Stood in the laundry aisle and wondered what a laundry cleanser is actually for? You're in good company. It lives right beside the detergent, the softener and the scent boosters, yet its role isn't quite the same as any of them. Below, we set out what a laundry cleanser really is, where it parts ways with your regular detergent, and the moments when it makes the clearest difference to a wash.
What is a laundry cleanser?
At heart, a laundry cleanser is a fragranced laundry additive. It goes into the drum together with your usual detergent, and the two work as a pair to help clean and freshen clothes, towels and bedding. Picture it as a freshness partner for your everyday wash, not something that takes the detergent's place.
Fabulosa Laundry Cleanser arrives in a practical one litre bottle and is built to be fuss free, with a single capful added to your normal load. Because it's an additive, the detergent you already rely on stays exactly where it is, and the cleanser layers extra freshness and a gorgeous fragrance over the top.
Two points catch people out. A laundry cleanser isn't a scent booster, and it isn't a straight swap for detergent. We'll untangle both just below. As always, read the label first and stick to the dosing guidance for your machine and load size.
Laundry cleanser vs detergent vs scent booster
This is where the muddle usually starts, so here's the plain version.
Detergent is the daily workhorse. Its core job is drawing dirt, grime and stains out of the fabric, and it goes into every load you run.
A laundry cleanser is an add-on you run alongside detergent. It lends a hand with cleaning, freshens the wash and leaves a lovely fragrance behind. Reach for it when you want a little extra freshness, above all on the items that need it most.
A scent booster, also sold as in-wash fragrance or laundry perfume, is a fragrance product, pure and simple. Its whole purpose is long lasting scent. It doesn't clean, so it earns its keep layered over a normal wash rather than standing in for one.
Put simply: detergent cleans, a cleanser helps clean while freshening, and a booster is all about scent. Plenty of people cheerfully run all three, each doing the job it's made for.
When should you use a laundry cleanser?
A laundry cleanser can go into any wash you like, but a handful of moments are where it truly comes into its own.
• Towels and bedding. These sit closest to your skin, and a cleanser keeps them feeling fresh in between deeper washes.
• Gym kit and sportswear. Activewear soaks up odours fast, so a cleanser is a handy way to freshen it back up.
• Pet bedding and blankets. Give the throws and beds your furry family adore a proper refresh.
• Reusables and cloth nappies. Cloth nappies, reusable wipes and washable cleaning pads all come out better with a fresh finish.
• Low temperature and eco washes. Cooler, shorter cycles go easier on the planet and your bills, and a cleanser brings freshness to those energy saving loads.
• Musty or stored fabrics. Clothes and bedding that have been boxed away, or that dried slowly on a wet day, spring back with a freshen up.
And if not one of those fits, there's no harm in tipping some into a favourite load purely because you love the fragrance. That counts as a perfectly good reason too.
How to use a laundry cleanser
Getting to grips with a laundry cleanser takes no effort at all, because it drops straight into the wash you're already doing.
1. Add your detergent as usual. Load the machine and measure out your normal detergent exactly as you always do.
2. Add the cleanser. Tip a capful of Fabulosa Laundry Cleanser into the drum or the right dispenser drawer, following the dosing guidance on the label.
3. Run your usual cycle. No special programme is needed. Wash at whatever temperature suits the fabric.
4. Dry and enjoy. Dry the laundry as normal, then open up a load that feels clean and smells fresh.
A few handy pointers: don't cram the machine, since clothes need space to move for the best results; always go by the care labels on your garments; and always read the product label before use.
The Fabulosa Laundry Cleanser range
Fabulosa Laundry Cleanser is available in two signature fragrances, so you can pick one to suit your mood or the time of year.
• Cotton Fresh. A clean, crisp and comforting scent that sits beautifully with everyday laundry.
• Winter Angel. A warm, cosy fragrance made for the cooler months.
Both are made to help clean and freshen the wash while leaving a gorgeous Fabulosa scent trail across clothes, towels and bedding. It's a simple way to lift your laundry routine without touching the detergent you already love.
Laundry cleanser FAQs
Is a laundry cleanser the same as detergent?
No. Detergent handles the main cleaning in every wash. A laundry cleanser is an additive you run alongside your detergent to help clean and freshen the load.
Can I use a laundry cleanser instead of a scent booster?
They're built for different jobs. A scent booster is purely about fragrance, whereas a cleanser helps clean and freshen the wash and adds fragrance on top. Use whichever fits the load, or use both.
Where do I put laundry cleanser in the machine?
Add a capful to the drum or the correct dispenser drawer, as directed on the label. Always read the label before use.
Can I use it on a cool wash?
Yes. A laundry cleanser is a lovely way to bring freshness to low temperature and eco cycles.
Keep your whole wash routine fresh
A laundry cleanser is just one piece of a fresh smelling wash. It works best alongside the rest of the Fabulosa laundry family, so once you have your laundry cleanser chosen, add a fabric softener for softness and an in-wash fragrance boost or laundry perfume for longer lasting scent. For more ways to keep everything smelling gorgeous, read our guide on how to make your laundry smell amazing.
Always read the label before use.
