Victorians were known to enjoy curious and ostentatious ablutions.
From almond-infused heliotrope hair oil to delicately perfumed bathwater, the Victorian toilette may have included the odd sprinkling of lead here and arsenic there, but it certainly presented a luxurious tableau of products and potions.
With a flare for the dramatic, a popular trend amongst Victorian women involved perfumed sachets of dried lavender. If not tucked into a hankie, they were kept in linen drawers to ensure swirling, sweet and relaxing aromas filled the home constantly. Does it sound a bit extra? Listen, we’re talking about the same folks who caught and bottled their tears in lachrymatories and wore gloves to preserve their delicate fingertips. It’s hardly surprising that the popularity of scented sachets stem from such a precious period.
While Victorian homemakers were under immense pressure to keep up with the highest fashions, hygiene and beauty standards, scented sachets for clothes drawers are something we can most definitely get behind today.
Scented sachets were wildly used in townhouses and stately homes, but they weren’t something UK countryside dwellers and vineyard caretakers in Provence needed. They’d simply dry their linens and garments above sprawling bushes of English and French lavender. For those of us yet to experience such a bucolic way of life, we must forage, collect and import fragrant lavender for use around the home.
Thankfully there’s no need to limit ourselves to dried lavender. Instead, we can indulge in dramatic tobacco scents, sweet, dried roses and spiced cardamom aromas to imbue our favourite garments with unique scents.
Keep scrolling for the best contemporary scented wardrobe fresheners to keep your clothes smelling delightful. From traditional lavender sachets to wax tablets, we’ve got you covered.
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Diptyque Roses Scented Oval
When it comes to supreme luxury scents fit for royalty, one brand springs to mind: Diptyque.
The Parisian fragrance house produces potent and delicate herbarium aromas, yet Diptyque’s scented ovals have flown under the radar. Until now.
Long-lasting and wonderfully fragrant, the chic accessory gradually emits aromas over an extended period, filling wardrobes and drawers with delightful scent. Each wax perfume oval is engraved with the name of the scent in Diptyque’s signature dancing letters and is surrounded by a delicate porcelain medallion. Hang it in your rails to imbue your clothes with beautiful scents.
Buy now £53.00, Diptyque
Durance Cotton Flower Scented Sachet
Provence-born Durance upholds the Victorian homemaker’s standards with potent, sweet-smelling laundry room accessories.
A grandma-approved brand, Durance offers long-lasting scented sachets for armoires and drawers and Fleur de Coton is our favourite. The clean-smelling scent elevates freshly washed laundry and ensures that crisp feeling lasts.
The stylish envelope contains 10g of porous and naturally sourced grains which Durance has perfumed. Simply give the sachet a shake if you’ve noticed the aroma has faded for an instant re-boost.
Buy now £6.50, Amazon
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Di Santa Maria Novella - Tabacco Toscano Scented Wax Tablets Set of 2
Dating back to the 13th century, Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Di Santa Maria Novella was founded by Dominican friars living in Florence who used the botanical gardens of Santa Maria Novella to produce natural medicines of supreme quality.
Ever evolving while staying true to its botanical routes, the brand continues to produce signature, herby Italian scents. These wax tablets have been handmade in Florence with hibiscus petals and myrtle leaves.
Fans of Tom Ford fragrances will love these smoky, vanilla-based aromatic bars for their wardrobes.
Buy now £28.00, Liberty
True Grace Rosemary & Eucalyptus Scented Leaves
Infused with frankincense, rosemary and eucalyptus, these lovely, scented leaves are a brilliant way to keep your clothes lightly scented with earthy aromas. Hand-dipped in small batches at True Grace’s Wiltshire-based factory, the brand suggests popping one or two in your suitcase before trips away.
Buy now £18.00, True Grace
‘Protect Me’ Natural Moth Repellent Scent Bag
Filled to the brim with mood-boosting scents including lavender, patchouli, lemongrass and eucalyptus, this 100 per cent organic scent bag doesn’t just smell good – it’s been crafted to keep pesky moths at bay.
The plastic-free, vegan and cruelty-free formulation capitalises on gorgeous aromas that moths hate, but humans love. Simply pop a sent bag among your most delicate, moth-attracting garments and enjoy up to three months of protection at a time.
Buy now £6.50, Clothes Doctor
Toile de Jouy Cotton Print Hanging Lavender Bag
Realised in a Toile de Jouy cotton print that we can imagine Marie Antoinette approving of, these delicate lavender bags are a beautifully scented and aesthetically pleasing addition to your wardrobe. Handmade by a small business in the UK and filled with home-grown English lavender, they make brilliant gifts no matter the time of year.
Buy now £9.99, Etsy
Ortiga Sicilia Fico d'India scented drawer sachets set of five
For those who prefer their garments to be imbued with rather dramatic fragrances, look no further than the Fico D’India scented drawer sachets by Ortiga Sicilia. These impeccably designed envelopes contain mineral grains which have been infused with a fig and cedar fragrance for a woody yet entirely fresh scent.
Buy now £28.00, Selfridges
Greenleaf Cashmere Kiss Sachet
An unintrusive yet inviting aroma, Greenleaf’s Cashmere Kiss scented sachets feature notes of invigorating citrus, tender jasmine and romantic rose. Available in single sachets, packs of two and packs of six for larger households, Greenleaf also has an array of other scents including Peony Bloom, Bella Freesia, Roses, Lavender and Magnolia.
Buy now £9.50, Amazon
Wool-Cotton Lavender Bag - Set of 2
You may mistake one of these wool and cotton blend bags for a pair of socks, but that simply speaks to their luxurious housing. Filled with lavender, they’ll keep your drawers smelling fresh for months on end. We love how the drawstring bags can easily be refilled with additional dried lavender once the original scent has dissipated.
Buy now £22.00, The White Company
Cologne and Cotton Boxed Lavender Love Heart
These precious scented hearts are filled to the brim with long-lasting lavender from Provence. They’re handmade in Nottinghamshire and covered in special Liberty printed fabrics for a welcome addition to your chest of drawers. Plus, they come perfectly packaged in a sweet box which makes them brilliant for gifting.
Buy now £26.00, Cologne and Cotton
