Elevate Your Laundry Experience With Scent Boosters

I’m a sucker for the smell of freshly laundered clothes. That clean, crisp scent is a simple pleasure that can boost our mood while making us feel warm and cozy at the same time. But often that delightful fragrance fades all too quickly, or an extra sweaty session in the gym leaves clothes needing more than just the usual round of detergent. This is where laundry scent boosters come in. These tiny powerhouses of fragrance are designed to extend that wonderful just-washed aroma far beyond the dryer cycle.

_{Prices are accurate as of May 9, 2025. Subject to change.}

What are laundry scent boosters?

Scent boosters are small beads or crystals added directly to your washing machine at the beginning of the wash cycle. As your clothes are being washed, they dissolve and infuse the fabric with a vibrant and long-lasting fragrance. Their concentrated formula ensures that the fragrance molecules are deeply embedded within the fibers of your garments, providing a scent that can last for days or even weeks in your closet. They can be particularly beneficial for activewear, towels, and items stored for longer periods, helping to keep them smelling fresh and preventing that musty odor. If you appreciate the power of scent and want to prolong that fresh laundry feeling, then laundry scent boosters are definitely worth considering.

But be sure to use only the amount recommended on the package and regularly wipe out your washing machine’s drum and run cleaning cycles. Laundry scent boosters are amazing for your senses, but if you overdo it, they can leave buildup behind.

Downy Unstopables In-Wash Scent Booster Beads

I used these on a second washing of a load left sitting wet in the machine for too long. While detergents just mask that mildewy odor (I can always detect it underneath), these boosters surprisingly replaced it with their bright and airy citrus and floral notes.

Dreft Blissfuls In-Wash Scent Booster Beads

These are for the parents who worry about using heavy detergents on their babies’ clothes but want to ensure that tell-tale spit-up or diaper blow-out smell is gone for good. I’ve used the Dreft boosters on my towels so I can relive that comforting post-bath, baby-fresh scent that I miss so much, especially now that my “babies” have gone off to college.

Kind Laundry In-Wash Scent Booster Beads

Made with just corn extract and fragrance, Kind Laundry beads are non-toxic and release slowly over time, so your fabrics smell fresh and vibrant for up to 12 weeks. But what really sets them apart is that the low-cost beads’ scents are inspired by expensive perfumes — Neroli Zen is inspired by Jo Malone Orange Blossom, and Wood Haven gets its inspiration from Le Labo Santal  — so you can smell like your favorite fragrance for less. Get the scent discovery sampler for just $9 to decide which one you love most. 

Bath & Body Works White Barn Fragrance Booster

I’m a Bath & Body Works stan so when it launched laundry care, I was first in line to extend the beloved fragrance experience to my clean clothing. My take: The fragrance boosters (my favorite is Champagne Toast) impart a subtle version of the brand’s scents that aren’t as overpowering as the candles or body mists can sometimes be, which I love.

Gain Fireworks In-Wash Scent Booster Beads

We all have our favorite detergents, but Gain lovers are known for their staunch support of the unmistakable citrusy and airy scent, and these beads do it long-lasting justice. I discovered that of the many scent boosters I tried, this one works especially well when paired with Gain detergents for a cohesive fragrance experience.

Snuggle In-Wash Scent Booster

I used to drive carpool to school when my kids were little, and my most anticipated pick-up of the morning was the sibling duo that would slide into the backseat of my minivan and infuse it with a fresh-from-the-washing-machine scent I wanted to coat my nasal cavities with. “Snuggle fabric softener!” their mom exclaimed when I asked what she used. Unfortunately, my skin becomes easily irritated by fabric softeners, so I just savored the scent on those once-weekly morning rides. But with the brand’s scent boosters, I can finally enjoy the fragrance on my clothes, softener-free!

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Laundry Booster

Made with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils, Mrs. Meyer’s scent boosters will appeal to those seeking more natural, aromatherapy-inspired fragrances. I like to use the lavender-scented ones on my sheets to help me relax at bedtime.

Feature Image Credit: MTStock Studio/ iStock