Aqua Universalis

This smells like extremely high-end laundry detergent in the most delightful way. Yes, there is citrus here, but it's not a high-pitched blast. It's all rounded out by the harmony of florals and one of the cleanest musks I've ever smelled. It's fresh, but it has a soft, fuzzy warmth about it. I'm gonna have to hard disagree with the person who said this was masculine. I'm not into masculine scents on myself, and there was never a point where I questioned this one. I'd say this is unisex, slightly leaning feminine. I think this scent is perfect for when you want to smell great, but want to avoid smelling too perfumey. It's office safe, airplane safe, car ride safe, movie theatre safe. It's also the perfect choice to wear around people who say they hate perfume. And although I understand why people are calling this a summer scent, there's something about it that is comforting when it's cold. I think it's the fact that it really does smell like fresh laundry - it evokes crisp shirts and sheets in the summer, but in the winter it's a snuggly duvet still warm from the dryer. Sillage is moderate. I personally get pretty good longevity out of this. The citrus note doesn't last very long, but that fresh musk lingers as a skin scent for hours. I got this in a sample set I ordered from the MFK website, and immediately ordered a full bottle. I was on the hunt for the perfect clean laundry scent, and this is it.

The first time I sampled Aqua Universalis, I wasn't impressed; it was "nice" but I had higher expectations. I thought the case was closed on this supposed linear, clean, simplistic scent. But part of me didn't want to throw away the cloud white cardstock the sample vial came with -- I wanted to give it a second chance. Months passed and I came across the story of Giotto's Circle (if you're not familiar, I highly recommend you Google it) Basically, this artist demonstrates his artistic prowess by painting a freehand circle as his "sample" of work to be considered for a monumental project. Aqua Universalis may appear to be overly simplistic and clean at first, but upon taking a closer look, the way it's blended and mixes with one's skin chemistry, it is truly exceptional. Only a master perfumer could pull this off. It's so realistically clean that I find it invigorating. Some may argue that it's not "beast mode" and has poor longevity. But that's not what AU is for -- it's a softer, refined, clean fragrance that doesn't seek attention and knows what it is; so too is the wearer, unassuming and self-aware. I find that Au is truly for universal wear, day, night, formal, casual, in all seasons, for all ages. AU challenged me to sense more deeply; I hope it does for you too. This one's a keeper.

I ordered a 10ml of this and another MFK just to wear around the house, something uplifting that would brighten my day at home. The moment you spray it is a nice blast of "white florals & citrus" and is very clean, just as all the reviews say. I do feel that this leans feminine in those first few moments, but not enough for me to dislike wearing it; quite the contrary. This is absolutely PERFECT for just wanting something clean, mild, something that makes you smile and go "mmmm". The dry down of this really does smell like "clean laundry" but in a very sophisticated sort of way; it doesn't just generically smell like soap or fabric softener, but rather it retains that "white floral" vibe from the opening as the citrus fades and keeps the whole thing feeling very natural, very light. Other reviews touched upon "whether people would even think you're wearing anything or if you just naturally smell that clean" and I couldn't agree more. This fragrance reminds me of Bond no 9 Hamptons, which itself has a sort of Mefisto aroma, but this MFK offering is the lightest of the bunch and I'd say probably the nicest for me personally. An easy 9 out of 10. Wow!

Along with Millesime Imperial, this is one of those fragrances that is so much more than the sum of its parts. You might look at the notes and think, 'yeah, been there, smelt that', but this smells like nothing else. AU masterfully blends citruses, light floral notes - mainly lily of the valley - along with some musk to add some backbone to the composition. Its both ethereal and tenacious, with great longevity; and like MI, it melds with your skin and gives the impression that you naturally smell this wonderful. It's a minimalistic fragrance, that is reminiscent of a remastered classic record, with all the pops and crackles removed, leaving just the music. I love it. N.B. I really think this differs greatly from the Forte version, which I actually disliked. The Forte had an added floral note (jasmine), which made it both a lot more feminine, and heavy. It was a dense fragrance, that lacked the transparency that makes AU so special. I don't understand how many reviews touted the Forte as a summer fragrance, when personally, I think it would be too cloying for summer, whereas the regular AU is just perfect.

