20 Perfumes That Smell Like Fresh Laundry (in the Best Way Possible)
For when you need a clean slate.
I think we can all envision what it means to smell dirty, but what about smelling clean? It's a harder concept to grasp since there are so many interpretations of what it means to smell clean. To me, cleanness is the lingering smell of laundry detergent on my clothes, an empty street just after a rainstorm, or a citrus grove.
I think the biggest thing about a clean perfume, though, is that you know it when you smell it. I love finding the best perfumes, and I have plenty of scents I've labeled in my mind as "clean-smelling" that I rotate through in my fragrance collection. The biggest similarity they have is that the best clean perfumes always make me feel fresh—like a blank slate. I wear them when I want to feel like I'm giving myself a new start. Keep reading to find my favorite clean-smelling scents. Some may even catch you by surprise.
The Best Fresh Fragrances, At a Glance
- Best Overall: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Eau de Toilette
- Best Subtle Scent: Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette
- Best Cotton-Inspired Scent: Clean Reserve Clean Warm Cotton
- Best Sweet Scent: Korres Cashmere Kumquat Eau de Toilette
- Best Pepper-Based Scent: Byredo Blanche Eau de Parfum
The Best Fresh Fragrances of 2025
1. Best Overall: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, white bouquet, light, and musky woods.
Without a doubt, this is one of my all-time favorite fragrances. The first time I smelled it, I was so entranced by the scent that I requested my boyfriend start wearing it (and now he does). It smells like a freshly laundered linen shirt clinging to the skin in the summer.
Customer review: "A gorgeous, fresh, almost linen-like opening that has a nice citrus twang to it. This is the equivalent of a crisp button-down on a summer day."
2. Best Subtle Scent: Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Aldehydes, pear, lily of the valley, iris, rose, orange flower, white musk, Indonesian patchouli, and ambrette seeds.
This fragrance really does encapsulate the feeling of a lazy Sunday. Picture yourself spending a day in bed lying in freshly washed sheets—that's what a spritz of this smells like to me.
Customer review: "This is such a clean, beautiful skin scent. I know that many people hear 'skin scent' and run the other way because they fear it's going to be very light and not last long. Luckily, I find no such issue with this product. It lasts hours for me and it stays on my clothes forever."
3. Best Cotton-Inspired Scent: Clean Reserve Classic Warm Cotton
Key notes: Bergamot, peony, and amber.
Consider this the perfume equivalent of your favorite white T-shirt—appropriate for every occasion.
Customer review: "This is my favorite fragrance, I get so many compliments when I wear it. People tell me I smell like warm hugs. It still smells great during my eight-hour work days."
4. Best Sweet Scent: Korres Cashmere Kumquat Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Kumquat, mandarin, orange, orange blossom, jasmine, almond, cashmere, cedar, and vanilla.
This fragrance smells like cashmere hung up to dry on a clothesline in Greece.
Customer review: "It's a cozy scent. It's slightly sweet, yet sexy and fresh, but not overpoweringly trying too hard to smell sexy. It's a smell you'd want to curl up to and is light enough to wear to work and not feel like you're doing too much."
5. Best Pepper-Based Scent: Byredo Blanche Eau de Parfum
Key notes: White rose, pink pepper, aldehyde, violet, neroli, peony, blonde woods, sandalwood, and musk.
What does the color white smell like? This scent answers that question. It's pure, refreshing, and simple without being boring.
Customer review: "This is perfect for anyone that is not into strong perfumes. I just love it because its light, fresh, and delightful. This should be part of your perfume collection. Just perfect."
6. Best Beach-Inspired Scent: The Harmonist Sacred Water Parfum
Key notes: Citron, mandarin, fresh ginger, magnolia, orange blossom, laminaria blossom, amyris, gray amber, and cedar.
Waves crashing against rocks on a brisk day—that's the essence of this fragrance. It's invigorating and fresh, like spritzing salt water across your face.
Customer review: "Beautiful, soft, light scent. It lasts all day. Price is definitely worth it, it's gorgeous."
7. Best Summer Scent: Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Orange, mandarin, lemon, petitgrain, cardamom, caramel, and musk.
This scent is like smelling a citrusy breeze off of the coast in Capri.
Customer review: "This scent smells nice, isn’t overwhelming, and is long-lasting. Both my husband and I use this scent interchangeably—a truly gender-neutral scent."
8. Best Unisex: Boy Smells Flor de La Virgen Genderful Fine Fragrance
Key notes: Rhubarb, bergamot, black pepper, violet, black tea, tobacco leaf, incense, orris, white birch, tanned leather, smoked papyrus
This perfume is the perfect blend of floral and earthy to create an overall fresh scent that toes the line of sweet and smoky. The violet is subtle but not overpowering, and some notes become more noticeable with time.
Customer review: "This perfume is unique to me, which I love. It's smoky, woody, and musky with a hint of freshness. I love the tobacco and the smoky smell. It's masculine and feminine at the same time, if that makes sense. This is the third perfume I've bought from Boy Smells, and it does not disappoint. LOVE!!!"
9. Best Sea-Inspired Scent: Skylar Salt Air Eau de Parfum
10. Best Minimalist Scent: Philosophy Pure Grace Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Water lily, leafy greens, and musk.
This perfume is simple and elegant. A spritz of its squeaky-clean scent feels like stepping out of the shower.
