8 of the Best-Smelling Laundry Detergents, from Capri Blue to Maison Francis Kurkdjian

• Pros: Lightly floral scent lingers on clothing, powerful stain-remover, relatively affordable, plant-based and good for sensitive skin
• Cons: Not for anyone who’s sensitive to fragrance, cap drips easily

Before trying this detergent (which was co-founded by momager Kris Jenner and Good American CEO, Emma Grede), editor Candace Davison was skeptical of the celebrity-backed collaboration. “Often, it feels like an excuse for the brand to charge more,” she explains in a PureWow100 Review. “[But] then, a few months later, I found myself frantically clicking refresh on Safely’s website, hoping my eyes were deceiving me that its Spring Everyday laundry detergent wasn’t actually sold out,” she retracts after giving it a try. “The Spring scent is like a high-end candle’s take on walking through a field of wildflowers. It features musk, amber, sandalwood and patchouli base notes, middle notes of jasmine, violet and heliotrope and geranium, orris and rose top notes. It seems like a lot, but the fragrances come together to create a clean, lightly floral scent that wafts through the air the moment you uncap the bottle and lingers on your freshly dried clothes.” Plus, if its 93-point rating is any indication, the detergent’s pros extend far beyond the heavenly scent: “It—combined with a Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover spot treatment—has helped me keep my preschooler’s clothes relatively stain-free, a feat considering the 92-degree day when we went out for ice cream and she completely covered herself in it.”

• Pros: Not overpowering, good value, fights stubborn statins, no dyes, synthetic fragrances or artificial brighteners
• Cons: Smell doesn’t linger

Sure, we love the Laundress. But it’s hard to keep on the shelves, and it's expensive. That’s why more than 10,500 reviewers also love Seventh Generation’s ultra-concentrated rose detergent, which features a similar floral fragrance (albeit, at half the price). “It’s a very fresh, slightly floral scent that is mildly present after your clothes are dry. I wouldn’t say it’s a particularly sweet smell…Just crisp and fresh. The scent isn’t overwhelming but I like that,” writes one reviewer. Plus, aside from its scent, the concentrated detergent is formulated with advanced enzymes to fight stubborn stains. It’s free of dyes, synthetic fragrances and artificial brighteners and it comes in a 23-ounce bottle that will reportedly last you 66 loads.

• Pros: Crisp, fresh scent, impressive stain-fighting functionality, affordable
• Cons: Not as effective against coffee stains

An oldie but goodie, it's no secret that Tide is synonymous with that classic, just out-of-the-dryer scent. Its light, floral composition is infused with revitalizing hints of aloe to exude that crisp, nostalgic fragrance that reminds us of Mom doing laundry after school. Not to mention that this detergent scored 95-points out of 100 in our PureWow100 review because its benefits extend far beyond its familiar scent: “Tide Ultra Stain Release is the ultimate two-for-one deal: It’s top-notch as a regular detergent, but it can also be used as a pre-treating solution for worn-in stains,” writes Davison. “The cap features a nubby top you can use for scrubbing away messes before you toss your clothes into the washing machine…Pen marks and ketchup virtually disappeared in the wash, as did about 80 percent of the coffee and foundation stains.”

• Pros: Clean citrus-musk scent is strong and cozy, long-lasting fragrance, specially formulated for darks/lights, intended to be used on delicate fabrics
• Cons: Expensive, small 34-ounce bottle, not good for large loads of laundry

From the brand behind TikTok’s favorite perfume, Baccarat Rouge, Maison Francis Kurkdjian plays off its signature scent with a detergent that features a warm bergamot and Calabria base topped with delicate hints of lemon, jasmine and Moroccan rose. It’s lightweight yet musky—and crisp enough to provide that classic 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,” raves one reviewer. Yet aside from its sophisticated scent, this detergent earns its lofty $45 price for its specially concentrated formula—which targets both light and dark colors in separate bottles—and can restore delicates like silk and linen to their former glory. Just be sure to use this guy sparingly, given its small 34-ounce size.

