Tackle Smelly, Stained Clothes With Our Favorite Laundry Odor Removers (2024)

Our Top Picks

If you’ve tried getting rid of unpleasant smells from your laundry, but only end up with a mask of fragrance, you may need a true fabric sanitizer and disinfectant. Our pick for the best overall laundry odor remover is the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive for its ability to eliminate 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, including Covid-19, without the use of bleach.

We also like that it works in cold water and is compatible with both standard and high efficiency washing machines.While it’s not hypoallergenic, and those with skin sensitivities may want to opt for a different product, we do like the clean crisp linen scent that won’t linger.

Plus, it does an excellent job at sanitizing fabrics while eliminating strong odors such as heavy perfume and sweat or body odor. If you want an effective laundry odor remover that also disinfects most fabrics, we think this is your best bet.

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Laundry odor removers aren’t exactly expensive cleaning products, but large families who do several loads of laundry may want an option that won’t compromise on its effectiveness. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner and Laundry Booster is perfect for removing smells and stains from a variety of surfaces and fabrics, including bathtubs, upholstery, silverware, refrigerators, and so much more.

Much like baking soda, this washing soda is a natural stain and odor remover and boosts your laundry detergent’s performance to give you cleaner, brighter, and more fresh smelling laundry. For 55 ounces, we think this laundry odor remover, which is also hypoallergenic, is the best value.

Because it’s a powder, this product tends to get a bit messy so you’ll want to be extra careful when pouring it into your washing machine or using it to clean other parts of your home. Despite this tiny drawback, it’s still an eco-friendly, efficient, and versatile laundry odor remover.

_{Type: Powder | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: No | Hypoallergenic: Yes | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: Yes}

Whether it's a handwoven rug, extra large dog bed, or fluffy puffer jacket, some things are pretty impossible to stick in the washer or shouldn’t be washed too frequently. But when these items start to smell and you need an immediate solution, we recommend Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray.

This is our pick for best spray because it doesn’t require washing. Simply spray it on your item from a distance of up to eight inches away and let it sit for five minutes. This convenient odor remover helps fight odor-causing bacteria, prevents mold and mildew, and sanitizes fabrics with ease.

This spray comes in two scent options, citrus and fresh, but they can be quite pungent especially for those with sensitivities. However, we do appreciate how well this product works at eliminating unpleasant odors from laundry and other fabrics without ever having to use your washing machine.

_{Type: Spray | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: No | Hypoallergenic: No | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: N/A}

Many laundry odor removers rely on fragrance to neutralize the strong odors you’re trying to get rid, which can cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin and want a product that truly works, we recommend OxiClean Odor Blasters Versatile Odor and Stain Remover.

This color-safe powder is oxygen-based and water-activated to eliminate odors from various items, including canvas sneakers, activewear, musty towels, and pet bedding. It’s also one of our favorite stain removers. Best of all, this versatile powder can also be used to clean upholstery, carpets, and hard surfaces such as grout.

Although you can add a scoop of this laundry odor remover to a load before starting it, you’ll need to mix it with water and let your items sit for a few hours if you’re planning on using it as a soak. If you don’t mind the more labor-intensive process and would rather prioritize a product that is best for sensitive skin, we think this is an excellent option.

_{Type: Powder | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: No | Hypoallergenic: Yes | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: Yes}

Harsh chemicals won’t just cause irritation and other issues, they can also be harmful to the environment. We think the Fresh Wave Odor Removing Laundry Booster is the best eco-friendly laundry odor remover because it uses plant-based ingredients to eliminate tough odors.

You can also use this liquid to deodorize carpets and rugs and hard sealed surfaces. Above all, we love the fresh pine scent that makes both laundry and your washing machine smell great.

It’s important to keep in mind that you might need more of this laundry odor remover to work its magic, so it won’t last as long as the other products on this list. However, it’s best for those who want a pleasant scent and made with an eco-friendly formula.

