There is nothing better than clean, fresh smelling laundry and in this day and age there are many ways to accomplish this. Two of these ways are to use in wash laundry scent boosters and fabric softeners. While they both achieve similar goals, there are a few differences between scent boosters and fabric softeners and our detailed guide will tell you everything you need to know about each of these.
Are Scent Boosters the Same as Fabric Softeners?
While both Scent Boosters and Fabric Softeners are known for helping your laundry smell even better, Scent Boosters are not the same as Fabric Softeners. The only job a scent booster has is to add, or enhance, the fragrance in your laundry. It does not soften fabric or clean and remove stains, or anything like that. Using fabric softener can add both fragrance and softness.
What are Laundry Scent Boosters?
Laundry Scent Boosters come often in bead form or pod form and are designed to be used in conjunction with laundry detergent and even fabric softener, too. Laundry Scent Boosters add or enhance the fragrance in your laundry, and boast fresh and nice smelling results that last for several days or even weeks.
How Do Scent Boosters Work?
Laundry Scent boosters generally come in bead form or pod form and are designed to dissolve in water, whether that water is hot, warm, or cold, to add a stronger fragrance to your clothes.
Are Laundry Scent Boosters Safe?
Laundry Scent Boosters are safe for use on sensitive skin but because of some of the chemicals that can be found in them, laundry scent boosters are not considered one hundred percent safe for the environment.
What are the Ingredients in Scent Boosters?
In most Laundry Scent Boosters, the ingredients list contains chemicals and dyes that are not wholly safe for your health or the environment. Not every Laundry Scent Booster has this problem, though. For instance, in Arm & Hammer’s Clean & Simple line of Scent Boosters, the ingredients are far more natural and commonly found in other safe cleaning supplies.
What are the Best Laundry Scent Boosters?
There are many different Laundry Scent Boosters on the market that you can choose from. Down below, we’ve reviewed several for your perusal!
1. Downy Unstopables 
Downy Unstopables are small beads designed to enhance the fragrance of your laundry. The fresh scent stays on your clothes and fabrics for up to 12 weeks. And these little beads are easy to use: simply toss a small amount or a large amount, however much you want, into the cap, and then toss them into the basin of your washing machine before you put your clothes in.
Downy Unstopables are safe for use on all colors and types of fabrics and can be used in all types of washing machines. They are designed to be used alongside laundry detergent and even fabric softener too, if you wish.
2. Dreft Blissfuls Laundry Scent Booster Beads
Dreft Blissfuls Laundry Scent Booster Beads are specifically designed with babies and children in mind but can be used with any type of laundry. The baby fresh scent is even safe for use for all stages of childhood!
The Dreft Blissfuls Laundry Scent Booster Beads are easy to use: simply toss a small amount or a large amount, however much you want, into the cap, and then toss them into the basin of your washing machine before you put your clothes in. These beads are hypoallergenic and are designed to be used alongside laundry detergent and even fabric softener too, if you wish.
3. Arm & Hammer Clean Scentsations
Arm & Hammer Clean Scentsations are small beads designed to enhance the fragrance of your laundry. The fresh, citrus-y scent comes with Arm & Hammer baking soda built into the recipe for a stronger, fresher clean.
While compatible with high efficiency washers these beads can be used in any type of washer and are easy to use. Simply fill the cap with the beads and then toss them into the basin of your washing machine before you put your clothes in.
The Arm & Hammer Clean Scentsations are safe for use on all colors and types of fabrics and are designed to be used alongside laundry detergent and even fabric softener too, if you wish.
4. Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Scent Booster
Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Scent Booster comes in two fresh scents: honeysuckle or lavender, both made cruelty-free with ingredients that come from plants. These beads are easy to use: simply sprinkle a small amount or a large amount, however much you want, directly into the wash basin before you put your clothes in.
Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Scent Boosters are designed for use in all kinds of washing machines and can be used alongside laundry detergent and even fabric softener too, if you wish.
5. Gain Fireworks Laundry Scent Booster
Gain Fireworks Laundry Scent Boosters come with a fresh, floral scent that stays on your clothes and fabrics for up to 12 weeks. These beads are simple to use: just toss a small amount or a large amount, however much you want, into the cap, and then toss them into the basin of your washing machine before you put your clothes in.
Gain Fireworks Laundry Scent Boosters are safe for use on all colors and types of fabrics and can be used in all types of washing machines, and have been designed for use alongside laundry detergent and even fabric softener too, if you wish.
What are Fabric Softeners?
Fabric Softeners are designed with air dried clothes in mind. The moisturizing ingredients found in fabric softeners work to soften out the harshness that often comes from air drying clothes. However, you can use fabric softeners with all types of clothes and fabrics. They are also known for enhancing and adding scents alongside laundry detergent.
How Do Fabric Softeners Work?
Fabric softeners work by covering fabrics with different mixtures of chemicals that are designed to be electrically charged. Because of this, they make the threads in your fabrics stand on end which gives them a thicker, usually softened, feel.
Are Fabric Softeners Safe?
Certain fabric softeners can be safe for use on sensitive skin but because of the added chemicals and chemical mixtures found in them, they are not considered safe for the environment. These chemicals can pollute the air and are not biodegradable.
They also have been known to damage certain types of clothing, specifically athletic wear. This is due to the moisture wicking technology with which athletic wear is made; it does not react well to the chemicals often used in fabric softeners.
What are the Ingredients in Fabric Softeners?
Ingredients between fabric softener brands can differ but for the most part, most fabric softeners are made up of similar chemical compounds. The main ingredient found in most fabric softeners is made up of surfactants derived from quaternary ammonium. Simply put, quaternary ammonium, commonly known as quat or quats, is a chemical compound that is known to cause many health problems. Most of these health problems are related to the skin and respiratory system.
What are the Best Fabric Softeners?
1. Seventh Generation Fabric Softener Sheets
3. Bounce Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets
What’s the Difference Between Laundry Scent Boosters and Fabric Softeners?
The main difference between Laundry Scent Boosters and Fabric Softeners is the fact that scent boosters only add or enhance fragrance while fabric softeners do the same and soften clothes and other fabrics at the same time.
The other big difference between Laundry Scent Boosters and Fabric Softeners is the fact that they are added to the wash cycle at different times. For instance, Laundry Scent Boosters are there from the start as you must put them in the wash basin before you put your clothes in. However, fabric softener is usually released near the end of the wash cycle.
Are Scent Boosters or Fabric Softeners More Affordable?
As a whole, Fabric Softeners are more affordable than Laundry Scent Boosters.
Can You Use Scent Boosters and Fabric Softeners in the Same Load?
You can definitely use Scent Boosters and Fabric Softeners in the same load! Just add however much you want of both products and run a normal wash cycle!
Final Thoughts
In wash laundry scent boosters and fabric softeners, at their core, accomplish very similar goals but the ways in which they do this are very different. Choosing between them depends on what you are looking for when it comes to enhancing the fragrance of your laundry.
Fabric softeners are often more affordable than scent boosters and can last longer in terms of use; however, they are not all that environmentally friendly or sustainable and do not work well with certain types of clothing and fabric. This is not to say that scent boosters are the eco-friendly alternative but they are safe for use with any and all types of fabrics and colors. With this in mind, if you are looking for an environmentally safe way to enhance the way your laundry smells, neither of these might be right for you.
Scent boosters only add or enhance fragrances; they do not soften or fluff clothes, towels, and sheets the way fabric softeners do. So if that is a concern for you, then maybe fabric softeners are the right choice!
In the end, it comes down to personal choice and what is most important to you and your household!
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.