Baby Asprin! That powdery orange candy taste that baby aspirin had, and I was given plenty of as a small child (Is this still around? Is it still considered safe? I'd never give it to my children personally...) in scent form. Then it dries down to a soft pillowy musk. There's green notes in between there, I would have sworn it was peititgrain. Perhaps its the bergamot + florals. I know my comparison to a medicine might give off the wrong impression of this scent, because as it wears on the skin and dries down it begins to smell much more natural smelling. I wish my skin or clothes could just naturally radiate this scent all the time. It's like MFK's take on Dolce Gabbana Light Blue. For the price I'm sure you could find something similar, if not better, but I discovered this one first so now that I have it, and it's a love, nothing else compares in my mind. I apply this liberally all over my body and find it lasts about 4-5 hours, the dry down coming just before the halfway mark. My wallet is concerned at how fast I might blow through this one. We'll see if my bottle makes it to Summer.

wow! this is my first try and it felt like i just got back from the dobby plant! its really faint but the smell is unique to me as almost like a water with a batch of chemicals that purified clothing. this is so safe to wear and inoffensive but it give me a character that of a factory cleaned guy. its smells like a very clean laundry suitable for everyday wear! i tried mont blanc individuel while trying to find the best clean smell but MB smells more generic compared to this. This smells like a factory chemical clean steamed clothing compared to MB which more like a sweet chemical. This smells is not sweet and as if if there is no smell at all if you catch what im saying. If this is JRPG game, this is consider a non-elemental type of smell. It doesnt smell like something but it is something. I think I love this for everyday wear(signature). Except its freaking expensive.

Among my All Time Favorites. I get a lot of compliments on this one. I love citrus scents since live in a tropical climate. The downside of citrus is it normally does not have longevity. This one lasts longer than all the others I've tried. After about 6 hours I can still smell the citrus scent, just a bit creamier and woody. It also has an elegant quality, so it can be worn for more formal occassions. It's not the cheap common citrus one would smell often. I have fragrances which my husband hates, mostly Chanel and the MFK BR 540 because they can be too heavy for tropical weather. This is among his favorites on me. This is unisex but I am not sharing with my husband and I always have one on hand. If I were to compare, it would be relatively similar to the original Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrienne, only much better.

Ugh, this is the most perfect fragrance. If you want a very understated "clean" without any agenda, this is for you. To me this is a universally unoffensive, clean unisex scent. If someone is bothered by this then they should probably wear a N95 respirator for the rest of their lives because how can you exist? Some say this skews feminine and while I can see that, it also reminds me a lot of "classic clean guy" fragrance: the subtlest remnants of Irish spring soap, Dep hairgel, Noxema, shaving cream. I guess there are fabric softener notes here but to me Bounce or Snuggle can be really cloying and artificial and there is none of that here. Ugh I love, love, love this. It reminds me a lot of Byredo Blanche but BETTER; the chemistry is far superior and Francis Kurkdjian's genius really shows through with this.

I have to start by saying that everything works differently for different people. I have LV Symphony as my going out/evening/special event fragrance. However, I was searching for something everyday & casual and came across this hidden gem. The notes make me so happy & the scent itself is simple but beautiful & perfect on my skin. This is an Eau De Toillette, so it’s not meant to be strong or overwhelming. However, on my skin it lasts a good 6-8 hours! I tried 724, forte & cologne forte and didn’t really care for those. I can appreciate every note of this fragrance & can say it is not a laundry or detergent scent. This is classy & perfect for day to day. I’ll even be a dare devil & wear it all year round. This is my new go to! Always go with what works for you & your body chemistry.

This is my signature scent for various reasons. It is the one that introduced me a couple years ago to the "niche/higher end" world of perfumes. First time I smelled it I immediately loved it because it was so clean and different...and yet it reminded me of something (might be a memory of some sort) I couldn't stop thinking about it I had to have it. For me this one changes on every occasion, sometimes it's more floral sometimes it's more citrus. Perfect for the summer weather year-round we get here where I live. I can use it day or night, any occasion, always seems to put me in a good mood. My most complimented perfume I have.., would consider it a safe blind buy. Go out and try it if you haven't yet. Edit 1: my roommate says he can smell it from downstairs

This perfume is a scent memory for me... I associate it with a lot of great moments in life. I associate it with settling down in a new place and getting new perspective in life. Also, I like elizabeth arden green tea... And this, to me, is an elevated version of that perfume. I have ran out of this, so at the moment, I am using green tea EA and it has similar effect on me... At some point, I will buy the 200mls. Update: i bought the 724 instead... It runs in the similar vein but lily of the valley in this distinguishes it from 724. I love both and wish to have both but i do like to keep exploring on a budget.

