Light, fresh or seriously fragrant? The best scented laundry detergents for 2025 will have people wondering what smells so good. (Amazon)
If you really want to get to know someone, try asking about their laundry detergent. If the conversation goes anything like the ones I’ve had with my family and friends, you’ll hear all about their trials and tribulations, their proclivities and sensitivities — and most telling of all, their personal fragrance journeys. My mom has a longstanding relationship with Tide Plus Downy. For my cousin, the best scented laundry detergent comes from Gain.
As for me? I wasn’t too fussy … until I started dating the man who would become my current partner. I wanted him closer. I kept finding myself sneaking whiffs of his T-shirts. Was it pheromones? A certain cologne? Or was it just his Tide Sport with Febreze? I was curious to see how the most popular scented laundry detergents stacked up — and if there was a best-smelling laundry detergent out there for me — so as Yahoo's resident home writer, I decided to test some of the biggest names (and scent categories!) in the game.
Knowing how subjective scent is, I didn't rely on my nose alone — I arranged a team of sniff testers to weigh in on the fragrances. Then I tested the cleaning power of the detergents with the best scents by soiling cotton cloths with common stain culprits, including red wine, yellow mustard and dirt from a baseball field. Cleaning up the mess wasn't easy, but many of the detergents smelled so good, they made it feel breezy!
Type: Liquid | Volume: 63 fl. oz. | Number of loads: 48 | Cost per load: 27 cents | Scent: Honey Lavender
Topping our list is this unassuming bottle from Tide's PurClean collection, which hit the sweet spot in my testing (quite literally) for fragrance, performance and ingredients. The laundry detergent features lavender and honey notes and smelled sweet immediately. It was a popular pick in my sniff test, with testers calling it "clean" and "delicious."
The formula eliminated olive oil, red wine and dirt from my stain swatches without leaving a trace. None of the detergents I tested removed black ink, red lipstick or mustard entirely (the mustard contains turmeric, which is also used as a natural dye, so I knew that was a stretch), but this Tide detergent got most of it.
Fabrics washed in this detergent and then put through a dryer cycle retained a good amount of the scent's sweetness and freshness, even if it wasn't as strong as it smelled in the bottle.
This detergent is not only the best overall scented laundry detergent we tested, but I'd also consider it the best lavender scented laundry detergent. The Environmental Protection Agency has labeled it a "Safer Choice," for people and the environment, meaning every ingredient has been evaluated by EPA scientists.
Why else is it a winner? The price is fairly reasonable, especially when compared to other products with the "Safer Choice" seal. If I had to choose just one laundry scent, this would be it for its lasting appeal.
Type: Liquid | Volume: 88 fl. oz. | Number of loads: 61 | Cost per load: 16 cents | Scent: Moonlight Breeze
As I remarked in the lead-up to this article, one thing I've found — in general and especially when doing research for this testing segment — is that people take their laundry seriously. No category proved this as much as the best Gain laundry detergent scent: My sniff-testers felt strongly about their picks … and boy did they range.
The formulas I tested performed comparably, at least as far as my naked eye could see, each knocking out red wine, olive oil and dirt with ease. The black ink, yellow mustard and red lipstick were reduced to much lighter intensities.
Of the three popular Gain scents I tried, Moonlight Breeze has the most intriguing fragrance: a slightly more mysterious, lavender-y take on the classic, zesty Gain scent. It received the most votes from my sniff testers and was one of the strongest, longest-lasting fragrances I evaluated, likely thanks to the brand’s integration of Febreze.
It's also affordable, making it an obvious pick for anyone who wants serious scent for a not-so-serious price.
Type: Pods | Volume: 45 count | Number of loads: 45 | Cost per load: 51 cents | Scent: Lavender
A detergent that’s tough on stains yet gentle on sensitive skin isn’t easy to find, but these detergent pods from Dreft manage to nail the balance (almost) perfectly.
According to the brand, the formula is hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested and made without added chlorine, dyes or phosphates. It was popular in my sniff test, and it left behind a scent that was softer and more lavender-esque than Tide PurClean's Honey Lavender, which read slightly sweeter/crisper.
I tested the pods and they performed on par with the other top picks in that they removed dirt, olive oil and red wine. The Dreft detergent also removed almost all of the ink and greatly lessened the intensity of the red lipstick and yellow mustard stains.
