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DIY laundry scent boosters are perfect for adding to your laundry routine to make your clothes smell fresh and clean. Follow this simple homemade recipe made with only 3 ingredients in under 10 minutes.
I made my first batch of homemade laundry soap soon after getting married. Since then, I have perfected a powdered laundry soap recipe, made homemade dryer sheets, and switched my entire laundry routine over to all homemade laundry products.
These DIY laundry scent boosters really complement the laundry soap, leaving my clean clothes with a lasting scent. I have never bought laundry soap since the first time I made it. Now as a mother of littles, doing laundry is a never-ending job!
These homemade laundry scent boosters are just the thing to add to your all-natural laundry products. Just as the name says, they really boost the scent. Using natural soaps most certainly gets your clothes clean, but if you love that fresh, long-lasting scent that conventional soap leaves behind, then you may want to try this.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Compared to commercial scent boosters, this homemade recipe is highly affordable! I save so much money making my own laundry products and these scent boosters are no exception.
- This recipe is extremely easy to make, taking only 3 ingredients and just a few minutes to throw together.
- With just Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils, I can feel good knowing what’s going into our laundry products. These ingredients are simple, natural, and easy to find.
- I love the added fragrance these laundry scent boosters add to my laundry! They neutralize odors and add a nice smell from my favorite blend of essential oils.
What Goes Into This Recipe
- Epsom salt: Epsom salt will help with the scent of your clothes and help soften them! I use Epsom salt in my homemade fabric softener for this very reason.
- Baking soda: Baking soda is a fantastic natural laundry ingredient because it neutralizes odors, along with many other benefits. Adding baking soda to your laundry can keep your whites whiter and your brights brighter. Like Epsom salt, it can also help soften the fabric.
- Essential oils: Essential oils add a lovely natural fragrance to the laundry that is completely customizable to your preferences. Feel free to use one of my suggested blends below or make your own with your favorite oils.
How to Make DIY Laundry Scent Boosters
Step 1. Add the Epsom salt and baking soda to a mixing bowl or jar.
Step 2. Add your essential oils of choice.
Step 3. Stir the mixture until well combined.
Step 4. Store the laundry scent boosters in an airtight container and enjoy fresh-smelling laundry.
Expert Tips
- I prefer to make a larger batch at a time and store it in a half-gallon mason jar with a lid. Then I don’t have to make it as often.
- You don’t have to use this on every load. I throw it into any load that is extra stinky and dirty, such as workout clothes.
- Feel free to get creative with your essential oils! You can make your own custom blend or try one of my suggested blends.
How to Use
Simply sprinkle 1/4 cup of the DIY laundry scent booster over the clothes before starting the load. Use the normal amount of laundry soap. This recipe is safe to use on HE washers, front loaders, and regular washer machines.
Essential Oil Blend Suggestions
My Favorite Blend
Lavender + Lemon + Wild Orange + Melaleuca
Citrus
- Lemon + Wild Orange + Lime
- Wild orange + Tangerine + Bergamont
- Tangerine + Lime + Grapefruit
Fresh
- Eucplutus + Lavender
- Peppermint + Wild Orange
- Siberian fir + Roman Chamomile
- Cypress + Lemon
Clean
- Melelauca + Lavender + Lemon
- Lavender + Lemon + Peppermint
- Rosemary + Lemon
Floral
- Lavender + Patchouli + Wild Orange
- Roman Chamomile + Lemon
- Geranium + Clary Sage + Ylang Ylang
Recipe FAQ
These natural laundry scent boosters work in addition to laundry soap and help to neutralize unpleasant odors in clothes, soften the fabric, and add extra scent. Scent boosters leave my clothes smelling amazing and fresh!
DIY scent boosters will last about a year stored in an airtight container.
Yes! This recipe is suitable for HE washers, front loaders, and regular washing machines.
Related Content
- Homemade Spray Starch
- DIY Laundry Soap Pods
- DIY Wrinkle Release Spray
- How to Get Mold Out of Clothes
- How to Clean a Mildewy-Smelling Washer
If you tried this DIY Laundry Scent Boosters or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
DIY Laundry Scent Boosters
Equipment
- Airtight container for storage
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Epsom salt, 8 oz
- ¼ cup of baking soda, 2.5 oz
- 20-30 drops total of essential oils, Choose from one of the suggested blends above.
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a bowl.
- Whisk together until everything is well combined.
- Store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
- This recipe is suitable for HE washers, front loaders, and regular washing machines.
- The shelf life is one year.
- I prefer to make a larger batch at a time and store it in a half-gallon mason jar with a lid. Then I don’t have to make it as often.
- You don’t have to use this on every load. I throw it into any load that is extra stinky and dirty. Think workout clothes!
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Hi Laura, this recipe sounds amazing, I currently use ecos laundry detergent but clothes do come out without any smell, I dedinitely want to try this recipe, you mentioned we don’t have to use it with every load but would it harm to do so? I think I would like for my clothes to come out with such an amazing smell every time. I do have a HE washing machine.
It would not be an easy to use with every load.
Hi have you ever had the problem of the salt/baking soda combination exploding??
No, I’ve never had an issue.
I’ve never thought about making my own scent booster or fabric softener. I do make my own laundry detergent since late 2023. I really enjoy the process and will be trying your recipes.
Your emails give me food for thought every time!
Thank you!
Love hearing that Margaret! Thanks for being here.
Question: Can it be used with an Oxiboost too? (like truly free’s) In the summer in FL – workout clothes get extra funky and I’m needing a little help.
Yes, of course!
I have made this , but I can’t smell it
What am I doing wrong
Is the Aussie Bi Carb soda different is it absorbing the essential oil fragrance
You can add in more essential oils if you prefer a stronger scent.
Do I do 20-30 drops of each oil or total?
Thank you I am new at all of this
That is total. Thanks, I just updated it!
With some of the combinations mentioned, what ratio of drops per scent!?
It’s really up to personal preference. You could begin with an equal number of drops for each scent, and then tweak it over time.
I love how soft and fluffy this makes my towels and clothing but I cannot smell the fragrance after drying…. what can I do?