Acqua Universalis is my Zen. Soft, peaceful, refreshing, pure. The citrus is prevalent, but never sharp, there is a subtle sweetness that is perfectly soothing. The lily of the valley adds a sense of innocence, clarity, purity. This fragrance is more than the sum of its parts. It's a fresh cloud that embraces me, holds me up, gives me energy and focus, but neither distracts, nor overdoses. It's balance in liquid form. Actually, if you go to the refreshingly simple and elegant Maison Francis Kurkdjian website, and choose to play music, you will hear, quite accurately, what I feel wearing Acqua Universalis.

Laundry suds, citrus, white florals. Not a sour lemon, one of those big sweet Meyer lemons. The scent itself is not sweet. Airy, fresh, and clean. This doesn't smell like you've been cleaning house, this smells like you're rich and wearing new clothes. My husband and I both wear this in the Summer. Lasts 3.5 hours on my skin. MFK has said before that people assume his best seller is BR540, but it's not- it is Aqua Universalis. Full bottle worthy. Perfect for the office or anytime you want to feel good about yourself without being too obnoxious. For those other times, BR540 lol.

Oh this is my most favorite fragrance from the house of Francis Kurkdjian!! I would easily wear this anytime - morning, day, evening, even to sleep. I have body oil and shower cream, I like to use it esp after gym. It gives me some freshness and clean feeling. This is such a comforting, uplifting scent. I have the forte version but I prefer this one as the forte version is much more woody and powdery on me - but it has better longevity. PS: I live in a tropical climate, with an average of 33-35 deg celcius during the day, and very humid. This type of scent is my cup of tea.

What a lovely, effervescent, citrus spritzer and laundry-clean scent. Immediately reminiscent of linens washed with Tide detergent, hang-drying in the backyard. The scent's edges are soft despite the great potential for citrus and white florals to be too sharp, acidic, astringent. The sweeter musk at play really does a great job rounding it all out, without ever becoming the slightest bit puffy or stuffy. It's about as natural and attractive as a freshie can be IMO, the only misfortune here being that I've already got a bottle of D&G Light Blue doing the job well enough.

Lately I have been craving fresh laundry-ish scents, probably because I recently moved to a more humid climate and am attracted to the smell of cleanliness. I wanted fresh linen and bang this is it. Crisp, fresh, citrus and super wearable. I like to spray this on all the time under other perfumes or just when getting out of the shower before bed. Really happy I found this! I have the EDT. The EDP is much more 'perfume-y' - stronger and more sweet - which is probably suited to being worn as a perfume in itself or for nicer occasions.

So underated scent from MFK, everybody get it as a usual fresh scent which is similar to many others, and it's true but AU has a big dose of sophistication and beautines in simplicity which makes them one of the best fresh fagrance. I like to wearing it during the summer, cuz is really easy to wear. Kind of soapy but not boring or vintage soap, is perfectly modern, mild, clean, pleasant and deeply fresh. Musky, creamy lemon without any sharp or bitter moments with just a touch of green nuance.

WOW LOVE this ultimate freshie!! This is so elegant, clean and beyond fresh. I have finally found my ultimate clean scent. AU Opens with a burst of fresh citrus and a hint of white floral with a musky woody dry down. It does dry down to a skin scent and yet I still get wafts of the entire scent profile throughout the day. Totally worthy of respraying throughout the day. I am sad to say that I NEED the entire line of AU including the laundry detergent.:-)

Aqua Universals is now my current love from daytime gym time until bed time. Before I met Aqua Universalis, Aerin Waterlily Sun was my No.1 daytime scent. I love waterlily sun. It is airy, light, fresh and good quality. But I always feel that it is missing something. Aqua Universalis is a completed also better longevity. If you love the sunny air dry laundry feeling, you will never go wrong with Aqua Universalis.

This is my review of MFK male wardrobe collection. This I didn't expect to be quite good, its a simple, one dimensional combo of citrus + white floral scent, but its made very well, performance is better then your regular citrus notes, sillage is ok too. Overall its great, but not special, not something I would want to get a full bottle of, I'll just enjoy my 11 ml bottle.

