ICYMI, designer laundry detergent is a thing now—and it’s changing the entire wash-dry-and-fold game. While fabric softeners are meant to make your clothes soft to the touch, they’re also getting an upgrade with luxury fragrances from OUAI (our best overall pick), Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Capri Blue. Naturally, this makes sense; if you’re dropping thousands on an Egyptian cotton sheet set, you want it to be as soft and deliciously scented as the day you picked it up from Bergdorfs. Still, we’re curious how long these scents last and what makes them different from softeners Mom used while we were growing up? So below, we vetted 10 of the best smelling fabric softeners, plus everything you need to know about using them at the bottom of this article.
The Best-Smelling Fabric Softeners of 2024, Vetted By Our Editors
From OUAI to Maison Francis Kurkdjian
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The Best Smelling Fabric Softeners of 2024
Best Overall
DedCool x OUAI Melrose Place Dryer Sheets
read more
Editor’s Pick
The Laundress Fabric Conditioner Classic
read more
Most Luxurious
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Fabric Softener
read more
Best Budget
Method Ginger Mango Fabric Softener
read more
Best Clean
Brooklinen Dream Clean Fabric Softener
read more
How We Chose the Best Smelling Fabric Softeners
We spent hours researching the best-smelling softeners—along with having our editors test some popular options, including DedCool x OUAI, The Laundress and Method Ginger Mango. Then, we narrowed down each softener to make sure it met the following criteria: a) it’s a dryer sheet or liquid concentrate that has softening enzymes, b) the scent lingers after washing and drying and c) it’s safe for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
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Best Overall
1. DedCool x OUAI Melrose Place Dryer Sheets
Pros
- uses OUAI’s signature Melrose Place perfume
- two sheets linger for 2-3 days
Cons
- scent might be less strong if it’s not used with the matching detergent
OUAI
ICYMI, OUAI dropped a detergent with its iconic Melrose Place fragrance— and you’re going to love the way it lingers when used with the matching dryer sheets. Take it PureWow assistant editor Delia Curtis: “From the first whiff, my nose was treated to a slew of inviting scent notes. Heady rose, lychee, white musk, cedarwood and bergamot all come together to make it dizzying and delightful. I used the detergent in tandem with their matching dryer sheets, the first time only using one dryer sheet. The first load definitely came out smelling like roses, but I wanted a stronger scent payoff. So, for the second batch, I doubled the detergent and the dryer sheets. Let me tell you, my room smelled like the fragrance for about two to three days after I finished the batch of clothes.”
Fast Facts
- Type: sheets
- Size: 40 sheets
- Scent Notes: champagne, pink peppercorn, berry, lychee, amber, sandalwood, white musk, cedarwood, peony, rose, freesia, jasmine, bergamot
- Scent Strength: 7/10
Editor’s Pick
2. The Laundress Fabric Conditioner Classic
Pros
- classic and clean with hints of floral and musk
- lingers for hours after washing
Cons
- expensive
Laundress
This editor is addicted to Laundress’ fabric conditioner for two reasons: a) it’s like a department store version of the classic laundry scent you grew up with and b) my linens have never felt so soft. What makes the fragrance unique is that it initially reads as clean, thanks to the top notes of fresh aldehydic and citrus, but it’s elevated with floral notes like lavender, rose, jasmine and lily of the valley. What’s more, it’s musky and masculine at the base with hints of oakmoss, patchouli, sandalwood and cedarwood. As if the elevated blend weren’t enough, the scent lingers for hours—it was so strong that I could smell it wafting from my shirt collar two days after washing.
Fast Facts
- Type: liquid
- Size: 32 ounces
- Scent Notes: fresh, aldehydic, citrus, marine, lavender, rose, jasmine, lily of the valley, ylang-ylang, musk, oakmoss, patchouli, sandalwood, cedarwood
- Scent Strength: 9/10
Most Luxurious
3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Fabric Softener
Pros
- lightweight and citrusy with a hint of musk
- a little offers a lingering scent
Cons
- expensive
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
You’ve probably heard of TikTok’s favorite perfume, Baccarat Rouge, but did you know the brand also has a line of luxurious laundry products? Maison Francis Kurkdjian brought his years of perfume mastery to this softener, which features a warm bergamot and Calabria base topped with delicate hints of lemon, lily of the valley and white musk. It’s lightweight yet intricate—and fresh enough to provide that crip linen-washed fragrance (which will linger long after it’s out of the dryer). “Yes, there is citrus here, but it's not a high-pitched blast. It's all rounded out by the harmony of florals and one of the cleanest musks I've ever smelled. It's fresh, but it has a soft, fuzzy warmth about it,” says one Neiman Marcus reviewer. Add to that the fact that it’ll bring hotel-worthy softness to your sheets.
