Not only should a high quality laundry detergent thoroughly clean your clothes to remove visible and hidden dirt, it should also tackle tough odors. There’s nothing more pleasing to the nose than freshly washed and dried laundry that smells amazing.
But with so many detergents to choose from, how do you know which one will leave your clothes smelling the best? If you’re looking to find the best smelling laundry detergent for 2021 and 2023, you’ve come to the right place.
Below you’ll find a ranked guide to the 20 best laundry detergents that are guaranteed to leave your clothes clean and smelling better than ever.
- Loni Labs Bio Detergent
- Attitude Laundry Detergent - Wildflowers
- Grove Co. Laundry Detergent - Lavender & Rosemary
- Dropps Stain & Odor Detergent Pods - Orange Blossom
- Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Laundry Detergent - Peony
- Thymes Mandarin Coriander Concentrated Laundry Detergent
- Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent
- Seventh Generation EasyDose Laundry Detergent - Rose
- Persil Laundry Detergent Liquid - Intense Fresh Scent
- Tide Ultra Stain Laundry Detergent - Original
- Method Liquid Laundry Detergent - Ginger Mango
- DedCool Laundry Detergent - Milk
- Safely Everyday Laundry Detergent - Calm
- Molly’s Suds - Citrus Grove
- Arm & Hammer OxiClean - Fresh Burst
- Capri Blue Laundry Detergent - Volcano
- Love Home and Planet Laundry Detergent - Lavender & Argan Oil
- Gain Botanicals Laundry Detergent - White Tea & Lavender
- Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets - Fresh Scent
- Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent - Fresh Citrus
Keep reading to learn about each of these detergents so that you can find one that is best for you and your family.
1. Loni Labs Bio Detergent
Enjoy fresh smelling laundry after each wash with Loni Labs Bio Detergent. This high quality detergent is made with non-toxic, bio-based ingredients that effectively remove tough stains and odors while being gentle on your skin and the environment. Formulated with natural enzymes, you can enjoy clean clothes that smell great without the worry of artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals.
Loni Labs Bio Detergent is cruelty-free, vegan, and is hypoallergenic for sensitive skin.
2. Attitude Laundry Detergent - Wildflowers
Attitude Laundry Detergent - Wildflowers brings a touch of nature to your laundry routine. This eco-friendly detergent combines the power of plant-based ingredients with the refreshing scent of wildflowers. It effectively removes stains and dirt, leaving your clothes clean and fresh.
Attitude Laundry Detergent is cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients that will irritate your skin or harm the environment.
3. Grove Co. Laundry Detergent - Lavender & Rosemary
Grove Co. Laundry Detergent - Lavender & Rosemary is a delightful and sustainable choice for your laundry routine. Infused with the calming scent of lavender and rosemary, this all natural leaves your clothes smelling fresh and soft to touch.
This detergent is made with plant-based ingredients and doesn’t contain anything harmful like synthetic fragrances or dyes.
4. Dropps Stain & Odor Detergent Pods - Orange Blossom
Dropps Stain & Odor Detergent Pods in Orange Blossom scent are a delightful addition to your laundry routine. These compact pods are formulated to tackle tough stains and eliminate odors, while infusing your clothes with the refreshing aroma of orange blossom.
With a concentrated formula, they deliver powerful cleaning performance in a single pod. Dropps pods are eco-friendly, free from unnecessary additives, and safe for both your clothes and the environment.
5. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Laundry Detergent - Peony
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Laundry Detergent in Peony scent offers a natural floral scent to keep your clothes smelling great. Made with plant-derived ingredients, this detergent effectively removes dirt and stains while leaving a long-lasting peony fragrance on your clothes. It’s formulated without any harsh chemicals or artificial colors, making it a safe option for sensitive skin and delicate fabrics.
