Have you ever visited someone’s home and the room is filled with the smell of fresh laundry? Or your friend’s clothes in their laundry basket have a wonderful scent, and you’re left asking them for a detailed list of their laundry routine? Chances are a really good-smelling laundry detergent might be the answer.
Sure, you can add a dryer sheet or fabric softener to the load, but having a quality, smell-good detergent as the base of your laundry takes it over the edge. So, which are the best smelling detergents, you might ask? They’re the ones that clean effectively, leave textiles soft and fluffy, and have a prevalent scent that you can still smell it on your clothes post-dryer.
We’ve tested 29 detergents in The Lab, all with different formulas and in various forms, including liquid detergents, powder, pods, and sheets. After evaluating for cleanliness, scent power, texture, and overall value, we compiled a list of our top standout picks.
Best Overall
Gain Original Liquid Laundry Detergent
Ideal for wine and makeup stains
Long-lasting scent post-dry
Sweet, floral scent
Not a green laundry detergent
Would this even be a laundry detergent guide if we didn’t include Gain? Gain is a popular household name known for its smell-good laundry care, scented trash bags, candles, and air fresheners.
Earning a top spot on our list, we found that Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap lifts the toughest stains, leaving no trace of red wine or foundation on our white T-shirt during testing. And its scent is welcoming, to say the least. If we had to compare it to something, it would be similar to Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum—slightly sweet with a hint of floral. The scent is also long-lasting. In fact, we were still able to smell it on our textiles post-dryer.
But if you’re looking for an eco-friendly laundry detergent, this might not be a good choice for you. Instead, consider our best eco-friendly pick, the Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent. You can also shop Gain’s Botanical detergent line for a plant-based formula.
Type: Liquid | Amount: 65 ounces | Number of Loads: 45 | Scent: Original Fresh | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
Best Powder
Gain Original Powder Laundry Detergent
Flowery, spring scent
Easy to measure and scoop
Good for up to 133 loads
Not ideal at removing tough stains
Powder detergents are known to be cost-effective, giving you a larger quantity of detergent and more wash cycles. If you’re considering switching to powder detergent, we think Gain Original Powder gives you plenty of washes with up to 133 loads. And like our best overall, this Gain detergent smells amazing, with its flowery scent lingering on your clothes after laundry day.
Unlike its liquid counterpart, our best overall pick, this detergent doesn’t have the ultimate stain-fighting power. We did notice a slight difference in the stain’s appearance, but it was still visible during testing. We think this powder pick is better suited for loads without heavily absorbed stains or if your laundry needs a quick refresh.
Like liquid detergents, when it comes time to pour the powder into the included measuring cup, it’s often like a game of guessing. You never really know how much to pour. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case with Gain Original Powder Laundry Detergent. The directions on how much powder to use per load size are straightforward. Plus, the measuring cup was easy to fill with the load size on one side and the ounces on the other.
Type: Powder | Amount: 137 ounces | Number of Loads: 133 | Scent: Original | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
Best Liquid
HEX Performance Laundry Detergent
Multiple scent options
Concentrated formula
Great for activewear and tight woven fabrics
Scent may be too subtle for some
For those who prefer a fresh laundry scent without being too strong and overbearing, consider HEX’s Performance Laundry Detergent. Specifically designed for athletic clothing, this concentrated formula works into tightly woven fabrics, eliminating odor entirely and not just masking it with a floral, citrusy scent.
We love how compact and lightweight the detergent’s packaging is, as most liquid laundry soaps are heavy and bulky to pour. This way you can do your laundry without making a mess. Because of its concentrated formula, the detergent bottle is only filled with the ingredients you need for an effective, clean wash—without the use of dyes, fillers, or fragrances.
During our stain test, we found that this performance laundry soap removed stains well; completely removing wine, chocolate, and foundation stains. However, the mud and chlorophyll stains on our towel needed to undergo a second wash.
Whether you’re looking for the best laundry detergent for workout clothes or a laundry soap with a long-lasting, light, and clean smell that’s effective, we think HEX Performance is the perfect option.
Type: Liquid | Amount: 32 ounces | Number of Loads: 32 | Scent: Fresh & clean, citrus woods, crisp linen, lavender fields, unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
Best Pods
Gain Flings
Mess-free application
Brightens white laundry
Subtle, clean scent
One pod won’t effectively handle stains
Once again, Gain has impressed us with its scent capabilities, but this time in pod form. Even when wrapped in plastic, the detergent still smells amazing. We think Gain Flings Soap Pods have a clean scent that’s light and welcoming.