I also gave this lavender detergent to my sister-in-law to try because my niece and nephew struggle with eczema, so she has to be extra-cautious when choosing ingredients. She then gave some to her sister to try (her son suffers from alopecia so, again, sensitivity is a big priority).
Everyone felt comfortable in their Dreft-washed clothing and found the light fragrance to be pleasant. As a bonus, they noted how soft and fluffy their clothes felt post-drying (versus other sensitive-skin detergents they've used). So if you tend to use a fabric softener, you might be able to skip it.
Type: Liquid | Volume: 53.5 fl. oz. | Number of loads: 66 | Cost per load: 25 cents | Scent: Fresh Air
Method's Fresh Air scent was a popular choice among our sniff testers for what they regarded as a "fresh" but "not too overpowering" scent that, just like air, wafted.
It completely eliminated the red wine, dirt and olive oil stains in testing and significantly reduced the appearance of the red lipstick, yellow mustard and black ink.
The scent that lingered post-washing and drying was lighter than at first whiff but still noticeable — and like its name would suggest, very refreshing! I also like that the plastic bottle is 100% recycled and that the detergent itself is biodegradable, cruelty-free and hypoallergenic.
Like with the Dreft detergent, I asked my sister-in-law to take this for a spin to help gauge how suitable it is for sensitive skin, given its hypoallergenic claim. She was happy with the scent and effectiveness and said everyone felt comfortable in the clothes that were washed with it — no chafing, rashes or sneezing.
At 25 cents per load, the price of this detergent is competitive with other biodegradable detergents. Another pro: The bottle is completely clear, making it easy to see how much is left.
So many detergents, so little time! Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping:
Fragrance type and intensity: Laundry detergent scents usually fall into one of these categories: fresh, floral or fruity. How do you know if a fragrance will last long? The stronger it is at first whiff, the stronger it will often be post-wash. Naturally scented formulas seem to be the exception to this rule, though.
Detergent type:
Liquids are often cheaper than other formulas, and because you can use as much or little as you like, easily adjustable depending on the severity of the mess and size of the load.
Powders, like liquids, allow you to customize your dosage depending on the size (or messiness) of your laundry.
Pods eliminate the need for measuring and are less messy to use than liquid (no drips!). However, you may not want to keep them around if you have kids, as there have been cases of children ingesting them by accident. They also often come at a higher cost than liquid detergents.
Sheets: Detergent sheets have grown in popularity as a more sustainable alternative to plastic laundry tubs and pods. Sheets are also more lightweight and compact for transporting and storing, but don't always dissolve properly, particularly in cold water.
Stain type: If you or someone in your household is prone to messes, look for a detergent with “oxi” in the name, which means it contains oxygen bleach or a cleaning agent with oxygen-based stain-fighting properties, to help tackle tough stains. For sweat (and its accompanying stink), try a formula that contains baking soda or other deodorizers can help neutralize odors.
Skin sensitivity: The most long-lasting scents are often synthetic, so if you're someone with allergies or sensitive skin, you may need to forgo fragrance in exchange for a gentler formula. Look for detergents that are hypoallergenic and free of harsh dyes and overly heavy fragrances. Always check the labels for ingredients and certifications, like the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, that can clue you in on whether a detergent will be okay for your skin.
I arranged a team of sniff testers (men, women and kids, ages 11 to 67) to narrow down the most appealing fragrances from nearly 20 scented detergents. Then I took the formulas with the most likes for a spin in the washing machine to test how well they worked. I used a towel to gauge fragrance retention and fabric softness. I also threw into the machine soiled white cotton swatches to see how well each detergent fared in these common stain scenarios:
“Office hours” test: I used a pen to draw a line on the fabric to see how the detergents tackled ink.
“BBQ bust” test: I smudged yellow mustard to see how detergents would stand up to food stains.
“Oil spill” test: I drizzled olive oil to assess each detergent’s ability to make greasy substances disappear.
”Kiss and tell” test: I applied red lipstick to test how detergents could handle smeared cosmetics.
“Wine and dine” test: I spilled red table wine to see if the detergents were equipped to handle saturated liquids.
“Sliding home” test: I soiled some cloth with dirt/clay from a local baseball field to see how well the detergents could stand up to sports.
