How to make clothes smell fresh without fragrance

Short answer: Clean clothes do not smell of anything. The feeling of freshness comes from clothes being completely dry and aired, not from perfume in the detergent.

Dryness matters more than scent

A completely dry garment smells neutral, while a slightly damp one smells musty no matter how much perfume was used in the wash. That is why dryness, not scent, decides whether clothes feel fresh. See washing and care.

Airing is often enough

An hour in fresh air removes most of the smell from outer layers without you needing to wash them every time. Jackets, jumpers and anything that has not been in direct contact with sweat often do fine with just a few hours on the balcony or by an open window.

Unscented is better for the skin

Perfume in detergent is a common cause of skin irritation, especially on skin in close contact with fabric for many hours. Underwear is therefore the first place to choose unscented, whatever you use for the rest of the laundry. See bamboo underwear for women.

Clean the machine

If the laundry smells of the machine, no amount of perfume will help. Run an empty wash at 90 degrees a few times a year to remove detergent residue and grease from the seals and pump, so the smell disappears at the source.

Skip the fabric softener

Fabric softener leaves a film on the fibres that traps odour instead of letting it disappear into the air. Leave it out and clothes actually stay fresher over time, even if that feels backwards the first time you try it.

Dry all the way through

Clothes put away while still slightly damp inside easily develop a faint musty smell that is hard to get rid of afterwards. Always check that thick items like jumpers and bedding are completely dry, not just dry on the outside. See bamboo bedding.

Store clothes dry

Even fully dry clothes can pick up smell if they sit in a damp cupboard or a poorly ventilated drawer. Make sure there is airflow around clothes in the wardrobe, and avoid squeezing too much into too little space.

Air towels between uses

A towel hung folded up or pressed against a wall dries poorly between uses and quickly develops a sour smell. Hang it fully spread out instead, so it gets air from both sides between each use. See bamboo towels.

Underwear sits closest to the skin

Because underwear sits directly against the skin, it is the first thing to reveal whether the wash has worked. Choose unscented detergent and let it dry fully, and there is usually no smell left to worry about. See bamboo underwear for men.