When I recently got an email from Luckyscent that highlighted the new BDK‘s creation – a laundry detergent – I thought about doing a post about it. But as I started putting my thoughts “on paper,” I realized I didn’t have enough to stretch it to a full post, so I decided to discuss it with you as a Saturday Question.
Saturday Question #178:
What Do You Think About Fragrant Functional Products?
It’s not about unscented/scent-free products versus scented ones. I’m asking rather about products that smell like perfumes – either existing ones or abstract scents, as with this laundry detergent.
Do you like the idea? Have you used any? Would you like to try any?
A bonus question: What laundry detergent do you use?
My Answer
Almost a decade ago (time flies!) I published a post Know-how [not to]: Freshen up a linen closet, in which I told a story of how using a perfume-soaked envelope (an unfortunate mailing incident) as a linen closet freshener had almost put me off my favorite Le Labo Rose 31. So, from that time, I never even considered using any of my favorite scents for anything other than their direct purpose.
In the case of this laundry detergent by BDK, Eau de Lessive (Laundry Water?), they didn’t cannibalize any of their scents but instead created a unique composition for this product. Top: Lavender, Bergamot from Italy, Lemon from Italy, Yellow mandarin from Japan, Red Thyme, Cardamom from India, Pepper mint, Nutmeg, CO2 of pink berries; heart: Small grain of Paraguay, Blue Ginger, Cassis, White flowers; base: Ambroxan, Vetiver from Haiti, Benzoin of Siam and White Musks.
Not every perfume has that extensive list of notes; this product might smell great. But the idea of having all my laundry to smell of any specific aroma just doesn’t seem appealing. Additionally, a laundry detergent costing about half of what one might splurge on a high-end shampoo seems too extravagant. I could have considered a smaller bottle intended for hand wash (though, I’m not sure I have enough lingerie that I would be regularly washing manually), but a €35/$36 liter of a detergent intended for a washing machine… It makes me think of that DirecTV commercial “Opulence, I has it.”
But what do I know? It is sold out within less than a week and on backorder at Luckyscent. On the positive side, this is one of the perfume-related products that a perfumista will be able to use up.
I prefer laundry detergents without any scent. For a long time, I used Seventh Generation Free & Clear. It didn’t smell of anything. But I had to stop using it because of the smell. The smell of my clothes 3-4 months after washing that was (e.g., if I were to launder something and put it away because of a season change). It seems that detergent stayed on the clothes and started disintegrated after a while. Now I wash my clothes with Tide Free & Gentle. It keeps my laundry scent-free and allows me to perfume my things with whatever scent I choose, whenever I choose.
Undina's Looking Glass 
Hey Undina and crew,
I love that this stuff is available for people who want it. MFK did some too.
In reality I’m a very basic launderer. We use cheap laundry granules and instead of softener use White Vinegar with 10% disinfectant added. It leaves the laundry soft and scentless.
Portia x
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I use vinegar from time to time as well, but the scent goes away only after drying. Hm… Should I reconsider the amount of vinegar I pour into my washer? Hm…
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I use the same amount the bowl holds for softener Undina.
Portia x
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No interest in fancy brand laundry products, I just find a pleasant smelling grocery store product and go with that.
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Smart choice.
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I can’t imagine spending big $ on laundry detergent. I don’t mind functional products with scents, most don’t linger in my experience (I use white vinegar in my laundry rinse which pretty much removes any lingering scent.) I vary the scents of my dishwashing liquid (Mrs Meyers) and hand soaps all of the time – probably the one place where I actually pay attention to a functional product scent.
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I wouldn’t mind scented dishwashing soap, but mine just happened to be scent-free, and since it works, I keep buying the same. But I spent probably 15 minutes recently choosing a scent of the liquid soap for my guest bathroom :)
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I don’t buy high priced laundry products. I usually buy supermarket own brands.
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I’m not sure if our supermarkets even have their own brands. I need to check! ( Not that I plan to switch now but out of curiosity).
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Personally, I would never entertain purchasing a scented laundry detergent. I’ve used unscented laundry products, as well as unscented personal care products for as long as I can remember. I never wanted anything that I was washing my clothes with or using on myself (bar soap, shampoo etc.) to interfere with my choice of fragrance.
My laundry detergent of choice is Method Free +Clear.
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Subjectively: how much do you like your current detergent? Do you think it cleans well, or is it “OK”? Is it something that you would recommend?
I prefer scented personal care products for everything but body creams. Though, I wouldn’t use some high-end soap or shower gel if I weren’t planning to wear the same scent as my perfume that day.
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Method Free + Clean works great, and I would highly recommend it. I’ve been using their product for a very long time with consistent results.
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I use Tide Free for my laundry and tuck a few lavender sachets in my underwear drawer from time to time. I would not spend large amounts of money on laundry soap. I do, however, enjoy scented hand washing products from Byredo and Eau d’Italie.
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We’re a laundry detergent tweens! Yay! :)))
For my linens and towels, I add a couple of lavender oil drops on the wool balls that I use in the dryer. The scent doesn’t stay on for too long, but I enjoy it while sorting and folding clean sheets and towels.
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I use Surf in the wash, powder or liquid. I have idiopathic urticaria when stressed, even hot water can set it off. Surf hasn’t yet set it off regardless of the fragrance. It’s a cheapo & the fragrances rarely cause the clothes to smell. I do use Spanish Agua Colonias in the rinse sometimes but again it blows away quickly. We line dry laundry whenever possible.
I admit to really disliking “air care”, especially reed diffusers & plug diffusers. I do like some candles but overall I prefer home to smell of home. My “air care” of choice is opening a window.
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I loved that last sentence! :)
Having grown up without dryers (and washing machines mostly used for bed linens and towels since it was an ordeal to set them up and drain later), I value convenience of having a dryer. But since I have enough things that I don’t feel comfortable putting into dryer even on low temperature, my current plan is to buy a drying rack.
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I’m too frugal too allocate funds to scenting my laundry. But if money was no issue, sure, I might try it. Although I can see issues with having highly scented clothing. Maybe great for someone with skin allergies?
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Now I thought about it further and realized that the price would be even higher since I’d have to pay a tax (almost 10%) plus the delivery. Definitely no.
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