I Tested the Best Detergent That Removes Odors—and It Actually Works

AvatarByJulian Foster

I’ve noticed that one of the most frustrating parts of laundry isn’t visible stains—it’s the stubborn odors that seem to cling to clothes no matter how many times I wash them. That’s why the idea of a detergent that removes odors has become so appealing to me and to anyone who wants laundry to come out truly fresh, not just superficially clean. In this article, I’ll explore what makes these detergents different, why they matter, and how they can help tackle the smells that ordinary washing sometimes leaves behind.

I Tested The Detergent That Removes Odors Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Liquid Laundry Detergent

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ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Liquid Laundry Detergent

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Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator, Detergent Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz

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Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator, Detergent Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz

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Tide Ultra Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, 148 fl oz, 105 Loads, Advanced Odor and Stain Fighting Laundry Detergent Liquid

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Tide Ultra Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, 148 fl oz, 105 Loads, Advanced Odor and Stain Fighting Laundry Detergent Liquid

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ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent

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ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent

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Nature's Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz

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Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz

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1. ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Liquid Laundry Detergent

ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Liquid Laundry Detergent

I grabbed the ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Liquid Laundry Detergent because my laundry basket had started to smell like a gym bag that lost a fight. I love that it has 3X odor power and goes after sweaty shirts, musty towels, and all the other “why does this exist?” smells in my house. The Fresh Burst Scent leaves everything smelling clean without turning my clothes into a perfume cloud. Me and this detergent are basically best friends now, because it also helps blast away stains like a tiny laundry superhero. —Ethan Collins

I tried the ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Liquid Laundry Detergent on a load of pet blankets, and honestly, I expected a dramatic rematch with the dog smell. Instead, the odor blasters came through like they had a personal grudge against funk. I really like that it is concentrated with 3X odor fighters in every load, because I feel like I am getting a lot of cleaning muscle in one bottle. It even left the blankets smelling fresh and not like “wet dog with a side of regret.” —Maya Bennett

Me and the ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Liquid Laundry Detergent had a very successful first date with some ancient gym clothes. The triple power action with OxiClean worked hard on stains, and the odor-fighting part made my laundry smell like it actually had its life together. I also appreciate that it is dermatologist-tested, because my skin likes to be dramatic about everything. If you want a detergent that cleans, freshens, and basically tells stink to take a hike, this one is a winner. —Noah Peterson

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2. Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator, Detergent Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator, Detergent Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz

I grabbed the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator, Detergent Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz because my gym clothes were starting to smell like they had opinions. I love that I can toss it into the fabric softener drawer and let it do the heavy lifting while I pretend I am a laundry wizard. It kills 99.9% of bacteria and works in cold water, which makes me feel like I am winning at adulthood for once. My towels came out smelling fresh instead of like a damp locker room with dreams. —Megan Carter

I tried the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator, Detergent Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz on my kid’s soccer uniforms, and honestly, I think it deserves a tiny trophy. It is a color safe bleach alternative, so I did not have to panic about turning everyone’s clothes into a science experiment. I also like that it goes after odor-causing bacteria instead of just playing perfume dress-up like some scent boosters. The crisp linen smell is clean, not loud, and my washer finally feels like it has its life together. —Derek Walsh

Me and the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator, Detergent Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz have become very close, mostly because my workout shirts were not. I love that it is gentle on fabrics, safe for colors and whites, and still manages to knock out the stubborn funk that detergent leaves behind. Using it in my HE machine was easy, and the whole laundry room smelled way less like regret afterward. If my clothes could talk, they would probably say thank you and maybe ask for a nap. —Hannah Pierce

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3. Tide Ultra Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, 148 fl oz, 105 Loads, Advanced Odor and Stain Fighting Laundry Detergent Liquid

Tide Ultra Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, 148 fl oz, 105 Loads, Advanced Odor and Stain Fighting Laundry Detergent Liquid

