For Men White Vetiver

The Verdict

Clean For Men White Vetiver is one of those fragrances that inspires strong reactions in both directions. Launched in 2017 as part of the Clean brand's men's line, it attempts to merge the house's signature clean aesthetic with the earthy complexity of vetiver. The result is a woody aromatic that some find refreshingly different and others find off-putting, particularly in its opening minutes.

For its price point, White Vetiver delivers an interesting composition that goes beyond a simple fresh-and-clean scent. The vetiver here is given room to express its grassy, earthy character alongside bitter orange and bergamot, creating something that feels more naturalistic than synthetic. However, the fragrance's modest performance and divisive opening prevent it from being an easy recommendation.

What It Smells Like

The opening of White Vetiver is where opinions diverge most sharply. Juniper, bitter orange, and Sicilian bergamot create a crisp, almost medicinal freshness that some reviewers have compared to cleaning products. This initial harshness is the fragrance's biggest hurdle, and it takes patience to get past it.

As the top notes settle, the heart reveals itself with vetiver and oakmoss working together to create an earthy, green accord. The cottonwood note adds a subtle woody sweetness that bridges the gap between the sharp opening and the warmer base. This middle phase is where White Vetiver is at its most appealing, with the vetiver showing a refined, slightly smoky character.

The base of black musk, orris, and tonka bean provides a soft landing. The orris adds a powdery, iris-like quality while the tonka bean brings gentle warmth. The overall effect in the drydown is a quiet, close-to-skin woody musk that is pleasant but not particularly memorable.

When to Wear It

White Vetiver is best suited for daytime and office environments during spring and summer months. Its quiet projection and clean character make it appropriate for close-quarters professional settings where you want to smell polished without overwhelming anyone.

This is not a date night fragrance or an evening scent. Its strength lies in being an understated, slightly unusual take on the daytime woody genre.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is the weakest aspect of White Vetiver. Community ratings place longevity at approximately 2.84 out of 5 and sillage at 2.21 out of 4, meaning you can expect the scent to stay relatively close to the skin and fade within a few hours. Multiple applications throughout the day may be necessary for those who want to maintain the scent.

The Community Says

Community opinion on White Vetiver is genuinely split. Supporters praise it as a quality vetiver scent at an accessible price, noting that for the money, it delivers a respectable composition. Critics, however, find the opening problematic, with some describing it as smelling like bleach or cleaning products. Several reviewers note that the fragrance evolves in interesting ways, turning surprisingly spicy as it develops, but the consensus is that performance holds it back from being a strong contender in the vetiver category.

Who Should Buy This

White Vetiver is best suited for fragrance enthusiasts who appreciate vetiver as a note and want an affordable option to explore it. If you enjoy earthy, mossy scents and do not mind a challenging opening, this could be a worthwhile addition to your collection. However, those seeking a reliable daily driver with strong performance should look elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Clean For Men White Vetiver is an interesting but flawed fragrance that offers an earthy, naturalistic vetiver experience at a reasonable price. Its polarizing opening and modest longevity prevent it from earning broad appeal, but adventurous vetiver fans who sample before buying may find something to appreciate in its grassy, mossy heart.