The Best Laundry Odor Removers to Make Clothes Smell Fresh

Best Overall: OxiClean Odor Blasters Stain & Odor Remover

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OxiClean Odor Blasters won over our hearts because it actually gets deep into the fibers of your clothes, sheets, aprons, and whatever else and lifts the dirt, grime, and stains that caused the odor in the first place. OxiClean works on everything from blood and sweat to grass stains and grease. If you need to tackle both stains and odors (let’s face it: If your clothes have odors, they likely also have stains), this is the perfect one-product answer.

To use this odor remover, add a scoop to your normal wash load and enjoy fresher, brighter clothes immediately. If you have extra-smelly clothing on your hands, you may need to soak it with OxiClean Odor Blasters before putting it through your washing machine. That process is also simple: Add one scoop of the powder to a gallon of water, drop it in your clothes, and let them soak for one to six hours, depending on the severity of the odor. After that, wash your laundry as you normally would.

This odor remover is chlorine-free and safe for colors—two things that are important if you are washing sweaty gym clothing made of performance fabrics. It works best if you use it periodically, but it's also safe enough to use in every load. Just make sure that you aren’t washing any delicate fabrics, such as silk or velvet.

You can also use OxiClean on other household surfaces, such as upholstery and even tile and grout. We recommend testing a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure that it won’t cause any discoloration.

Overall, OxiClean Odor Blasters packs a powerful punch in just one scoop of powder. It’s easy to use, color safe, and doubles as a stain remover for ultimate laundry day efficiency.

Best Budget: Arm & Hammer Clean Scentsations In-Wash Scent Booster With Odor Blaster

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If you only need a small amount of odor remover but want something that can tackle tough jobs, the Arm & Hammer Clean Scentsations powder is the way to go. Plus, it's a budget-friendly choice. This Scentsations powder is powerful and easy to use: You can use the cap as a measuring cup to ensure you’re dispensing the right amount in your laundry. Pour it directly into the washer drum, and wash your items as you normally would. It works on all fabrics that are machine-washable.

There are three scent options available: fresh burst, tropical paradise, and purifying waters. These scents work to cover up unpleasant odors rather than remove them entirely from the fabric. If you’re sensitive to fragrances, this likely isn’t the best option for you. The baking soda in the formula does help lift some odors and stains, although it is not as effective as other odor removers or other Arm & Hammer products designed for deep cleaning.

Best Liquid Detergent: Nature's Miracle Laundry Boost

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Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost is a true miracle for pet owners or anyone looking for a powerful liquid odor remover. It is made with bio-enzymatic odor-locking technology to remove odor-causing offenders from your smelliest items. This includes common pet odors such as urine, feces, vomit, and sweat. It also works on blood and grease. It doesn’t have any added scents, just a fresh laundry smell.

You can opt for the pour bottle or the squeeze bottle—whichever is the easiest application method for you. You can use Nature's Miracle detergent alongside your normal detergent in the same wash cycle. You can also use it as a presoak treatment for serious smells. Either way, this odor-removing detergent really works.

Best Spray: OxiClean MaxForce Laundry Stain Remover Spray, 12 Fl. oz.

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This OxiClean Max Force 5-in-1 Power Laundry Spray is a powerful stain remover. As a result, it removes odor-causing culprits and gets your laundry fresh, as well. Even though stain removal is its primary purpose, its odor-removing ability is still unmatched when compared to other odor remover sprays. Just remember that it is intended for as-needed use rather than a daily addition to your laundry. This OxiClean spray works on grease and oil, food, drink, grass stains, blood, soil, and clay. No matter what kind of stain and odors come your way, you can likely spray it away with this product.

Keep in mind that this is a spot treatment and is not intended for overall freshness. To use, spray it on a specific stained area, let it sit anywhere from five minutes to seven days (depending on the stain level), and then wash your clothing as you normally would.

Best Pods: Tide Odor Rescue In-Wash Laundry Booster Pacs

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If convenience is your number one priority, opt for odor remover pods. The Tide Odor Rescue In-Wash Laundry Booster packs couldn’t be easier to use, and the formula works even on really tough smells. It is ideal for athletes and those who are dealing with very sweaty, very stinky clothes. Just toss a pod in your regular laundry, and it will get the stink out. You can even use it alongside other laundry detergent pods (as well as with liquid and powder detergent) to make your whole routine easy.

These pods are a bit expensive, which isn’t surprising given the convenience. They work by getting into the fibers of your clothing and linens for a really thorough clean that removes odor-causing dirt. If you have specific items—such as performance athletic wear—that hangs onto odors, these are well worth the cost. Since this odor remover is in pod form, you won’t be able to adjust the amount dispensed for super tough or very light odors.

Best Eco-Friendly: Branch Basics Oxygen Boost

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Want to remove odors without relying on bleach, ammonia, fragrances, or dyes? Try Branch Basics Oxygen Boost. The natural formula is great for those with chemical or fragrance sensitivities that prefer to purchase environmentally conscious laundry products. It is also a good option for parents of young children who want to limit their exposure to potentially hazardous ingredients. This formula uses sodium percarbonate and sodium bicarbonate to get stains out, freshen your laundry, and brighten your whites.

This is more expensive than some other odor removers, and it doesn’t perform quite as well as the hard-hitting chemical formulas. If you just want a boost to your already clean laundry, you’ll be happy with the odor reduction of the Branch Basics Oxygen Boost. If you have really smelly clothes, you might need to try multiple applications, which can get pricey.

Best for Sweat: Active Wear Laundry Detergent & Soak

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Another enzyme formula, the Active Wear Laundry Detergent & Soak is perfect for people who would rather spend their time at the gym than do countless loads of laundry. Performance fabrics used in athletic apparel are woven very tightly, which is one reason why they hang onto odors even after they are washed. The Active Wear soak specifically targets oil and sweat in the fibers, two of the biggest culprits that cause odors.

The formula is safe to use in all washing machines and for those with a septic system. It doesn’t include sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), phosphate, bleach, dyes, or softeners. Instead, it is made with plant-based enzymes. You can use it as a regular laundry detergent or as a soaking formula for very soiled or stinky items. While it does come in a large quantity, you’ll go through it quickly if you use it as a soak because it requires up to four scoops.