Size: 33.8 oz | Fragrance notes: fragrance-free
Best Duo: Snif Laundry Starter Pack
Why it’s worth it: Snif’s Laundry Starter Pack doesn’t hold back on scent. It’s available in five fragrances, but we especially love Sweet Ash, a mélange of juniper, fir balsam, golden cedar, creamy tonka, vanilla bean, and white moss. Each set comes with the brand’s Everything Wash Detergent (good for about 32 loads) to get everything clean and a Scent Booster (for about 25 loads) to kick the fragrance up a notch. You don’t need to use the booster every time (and if you do, you’ll likely run out of it before the detergent), but it’s a welcome, fragrant cherry on top. For small loads, one cap of detergent will do—just scale up from there, depending on how much you’re working with.
Size: 16-oz. detergent, 8.5-oz. scent booster | Fragrance notes: juniper, fir balsam, golden cedar, creamy tonka, vanilla bean, white moss
Best Steal: Bath & Body Works Moonlit Goddess Laundry Detergent
Why it’s worth it: We’ve all walked into a Bath and Body Works only to be confronted with what feels like every fragrance imaginable, but among those imaginables is a decidedly lovely, subtle-enough Moonlit Goddess Laundry Detergent. Subtle yet swoon-worthy, it’s a soft blend of lavender, pear blossom, and vanilla that smells like clean laundry plus a little something-something. The concentrated formula delivers serious value: 32 ounces gets you 64 small loads or 32 big ones. The only minor downside? A slightly stubborn cap. But honestly, once you get a whiff, you’ll find forgiveness.
Size: 32 oz. (32 to 64 washes) | Fragrance notes: lavender, pear blossom, vanilla
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fragranced laundry detergent bad for your skin?
No, fragranced laundry detergent isn’t inherently bad for your skin. However, if you know your skin to be reactive, it’s wise to opt for detergent made specially for sensitive skin. These can include luxury picks, but make sure to grab the fragrance-free versions. “Laundry detergents can cause both irritant dermatitis from harsh chemicals like surfactants—such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)—that dry out the skin, and contact dermatitis from known allergens like fragrances and preservatives,” says Jessie Cheung, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago and NYC. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Howard Sobel, MD, elaborates: “Contact dermatitis can occur when your skin has an allergic reaction to something you’ve applied topically, even if you are unaware of an allergy.” In short, “Hypoallergenic, fragrance- and oil-free formulas won’t irritate sensitive skin,” Dr. Sobel says.