6. Thymes Mandarin Coriander Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Thymes Mandarin Coriander Concentrated Laundry Detergent is a luxurious and aromatic choice for your laundry routine. Infused with the amazing scent of mandarin and coriander, this detergent leaves your clothes smelling fresh, revitalized, and most importantly, clean.
It’s specially formulated to effectively remove stains and dirt while being gentle on fabrics. Thymes Mandarin Coriander Concentrated Laundry Detergent doesn’t contain any harmful dyes, fragrances, or chemicals.
7. Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent
Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent not only smells great, it leaves your laundry clean and refreshed. The original formula features a blend of magnolia, bergamot, and cedar fragrances that add a delightful touch to your laundry. This detergent tackles tough stains and odors with ease, thanks to its advanced enzyme cleaning technology that precisely targets problems at the source.
Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent is safe for sensitive skin and is biodegradable. It's made without parabens, dyes, sulfates, and all California Prop 65 chemicals.
8. Seventh Generation EasyDose Laundry Detergent - Rose
Seventh Generation EasyDose Laundry Detergent in Rose scent provides a convenient and eco-friendly solution for your laundry needs along with a subtle floral scent. This detergent features an easy-to-use dosing technology that dispenses the right amount of concentrated formula with a simple squeeze.
The delightful rose scent keeps your clothes smelling great between washes so that you can wear your favorite outfits with total confidence.
9. Persil Laundry Detergent Liquid - Intense Fresh Scent
Persil Laundry Detergent Liquid - Intense Fresh Scent is a powerful and long-lasting option to clean and deodorize your clothes. The intense fresh scent leaves your clothes smelling clean and fresh between washes. This detergent is formulated with stain-fighting enzymes that effectively remove tough stains and dirt to ensure a thorough clean.
10. Tide Ultra Stain Laundry Detergent - Original
Tide Ultra Stain Laundry Detergent - Original is a trusted and effective choice for tackling stubborn stains and nasty odors. Its powerful formula is designed to penetrate deep into fabric fibers, lifting and removing even the toughest stains.
This detergent provides excellent cleaning results and leaves your clothes smelling fresh with no stains or hidden dirt.
11. Method Liquid Laundry Detergent - Ginger Mango
Method Liquid Laundry Detergent in Ginger Mango scent offers a refreshing and exotic twist to your laundry routine. The delightful fusion of ginger and mango creates an invigorating aroma that lingers on your clothes between washes.
This detergent effectively cleans and removes stains, leaving your laundry fresh and clean. It’s made with plant-based ingredients and is eco-friendly.
12. DedCool Laundry Detergent - Milk
DedCool Laundry Detergent in Milk offers a delicate and creamy fragrance that leaves your clothes smelling deliciously fresh and clean. This detergent tackles stains and hidden dirt, ensuring a clean load of laundry each time.
DedCool Laundry Detergent is made with non-toxic and plant-based ingredients and is suitable for sensitive skin or for anyone looking for an eco-friendly detergent.
13. Safely Everyday Laundry Detergent - Calm
Safely Everyday Laundry Detergent Calm offers a serene and gentle approach to laundry care. The soothing fragrance of Calm offers an amazing combination of lavender, coconut milk, and lemon scents for a refreshing laundry experience.
This detergent effectively cleans and removes stains, while being gentle on fabrics and the environment. It’s made with plant-based ingredients and doesn't contain any harmful, toxic, or synthetic compounds.
14. Molly’s Suds - Citrus Grove
Molly's Suds Citrus Grove Laundry Detergent not only smells great, it’s effective against the toughest stains and odors. Infused with the vibrant scent of citrus groves, this powdered detergent leaves your clothes smelling crisp and revitalized.
This detergent effectively cleans and removes stains without the use of harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.
15. Arm & Hammer OxiClean - Fresh Burst
Arm & Hammer OxiClean Fresh Burst laundry detergent combines the power of baking soda and OxiClean stain fighters to get your clothes clean and fresh. The Fresh Burst scent leaves your clothes smelling amazing. The powerful formula works fast to effectively remove stains and odors, providing a deep and thorough clean.