Similar to a dishwashing pod, these detergent-filled plastic squares are simple and easy to use, requiring no pre-measuring. Just toss the detergent pod into the wash along with your laundry, and press start. Once our load was finished during testing, we were so impressed with how much brighter our whites were. So, whether you’re trying to figure out how to whiten your clothes without bleach or keep your new crisp white sheets white, we think we’ve found the answer.
While most of the stains lifted or were lightened to some degree, we would consider pre-treating with a laundry soap and using a second pod.
Type: Pod | Amount: 81 pods | Number of Loads: Up to 81 | Scent: Original | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
Best Sheets
Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Sheets
Eco-friendly formula
Long-lasting, light clean scent
Softens laundry
Not the strongest stain remover
The Grove Co. has some of the best detergent sheets we’ve ever tested. With an eco-friendly formula that’s made with essential oils and plant extracts, this 32-count box of detergent sheets is made with no harmful chemicals, dyes, or synthetic fragrances. If you’re wanting to tap into green cleaning, this is an excellent way to start.
We love the brand’s lavender and thyme scent. It has an underwhelming, clean scent that lingered on our laundry post-dry during testing. Just know that the sheet’s stain-fighting capabilities weren’t the most impressive. However, we did notice that our towels and clothes were strikingly softer and fluffier. This is a great detergent option if your laundry calls for a regular, fresh clean.
Type: Sheets | Amount: 32 | Number of Loads: 32 | Scent: Lavender & thyme, free & clear | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
We love the brand’s lavender and thyme scent. It has an underwhelming, clean scent that lingered on our laundry post-dry. The sheet’s stain-fighting capabilities weren’t the most impressive. However, our towels and clothes were strikingly softer and fluffier. This is a great detergent option if your laundry needs call for a regular, fresh clean.
Type: Sheets | Amount: 32 | Number of Loads: 32 | Scent: Lavender & Thyme, free & clear | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
Best for Stains
Arm & Hammer Order Blaster 5-In-1 Power Paks
Impressive stain-fighting
Oxygen-based formula
Whitens and brightens
May not be great for sensitive skin
Requires two pods for larger loads
Arm & Hammer is a brand known for its use of baking soda, which deodorizes, cleans, and fights stains. So, when it came to picking the best smelling detergent for stains, Arm & Hammer Odor Blaster Power Paks was at the top of our list. The brand's history speaks for itself.
We found that this little square pack of detergent contains powerful ingredients that combat stains, brighten whites, and eliminate the unwanted smells of dirty laundry. The pods have strong ingredients that might not be ideal for those with sensitivities; however, its oxygen-based formula is gentle on your clothes and the environment.
If you love the smell of lavender and floral, we think you’ll especially enjoy using these detergent pods. The Arm & Hammer Odor Blaster 5-In-1 Power Paks are also available in Fresh Scent, a cleaner, less flowery option.
Type: Pods | Amount: 42 pods | Number of Loads: Up to 42 | Scent: Fresh burst, fresh scent | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
Best for Hand Washing
Soak Wash Scentless Laundry Detergent
No-rinse formula
Plant-derived ingredients
Great for those without a washing machine
Small size is travel-friendly
Some scents may not smell as they would intend
For those who prefer to hand wash their garments, consider Soak Laundry Soap. With a no-rinse formula, you can clean your textiles right from the sink. Only requiring a good soak and a squeeze, your laundry will be clean and saturated in a light yet notable scent. Plus, we love that there are eight to choose from.
We haven’t tested this detergent for ourselves, but it’s one we’ve been eyeing. It’s made with plant-derived ingredients, which all come packed in a small, travel-friendly 12-ounce bottle. While the bottle is smaller than any detergent we’ve tested, it’s enough to clean up to 75 or more washes, so a little formula definitely goes a long way.
The scents are described as subtle but refreshing. The soaps are also made with long-wearing scents that continue to linger on your clothes post-dry. We highly recommend this detergent for washing delicate garments or if you don’t own a washing machine.