Unfortunately, it has lost its original formula. The cold, metallic lemon–aqua character is gone, replaced by a muted, laundry-like scent. Unlike how 724 inherited most of 754’s DNA, Aqua Universalis has undergone major changes over the recent few years, and it can no longer be recommended as an iconic MFK fragrance or as a great citrus perfume.

MFK Aqua universalis a very pleasing fragrance and leaves the scent behind the person leaving the room. Although I normally don't like flower scents but this one smells good. The feeling of standing in a flower garden in the middle of the city, it is natural but at the same time proclaims that I'm perfume haha something like that.

Have worn this fragrance through all seasons and even in tropical climes. It sparkles in any setting and all occasions. Just a joy to get a whiff of whether on myself or others. Truly one of a kind. And lasts on me for a couple of days even after bathing. Just 2 moderate spritzes behind each ear and all set to take on the world!

Beautiful in all the ways one can judge beauty: precision and skill, order with some surprise, balance, complex yet cohesive, a very good interpretation of purity without tricks or shock-value ingredients to appease the wannabes. This is about cleanliness, if you're not a fan, then go smell patchouli and oud in a corner.

Nice light citrus-y, floral-y, lily of the valley clean smell without being an overly soapy cologne. Comfortable for any weather. Doesn't really project much, more of an intimate, clean smell that reminds me of fancy suits and sunny days. When I smell this, it conjures imagery of early 2000s TV shows about big offices.

'Aqua Universalis' EDT smells like fresh, clean laundry. Beautiful lily of the valley is the most dominant note, with some uplifting citrus. The scent is so pleasant, but I only wish it lasted longer on my skin. I much prefer the Forte EDP because of its improved performance.

I love it. Great summer scent that is citrusy without being cloying. Def spring/summer day but will try in fall/winter to see if it holds up. Kind of beachy. I've heard rumors it is the signature fragrance for Thailand Four Seasons so love someone to confirm.

Mesmerizing! First impression is very strong and synthetic toilet freshener. But after few minutes it settles into a clean and heavenly scent which last for hours and hours on my skin. It's just perfect scent for my skin chemistry. Absolutely love it.

I believe the name is most appropriate for this scent. A clean, transparent, pure, calming and fresh scent. White flowers and touches of citrus blended majestically. Totally unisex and excellent performance in terms on projection and longevity.

This perfume is absolutely gorgeous, open with a fresh citrusy musk, a scent that you would like in a lazy day sleeping on a cough. Perfect for pleasing yourself, but it is kinda sad that the sillage and longevity is not that good.

This is as the other have said. Light salty citrus for the beach.Although a man could wear it i find this to be feminine.It shares DNA with APOM homme whicjh they cancelled. Very good but not bottle worthy at this price.

Very nice scent , kind of overpriced tho . But ,if you only have like 3 or 4 perfumes and not planning to buy more, than its worth to own this instead of buying 5-6 decent or average fresh summer perfume

Wow! I am kind of obsessed. I get a lot of citrus notes and it lasts for me. Surprised to see it compared to Clinique's Happy but I guess I get it. It's a bit more sophisticated and polished.

Love this one, it reminds me of Charlie white because the girl I used to have a crush on wore that perfume all the time . Everytime i smell it i get vivid memories of her

I do love this fragrance It feels like a clean scent with aromatic citrus blend with white floral super clean and fresh scent but the price is very high, very expensive.

I just started getting into fragrances and learned that I gravitate towards clean, fresh, citrus, aquatic scents so this one check all the boxes for me. I love it!

It's a nice fresh laundry scent kinda vibe. I love the smell but it lasts less than an hour on me. It's not worth it for the price.

Soapy freshness, very toned down. Fades to a slightly sour smell - like a sexy sweat. I love it.

Clean, aromatic. A lovely scent. I wish it had more longevity for the price point.

Sometimes I want to smell like freshly cleaned sheets, so I wear Aqua Universalis.

