Does your laundry need a scent boost? Using an unscented or homemade detergent can leave laundry lacking in the scent department. Sometimes you just want to dry off with a nice smelling towel or snuggle into bed under sheets that smell like lavender. Learn all about how to make an all natural, toxin free scent booster that will have your laundry smelling great without all the chemicals!
Why Homemade Laundry Detergent Lacks Smell
If you are new to the homemade or clean brand laundry detergent you may be wondering, why does my laundry smell like nothing. It is not that homemade detergents smell bad. They may even have a great scent when you first smell but often that smell does not transfer to the clothing, towels, and linens quite as strongly. Why is this?
The ingredients.
Simply put, the ingredients that make towel smell great for weeks after washing is due to the chemical make up of the big commercial laundry detergents. The way the chemicals break down in the washing process leaves the residue that not only smells great but also is able to seep into the skin. These chemicals may seem harmless but when you dig into what they really are they can cause hormone disruption, eczema, and some are even carcinogens (cancer causing). We all love a good smelling shirt but not at the cost of our health and the health of our family.
The truth is you do not have to compromise great smelling laundry for unhealthy ingredients. They just are not the same and you have to adjust your mindset. Once you are no longer expecting your homemade detergent to smell exactly like the commercial detergent you have used and loved for years you will grow to love the clean, natural scent of detergent that does absolutely no harm to your body!
If you are looking for an extremely inexpensive, simple to make laundry detergent recipe go check out our recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent.
Scent Booster Ingredients
A great scent booster only requires three ingredients. First, you need a dissolvent. Something that will absorb the scent you desire will also dissolving in the washing machine so that the laundry is not damaged or marked at all in the process. I find that baking soda works great for an absorbing dissolvent. Thrive Market is a great place to purchase baking soda and all your laundry making essentials at great prices! All of their products are certified organic so you can ensure you are making your homemade cleaners, detergents, and scent booster with quality ingredients. Go check them out here and save 40% off your entire first order!
Next you will need an agitative ingredient. Something that will gently but firmly rub the scent into the clothing to make the smell last longer and be more effective. It also needs to be dissolvable so it does not show or leave residue. I found that epsom salt works incredibly for gently agitating while still dissolving. Unscented bath salt and Himalayan pink salt are also great options. You can purchase organic epsom or bath salts from Thrive Market as well!
Lastly, you will need an ingredient with a scent. My favorite way to scent things is with all natural essential oils. Some smells we love in our home are lavender, anything citrus, and the natural herbal blends from Earthley Wellness like Spring Blossom and Woods!
The essential oil debate is real! Are they safe? Are they unsafe? The research is yours to do, however, I am of the persuasion that oils are completely safe IF purchased through a company that is trustworthy or if they are homemade. I completely trust Earthley Wellness when it comes to non-toxic, chemical free (in the oils and the oil making process!!) essential oils that I use to scent my laundry and cleaning supplies. They can also be trusted when it comes to herbal oils to be used medicinally! If you are looking for a company you can trust go check out Earthley! They have hundreds of herbal cleaning supplies, personal care items, and medicinal tinctures for everything from teething to hormone balancing. Use my link (here!) and code CHOOSENATURAL to get 10% off your first order!
How to Make Scent Booster
Making scent booster for your laundry is so easy! It only takes just a few minutes of your time and not much energy. Simply gather all your ingredients: baking soda, epsom salt, and essential oil. You will also need a glass jar with a lid to store your scent booster.
The recipe box farther down this post has all the actual measurements you will need to make one batch. However you can use any variation of equal parts baking soda/epsom salt and around 15-20 drops of oil per cup of soda/salt.
Place your salt and soda in the glass jar, add essential oil drops. Stir with a fork and allow to sit about five-ten minutes then stir once more. This ensures that the oils are being absorbed completely by the salt and baking soda.
Place the lid on the jar and your scent booster is ready for use!
How to Use Scent Booster
Using scent booster in your laundry is just about as easy as making it! All you need is about one to two tablespoons per load of laundry. Simply throw in the desired amount and you are good to go! I prefer to use less, around one tablespoon for clothing, and more, between two to three tablespoons for linens and bath towels.
Questions about Scent Booster
Will the essential oils stain my clothing?
I only have experience with Earthley Wellness essential oils but I have not have any issues with the oils staining or marking my clothes. The way the baking soda absorbs the oils helps it to evenly distribute and dissolve in the washing machine. If you are using a less trustworthy brand or are unsure of the brand you are using I would recommend doing a test wash with some dispensable items first.
Scent Booster for Laundry
Ingredients
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2 cups epsom salt
- 30-40 drops all-natural essential oil
Instructions
- 1. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar.
- 2. Stir with a fork and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
- 3. Stir once more. Place lid on and use 1-3 tbsp per load as needed.
