11 Nov 2026
- Fragrances are made by blending different scent ingredients together.
- Top notes are what you smell first.
- Middle notes are the heart of a fragrance.
- Base notes bring depth and tend to last longer.
- Fragrance can come from natural sources or be made synthetically.
- Different ingredients evaporate at different speeds, helping a scent changeover time.
- “Volatile” just means an ingredient can evaporate into the air. It doesn’t automatically mean harmful.
- Laundry Reset uses touch-activated fragrance technology to help scent return as your laundry moves.
Ever wondered what “top”, “middle” or “base” notes are when it comes to perfume?
If so, then this is for you.
So, get your noses at the ready.
What is a fragrance actually made of?
A fragrance is a mix of aromatic ingredients.
Some can come from natural sources like flowers. Others are made synthetically by fragrance chemists. Most modern fragrances use a mix of the two.
Perfumers then combine those ingredients to build a scent with different layers.
What are top, middle and base notes?
Different fragrance ingredients evaporate at different speeds. Some reach your nose quickly while others take longer to emerge and hang around.
What does it do? | Often uses: | |
|---|---|---|
Top notes | Gives the first impression. They tend to appear quickly and fade sooner. | Citrus, bright fruits, fresh aromatics. |
Middle notes | The core of the fragrance, appearing as the top notes begin to soften. | Florals, herbs, spices. |
Base notes | The deeper notes that give a fragrance its depth and staying power. | Woods, amber, vanilla, patchouli. |
When mixed together you get something more interesting than one smell from beginning to end.
So how does fragrance actually reach your nose?
For us to smell something, the ingredient molecules need to travel through the air and into our nose.
There, they interact with olfactory receptors that send signals to our brain. The brain then interprets that as relating to a particular ingredient.
The fact that these molecules need to first travel through the air is why volatility matters.
What are VOCs? Should we be worried about them?
VOC stands for volatile organic compound.
Volatile sounds like an alarming word, but it’s just describing an organic compound that can evaporate under normal conditions.
And fragrance needs volatility. If the molecules can’t leave a surface and travel through the air, your nose won’t get much chance to smell them.
Yes, some VOCs can be harmful or irritating depending on the substance, but VOC isn't another word for toxic. Nature is full of VOCs. Peel an orange or crush a mint leaf and you’re detecting volatile compounds. The term VOC is just letting you know how an ingredient behaves.
Why does fragrance smell different over time?
The lighter top notes reach you first. As they begin to disperse, the next middle set becomes more noticeable. Later on, deeper notes will remain in the background.
That's the scent journey.
How does Laundry Reset fragrance work on clothes?
When it comes to laundry fragrance we don’t just want it to smell great when we take the washing out of the machine.
We want you to notice it when you're actually living in your laundry.
That's why Laundry Reset uses touch-activated fragrance technology. It helps little bursts of fragrance release as your fabrics move and experience friction.
It means a fragrance you first noticed hours ago can find you again.
Every Laundry Reset fragrance comes as a Laundry Reset Liquid and matching Laundry Reset Softener. So you can use either on their own, or pair the two for double the fragrance.
How do I choose the right fragrance for my clothes?
We recommend that you start with how you'd like your laundry to make you feel.
If you’re looking for… | Try… |
Something bright and uplifting | No.16 Jasmine & Cedarwood |
Something romantic and beautifully undone | No.13 Wild Rose & Patchouli |
Something soft and calming | No.7 Lavender & Sage |
Something sunny and optimistic | No.42 Neroli & Amber |
Something warm and grounding | No.4 Palo Santo & Cardamom |
Fragrance anatomy FAQs.
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol and is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all, with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet and gentle on the skin. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet and our homes.
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