For such a simple product, we sure get a lot of inquiries about sachets. What is a sachet, how do I use my sachet, how are they made, etc. We hope you find the answer to your questions in this article.
Go to comments (3)What Is a Scented Sachet?
A scented sachet is a small, sealed packet filled with fragrant materials designed to add steady fragrance to your spaces—primarily closets, drawers, and areas where other home fragrances can't reach.
Sachets aren't meant to replace candles, diffusers, or other room fragrances. They serve a different purpose: filling a gap in the home fragrance category by freshening the small, hard-to-scent spaces that tend to get overlooked.
Sachets at a Glance
What they are: Small packets containing fragrance-infused materials, housed in a sealed envelope or pouch
What they do: Provide continuous fragrance to spaces without flame, electricity, or maintenance
Where they work best:
- Dresser drawers
- Closets and wardrobes
- Linen closets
- Shoes and gym bags
- Luggage and storage bins
- Cars and small spaces
How long they last: Typically 3-6 months depending on the product and environment
How to use them: For step-by-step guidance, check out our complete guide: How to Use a Scented Sachet
A Brief History of Scented Sachets
The concept of portable fragrance is ancient. Long before candles or diffusers existed, people found ways to carry fragrance with them—for practical, spiritual, and social reasons.
Ancient China: Where Sachets Began
The earliest evidence of scented sachets dates to the Shang Dynasty in China. These early sachets, known as xiangnang (香囊, meaning "fragrant bag"), were small cloth pouches filled with dried herbs, spices, and aromatic resins.
Young men and women were expected to wear fragrance bags as a sign of respect when visiting elders. They served multiple purposes:
- Absorbing sweat
- Repelling insects
- Warding off illness
- Signifying social status
By the Tang Dynasty (618–906 CE), sachets had become luxury items. During the Qing Dynasty, they evolved into tokens of affection—a way for women to express romantic interest.
Medieval Europe: Pomanders and Plague Protection
In medieval Europe, a similar tradition emerged: the pomander. Derived from the French pomme d'ambre (apple of amber), pomanders were balls of fragrant materials—typically ambergris, musk, and spices—worn around the neck or hung from a belt.
Pomanders weren't sachets, but they represent some of the earliest examples of compact, portable fragrance used for everyday purposes. Some wore them to ward off disease during times of plague, believing that foul air carried infection. Others used them to signal wealth and status, commissioning elaborate gold and silver cases. Still others incorporated them into religious rites and rituals.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, pomanders evolved into fabric sachets used for freshening linens, closets, and wardrobes —much as they're used today.
The Modern Sachet
Today's scented sachets carry forward this tradition, adapted for modern life:
- Then: Dried herbs in hand-embroidered silk pouches
- Now: Vermiculite and fragrance oils in biodegradable paper envelopes
The purpose remains the same: bringing fragrance into spaces, safely and simply.
Where Sachets Fit in the Home Fragrance Category
The home fragrance market includes candles, diffusers, plug-ins, sprays, and more—projected to reach over $14 billion globally by 2033. Each format has its strengths.
What Different Formats Do Best
| Format | Best For | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Candles | Ambiance, room fragrance, décor | Requires flame, supervision |
| Diffusers | Continuous room fragrance | Requires refills or electricity |
| Plug-ins | Consistent coverage, convenience | Requires outlet, ongoing refills |
| Sprays | Instant freshness, odor elimination | Short-lasting, requires reapplication |
| Sachets | Enclosed spaces, drawers, closets | Not designed for open rooms |
The Gap Sachets Fill
Sachets aren't trying to compete with candles or diffusers for scenting your living room (although let's be honest, we know that they can do that too). They solve a different problem: freshening spaces where other formats can't reach.
Think about the places in your home that tend to get stale:
- The dresser drawer that smells musty
- The closet that hasn't been aired out in months
- The gym bag that never quite smells clean
- The shoes sitting on the rack
- The luggage stored between trips
These aren't spaces where you'd light a candle or plug in a diffuser. But they still need freshening. That's where sachets come in.
Looking for inspiration? We've compiled 103 Ways to Use a Scented Sachet—from the obvious to the unexpected.