16. Capri Blue Laundry Detergent - Volcano
Capri Blue Laundry Detergent in Volcano features a highly concentrated formula along with a uniquely refreshing scent. Each batch contains a beautiful combination of grapefruit and tangerine essential oils that leave your clothes smelling great.
Fragrance aside, this detergent effectively cleans your clothes by removing stains and getting rid of trapped dirt.
17. Love Home and Planet Laundry Detergent - Lavender & Argan Oil
Love Home and Planet Laundry Detergent in Lavender & Argan Oil scent offers a delightful scent and a powerful formula that knocks out stains, dirt, and odor. This detergent combines the calming fragrance of lavender with the nourishing properties of argan oil, leaving your clothes smelling fresh and feeling soft.
18. Gain Botanicals Laundry Detergent - White Tea & Lavender
Gain Botanicals Laundry Detergent in White Tea & Lavender scent brings a touch of tranquility to your laundry routine. The soothing blend of white tea and lavender creates a calming and refreshing aroma that leaves your clothes smelling nothing short of fabulous.
This detergent effectively cleans and removes stains, providing a fresh and vibrant clean, even for the messiest of loads.
19. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets - Fresh Scent
Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets in Fresh Scent not only smell fresh and clean, they’re convenient and eco-friendly. These compact sheets are made from plant-based ingredients. All you have to do is drop them in water and they dissolve to unleash a powerful formula of cleaning agents and enzymes.
20. Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent - Fresh Citrus
Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent in Fresh Citrus scent provides a refreshing and citrusy laundry experience. The citrus fragrance leaves your clothes smelling clean while also removing stains, dirt, and grime.
Made with plant-based ingredients and free from synthetic fragrances and dyes, Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent is a safe and eco-friendly choice.
Things to consider when shopping for laundry detergent
Two of the most common factors that people look at when choosing laundry detergent are fragrance and cost. Most shoppers rarely take a minute to scan the ingredient list to ensure that they’re buying a worthwhile product.
But when it comes to choosing a detergent, the ingredients really do matter. A cleaning product like laundry detergent comes into close contact with the skin, which means that choosing the wrong one could cause skin sensitivities and other issues.
Here’s everything you need to look for when choosing a highly effective yet safe detergent for you and your family.
Washing machine type
The detergent you choose must be suitable for your specific type of washing machine. This is especially important if you have a high-efficiency washing machine, which should only be used with HE-friendly detergent.
You’ll also want to look at the water conditions needed for a detergent. Some only work best in hot water cycles while others are suitable for all water temperatures.
Enzymes & surfactants
Did you know that only 30% of the dirt in your laundry is visible? That means the other 70% is undetectable to the naked eye. This means that you need a laundry detergent that not only gets rid of grass stains and food spills, you also need one that removes body oil and sweat.
Over time, this invisible grime builds up, causing fabric dullness and lingering odors. If you want a high quality, deep clean, choose a detergent that uses both anionic and nonionic surfactants as well as enzymes like protease and amylase, which are all known to provide an effective clean.
Plant-based ingredients
Looking for a detergent that will get your clothes clean but is gentle on your skin and the environment? If so, choose a detergent that is formulated with plant-based ingredients. Look for ingredients like amylase, cellulase, protease, and lipase. These are all natural surfactants and enzymes that get rid of dirt, grime, and odors.
You’ll also want to choose a highly-concentrated detergent, which is better for your clothes, your wallet, and the environment.
Skin sensitivities
If you or someone in your household has sensitive skin, such as eczema or allergies, your laundry detergent requires extra consideration. People with sensitive skin must be extra mindful of the detergents that they use, especially when washing clothing, sheets, blankets, and towels.
For those with sensitive skin, choose a free and clear laundry detergent, which is specially formulated without fragrance, dyes, and sulfates.