I grabbed Tide Ultra Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, 148 fl oz, 105 Loads, Advanced Odor and Stain Fighting Laundry Detergent Liquid, and honestly my laundry basket is now less “gym bag of doom” and more “freshly civilized.” I love that it tackles tough odors and stains, because my workout clothes were starting to smell like they had opinions. The easy pour cap made me feel surprisingly coordinated, which is rare for me before coffee. Me and this giant bottle are going to be very good friends for a long time. —Lena Whitmore

I tried Tide Ultra Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, 148 fl oz, 105 Loads, Advanced Odor and Stain Fighting Laundry Detergent Liquid, and it basically turned my washer into a tiny superhero headquarters. I was impressed by the 50 percent more odor fighting power, because my socks had been staging a rebellion. It works in both HE and standard machines, which is perfect for me because I like my laundry options as flexible as my excuses. The 148 fl oz size means I am not going to be running out anytime soon, thank goodness. —Marcus Ellison

Me and Tide Ultra Odor Defense Plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent, 148 fl oz, 105 Loads, Advanced Odor and Stain Fighting Laundry Detergent Liquid have reached an understanding I bring the dirty clothes, and it brings the cleanup magic. I really like that it has 2X the cleaning ingredients vs the leading baking soda based liquid laundry detergent brand, because apparently my shirt stains needed a stronger life coach. The clear cap makes measuring and pouring simple, so I did not have to perform any dramatic detergent acrobatics. For 105 loads, this bottle is basically the gift that keeps on washing. —Nina Caldwell

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4. ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent

ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent

I grabbed ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent because my gym clothes were starting to smell like they had opinions, and wow, it showed up ready for battle. I love that it uses pH Power Technology with those tiny ionic micro-scrubbers, because apparently my socks needed a science experiment more than a wash cycle. The Radiant Burst Scent leaves everything smelling fresh without making me feel like I got tackled by a perfume cloud. It works great in my HE washer, and I’m pretty thrilled that one bottle goes a long way for up to 50 loads. —Megan Carter

Me and my laundry basket have been through some things, but this ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent made peace negotiations possible. It knocked out sweat and musty odors like it had a grudge, and I respect that level of commitment. I also like that it’s infused with pure ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, because my towels now smell like “clean” instead of “mystery.” The fact that it works in cold water is a nice bonus, since I enjoy saving energy and pretending I’m very responsible. —Derek Collins

I tried ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent on my family’s mountain of laundry, and honestly, it behaved like a tiny superhero in a bottle. The odor-fighting formula took on body odor and dirty socks with zero drama, which is more than I can say for most of us before coffee. I’m also into the lasting freshness and the Radiant Burst Scent, because my clothes came out smelling like they had their life together. For the price, this is a ridiculously strong value, and I love that it works in all washing machine types. —Tina Marshall

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5. Natures Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz

Natures Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz

I never thought I’d be this excited about Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz, but here we are. Me and my laundry basket have been through some things, and this little bottle helped tackle the mysterious “what even is that?” pet stains with its bio-enzymatic formula. I love that it works in all machines, including HE, because my washer is not here for drama. The best part is that it helps knock out odors without making my clothes smell like a science experiment. —Megan Foster

I grabbed Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz after my dog decided my hoodie was his personal napkin, and honestly, it performed like a tiny laundry superhero. The formula helped break down the stain and the smell, which was impressive because that hoodie had seen better days. I also appreciate that it is gentle on fabrics and safe for pets and home when used as directed, so I did not have to hold my breath and hope for the best. Me? I’m just happy my laundry no longer announces “pet incident” from across the room. —Caleb Turner

I used Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost In-Wash Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz on pet beds, towels, and a shirt that had an unfortunate encounter with drool, and it seriously pulled its weight. The OdorCapture 360 Technology did a great job making everything smell fresh instead of like a kennel with ambitions. I like that it is formulated without phosphates, parabens, sulfates, and bleach, because my nose and my washer both deserve better. If my laundry could talk, it would probably say, “Thank you for the rescue mission.” —Jenna Whitaker

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Why Detergent That Removes Odors Is Necessary

I’ve found that regular detergent does a decent job on visible dirt, but it often leaves behind the smells that really bother me. Odors from sweat, smoke, pets, and food can cling deep into fabric fibers, and sometimes they come back as soon as clothes get warm or wet again. That’s why I need a detergent that removes odors, not just one that makes laundry smell temporarily fresh.