Gain Relax Detergent Pods in Dewdrop Dream (57 cents per load): I personally thought this was the best Gain laundry detergent scent (it's a calming, lavender-forward floral). It performed as well as Gain Moonlight Breeze, but I gave the latter the win because the scent was more popular among my sniff testers, plus it lasted longer and the liquid formula cost less.
Gain Botanicals Liquid Detergent in White Tea & Lavender (16 cents per load): This fragrance was refreshing and sweet — almost like an herbal, fruity iced tea. It tied with Moonlight Breeze for best Gain scent in my sniff test (even over the classic Gain scent). I like that it’s made without any dyes, parabens or optical brighteners, but the post-dry scent was very faint.
Tide Sport with Febreze Liquid Detergent (16 cents per load): Though this was the most popular Tide scent in our sniff test, Honey Lavender won out because it fared slightly better tackling stains. But if you're okay with a little pre-treating, Sport offers a just-got-out-of-the-shower clean scent that lingers longer post-washing.
Tide Plus Downy Liquid Detergent in April Fresh (22 cents per load): My mom’s favorite Tide detergent smells slightly powdery in a pleasant way and has softening properties. Its fragrance wasn't as popular as the other Tide detergents, though, and it didn't have as strong staying power.
Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Detergent Pods in Fresh Burst (24 cents per load): It’s a detergent! It’s a deodorizer! It’s a brightener! These pods didn’t take out quite as much ink or mustard as Tide PurClean, but I’d consider them a good everyday pick for someone who likes a fresh scent, particularly in a pod formula, at a lower price point.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Ultra Concentrated Liquid Detergent in Rain Water (25 cents per load): This fragrance fared well in my sniff test (over the brand’s newer Compassion Flower scent). The detergent proved effective against oil, dirt and wine, and I’ve also had luck using it to remove grass stains. But though the scent is light and fresh, like its name would suggest, it wasn't as noticeable as our winning Method detergent.
Hex Performance Liquid Detergent in Fresh (40 cents per load): Reactions from sniff testers were mixed on this detergent, ranging from“too perfumy" to "smells clean." I liked it, assuming someone wouldn’t layer a heavy cologne or deodorant on top of it, but I’d be more likely to purchase Tide Sport with Febreze, which costs less and works as well.
L’Avant Collective High Performing Liquid Detergent in Fresh Linen (97 cents per load): This was one of my favorite fragrances upon first sniff. It’s the perfect balance of clean, soft and fresh — imagine a pile of laundry sitting by an open window on a sunny day. It was comparable with most of the detergents we tested when it came to removing dirt, oil and wine stains. I wish it cost less and the scent was stronger post-drying, but it's a worthy splurge for washing bedding or fancy undergarments.
Seventh Generation Ultra Concentrated Liquid Detergent in Fresh Lavender (21 cents per load): This smelled most like actual lavender. The formula is concentrated and the bottle is small, which makes it easier to store and carry. It didn't perform as well as Tide PurClean Honey Lavender on stains and, as is typical with naturally scented formulas, didn't leave a lasting scent post-washing and drying.
BioKleen 3x Concentrated Liquid Detergent in Lavender Lily (14 cents per load): This scent was light to begin with and was non-existent (at least to the untrained nose) post-washing and drying. The detergent didn't perform as well as Tide PurClean Honey Lavender on red lipstick, black ink and mustard, but it removed the other substances.
Scented laundry detergents contain naturally derived and/or synthetic fragrances, whereas scent-free detergent does not. Keep in mind that "unscented" detergent is not the same thing as scent- or odor-free detergent, which is often labeled "free and clear." Unscented detergents can still contain fragrances to mask certain ingredients or reach neutrality.
Based on our testing, we would consider Dreft Laundry Detergent in Lavender the best option. As a general rule, we recommend detergents that are specifically formulated for those with sensitivities, such as acne, eczema or psoriasis, and free of harsh fragrances and dyes. Check with your doctor or dermatologist if you're not sure what to use.
You can more easily adjust the amount you're using with liquid detergents, and they tend to cost less than pods. With pods, you avoid drips, and they're more convenient for carrying, ideal if you go to a laundromat. Ultimately, it depends on what's most important to you.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
