Should you open it? No. Should you put it in your car? Absolutely. Here's the complete guide to using scented sachets—including a few creative ideas you probably haven't thought of.
Go to comments (4)How to Use a Scented Sachet
So you've got a sachet in your hands—maybe it came in a gift, maybe you grabbed one at the store, or maybe you've been a fan for years and just want to make sure you're getting the most out of it.
Good news: using a scented sachet is about as simple as it gets. No setup, no maintenance, no batteries, no flames. Just place it where you want fragrance and let it work.
Here's everything you need to know.
The Basics: How to Use a Sachet
Step 1: Keep it sealed. Fresh Scents sachets are designed to stay closed. The fragrance diffuses through the paper envelope over time—opening it won't make it smell stronger, it'll just make the scent fade faster.
Step 2: Place it where you want fragrance. Tuck the unopened sachet into any space that could use a little freshness. That's it. No unwrapping, no activating, no fuss.
Step 3: Shake to refresh. If the scent seems to fade over time, give the sachet a gentle shake. This redistributes the fragrance inside and gives it a noticeable boost.
How long will it last? Signature Collection™ sachets last up to 6 months. Small Places Collection™ sachets last up to 3 months. Auto Collection™ sachets last up to 60 days.
Where to Use Sachets
Sachets work best in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces where fragrance can concentrate. Here are some of the most popular spots:
Bedroom & Closet
- Dresser drawers
- Closets (loop the header card through a hanger)
- Shoe racks
- Linen closets
- Storage bins for seasonal clothes
Bathroom
- Under the sink
- Inside cabinets
- With spare toilet paper or towels
Living Spaces
- Entryways and mudrooms
- Coat closets
- Bookshelves or decorative baskets
Car & Travel
- Under car seats
- In the glove compartment
- Inside luggage and carry-ons
- Tucked between your sun visor and the roof
Kids & Family
- Backpacks and school bags
- Diaper bags and diaper pails
- Strollers
- Toy storage bins
Work & Storage
- Desk drawers
- Lockers
- Gym bags
- Storage units and garages
Gifts & Entertaining
- Gift boxes and care packages
- Party favors
- Greeting cards
For even more ideas, check out our full list: 103 Ways to Use a Sachet
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Don't open the envelope. We can't stress this enough. The sachet is designed to release fragrance gradually through the sealed paper envelope. Opening it defeats the purpose and shortens the lifespan significantly.
Protect delicate surfaces. Sachets are designed to scent the air, not rest directly against furniture or fabrics. Fragrance oils can potentially cause discoloration or damage to finished wood, leather, plastics, acrylics, natural fiber rugs, and painted items.
To be safe, place a piece of fabric or paper between the sachet and any surface you want to protect. Full care and safety details are printed on the back of every sachet—it's worth a quick glance.
Keep sachets dry. Moisture can break down the fragrance oils and damage the envelope. Avoid placing sachets in areas where they might get wet or be exposed to steam and humidity.
Heat intensifies fragrance. If you leave a sachet in a hot car during summer, you'll notice the scent gets stronger. This is normal—but keep in mind that heat can shorten the sachet's overall lifespan.
Creative Ways to Use Sachets
Once you've got the basics down, here are a few ideas to try:
Freshen your luggage between trips. Storing a sachet with your suitcase keeps it from absorbing musty closet smells. When you travel, slip one inside to create a scent barrier between clean and worn clothes.
Keep seasonal items smelling fresh. Tuck sachets into storage bins with holiday decorations, winter coats, or off-season clothes. When you pull them out months later, they'll smell great instead of stale.
Make gifts more memorable. Attach a sachet to a wrapped present or slip one inside a card. It's an unexpected touch that makes the whole package feel more special.
Scent your wrapping supplies. Store a sachet with your gift wrap, tissue paper, and ribbon. Everything you wrap will have a subtle, pleasant fragrance.
Create a stovetop potpourri. For a one-time fragrance boost, empty the contents of a sachet into a pot of water and simmer on low. Your whole house will smell amazing. (Just know this uses up the sachet in one go.)
Boost your vacuum's scent. Empty sachet contents into your vacuum bag or canister before cleaning. As you vacuum, the fragrance will diffuse throughout the room.
FAQs: How to Use a Sachet
Do I need to open my sachet for it to work? No. Fresh Scents sachets are designed to stay sealed. The fragrance releases through the paper envelope naturally. Opening it will cause the scent to fade faster.
How do I make my sachet smell stronger? Give it a gentle shake to redistribute the fragrance oils inside. If the scent has faded significantly and shaking doesn't help, it may be time to replace the sachet.
Can I put a sachet in my car? Yes! Sachets make great car air fresheners. Place one under your seat, in the glove compartment, or tucked between your sun visor and the roof. Just note that heat can intensify the scent and shorten the lifespan.
Can I put a sachet directly on wood furniture? It's best not to. Fragrance oils can potentially damage finished surfaces. Place a barrier—like a piece of fabric or paper—between the sachet and any surface you want to protect.
How long does a sachet last? Signature Collection sachets last up to 6 months. Small Places Collection sachets last up to 3 months. Auto Collection sachets last up to 60 days. Actual lifespan depends on the environment and how hard the sachet is working.
What if my sachet gets wet? Let it dry out completely as soon as possible. Moisture can break down the fragrance and damage the envelope, so the scent may be weaker or fade faster.
Can I use sachets around kids and pets? Sachets should be kept out of reach of children and pets. They are inedible and should not be ingested. As with any scented product, use common sense about placement.
Final Thoughts
Using a scented sachet really is as easy as it sounds: keep it sealed, put it where you want fragrance, and shake to refresh. That's the whole routine.
The beauty of sachets is that they work quietly in the background—no maintenance, no reminders, no effort. Just steady, effortless fragrance in the spaces that need it most.
No flame. No mess. Just fresh.
How to Use Scented Sachets
Comments (4)
I love love these scents. They make my home smell amazing. There’s no other sachet packets like them
When these arrive I remove staples with a staple remover, then apply clear wide tape over the holes that the staples left. Is there an easier way?
I laid the packet on top of my wooden dresser, & the outline of the packet plus the wood became shinier & sticky feeling. What should I do to remove the stickiness. It smears as I tried to use furniture polish to remove it
I bought a 3 pack of theses still wrapped in plastic, at At Home. Im looking for the date you mentioned and the only thing I can find that might be it says, …S10082 12/21. Is that the Date Stamp? I guess that would explain why I cant smell a thing after taking off the plastic, I thought it would be fresher if I bought the ones with plastic on them. Ill know better if I buy again.