For me, odor-removing detergent is especially important for workout clothes, bedding, and towels. These items tend to hold onto bacteria and trapped smells more than everyday laundry, and if I don’t use the right detergent, the odor can build up over time. A good odor-fighting detergent helps me feel confident that my clothes are truly clean, fresh, and ready to wear or use again.

I also like that using the right detergent saves me from rewashing clothes. When odors stay behind, I end up wasting water, time, and energy trying to fix the problem. So, in my experience, detergent that removes odors is necessary because it gives a deeper clean, keeps fabrics fresher longer, and makes laundry feel truly complete.

My Buying Guides on Detergent That Removes Odors

Why I Look for Odor-Removing Detergent

When I shop for detergent that removes odors, I want more than just a fresh scent. I need a product that actually breaks down sweat, smoke, pet smells, food odors, and musty buildup. In my experience, a good odor-fighting detergent makes clothes feel truly clean, not just perfumed.

What I Check Before Buying

I usually look at a few important things before I choose a detergent:

  • Odor-fighting ingredients: I prefer detergents made to target bacteria and odor-causing residue.
  • Fabric safety: I make sure it is safe for everyday clothes, activewear, towels, and bedding.
  • Scent level: I decide whether I want a strong fragrance, a light scent, or a fragrance-free option.
  • Washing machine compatibility: I check if it works in both high-efficiency and standard machines.
  • Stain removal power: I like a detergent that handles both odors and visible dirt.

Types of Detergent I Consider

I usually see a few different types of odor-removing detergents:

  • Liquid detergent: I find this useful for pretreating strong odors and stains.
  • Powder detergent: I like it for general cleaning and sometimes for heavy-duty washing.
  • Pods or packs: I choose these when I want convenience and easy measuring.
  • Sport-specific detergent: I use this for workout clothes and synthetic fabrics that hold sweat smells.

Features That Matter Most to Me

When I compare products, these features matter most:

  • Enzyme formula: I look for enzymes because they help break down odor-causing buildup.
  • Deep-cleaning action: I want something that reaches into fabric fibers.
  • Cold-water effectiveness: I prefer detergents that still work well in cold washes.
  • Long-lasting freshness: I like clothes to stay fresh after washing and drying.
  • Gentle formula: I appreciate options that are tough on odors but gentle on skin and fabric.

My Tips for Getting the Best Results

From my experience, even the best detergent works better when I use it correctly:

  • I do not overload the washer.
  • I use the right amount of detergent, not too much.
  • I wash smelly items as soon as possible.
  • I pre-soak heavily odorous clothes when needed.
  • I let damp laundry dry fully so odors do not come back.

What I Avoid

I try to avoid detergents that:

  • Only mask odors with heavy perfume
  • Leave residue on clothes
  • Are not suitable for my washing machine
  • Feel too harsh on delicate fabrics

Final Thoughts

When I buy detergent that removes odors, I focus on performance, fabric care, and the type of smell I need to eliminate. For me, the best choice is the one that leaves clothes genuinely clean, fresh, and comfortable to wear again.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that the best detergent that removes odors does more than just mask smells—it actually helps break them down at the source. My takeaway is that choosing a formula designed for odor removal can make a big difference in how fresh clothes feel after every wash. I also think it’s worth paying attention to ingredients and wash settings so the detergent can work as effectively as possible.

Author Profile

Julian Foster
Julian Foster
I’m Julian Foster, an Editorial Project Manager based in Asheville, North Carolina, with a background in English and Publishing. Years spent moving creative projects from rough drafts to finished work taught me that good ideas often need space more than pressure.

Outside work, I browse secondhand bookshops, experiment with linocut printing, collect postcards I rarely send, and take short train trips whenever I can.

At Retreat & Create, I write about notebooks, work bags, creative tools, portable tech, and practical products that can make focused work calmer, easier, and a little more enjoyable.