How to Make Your Clothes Smell Better Without Washing Them:
- 1. Use Fabric Refresher Spray
- 2. Hang Your Clothes In Fresh Air
- 3. Steam Your Clothes
- 4. Use a Dryer Sheet
- 5. Sprinkle Them with Baking Soda
Life doesn’t always leave room for a full spin cycle. Maybe you’ve got a last-minute dinner after work. Maybe your suitcase is running on fumes mid-trip. Or maybe you just don’t feel like sacrificing 90 minutes of your life to the washing machine. Whatever the reason, your clothes don’t always smell their best at the exact moment you need them to.
That’s where these five hacks come in. No, we’re not suggesting you replace laundry day forever. But if you need your clothes to smell fresh now—you’ll want to bookmark these tips.
1. Use Fabric Refresher Spray
If you want to revive clothes fast, nothing works harder than a fabric refresher spray. The good ones don’t just mask odor with a wave of artificial “spring breeze.” They tackle the molecules responsible for bad smells and neutralize them on contact. Think of it as an instant reset button for your wardrobe.
The key is using a spray that doesn’t just leave you smelling like an aerosol can. Our Laundry Sauce Fabric Refresher Spray doesn’t cover odors—it eliminates them. No need to drown yourself in perfume or cologne to compensate. Bonus: it releases wrinkles and stops static cling.
And because “fresh” should never mean generic, our spray comes in the same premium scents you’ll find in our laundry pods: Australian Sandalwood, Egyptian Rose, Italian Bergamot, and more. It’s fragrance you actually want clinging to your clothes—elevated, enticing, and worlds apart from the bargain-bin fabric spray you grew up with.
No matter what your care tag says, these must-haves keep your clothes looking and smelling their best—minus the guesswork.
2. Hang Your Clothes in Fresh Air
If you’ve got access to a balcony, porch, or backyard, sometimes the simplest move is the smartest. Sunlight and fresh air are nature’s laundry duo. Ultraviolet rays act as a natural disinfectant, killing off some of the bacteria that cause odors, while a breeze helps push out any lingering odors.
The caveat: keep natural fibers like silk or wool out of direct, bright sunlight unless you want fading as a side effect. Cotton, linen, and synthetic blends can handle some sun, but delicates should stick to the shade.
3. Hit It With Steam
Traveling with a suitcase full of stale clothes? No washing machine in sight? Steam is your ally. Hang the garment up in the bathroom while you take a hot shower, or better yet, use a handheld steamer if you have one.
Steam relaxes wrinkles and loosens up odor molecules, which then evaporate with the moisture. You won’t get the deep clean of a wash, but you’ll get clothes that smell fresher and look sharper than they did ten minutes ago.
Pro tip: If you’re in a hotel, call down for a steamer—some have them on hand.
4. Use a Dryer Sheet
Dryer sheets aren’t just for the dryer. If you’re in a rush, you can rub one directly over your clothes to cut static cling and add a quick burst of fragrance. It’s a low-effort move that buys you time until laundry day.
Of course, if you do have a few minutes and access to a dryer, toss your clothes in on a short cycle with a Laundry Sauce Dryer Sheet. It’s not a full wash, but the heat will help refresh fibers while the sheet locks in softness and infuses that premium scent. Think of it as a power nap for your wardrobe.
5. Sprinkle Them with Baking Soda
Baking soda isn’t glamorous, but it gets the job done. Sprinkle a little directly onto the fabric, let it sit for 15–20 minutes, and then shake it off or give the piece a quick brush before wearing. The powder absorbs lingering odors instead of covering them.
This trick works especially well for gym clothes or anything that’s picked up a stubborn smell. Just remember: moderation is key. You don’t want to leave the house with a chalky shoulder.
Stay Fresh Between Laundry Days
Sometimes you just don’t have the time (or the motivation) to do a full wash. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for clothes that smell like yesterday’s commute. A fabric refresher spray, some sunshine, a hit of steam, a dryer sheet, or a dusting of baking soda can each buy you another wear (or three) before laundry day.
Of course, nothing truly replaces washing your clothes—but these hacks are about real life. Because smelling fresh shouldn’t depend on whether you’ve got a free hour to babysit the spin cycle.