I think this is how Haven smells like

Staying with the house of Maison Francis Kurkdjian, today’s review turns toward one of its most minimal and universally approachable expressions of freshness with Aqua Universalis. This fragrance is often described as a study in pure cleanliness, evoking freshly laundered fabrics, soft white light, and an almost weightless sense of clarity. Rather than leaning into sharp citrus or overt aromatic structure, Aqua Universalis frames freshness through balance and restraint, allowing its clean character to feel smooth, luminous, and quietly elegant. It shares a familiar DNA with other MFK fresh offerings, but pushes that idea to its most stripped-back and refined form. Whether that extreme simplicity translates into timeless versatility or risks feeling too understated is what we are here to explore. Let’s move to the wearing experience and examine how this idea of universal freshness begins to express itself on skin. Opening: The opening is citrusy, floral, and musky. The primary notes that stand out are lily of the valley, Amalfi lemon, musk, and bergamot, with lily of the valley and Amalfi lemon leading the composition. The fragrance begins with a crisp, sparkling burst of Amalfi lemon that feels sharp and zesty, much like a freshly cut lemon. Almost immediately, lily of the valley joins in, presenting as an airy white floral defined by a pronounced fresh linen accord and a faint green nuance. The signature MFK musk weaves its way through the composition, adding a clean, cotton-like softness that blends seamlessly with the florals. Lastly, bergamot plays a supporting role, extending the citrus profile with subtle aromatic and lightly spicy undertones. Orange blossom is also detectable, though it remains well within the background, contributing a gentle, creamy floral sweetness without asserting itself. Dry Down: The dry down remains citrusy, musky, and floral. Amalfi lemon, musk, lily of the valley, and bergamot continue to anchor the composition, though the balance shifts noticeably. Amalfi lemon stays present, retaining its tart and zesty character from the opening, but now feels smoother and more subdued. Musk moves into the foreground, maintaining its fresh cotton accord, though it develops a faint metallic edge that becomes more noticeable as the fragrance settles. Lily of the valley lingers as a soft white floral accent, but the pronounced fresh linen nuance from the opening has largely faded. Finally, bergamot continues quietly in the background, offering a final trace of citrus and aromatic brightness. Performance: Performance closely mirrors my experience with both 724 and Petit Matin. Projection is strong during the first hour, reaching out to roughly six feet and creating a bright, noticeable scent trail. After three to four hours, projection softens considerably, shrinking to around three feet, with sillage becoming lighter but still present. Overall longevity averages around five to six hours before settling into a faint skin scent. When to Wear: Like the rest of the Aqua line from MFK, Aqua Universalis is traditionally positioned as a spring and summer daytime fragrance. That classification makes sense, but its clean, freshly laundered character feels appropriate well beyond warmer months. This is the kind of scent that works in nearly any setting, whether casual or formal, for the office or special occasions. Its versatility is one of its strongest attributes, as it never feels out of place or intrusive. Blind Buy: There is very little here that could be considered polarizing. The florals remain soft and controlled, the citrus never becomes overly sharp, and the overall profile is clean, balanced, and unmistakably unisex. For those who enjoy fresh, laundry-style fragrances, Aqua Universalis is a relatively safe blind buy. Final Verdict: Aqua Universalis ultimately delivers an experience very similar to both 724 and Petit Matin, sharing the same core foundation of cleanliness, airy citrus, and soft florals that define this corner of the MFK catalog. All three fragrances perform similarly, with bright openings and moderate longevity, making the differences between them more about nuance than structure. Where Aqua Universalis falls slightly behind for me is in its dry down, where the musk develops a subtle metallic bite that distracts from an otherwise pristine composition. Petit Matin, by comparison, feels more fluid and naturally blended on my skin, offering a softer and more refined finish. While Aqua Universalis is undeniably well-crafted and highly wearable, there is only room for one of these fragrances in my collection, and Petit Matin ultimately earns that spot. Scent: 8/10 Longevity: 6/10 Sillage: 6/10 Versatility: Very high Mass Appeal: Very high Gender: Unisex Value: Way overpriced

Another one from the MFK cleaning product line. Next to 724 aka "dishwashing liquid", is its big brother Aqua Universalis aka "all-purpose cleaner/laundry detergent". All bluntness aside, I do find this a pleasant fragrance. The opening has a sharp citrus all-purpose cleaner scent. Then it fades into a more friendly, soft, clean laundry vibe. Feels cozy and safe, but fresh and clean at the same time. Peaceful, like laying down in a fleeting soft cloud. A bit powdery like a baby powder. Blends with skin flawlessly. Very subtle and minimal to the point of unnoticeable, also because it fades so quickly. I only use fragrance free laundry detergent these days, so smelling this was a nice change. It's like picking only the comforting and happy notes out of a fresh batch. This fragrance is something I could wear as a sort of "base fragrance", when you don't want to smell like you're wearing a perfume but still have a subtle, soothing scent surrounding you. But for that the price is quite high because the performance is weak.

