Homemade laundry scent booster is all-natural, helps remove odors, and softens your laundry.
This non-toxic alternative to commercial fragrance boosters is scented with your preferred essential oils.
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What You Need To Make Natural Scent Booster For Laundry:
Supplies
- Salt – Epsom salt is commonly used in homemade scent boosters, but kosher salt or rock salt (the type used for making ice cream) work well too.
- Baking Soda – A gentle but effective cleaning agent; baking soda deodorizes and helps lift dirt from fabric fibers.
- Essential Oils – Pick any essential oils you enjoy. Oils known for cleaning properties can give extra deodorizing power.
- Glass Jar – This recipe yields about one quart. If you double the batch, use a half-gallon jar.
Note: Epsom salt can potentially cause issues in washers if you have hard water. If that concerns you, use kosher or rock salt instead.
How To Make Natural Scent Booster For Laundry:
Combine – In a mason jar, mix the baking soda and salt. Add about 50 drops of your chosen essential oils.
Mix – Stir until the oils are evenly distributed. Seal the jar with a lid and it’s ready to use.
Tips For Success:
To Use – Add a 1/4 cup of the scent booster on top of the laundry after loading the washer. Wash as usual. This recipe makes enough for roughly 16 loads.
To Store – Kept sealed, the scent booster stays effective for a couple of years. Store in a cool, dry place to preserve the essential oils.
Variations – Epsom salt, kosher salt, or rock salt are all suitable. Choose the salt that best fits your washer and water type.
Substitutions – Any essential oil or blend can be used. Adjust the scent to suit your preferences.
About This DIY Scent Booster For Laundry:
All Natural Ingredients
Many store-bought laundry products use artificial fragrances that can trigger allergies or irritate sensitive skin. Commercial fragrance boosters can also release chemicals into the air. By making your own laundry scent booster, you avoid synthetic fragrances and unnecessary chemicals. The simple ingredients—baking soda, salt, and essential oils—are natural and easy to source.
Easy To Make
This recipe is straightforward: combine ingredients in a jar, stir, and use. It takes only a few minutes to prepare.
Affordable
You only need three basic ingredients. Salt and baking soda are inexpensive, especially when bought in bulk. Essential oils are a larger upfront cost, but you only need about 50 drops for a large batch, making homemade boosters cost-effective over time.
Even with the cost of essential oils, making your own laundry scent booster is typically much cheaper than buying natural commercial products.
Doubles As Softener And Stain Brightener
The coarse salt in this mix acts similarly to water softener salt and helps soften fabrics. Salt and baking soda can also help brighten whites and reduce color bleeding between items.
Salt and baking soda together help lift stains and keep fabrics looking fresher longer.
Safe For Washing Machines
These ingredients are safe for both standard and HE machines. If you have hard water, consider using kosher salt instead of Epsom salt to avoid potential long-term issues with the machine.
Make In Bulk
Because the ingredients don’t spoil quickly, you can make a larger batch and store it sealed to keep the oils potent. A well-sealed jar will preserve scent strength for months or longer.
Easy To Customize
One major advantage of DIY boosters is the ability to create your own signature scent. Switch up essential oil blends whenever you like to keep things fresh.
Any essential oil or combination will work—use your favorite single oil or a blend from the suggestions below.
FAQ About This DIY Natural Scent Booster For Laundry:
What is a scent booster for laundry?
A laundry scent booster adds a pleasant fragrance and extra freshness to your wash. In this DIY version, baking soda also acts as a natural deodorizer.
What does salt do in laundry?
Salt can brighten whites and help preserve colors. Coarse salt can also act like a fabric softener by helping to reduce the effects of hard water.
Does baking soda work for scent control?
Yes. Baking soda neutralizes odors and helps remove dirt and grime from fabric fibers, keeping clothes smelling fresher longer.
Is it safe to put essential oils in the washing machine?
Essential oils are safe to use in both regular and HE machines when diluted in this way as part of a baking soda and salt mixture.
Laundry Essential Oil Blend Recipes:
so clean
sweet orange + eucalyptus + lime
happy home
orange + lemon + clove
beachy breezes
eucalyptus + rosemary + tea tree
citrus fresh
orange + lime + bergamot
bright and cheery
geranium + tangerine + eucalyptus
fresh linens
eucalyptus + lavender + lemon
Recipe Card
Natural Laundry Scent Booster
1 quart
5 minutes
5 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cups kosher salt, Epsom salt, or rock salt
- 1 cup baking soda
- 50 drops essential oils
Instructions
- In a mason jar, combine the baking soda and salt. Add essential oils.
- Stir until the oils are well dispersed. Seal with a lid and it’s ready to use.
Notes
To Use – After loading your washer, sprinkle 1/4 cup of the scent booster on top of the laundry and wash as usual.
To Store – Keep sealed in a cool, dry place; the mixture stays effective for a long time.
Variations – Use Epsom, kosher, or rock salt. If you have hard water, avoid Epsom salt to reduce any risk of long-term washer issues.
Substitutions – Any essential oil or blend will work—tailor the scent to your liking.
If you try this non-toxic homemade scent booster for laundry, please come back and leave a comment and rating to let me know how it worked for you!
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