shirt and towel, but there were on the white shirt and the napkin.
Although it was clear that all the stained garments would need another wash (this time, with pretreatment), we were impressed with how soft and fragrant they emerged from the wash. The chocolate stain looked like it had disappeared until we compared it to the unstained fabric and saw that it had merely faded. We were disappointed to see that the tomato sauce had solids that dried onto the napkin, and the oil and wine stains didn’t budge.
If you’re new to using laundry sheets, know that the package is quite clear on how many you need per size of load—we liked that there was a good definition of the different sizes of loads. We would have preferred the sheets to be perforated, as half a sheet is needed for a medium load, but it was easy enough to fold and rip in half.
We liked that these dissolvable sheets don’t take up much storage space, plus they come in a cardboard container that’s easy to recycle.
We’ll admit that we would have liked more stain-fighting power. Still, for regular washes, we really like the eco-friendly nature of these Earth Breeze sheets. They’re also quite convenient—a plus for those who have to tote laundry to a laundromat or basement laundry room in an apartment building.
Product Details: Amount Included: 30 sheets | Number of Laundry Loads: Up to 60
Best Clean, Liquid: Caldrea Sea Salt + Neroli Laundry Detergent
There’s nothing quite like the smell of clean laundry, and the Caldrea Liquid Laundry Detergent offers just that. During testing, we liked the light and fresh scent of the detergent, which we didn’t find overpowering. Even though there were a few stains remaining on our clothing, we couldn’t smell their original scents.
This liquid detergent was able to remove the wine and hot chocolate stains from the cotton shirt, though the foundation and pasta sauce stains still lingered. The oil stain was removed from the athletic shirt but could still be seen on the cotton option. The stains were also visible on the towels. However, given that none of these stains were pre-treated, we thought the detergent still worked reasonably well.
All the garments felt soft and pliable post-wash except for the linen napkin, though that’s to be expected given the material. The detergent didn’t leave any film on the items, and while it’s more expensive than some other options, we think it’s worth it.
Product Details: Amount Included: 64 ounces | Number of Laundry Loads: Not listed
Best Clean, Powder: Nellie’s Laundry Detergent Soda
The light fragrance of Nellie’s Laundry Detergent Soda was quite pleasant, and it left a subtle scent on the linen; the rest of the clothes merely smelled clean. Everything came out feeling soft and pliable, and the washcloth especially was fluffy. There weren’t many wrinkles, either, even on the linen napkin, which we appreciated.
With this pick, note that you’ll need to use your own scoop to use it. While it didn’t seem immediately clear where you should place the detergent, the brand notes that you can either place it in the machine’s dispenser or directly into the drum.
The clothes seemed clean after a wash, but with the exception of the chocolate, the stains themselves were only lightened, not removed. The oil stain had the next best performance, but you could still see the outline even though the rest disappeared. The linen napkin was the main casualty of the wash—even the chocolate stain wasn’t removed. However, keep in mind that these stains were not pre-treated with a stain remover.
The detergent is touted for not leaving a coating on the fabric, and we found this to be true.
We found it a bit messy to use, which was compounded by the fact that there’s not much guidance with how and how much to use this product. Still, we liked the light, compact box that will leave room in your laundry space for a stain remover—you’ll need it.
Product Details: Amount Included: From 25.6 ounces | Number of Laundry Loads: 50
Best Clean, Pods: Tide Pods Spring Meadow Laundry Detergent
These Tide PODS have a light, clean scent that’s not at all overpowering. However, we noticed quickly that pre-treatment is necessary for stains when using them. While the stains were all lessened to some degree, they were still visible; the chocolate stain faded the most, but even then we could still see the outline.
Aside from any residual stains, the clothes came out smelling fresh and feeling less stiff. The shirts had come out with a bit of a coating on them that disappeared after another wash. As expected, the linen came out wrinkled, but the other clothes fared rather well.
We like that the pods make it easy to add the right amount of detergent per load, although knowing what we know now about their stain-fighting power, we will definitely pretreat and even add an extra pod to the wash next time.
The pods are pricier than others on the list, working out to be about $0.25 a load. But for the convenience of easy doses—especially if you have a high-efficiency (HE) washer—it’s worth the money.
Product Details: Amount Included: From 42 pods | Number of Laundry Loads: 42
The Bottom Line
When it comes to choosing the best-smelling laundry detergent, it comes down to your personal preferences. While some may prefer a floral option, some may find the classic clean-laundry smell more appealing. Once you’ve narrowed down your scent preferences, you can also choose your favorite type (liquid, pod, sheets, or powder) of detergent as well.
Our Testing Process
At home and at our testing lab, we evaluated 29 laundry detergents based on their scent, effectiveness, feel, ease of use, and overall value.