_{Type: Liquid | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: Yes | Hypoallergenic: Not listed | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: Yes}

Activewear is some of the most pungent laundry, especially since the smell of sweat can stay trapped on clothes for long periods of time even after washing. To make sure your workout clothes or sports uniforms stay fresh, we recommend the FunkAway Laundry Detergent Booster.

We like that it’s safe for all fabrics and it’s effective on even the strongest odors, including mildew, fish, cannabis, and skunk (although you may need double the product for these smells).It's also compatible with both regular and HE washing machines, so that's a plus in our book, too.

Although normally a laundry odor remover without a strong scent is a positive, we do wish this liquid had a more prominent scent since it’s formulated for activewear. However, because it’s quite effective at removing the toughest odors, we can look past this.

_{Type: Liquid | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: No | Hypoallergenic: Not listed | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: Yes}

Anyone with sensitive skin knows that investing in gentle yet effective laundry products is a must. That’s why we chose the Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster as our best unscented pick. We love the completely free and clear formula that uses enzymes to break down strong odors and stains to leave your laundry fresh and bright.

We especially like that it can remove “biological” stains; in other words, blood, sweat, yellow pit stains, and more. It’s also optimized for cold water for eco-friendliness, is septic safe, and has a bio-renewable formula.

While we appreciate the plastic-free packaging of this product, you should keep in mind that the lid is snug and can be challenging to remove. If you use too much force, you run the risk of getting powder and dust everywhere. With some extra caution, however, we think this unscented and efficient laundry odor remover will become your favorite part of your laundry day routine.

_{Type: Powder | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: Yes | Hypoallergenic: Yes | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: Yes}

As much as you love your dog or cat, washing their stinky beds and removing their urine or vomit stains for your rug is no fun task. To make it easier, we recommend Nature's Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Stain & Odor Remover.

This liquid product has a bio-enzymatic formula to thoroughly break down everyday messes and smells, so it can leave your pet’s items and your own laundry smelling like new. It is important to note that it’s not safe to use on certain fabrics, including washable silk, khaki, fluorescents, wool, suede, and leather.

If you’re dealing with particularly tough pet odors and stains, it may be best to soak the item in this product mixed with water before washing to get the best results. Otherwise, you can apply the liquid onto the area you want treated, let sit for 15 minutes, and then wash it. We think it's a perfect solution for deodorizing a pet bed.

_{Type: Liquid | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: Yes | Hypoallergenic: Not listed | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: Yes}

Using bleach to get whites whiter while also removing stains is definitely helpful. But when it comes to colors, it’s important to find a specially formulated product. We love Clorox for Colors Free & Clear Stain Remover & Color Brightener because it’s great for sensitive skin due to its free and clear formula and removes tough stains and odors when pretreated.

We also like how well it brightens both colors and whites so you don’t have to buy multiple products for all your clothes.

If not stored properly and upright, the bottle may leak through the cap so it’s important to keep this in mind when reaching for it in your laundry room. However, we do like that the bottle is enough for a generous 52 loads.

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We think Downy Unstopables In-Wash Laundry Scent Booster Beads are the best scent booster for their multiple scent options (we are partial to the fresh scent that smells crisp and clean like sea salt). They have long-lasting freshness and odor protection that can last up to 12 weeks.

We also like how easy it is to use—simply pour as little or as much into the cap and toss it into your washer before adding any clothes or detergent. Whether you’re looking to get rid of strong odors or just want to add some extra fragrance to your laundry, these scent boosters get the job done.

Since these beads contain dyes that correspond to their scent, they’re not recommended for use on whites or light-colored clothing to avoid possible dye transfer. If you’re only using these scent beads on colors and want your laundry smelling fresh for as long as possible, these are a must-have.

_{Type: Beads | Probiotic or Enzymatic Formula: No | Hypoallergenic: No | High Efficiency (HE) Compatible: Yes}

Final Verdict