Fast Facts
- Type: liquid
- Size: 1 liter
- Scent Notes: musks, bergamot from calabria, bouquet of fresh white flowers, lemon from Italy
- Scent Strength: 9/10
Best Budget
4. Method Ginger Mango Fabric Softener
Pros
- sweet and fruity with a clean bouquet
- lasts up to 45 loads of laundry
Cons
- scent might wear off after a day
Method
Another scent I love? This one from Method. While I expected the ginger-mango detergent to be as mismatched as pickles and cream cheese, it has a crisp, clean bouquet with a touch of sweetness. The tame zing of ginger is offset with the tropical fruitiness of a ripe mango—and the combination is subtly sugared (without being saccharine). As for the softener, it’s made with plant-based softening power with a targeted fragrance that’ll last for days. One Amazon reviewer says, “The smell is amazing, and it lasts so long because it's ultra-concentrated. And on top of that, my clothes have never felt so soft.”
Fast Facts
- Type: liquid
- Size: 53.5 ounces
- Scent Notes: zingy ginger base with fruity mango top notes
- Scent Strength: 7/10
Best Clean
5. Brooklinen Dream Clean Fabric Softener
Pros
- warm and lightweight with citrus and vanilla
- safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- scent only lingers for a few hours after washing
Brooklinen
With ‘clean’ written in the name, you know you’re getting a fresh fragrance with this guy. It features a warm and welcoming blend of citrus, vanilla, and amber, so it’s crisp and lightweight while still feeling inviting. The best part about this one, however, is that it has a concentrated formula to fight tough stains without the use of dyes or artificial brighteners. Not only that but the plant-based, biodegradable and cruelty-free ingredients make it great for anyone with allergies or sensitive skin. “The Dream Clean scent is soooo dreamy! It’s a light, cozy scent that I love washing all my bedding and blankets in. It feels calming and makes me happy,” says one Brooklinen reviewer.
Fast Facts
- Type: liquid
- Size: 16 ounces
- Scent Notes: citrus, vanilla, and amber
- Scent Strength: 6/10
Best Cozy
Pros
- familiar like fresh, clean skin
- gender-neutral
Cons
- might be less potent if it’s not used with the detergent
Dedcool
Another option we’re loving from DedCool? These dryer sheets, which carry the brand’s best-selling scent, Milk. It features an ultra-cozy blend of amber, bergamot and white musk—and the brand describes it as a universal musk that ‘smells familiar, like warm, clean skin…feels like you’ve owned it for your whole life.’ This was so on the nose (pun intended) that one DedCool reviewer writes: “Milk is how I imagine the clouds the angels sleep on in heaven must smell. It’s just clean, warm, a little sexy and totally [gender] neutral. These dryer sheets are also much less powdery and chemically harsh than all the big brands, and the scent lingers in your fabrics much better!”
Fast Facts
- Type: sheets
- Size: 40 sheets
- Scent Notes: amber, bergamot and white musk
- Scent Strength: 8/10
Best Floral
7. Downy Infusions Calm Mega Dryer Sheets
Pros
- calming lavender and warm vanilla
- reduces friction that lead to pills and fuzz
Cons
- some reviewers said they have to use 3-4 sheets to get a lingering smell
Downy
With ultra-calming floral notes and four-in-one benefits, it makes sense why these dryer sheets have more than 41,200 five-star reviews. While the scent features relaxing lavender and vanilla bean, the sheets are more than just a pretty scent—they offer three times the softening benefits to boot. They not only smooth and strengthen fibers to help clothes maintain their shape, but they also help to reduce friction that leads to pills and fuzz. Bonus: These sheets also prevent colors from fading. “These sheets are all I use to add fresh lasting fragrance and stop static cling! The scent is wonderful, and I love how it lasts from wash to wash on my clothes. And I only have to use one sheet per load…when I wash my bedding, I use two sheets (for an extra scent boost),” one Amazon reviewer notes.
Fast Facts
- Type: sheets
- Size: 130 sheets
- Scent Notes: lavender and vanilla bean
- Scent Strength: 8/10
Best Fruity
8. Capri Blue Volcano Fabric Softener
Pros
- fruity and green like a tropical vacation
- extremely strong scent that lingers
Cons
- too much can lead to a headache-inducing scent
Capri Blue
Capri Blue (aka the "Anthro scent") has amassed a cult following from the Capri Blue Volcano candle, which has come to define Anthropologie’s in-store experience. So now, you have its softener, which carries the same notes shoppers are immediately lured by: tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons, limes and lightly exotic mountain greens. “It smells sweeter and softer than the typical bright, tart scent people often associate with lemons, limes and oranges, likely due to the additional tropical notes,” explains VP of editorial Candace Davison in a review. Hence why reviewers are obsessed with the brand’s concentrated softener, which is so strong, one Amazon reviewer reported a headache after using too much of this stuff in a load of laundry (so heed the label’s recommendations, please).
