There’s something undeniably comforting about opening your wardrobe or drawers and being greeted by a gentle, lingering fragrance. For many of us, that fresh, clean scent is the finishing touch that makes our clothes feel ready to wear.
But what if you could achieve that heavenly aroma without spending a cent on fancy drawer liners or chemical-laden sprays? As it turns out, there’s a delightfully retro hack passed down through generations—and it’s as simple as it is effective.
Recently, a woman shared her mother’s timeless tip on social media, sparking a wave of nostalgia and new ideas.
Her secret? Pop your empty perfume bottles into your underwear drawer. That’s right—those last few drops clinging to the glass, the faint whiff left behind in the bottle, can infuse your clothes with your signature scent for weeks, if not months.
‘My late mother taught me to put empty perfume bottles in my underwear drawer, so my undies would smell nice!’ she wrote, alongside a photo of a bag brimming with empty perfume bottles ready for recycling.
The post quickly gathered hundreds of comments, with many readers chiming in with their family traditions and clever scent hacks.
It seems our mums and grandmothers were onto something. Here are some of the most popular (and cost-effective) ways to keep your clothes smelling fresh:
- Soap in a sock: This is a classic move—pop a bar of your favourite soap into a clean sock and tuck it into your drawer or wardrobe. As the soap slowly evaporates, it releases a gentle fragrance that lingers on your clothes.
- Wax melts: After you’ve enjoyed a wax melt in your burner, don’t toss it! Wrap the cooled wax in some fabric, pop it in a small bag, and place it in your drawers for a subtle scent boost.
- Perfume samples: Remember those little perfume strips from magazines? Many mums would stash them in their drawers for a quick, easy fragrance fix. While they’re harder to come by, they’re still a great option if you can find them.
- Potpourri and lavender sachets: The ’90s trend of potpourri-filled sachets is returning. Dried lavender, rose petals, or even a blend of herbs can be placed in small fabric bags and tucked into drawers for a natural, calming aroma.
While these hacks are beloved by many, some readers raised concerns about the potential for irritation, especially when it comes to undergarments.
Perfume and soap can contain chemicals that might not be suitable for sensitive skin.
If you’re prone to irritation or infections, it might be best to stick to natural options like dried herbs or to use these hacks in your bra drawer or wardrobe rather than directly with your undies.
Modern twists on a classic hack
If you’re still using a favourite scent and want to extend its reach, social media personality Renee suggests spraying your perfume onto an adhesive felt pad and sticking it inside your drawers or wardrobe.
This method lets you control the intensity and avoid direct contact with your clothes.
And don’t stop at your wardrobe! One clever commenter shared, ‘My aunt taught us to put a high-end hand soap in your car and it smells amazing and lasts forever! Forget those expensive air fresheners that last two days!’
The most touching part of this conversation is how scent connects us to our loved ones.
One reader shared, ‘My nannie used to have a bar of teddy bear soap in her drawer from the 1940s. When she passed, I kept it as a memory of her, and it lives in my underwear drawer still.’
Do you have a tried-and-true trick for keeping your clothes smelling fresh? Maybe a family tradition or a clever hack you’ve discovered over the years?
We’d love to hear your stories and tips—share them in the comments below and help keep these wonderful traditions alive for the next generation of fresh laundry lovers!
Also read: Cold house, tiny budget: The $8 winter hacks hiding in Kmart and Bunnings