• Pros: Creamy bergamot blend is present without overpowering, affordable, offers up to 60 washes, plant-based formula and 100 percent recyclable tin can
• Cons: Might need to be used with a fabric softener

Here, a highly coveted, vegan and cruelty-free fragrance from DedCool that’s been transformed into a detergent. We’re talking about the brand’s best-selling scent, , which features a creamy and comforting blend of bergamot, white musk and amber that reviewers can’t seem to get enough of. “[The detergent] smells so warm and heavenly. A very unisex fragrance and the scent level is present and noticeable but not overpoweringly strong,” writes one reviewer. Yet, aside from its relaxing, earthy notes, the detergent is formulated with plant-based and biodegradable ingredients and comes in a 100 percent recyclable and environmentally conscious tin can. “It’s also a very effective detergent, removing stains and refreshing clothes and blankets,” the reviewer adds. Oh, and did we mention that the 32-ounce can offers up to 60 washes for just $35 a bottle? Sign. Us. Up.

• Pros: Powerful scent lingers on clothes for days, large bottle offers up to 66 loads of laundry, revives whites, eco-friendly
• Cons: Limited stain-fighting ability

Here, a deliciously-scented detergent that finally got this editor to do her laundry (and dare I say, look forward to it?). At first, I expected the ginger-mango combination to be as mismatched as pickles and cream cheese. But as it turns out, the tamed zing of ginger is offset with the tropical fruitiness of a ripe mango that creates a crisp, clean bouquet with a touch of sweetness. The combination is subtly sugared—without being saccharine—and the scent lasted days after I put my clothing away. It’s also worth mentioning that the detergent did a great job of reviving my dulled whites, and its hypoallergenic formula was great for my roommate’s sensitive skin. Not bad for a bottle that promises 66 loads of laundry and comes in a pack of four.

• Pros: Smells like a fresh flower, natural ingredients, hypoallergenic, sulfate-, chlorine- and preservative-free,
• Cons: Scent fades after three days

Looking for a *natural* detergent—both scent-wise and ingredient-wise? This number from Dirty Labs is the ticket. “[It’s a] sustainable laundry detergent that smells like a fresh flower bouquet—not too overpowering, where it makes you want to sneeze, or too light, where you can't even tell your clothes hit the washer—it simply smells pure and clean,” explains Assistant Editor Destinee Scott in our review. “The fragrances are made using natural ingredients when possible, too…the brand's trademarked advanced enzyme cleaning technology, which is made to target stains and odors for fresh-looking and smelling clothes, is made with magnolia, bergamot and cedar scents. [As] a person with allergies, I appreciated that the scent was not over-the-top…I used a lot less detergent with Dirty Labs and I preferred the subtle scent, which got even lighter a day later and gradually faded in roughly three days.”

• Pros: Strong scent, concentrated formula can treat stains, vegan, cruelty-free
• Cons: Poor bottle design

Yet another highly coveted perfume brand that’s breaking into the detergent game? Capri Blue (aka the "Anthro scent"). For those who don’t know, the Capri Blue Volcano candle has come to define Anthropologie’s in-store experience as shoppers are immediately lured by notes of 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 Davison in a PureWow review. Hence why reviewers are obsessed with the brand’s concentrated laundry soap version.

Not only is it formulated with cruelty-free essential oils (which is great for sensitive skin), but its concentrated formula is tough enough to be used as a separate stain-remover alone; just rub it gently into the fabric and let it soak for five minutes. “I put a tiny bit of it in the laundry dispenser and my clothes came out smelling SO STRONG. I had to re-wash several times and still, the smell was strong,” writes one reviewer. Another adds: “I was hesitant to use it as I have sensitive skin, [but] I was able to use this on my towels with no problem! A little goes a long way… all you need is a capful to have your towels smelling Volcano fresh.” That said, it’s also worth mentioning that reviewers complained about the bottle’s cap, which is prone to leaking and spilling down the bottle when it’s filled.