What's Inside a Fresh Scents Sachet
Fresh Scents® sachets contain two main components:
Vermiculite
A naturally occurring mineral extracted from soil. It's porous, lightweight, and excellent at absorbing and slowly releasing fragrance over time.
Why vermiculite works:
- Odorless on its own (doesn't interfere with fragrance)
- Highly absorbent (holds fragrance oils effectively)
- Releases scent gradually (extends lifespan)
- Prevents dampness (keeps contents dry)
Fragrance Oils
Proprietary blends crafted by professional perfumers. Each scent combines aromatic compounds—some derived from essential oils, others synthesized for specific notes or longevity.
Safety standards:
- Phthalate-free
- Paraben-free
- Not tested on animals
- Compliant with International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards
The Envelope
Made from biodegradable paper that allows fragrance to diffuse gradually while keeping contents sealed. This controlled release is what allows sachets to last for months.
Every Fresh Scents envelope features original artwork hand-painted by Leigh Brown, our in-house South Carolina artist.
How Long Do Sachets Last?
| Collection | Lifespan | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Signature Collection™ | Up to 6 months | Closets, larger drawers, cars |
| Small Places Collection™ | Up to 3 months | Small drawers, gym bags, shoes |
| Auto Collection™ | Up to 60 days | Cars, RVs, travel |
Factors that affect lifespan:
- Size of the space (smaller = longer lasting)
- Airflow (less airflow = longer lasting)
- Competing odors (stronger odors = shorter lifespan)
- Fragrance type (heavier base notes last longer)
Ready to find your scent? Browse the Signature Collection to explore our full range of fragrances.
When to Use Sachets (and When to Use Something Else)
Sachets Work Best For:
✓ Dresser drawers and clothing storage
✓ Closets and wardrobes
✓ Linen closets and bathroom cabinets
✓ Shoes, gym bags, and sports equipment
✓ Luggage and storage bins
✓ Cars and small enclosed spaces
✓ Spaces where flames or electricity aren't practical
Consider Other Options For:
✓ Scenting open living spaces (try candles or diffusers)
✓ Instant odor elimination (try sprays)
✓ Large rooms (try plug-ins or electric diffusers)
✓ Ambiance and décor (try candles)
The best approach is often a combination: candles or diffusers for the rooms where you spend time, sachets for the spaces in between.
FAQs: What Is a Scented Sachet?
What is a sachet used for? Sachets add fragrance to spaces like drawers, closets, cars, and storage bins—areas where candles or plug-ins aren't practical.
How do sachets work? Fragrance oils are absorbed by vermiculite (a natural mineral) and slowly released through the paper envelope over time, providing steady fragrance for months.
Do I need to open a sachet for it to work? No. Fresh Scents sachets are designed to stay sealed. The fragrance releases through the envelope naturally. Opening it will cause the scent to fade faster.
Are sachets a replacement for candles or diffusers? No. Sachets complement other home fragrances by filling a gap—they're designed for spaces where candles and diffusers can't reach. Most people use sachets alongside other fragrance products.
How long do sachets 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.
Are sachets safe? Fresh Scents sachets meet safety standards set by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). They're phthalate-free, paraben-free, and not tested on animals. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Have more questions? Visit our complete Sachet FAQs for detailed answers.
Final Thoughts
Scented sachets are one of the oldest forms of portable fragrance—a tradition stretching from ancient China through medieval Europe to the present day. They've endured because they solve a specific problem that other home fragrances can't: freshening hard-to-fragrance spaces where other formats fail.
Sachets aren't meant to replace your favorite candle or diffuser. They're meant to work alongside them—filling the gaps in closets, drawers, bags, and bins where other products can't reach.
At Fresh Scents, we've spent over five decades refining this simple idea. The result is a product that's effective, beautiful, and built to last.
No flame. No mess. Just fresh.
What is a Sachet?
Comments (3)
Can you pull apart the 3 packets or you need to keep all together.
Ernestine Gales
Do you offer samples??
Just curious. They say there’s no such thing as a dumb question.Lol
Thank you
Have a blessed day
Does all 3 packets go in one place or can you pull apart to place them?