To determine the feel and effectiveness, including any stain-fighting power, we laundered and dried four stained items: a cotton T-shirt, a polyester athletic T-shirt, a terry-cloth towel, and a linen napkin.
The stains in question were chocolate, red wine, foundation makeup, jojoba oil, mud, grass, and marinara sauce. Each load was washed and then dried using a no-heat cycle. After each load was done, we evaluated the garments for cleanliness, feel (stiffness/scratchiness), residue or coating, and wrinkles.
Although warm water and pre-treatments are recommended for these stains, none of the items were treated with a stain remover before being washed in cold water.
We carefully evaluated each one for their fragrance as well. We observed how strong the detergent smelled up close and from 6 inches away. We also considered each detergent for the ease of use, which included how easy or hard it was to dispense the right dose per load and whether manufacturer guidelines were clear as to how much to use depending on the size of the load.
We determined overall value based on the combination of these ratings along with median price per load which, at time of publish, was $0.25.
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
What to Know About Scented Detergents Before Shopping
Capacity and Number of Laundry Loads
The capacity of a laundry detergent refers to how much detergent there is per bottle, box or bag, which differs based on the type of detergent you’re using. The capacity can also impact how many loads of laundry you’re able to do.
If you’re using a liquid option, like the Caldrea Liquid Laundry Detergent, you can get a bottle that’s at least 64 ounces of liquid, which could likely do just over 40 loads. The benefit of liquid detergent in terms of capacity is that you can control how much you use, so the bottle may last you for longer than the expected amount of loads.
When you’re considering measured options, like Tide PODS or the Earth Breeze detergent sheets, there’s less flexibility in how many laundry loads you can do, as the amount of pods or sheets determines the amount of loads.
Type
Laundry detergent is offered in several forms, including liquid, sheets, pods, and powder.
- Liquid: Perhaps the most traditional type of detergent, liquid options come in a bottle and are typically put into the washing machine’s dispenser. Liquid bottles are often offered in different sizes, but can be quite heavy when they’re full, so they may not be the best pick for those who don’t have a washing machine in their home.
- Sheets: Laundry sheets are thin, paper-like pieces that are made with concentrated laundry detergent. They get placed directly into the machine’s drum and release cleaning solution into the machine as the cycle runs. They are fully dissolvable, so you won’t have to clean them out when you’re done with your laundry.
- Powder: Power options often come in a resealable bag and are either placed into the washing machine’s dispenser or directly into the drum. Though there are several options on the market, it’s a messier option. Plus, it may be more difficult to know how much to use with each load.
- Pods: Laundry pods are made with laundry detergent that’s been sealed into a small pouch. Like sheets, they get placed directly into the laundry pile and dissolve during the wash cycle. They’re easy to use since they’re small and pre-portioned, so they’re a great option if you have to travel a bit to do laundry.
Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Other Scented Laundry Detergents We Tested
Tide Simply Clean & Fresh Liquid Laundry Detergent
After using the Tide Simply Clean & Fresh Liquid Laundry Detergent, the foundation and wine stains were lightened a bit, but the grass and sauce stains were defiant. We noticed a light green tint on other laundry, which means the detergent managed to lift some of the stain and deposit it elsewhere. Despite the name “Simply Clean & Fresh,” we found it to have a surprisingly chemical smell.
Method Liquid Laundry Detergent
Although we liked the light lavender and cypress scent of the Method Liquid Laundry Detergent, this detergent didn’t do much to remove the stains. It did better on the chocolate stain, but we could still see the outline of it. We observed that the towel was softer before it was washed, and there were more wrinkles than we experienced with other detergents on our list.
HEX Performance Laundry Detergent
The HEX Performance Laundry Detergent is more expensive than other options we tested. While we were impressed with the removal of the chocolate, wine, and foundation removals (better on some fabrics than others), we observed that others like the grass and spaghetti sauce in particular would need another wash cycle. Although we weren’t surprised to see wrinkled linen after a wash, we observed that the T-shirts and washcloth also came out needing to be ironed as well.
Better Homes & Gardens / Grant Webster
Your Questions, Answered
How much can I expect to spend on scented laundry detergent?
We noted $0.25 per load as the median price for laundry detergent, though there are certainly those on our list that go below and well above that price point. It is important to consider the cost breakdown by load, not by the container; the value is in how many clean loads you can procure out of one container of detergent.
Are scented laundry detergents safe to use?
Scented laundry detergents are safe to use in your washing machine and on your clothing. Like any other scented product, however, those with allergies, sensitive skin, or other concerns should confirm that a scented option is safe for them to use.
Who We Are
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, New York. She covers all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens, including cleaning and laundry products.
To compile this list of the best-smelling detergents, Zito analyzed lab insights from our lab and at-home testing.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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