Type: Liquid | Amount: 12 ounces | Scent: Fig, floral, lacey, pineapple, wild mint, yuzu, celebration, yuzu 2, unscented | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
We Also Like
Tide Pods Spring Meadow Laundry Detergent
Works in various water temperatures, including cold
Softens laundry
Light, clean scent
May require a pre-treatment wash
A Spruce-approved pick that's a favorite of many readers, these popular Tide detergent pods are convenient with their small packaging and mess-free application. Whether you're a frequent washer or tend to put laundry days off, these detergent pods come in various amounts—this one happens to have 81 pods.
While the stains weren't as noticeable as they were pre-washed, we could still see the stain outlines on all of our tested garments. We recommend pre-treating your clothes with laundry soap or running a second cycle. For a stronger cleaning agent, we instead recommend Arm & Hammer Odor Blaster 5-In-1 Power Paks (our best for stains pick). It's another pod choice that's mess-free and easy to use, but combats stains effectively with its oxygen-based formula.
The Tide Pods Laundry Detergent Soap scent is subtle, yet still noticeable—with a clean, fresh fragrance. It's perfect for those who prefer a clean laundry smell over an overwhelming perfume-like scent.
Type: Pod | Amount: 81 pods | Scent: Spring meadow | Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes
How We Picked the Laundry Detergents
We tested 29 laundry detergents of all types in the lab: liquid, powder, pods, and sheets. To accurately determine each detergent's effectiveness and overall value, we put them through various tests, including a stain test on several different fabrics, a scent test, a texture test to see how each piece of laundry felt post-wash, and a cleanliness test to see each detergent's stain-fighting capabilities. We then focused on those select detergents and picked the ones that were the best smelling.
What to Look for in a Best Smelling Laundry Detergent
Research the Type of Detergent
- Pod detergents: These pre-measured detergent squares are super portable, easy to use with no measuring involved, and one of the cleanest, mess-free detergent types. If you’re always on the go with a busy schedule, consider a pod-type detergent. The Gain Flings Laundry Detergent Soap Pods (our best pod pick) have a subtle, clean scent and a formula that softens your garments and towels and brightens your whites.
- Liquid detergents: This detergent type is everyone’s go-to for an effective, simple clean. During testing, we found the liquid laundry soaps had the best stain removal results. Our best overall pick, the Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap Plus Aroma Boosts, left no streaks or hints of stains. We also noticed that scents are more prevalent in liquid detergents, as they’re not wrapped in a plastic covering or dissolved into a detergent sheet.
- Powder detergents: These are loose and fine textured detergents that are long-lasting and known to be the most cost-effective detergent type. Similar to a liquid detergent, powder detergent is excellent at combating stains. Like our best powder pick, it has a strong scent profile, which you can smell while opening the box.
- Detergent sheets: A newer laundry detergent type that’s also easy to use and mess-free. Detergent sheets aren’t the best at fighting stains. Most likely, clothes will need a pre-treatment, but they’re great for a mid-week laundry refresh. Plus, they leave your clothes feeling softer and smelling good like our best sheets pick, the Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Sheets.
Think About Washing Conditions
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best cleaning results, such as how much detergent to use, where to add the detergent, and which water temperature to use. You’ll also want to pay attention to your machine type and whether or not it’s compatible with the detergent’s formula.
Consider the Amount
The amount of detergent in each box or bottle goes hand-in-hand with the number of loads you can clean—the more ounces of detergent, the less frequently you have to go to the store. You’ll want to find a detergent with a high amount of fluid ounces, such as Gain Original Powder Laundry Detergent (our best powder pick), or one with a large amount of pods, like Gain Flings Laundry Detergent Soap Pods.
Sniff Out the Scent Profile
When it comes to a detergent’s smell, only you can decide if it matches your go-to scent profile and whether or not you want your laundry saturated in that scent. Choose citrusy, minty, or floral—the choice is up to you. You can also never go wrong with a clean, fresh laundry scent. If that’s more your speed, consider the Gain Flings Laundry Detergent Soap Pods.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Kenedee Fowler is a shopping writer for The Spruce, specializing in cleaning tools and products, such as laundry care, floor cleaners, fabric shavers, and more. For this piece, Fowler referenced our 29 tested laundry detergents, and picked the top eight with lasting scent and a strong cleaning power.
Fowler also has experience using smell-good laundry detergents that have left her friends and family asking for her soap of choice. One of her favorites is our overall top pick from Gain.
Our Expert:
Michelle Lau, editor at The Spruce