Want To See If There's Consensus On Laundry Scent Additives

Damaged Goods

Member
Location
Maryland
New washer last August. The purchase included samples of Tide, softener, oxi. and a scent additive. The scent was out-of-sight, lasting up to the next washing, two weeks later.

The bad news is that I didn’t check the brand. I tried several different brands since then but none measured up. What is your favorite, especially in terms of aroma that lingers?
 

I've been using these with good results.

I had a few old items made with synthetic materials that seemed to retain an old funky smell but after a couple of washes with these Tide 4 in one pods with febreeze they smell great. I also like the convenience of not having to lug around the various bottles of laundry detergent and additives.


large_22b7944b-7e17-47ec-8cb9-667b96378469.jpeg
 
I like Downy Unstopables...that's my fave. My next favorite is Purex Crystals, lavender scent.
 

I loathe scented products of any kind. When scented dryer sheets were introduced, I used to to tell my married friends that they were part of a female plot. Women knew no man would ever use those things so any man wearing clothes reeking of dryer sheet perfume was married or living with a woman.
 
How many times have detergents claim "New & Improved!" What a crock. It is soap. Granted, different parts of the country have different water but soap made in 1950 would clean just as well as the overpriced crap sold today. If the new soaps are so great how come my t-shirts are no longer the color they were when I bought them?
 
We don't like "perfumed" laundry soap either. The wife has been using a brand called "ALL-Free and Clear" for years, and it does a good job without leaving a bunch of stinky odors in the laundry.

https://www.all-laundry.com/
I prefer these also. If I want scent on myself I add it on my body itself. Too many scents is like an assault to the senses. At least, that’s how I feel.
 
Last edited:
I use unscented laundry detergent, more natural environmentally friendly brands. I did buy the original Downy fabric softener a couple of years ago to soften some new cargo pants. I really liked the scent. I don't use it often, but I always have a bottle on hand and put just a bit in certain laundry loads. I just washed my two bed sheets today, and put a few drops of it in that washer load.
 
I'm in the unscented camp. I rarely use fabric softener, since I live in a climate so humid that it isn't necessary most of the year. The fabric softener, dish soap, hand soap, deodorant, lotion, shampoo and conditioner are all scent and color free at my house. I'm allergic to the petroleum products on which most scents are based.
 
I'm in the unscented camp. I rarely use fabric softener, since I live in a climate so humid that it isn't necessary most of the year. The fabric softener, dish soap, hand soap, deodorant, lotion, shampoo and conditioner are all scent and color free at my house. I'm allergic to the petroleum products on which most scents are based.
And oddly enough, while added scents are often desirable in products, they are also a main culprit to those with allergies or fibromyalgia symptoms. People suffering with any type of auto immune disorder are usually advised to avoid scented products.
 
I pay good money for cologne on dates. I don't want anything to interfere with it, so I use "Arm & Hammer Unscented" detergent with no dyes.
 
I've used unscented products for decades. Our daughter just gave us pure wool dryer balls from Moss Creek Wool Works. You toss the 3 galls into the dryer to reduce drying time and soften laundry without perfumes, dyes or chemicals. When they've had their day, plant them in the garden where they will decompose.

http://www.mosscreekwoolworks.com/about
 
Last edited:
How many times have detergents claim "New & Improved!" What a crock. It is soap. Granted, different parts of the country have different water but soap made in 1950 would clean just as well as the overpriced crap sold today. If the new soaps are so great how come my t-shirts are no longer the color they were when I bought them?

I'm fairly sure that there are several enzymes and other components which do improve the performance of detergents. I'm not expert but I would be willing to guess that there are detergents these days that would outperform anything from the 50's.
 
I'm another unscented person. My mom has used unscented products for years due to her allergies and things without scents remind me of home. I find most scented things annoying, overpowering and sometimes headache causing.

We have one container of scented laundry detergent that we use on the throw rug that goes under the dogs indoor piddle pad. The only reason we have it is my wife got it for free.
 
I use Gain Original, and I still love the fresh scent of Tide.

I used Sunlight detergent for years when my kids were babies, and that was nice, too.
 
None of the above! And ditch the plug-in air fresheners, while you're at it. You've heard the Madison Avenue phrase "Find a need and fill it" right? These things are all bad bad bad for your lungs and especially hard on people with allergies.
Yes indeed, that they are, and I've come across articles that suggest the agents used to provide the scent are cancer causing as well.
 


Back
Top