I got a used one for extremely cheap, and what I paid is what I would deem it worthy to pay having smelled it. Perfectly fine laundry scent. And I mean laundry. This isn't just soapy and clean, in fact I don't really think it's all that "soapy", it's laundry detergent. Musky musky musky. Actually toss the laundry, I think this is what aliens think humans smell like. This is like pure alien baby smell. 'Clean' and 'pure' without any human intention. It's genuinely not bad in anyway, I have lacked for good clean scents, so I appreciate that it joins my collection. I think with a little resin, or some kind of wood, it would transform into something really lovely. On it's own it makes for a great fragrance in hot weather, at the gym, or on the go.... if you can get it cheap enough. 7/10 edit - the dry down is extremely lovely. flowers and sweetness come out and transform the shapeless clean it once was into a very beautiful skin scent.

Not sure what to feel about this one. Yes it's just very soapy and clean. But this is not as wearable as other soapy scents in my opinion because this smells like laundry detergent plain and simple rather than body washes. So you won't smell like you took a shower, more like the T-shirt you put on that you washed yesterday. I won't wear it because it can come off as a stingy and Sharp detergent smell that can get quite nose piercing. But i bought a full bottle to use it with my fabric softener. Gives my clothes a better smell than any of those cheap grocery store detergents. 1 spray for a light wash is enough so it will last you a long time for this kind of use. The EDP offerings from MFK have amped up floral notes which makes them feminine in my opinion, but this one is just right and well balanced that smells like unisex laundry detergent.

This is a very pleasant scent. This is a type of frag I would wear on an airplane or somewhere where I’m very close to people and I don’t want to smell pungent or potentially offensive (like smoke or leather frags can come off) . It’s such a simple smell but very fresh and clean. I will say I enjoy MFK and luxury frags but expensive citrus forward scents hardly seem to pull ahead of their cheaper siblings it’s just such an easy to get right scent there’s no risk. I enjoy this but don’t think I would do the full bottle. Update: I sprayed this 30 minutes ago and literally can’t even find where I sprayed it on my arm anymore it went from gentle skin scent to gonzo I knew the longevity wasn’t that good but 30 min what the heck 😂

An incredibly efficient fresh clean scent, a few sprays would quickly convey a message of personal cleanliness, a basket of clean laundry, and lathered shower gel. It does not evoke traditional soap notes, as much as that of modern surfactants, no creamy or fatty nuances you would associate with bar soap, more so transparent shower gel. The citrus notes are not very realistic, more so one dimensional recreations meant to feel as bright as possible. Dries down vaguely woody. Not bad, but for me it is not worth the price whatsoever, but if it were given to me as a gift I wouldn't mind wearing it purely because of the functionality.

Aqua Universalis is an amazing balance of contrasts. It's clean and evocative of fresh linens but doesn't remind me of soap. It's citrus, but not sporty. It's soft and floral, but not particularly feminine. It's a unique scent that also feels really familiar. It opens with a bright aquatic citrus blast and then settles to a clean cotton floral musk. A really pleasant scent that is distinctive but not at all challenging. I'm a bit mystified by the many reviewers who get terrible performance from this - I put on a few sprays in the morning and can still smell it the next day.

Wore this today in the 105° heat because I wanted to compare it with my recent purchase of 724. Very nice wearing experience. It's less musky than 724 and the orange blossom is more pronounced on my skin, so it reads softer to me. I was surprised at performance as as I was getting strong whiffs of this throughout about a 6-7 hour period until I sweated it off my skin (I didn't apply to my clothing). It's a mood lifter and I agree with the AI bullet points with the exception of evening use. Very nice but redundant since I already have 724. Scent 7.5/10 Performance 7/10

Laundry detergent, not your typical Tide or Lenor, nothing like old school soapiness of Chanel No 5, but more on that high-end side of laundry washing supplies. Musks, referred to as white musks, are widely used in detergents and fabric softeners, that's why it reminds of them so much. I would not say it smells "clean" as this is pure, lemon-floral scented laundry wash and not a smell of clean skin or not very minimal. It is quite a strong perfume, you will feel it. Very refreshing, definitely unisex, very "white-shirt" type. I like it. Doesn't last much though.