naturally scented laundry

no need for toxic chemicals or mysterious “fragrance” to get naturally scented laundry that smells divine!

Naturally scented laundry was not high on my list of priorities. Let’s just get this right out of the way:

I. LOVE. NICE SMELLING LAUNDRY.

Laundry is hands-down my favorite chore. It’s not dirty or messy, and I find taking a pile of warm clothes or linens out of the dryer and making a nice neat stack extremely satisfying (this, despite my friend Nancy’s assertion that I’m “the worst folder on earth”. Whatever).

Part of this routine always includes sticking my face right into that warm pile and taking a deep breath. I literally shudder when I think about what I was infusing into my system with every inhale x a gajillion loads of laundry.

Between the scented detergent and scented dryer sheets I was doing all kinds of damage that I hadn’t a clue about, and part of my “ditch and switch” over the past few years has seen a not-so-fond farewell to those nefarious laundry staples.

But.

I. LOVE. NICE SMELLING LAUNDRY.

So imagine my delight upon discovering that my essential oils could be used to work all kinds of “nice smelling” magic on my laundry!

No more meh-fragrance-free-everything! Yay!

I thought I’d share with you my favorite three hacks for creating the most divine smelling clothes, sheets and towels, using 100% safe ingredients – I mean, talk about a win-win.

Let’s dive in!

Scent Booster

While I toggle back and forth between making my own detergent and using my Thieves Laundry Soap (check my “Laundry” highlight on Instagram to see how I hack it!), neither has that nice strong scent that I’m accustomed to. This scent booster is so easy, all-natural and inexpensive!

Here’s what you need (you can halve, double or triple this recipe):

2 cups Epsom salt
1 cup baking soda
40 drops essential oil (your favorite or a combination)

Mix well and store in a covered container – you’ll use 2 – 4 tablespoons per load.

As I always have empty bottles of oils, I will often put a few that go well together into a jar with the Epsom salt and let it sit for a few days. This really infuses the salt with the oils; I’ll remove the empties and add the baking soda to mix.

Some of my fave combos – would love to hear yours!

Bergamot + Lavender (really nice on linens)
Rosemary + Orange
Purification + Tea Tree (love this for stinky workout gear)
Cinnamon + Citrus Fresh

Linen Spray

Not only is this incredibly cheap and easy to make, it’s such a lovely gift to give too!

And best of all, it’s completely customizable – so if you are looking for sleep support, love to be surrounded by citrus scents, or prefer a woodsy vibe as you’re dozing off, you can select the oils to match your mood!

Here’s how to make it (you can scale up for a 4-ounce or 8-ounce bottle):

2-ounce glass spray bottle
20 drops essential oil (your favorite or a combo)
2 teaspoons witch hazel
distilled water

Combine the oil(s) and witch hazel in your spray bottle; swirl to blend. Top with distilled water; shake before each use.

Here are my favorite oil combos!

Woodsy
8 drops Cedarwood
8 drops Vetiver
4 drops Northern Lights Blue Spruce

Sleepy Time
6 drops Cedarwood
8 drops Lavender
6 drops Frankincense

Pumpkin Spice
4 drops Cinnamon
4 drops Orange
4 drops Stress Away
3 drops Nutmeg
3 drops Clove
2 drops Ginger

Why witch hazel? Oil and water, as we know, don’t “mix” – the witch hazel helps to bind the oils to the water, which results in more even dispersal of the scent. The oils will separate as they sit – this is a “good thing” as there are no funky emulsifiers here – just give a shake before each use!

Why distilled water? Any sprays that might sit around for a while will stay fresher with distilled water. In a pinch you can use water that’s been boiled and cooled.

Scented Dryer Balls

I know I’ve mentioned my switch from dryer sheets to wool dryer balls before but wanted to make sure to include it here – it’s definitely a big part of how I keep my laundry smelling naturally delicious!

There is literally no comparison between dryer sheets and dryer balls – the fabric softener that the sheets release (and coat your laundry with) cling to your skin and enter right into your bloodstream. They are one-use only, making them wasteful and not very eco-friendly. And they vent harmful “fragrance” through the dryer vents and into the air. I used to love approaching my washer/dryer and smelling the dryer sheets as I got closer – I now know that the very fact that I could smell them in the box should have been a huge red flag.

To scent your dryer balls simply place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto each ball. I love Lavender, Eucalyptus, Citrus Fresh and Purification, depending on what I’m drying.

Let me know what you try; and here are three more DIY’s I think you’ll love!

Springtime Room Spray

All-Natural Face Mask

Peppermint Foot Scrub

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. As a Rewards Style influencer I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases – at no additional cost to you.

Any suggestions made on this blog are very specific to Young Living essential oils and should not be used with oils from another source. Statements made on this website about Young Living Essential Oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician. If you are currently on medication, please do not stop.

About the author

Sheri Silver

Sheri Silver is a New York-based food photographer and recipe developer who has been cooking and baking for over 30 years. She works with brands, authors and restaurants to create recipes that are as beautiful as they are foolproof - and every recipe on this blog has been made, tweaked and eaten in her own kitchen.

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