Fast Facts
- Type: liquid
- Size: 24 ounces
- Scent Notes: tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons, limes and lightly exotic mountain greens
- Scent Strength: 10/10
Best Sweet
9. Laundry Sauce French Saffron Fabric Softener
Pros
- luxuriously gourmand with a masculine base
- clothing comes out soft and static-free
Cons
- brand warns that using softener may decrease towel absorption
laundry sauce
Velvety, sweet and addictive—there’s a reason why this scent has amassed a cult following at Laundry Sauce. While it has a warm, luxurious base with hints of French saffron, cashmere and tonka bean, its mid notes feature amber, vetiver and cedar. And while the bottom layers might be luxurious, the top makes it playful with a mix of red fruit fragrances, including morello cherry, strawberry and raspberry and crisp red apple. Take it from one Amazon reviewer’s rave: “I'm very sensitive to scents, super picky about them, but I believe this falls in line with what some people call ‘gourmand.’ It reminds me of a hotel I stay in the UK—sweet, not too sweet, floral, but not too floral, spicy, but not too spicy. I can't stop sniffing the four loads of laundry I just did, and it’s strong enough to fill my entire basement!” They also mention: “Besides its amazing scent, it made some of the stiffest fabrics significantly softer, and smoothed out wrinkles in a comforter was once contained in a vacuum pack.”
Fast Facts
- Type: Liquid
- Size: 16 ounces
- Scent Notes: sandalwood, bergamot and clove
- Scent Strength: 8/10
Best Musky
10. Frey Bergamot Beach Fabric Softener
Pros
- a more sophisticated version of Axe cologne
- softening agent removes wrinkles for smooth clothes
Cons
- expensive for the size
Frey
Thanks to notes of sandalwood essence, bergamot root and clove spices, this softener’s scent mixes fresh and clean with warm masculine undertones. “The scent is perfect! It's not too weak and not too strong,” one Amazon reviewer says. “I was a bit nervous that it was going to be overkill when I placed the order. At 35, I didn't want to smell like a high schooler who drenched myself in Axe body spray, but I couldn't be happier with the scent and quality of the product.”
Fast Facts
- Type: liquid
- Size: 16 ounces
- Scent Notes: sandalwood, bergamot root and clove spices
- Scent Strength: 8/10
What to Consider When Shopping for Fabric Softener
According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, “Fabric softeners increase the touch of softness, prevent static cling, protect fabrics from abrasion and give garments a refreshing scent—and have clinical benefits on skin.” Yet, in order to make sure you’re reaping all of these benefits, you want to make sure you’re choosing one that meets the following conditions:
- Strong Scent: Naturally, you’re reading this to find a strongly scented softener. How to do this? Check the concentration of fragrance in the fabric softener, or if it’s not available, make sure ‘fragrance’ is listed higher in the ingredients (that typically means it will have a stronger concentration). It’s also worth mentioning that some scents, like florals or fruity notes, may be naturally stronger than others.
- Formula: First, check the ingredient label for ‘Cationic Surfactants.” This is the primary softening agent that will ensure your clothes don’t feel stiff. Plus, if you have sensitive skin, be sure to opt for plant-based or biodegradable formulas that don’t use irritants. (This will ensure that the softener is free from harmful chemicals, like phthalates or parabens.)
- Type: Fabric softeners come in three forms—liquid concentrates, beads and dryer sheets. Liquids and beads are added to the washing machine during the rinse cycle. They form a coat of fabric fibers with a softening agent to reduce static cling and wrinkles. Dryer sheets, on the other hand, are thin sheets coated with fabric softener that are placed in the dryer. As the dryer heats up, the softening compounds are released, offering the same result as liquid and bead softeners. In terms of scent, however, you’ll probably want to go with dryer sheets for a fragrance that lingers beyond the wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you really need to use fabric softener?
It's not a must-have, but it can make a big difference in how your clothes feel and smell. First off, it makes fabrics softer, which is great for anything you wrap around your body (aka towels and sheets). Second, it helps cut down on annoying static cling and some can even smooth out wrinkles. And of course, there’s the added bonus of having a scent to leave your laundry smelling fresh and clean.
When should you not use fabric softener?
It’s worth warning that some people can be sensitive to the chemicals in fabric softeners, leading to skin irritation or breathing issues (read more about that here). Plus, they can leave a bit of residue on your clothes, and they’re prone to making towels and workout gear less absorbent. Essentially, if you’re looking to enhance softness and scent—and reduce wrinkles and ironing—we say go for it. But if you're particularly prone to allergic reactions, your clothes will still get clean without it.
How else can you get your laundry to smell really good?
Try using delightfully scented laundry detergent (we have a whole article dedicated to those). Another trick is to toss in a scented laundry booster or a couple of drops of essential oils during the wash cycle. These can add an extra punch of fragrance without any added chemicals.
