We Played Devil’s Advocate So You Don’t Have To S1: Ep1 – Why Wouldn’t I Just Spray Perfume?
When my husband and I started Laundry Talk, we played devil’s advocate like you wouldn’t believe.
This series is literally everything we debated, every “but why?” and “what if?” that came up before we ever launched. And it’s exactly why we’re here today.
I digress. Let’s get into it.
The Devil’s Advocate Argument:
"I already own perfume. It smells good. Why wouldn’t I just spray that on my clothes?”
Sounds logical. But we dug into it and here’s why it doesn’t hold up:
Argument 1: Perfume Contains Alcohol That Can Damage Fabric.
Most perfumes contain between 70–90% ethanol (ethyl alcohol). It helps disperse the scent, but it’s also a solvent — and not a fabric-friendly one. It can:
- Dry out natural fibres
- Fade colours and break down fabric over time
- Weaken elasticity in synthetics like elastane or spandex
Argument 2: The Scent Doesn’t Stick, It Evaporates.
Perfume is volatile by design, it’s made to evaporate from your skin in layers (top, heart, base notes). On fabric:
- It sits on the surface, doesn’t absorb
- Fades within hours
- Can clash with sweat, detergent residue, or other ambient smells
Result? Short-lived scent that doesn’t smell how it’s supposed to.
Argument 3: You Can’t Spray Over Dirty.
Clean is the base of smelling good and no perfume can fake that. When sprayed on worn or unwashed clothes:
- Perfume interacts with bacteria, sweat, oils, and leftover grime
- That mix can produce new odour compounds many of which smell worse
- You’re left with a strange combo of funk + floral. Not cute.
Clean fabric is a scent foundation. If the base (your clothes) is holding odour, even the most expensive perfume will smell off or worse, amplify the funk.
Argument 4: The Psychology of “Clean Scent” Starts in the Wash
Scent isn’t just about smelling good — it’s about feeling clean, fresh, confident. That starts with:
- Properly cleaned fibres
- A fragrance designed to activate in the rinse phase
- Clothes, towels, and bedding that carry a consistent, subtle freshness
Spraying perfume after the wash is like trying to fix a bad haircut with hairspray.