Customer review: "It just feels like it would be worn by a natural beauty, someone that doesn't have to try so hard, effortlessly sexy, minimalistic, and so very clean and fresh! I'm obsessed."
11. Best Single Note Scent: Demeter Linen
Key notes: Linen
Unlike most perfumes, Demeter is known for taking a singular scent note and turning it into a fragrance. This one doesn't disappoint—it smells like pure, fresh linen.
Customer review: "Smells exactly like the name, a jasmine-scented fabric softener very floral, clean, and springy."
12. Best Splurge: Le Labo Baie 19 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Juniper berry, green leaves, patchouli, and rain.
If someone were to ask you your favorite smell, would you immediately say rain? If so, this perfume is perfect for you. It captures the smell of the earth after a heavy rainstorm.
Customer review: "I have enjoyed all of my Le Labo purchases but Baie 19 is by far my favorite. It instantly relaxes me and just overall amazing. My husband loves it on me and one spray is enough to last all day."
13. Best for Layering: DedCool Milk Layering + Enhancer Fragrance
Key notes: Bergamot, white musk, and amber.
You can layer this fragrance to enhance your favorite scent or wear it alone. It's a universal soft musk that's fresh and familiar like a loved one's skin or clean laundry.
Customer review: "It smells like clean skin after a shower but it doesn't smell soapy. It is not sweet and it is not like a clean spring scent either… it just smells like a warm hug… Some folks say that you don't really smell it after a while and I can say that it is true, but others can smell it for sure! My mom and cousin have both pointed out the smell on me even when I couldn't smell it myself. I highly recommend you try it."
14. Best Spring Scent: Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette Spray
Key notes: Citron, jasmine, and teakwood.
Citrus zest meets jasmine and wood for an alluring, unforgettable hit of freshness.
Customer review: "This has a fresh, soft scent, and it doesn't overpower a room. Even when I haven't been able to smell it at the end of the day, others have still complimented me on it."
15. Best Fall Scent: The Nue Co. Forest Lungs Fragrance
Key notes: Vetiver, cedar, benzoin, pine, patchouli, and bergamot.
The only way to describe this scent is invigorating. It embodies the feeling of taking a cold shower to clear your head. That's exactly what it does—this unique blend of scents helps you de-stress.
Customer review: "This is a scent that is a little hard to describe, otherworldly, and the stuff of good dreams. Love it!"
16. Best Rose Scent: Maison Margiela Replica When the Rain Stops Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Aquatic accord, rose petal, and pine needle.
Another rain-inspired fragrance is Margiela's, which is infused with pine needles for an invigorating twist.
Customer review: "When the Rain Stops is the perfect everyday perfume. It’s definitely on the more casual side, but it's very fresh smelling."
17. Best Fruity Scent: Ouai Dean Street Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Mandarin, lemon, grapefruit, apricot, rose, magnolia, muguet, violet, amber, linden, blossom, and musk.
This smells like walking down a rainy street in London. It's fruity and floral with a hint of musk.
Customer review: "Smells really fresh and clean. It's a good everyday 'day' scent. Lasts a while and isn't too overwhelming. If you're looking for something simple to wear I'd recommend."
18. Best Vanilla Scent: Tocca Giulietta Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Pink tulips, green apple, and vanilla orchid.
This scent smells like springtime. It's fresh and lightly floral. I describe it as clean laundry that's been airing out on a clothesline, touched by the sun and a light breeze.
Customer review: "This fragrance is so fresh and light. It makes me think of stepping out of a cool shower to lie on crisp white sheets, fresh off the line. I think of sweet, cool breezes, fragrant gardens, warm sun and clean bare skin. I have never smelled anything else like it. If you like strong, bold fragrances, this is not the one for you. This one is very light, but it lingers in the room and on your clothes like a whisper. I can't get enough."
19. Best Musk Scent: Phlur Missing Person
Key notes: Skin musk, bergamot nectar, sheer jasmine, fresh cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange flower, sandalwood Australia oil, blonde wood, white musk
If you're looking to capture that fresh-out-the-shower feeling in a bottle, look no further than this option from Phlur. The white musk and jasmine create an addictive combination that's both light and comforting.
Customer review: "It smells like fresh laundry, skin, and the smell of being held against the person you love. It’s really subtle but lasts a long time. It just doesn’t project or have a heavy sillage. It’s the perfect scent for someone who doesn’t like a “perfume” smell or is averse to a really strong floral or spicy smell."
20. Best Warm Scent: The 7 Virtues Santal Vanille Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Myrrh, vanilla, sandalwood
This fragrance leans into just three notes that, when blended, create a scent thats warm and earthy but still fresh. You're more likely to notice a gentle hint of coconut with vanilla and sandalwood, making it a great choice for warmer months.
Customer review: "Fresh, clean smell. It is not over powering- just right. My new daily scent. Love it!"
What to Look For
Any perfume lover knows that individual taste plays a huge role in what may be considered a "good" perfume. Still, there are a few things to consider. For example, you may have a budget to work with or you might want a perfume you can layer (or not!). Additionally, you may want something that's more seasonal or an all-year-round signature scent. Fortunately, there's an option on this list for everyone, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preference.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best fresh-smelling perfumes for this roundup, we leaned heavily on our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key notes and customer feedback. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out those helpful details.
Why TrustBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
Since 2006,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover Wholesale Replica Bag brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think ofBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
This article was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Prior to her time atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Katie Berohn worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles.
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