5 clever buys experts use to make a wardrobe smell amazing – banish musty smells and keep clothes smelling fresh between washes
From wardrobe sprays to lavender sachets
There's nothing quite like opening your wardrobe to the smell of freshly laundered clothes. Equally, there's nothing worse than being greeted with stale, musty odours. As enclosed spaces, wardrobes are prone to trapped moisture, allowing lingering fabric smells build up over time.The good news? There are plenty of clever buys that can help make a wardrobe smell good.
The trick is choosing the right product for the job. From wardrobe sprays to hanging wax tablets, some deliver an instant refresh, while others are designed to slowly release fragrance over time. And when it comes to choosing a fragrance, the notes you opt for can make more difference than you might think.
Just as there's no shortage of ways to make a home smell good. it's worth giving the same attention to your wardrobe, particularly during a summer heatwave when warm weather can make stale smells more noticeable. To find out which products are worth investing in, we asked experts to share their go-to buys, along with their top tips for keeping stale smells at bay.
1. Clothes sprays
Clothes sprays are one of the quickest ways to make your wardrobe smell good.
'Sprays tend to be the easiest place to start,' says David Aspinall, co-founder of Chase and Wonder. 'A light mist on hanging clothes or drawer linings gives an instant lift without overpowering the fabric, and you can top it up as often as you like.'
David points out that clothes hold onto fragrance for a long time, and a little goes a long way. 'I'd always suggest starting light and building up, rather than the other way round,' he adds.
Before reaching for the spray, Klaudia Skarbek, professional cleaner at Wecasa, recommends lightly misting a clean cloth with a linen spray and wiping the inside surfaces of the wardrobe, rather than spraying clothes directly. 'This leaves a subtle, clean scent without risking any stains,' she says.
2. Hanging wax tablets
If you want your wardrobe to have a subtle scent every time you open the doors, hanging wax tablets are a great option. Unlike sprays, which give an instant burst of fragrance, they release scent more gradually, making them a low-maintenance way to keep clothes smelling fresh for weeks.
'Hanging wax tablets provide gentle, long-lasting fragrances,' says Hetan Soni, scent expert from Perfume Essence.
And because they simply hang from a rail or hook, they're a clever wardrobe idea if you want to add a decorative touch, while keeping clothes smelling fresh between washes. They're particularly useful in wardrobes storing seasonal clothing, as they'll continue releasing fragrance even when you're not opening the doors every day.
3. Scented drawer liners
Drawer liners don't just protect your clothes from scuffs and snags; they're also a great way to fragrance your belongings.
'Lining drawers with scented drawer liners or acid-free tissue infused with a light fragrance can make a noticeable difference,' says Klaudia.
They're an easy way to add fragrance without taking up any extra space, making them ideal for drawers storing underwear, pyjamas or knitwear.
It's worth considering how long you want the scent to last. 'There's a myriad of scents, and each releases fragrance differently, so the best choice often depends on your wardrobe’s size and how long you want the scent to linger,' adds Hetan.
The best wardrobe fragrance should be subtle, adds Hetan. 'Fresh linen, cotton and citrus scents create the impression of freshly washed clothes.'
4. Lavender sachets
One of the most traditional - and affordable - ways to scent a wardrobe is with lavender. Whether you chose sachets, cushions or hanging bags, it's a classic favourite that leaves clothes smelling fresh.
Lavender is also commonly used to get rid of moths in wardrobes, making it particularly useful if you store any knitwear, wool or cashmere items.
'Lavender is one of the inexpensive household items that works surprisingly well,' says Klaudia. 'Dried lavender in fabric sachets provides a gentle, natural scent while also helping deter moths.'
5. Cedar blocks and natural fresheners
Another natural option for keeping wardrobes smelling fresh, cedar blocks, are also a popular choice when it comes to deterring clothes moths.
'Cedarwood blocks remain popular, because alongside their fragrance, they also help to repel clothes moths,' says Hetan.
Of course, even the best home fragrances work most effectively when they're paired with good wardrobe habits. As Klaudia explains, keeping a wardrobe fresh starts with tackling the source of the odour. 'That involves regular cleaning, controlling humidity, ensuring clothes are completely dry before storage, and maintaining good ventilation,' she says. 'Once those basics are in place, natural fresheners like lavender or cedar enhance the freshness rather than hiding unpleasant smells.'
How can you keep your wardrobe smelling fresher for longer?
Even the best fragrance products won't work well if the wardrobe itself needs attention.
The best way to make a wardrobe smell good is to tackle the cause of odours rather than simply adding fragrance,' says Klaudia.
She recommends emptying the wardrobe every few months and wiping down shelves and surfaces with a mild cleaning solution. Leave the doors open for a few hours to air it out. It's also worth vacuuming corners and skirting inside the wardrobe when you do your spring or autumn clean, as dust can hold onto odours.
'My main tip though is to make sure your clothes are fully dry before putting them back in the wardrobe fully dry because it is one of the simplest ways to keep everything smelling fresh,' she adds.
If you want to make a wardrobe smell good it doesn't need to be complicated - a few clever buys can make all the difference. Let us know if you have a favourite way to fragrance your wardrobe!
