Does your home sometimes smell less like a fresh spring meadow and more like… well, your favorite furry friend? You love your pets dearly, but their unique scents can cling stubbornly to blankets, beds, and even your favorite sweater. Washing these items often doesn’t solve the problem; the odor just seems to linger, no matter how much regular detergent you use. This is a common headache for pet owners everywhere!
Choosing the right laundry detergent to tackle tough pet odors can feel like navigating a maze. Many standard detergents simply mask the smell instead of truly eliminating it. You worry about using harsh chemicals around your beloved animals, but you also desperately want clean, odor-free fabrics. It’s frustrating when you spend time and money on laundry only to have that tell-tale scent return.
Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explore exactly what makes a detergent effective against pet smells, what ingredients to look for (and which to avoid), and how to get your laundry truly fresh again. Keep reading to discover the secrets to banishing pet odors from your home for good, transforming your laundry routine from a battle into a breeze.
Top Laundry Detergent For Pet Odor Recommendations
- Concentrated Powder Detergent: ACTIVE Pet Detergent is a Powerful, High Efficiency Compatible Odor Destroyer & Stain Eliminating Detergent. Every Scoop has a Natural Cleaning Power to Handle any Mess, Stain, or Smell left behind by your pet.
- Suitable for all Pet Laundry: Including Pet Bed, Clothing, Leash, Harness, Blankets, Towels, Furniture Covers & More! ACTIVE is an All-in-One Laundry Detergent Compatible With All Fabric Types, Even Use on your own Clothing and Bedding that smells like your pet!
- Bio Based Enzyme Cleaner: ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Detergent is Formulated to Target Pesky Stains and Odors, Including Pet Urine, Cat & Dog Pee, Vomit, Slobber, Dirt, Grime, Oils and Protein Stains. ACTIVE Enzymes even get rid of Wet Dog Odor, and others stubborn scents
- Natural & Fragrance Free: ACTIVE Pet Detergent is a Natural Laundry Stain Remover, Free of Harsh Chemicals and Gentle for Pets and Sensitive Skin. ACTIVE Actually Removes Odors rather than using scents to cover them up like some alternatives
- Best Value 64 Loads: Compare ACTIVE Dog Laundry Detergent to liquids that take up more space with less uses. Our Value Pack Comes in a Bulk 2 Lb bag so you can Keep Your Pet Laundry Taken Care Of!
- FEBREZE IN WASH PET ODOR ELIMINATOR: You will receive (1) 98 Fl Oz bottle of Febreze Maximum Strength In Wash Pet Odor Eliminator laundry detergent additive. Remove tough pet odors from fabrics and clothing in a single wash. Brought to you by Nehemiah Manufacturing.
- MAXIMUM STRENGTH LAUNDRY ODOR ELIMINATOR: This detergent additive removes even the toughest pet odors instead of just masking them. Ideal for removing odors from cat and dog beds, sofa covers, pet carriers, dog collars, pet urine and more!
- FOR BEST RESULTS: Pretreat hard-to-remove odors by placing the item in hot water, add 1 capful of Febreze In Wash Pet Odor Eliminator and soak. Continue with normal wash. For Light Odors use 1 capful. For Heavy, use 1 1/2 capfuls. For Extreme Odors, use up to 2 capfuls
- SAFE TO USE WITH LAUNDRY PRODUCTS: Febreze In Wash Pet Odor Eliminator is safe to use with laundry detergent pods, liquid laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and bleaches. Compatible with regular and high efficiency washing machines.
- SUBSCRIBE & SAVE: Never run out of Febreze In Wash Pet Odor Eliminator Laundry Additive when you add it to your subscriptions. Save with every purchase
- LAUNDRY BIO-ENZYMATIC FORMULA: Helps break down and destroy tough pet stains and odors, such as urine, feces, vomit, blood, grass and drool.
- GENTLE ON FABRICS: Perfect for use on clothing, pet beds and more—not for use on specialty fabrics, including washable silk, khaki, fluorescents, wool, suede and leathers.
- SAFE FOR PETS AND HOME: Formulated without phosphates, parabens, sulfates and bleach, this product is safe for use around pets and home, when used as directed.
- ODORCAPTURE 360 TECHNOLOGY: An odor neutralizing system from Nature’s Miracle, the brand you trust because it works!
- WORKS IN ALL MACHINES INCLUDING HE: Use in addition to your laundry detergent to help loosen and remove tough pet stains and odors.
- One 5 lb box of OxiClean Odor Blasters Versatile Odor Eliminator and Stain Remover Powder laundry booster to get out tough stains and stubborn smells
- Oxygen-based, water-activated laundry booster gets out tough dirt, persistent spots and set-in stains, plus eliminates sweat, musty towel and body odors with OxiClean stain remover
- Works with regular detergent as a clothes stain remover and odor neutralizer to get clothes extra clean. For best results, use as a presoak before washing
- This OxiClean powder stain and laundry odor remover can be used as a kitchen cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and fabric odor eliminator for machine-washable fabrics so you are ready for any mess
- Tough on stains yet gentle on fabric, this chlorine-free, color-safe, fabric stain remover formula removes odors and stains to help keep the clothes you love look newer, longer
- One 166.5 fl oz bottle of ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Laundry Detergent, Fresh Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent cleans 128 medium loads when used as directed
- Triple-power HE laundry detergent fights tough odors, blasts away stains and boosts freshness so your clothes look and smell their best
- With trusted ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda plus an odor fighter, this HE laundry detergent is formulated to deeply clean clothes and deliver lasting freshness
- Laundry stain remover forces out stubborn stains and nasty odors using OxiClean Stain Fighters to remove stains like food, grass, grease and more
- Odor Blasters fights tough smells like body odor, sweat and musty towels and leave clothes with a lasting Fresh Burst scent
- One 100.5 fl oz bottle of ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean with Odor Blasters Laundry Detergent, Fresh Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent cleans 77 medium loads when used as directed
- Triple-power HE laundry detergent fights tough odors, blasts away stains and boosts freshness so your clothes look and smell their best
- With trusted ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda plus an odor fighter, this HE laundry detergent is formulated to deeply clean clothes and deliver lasting freshness
- Laundry stain remover forces out stubborn stains and nasty odors using OxiClean Stain Fighters to remove stains like food, grass, grease and more
- Odor Blasters fights tough smells like body odor, sweat and musty towels and leave clothes with a lasting Fresh Burst scent
- Eliminates pet odors and stains - LaundraPet enzymatic laundry detergent by Alpha Tech Pet is designed to remove animal pet odors and stains from pet poop and urine, and heavy soils from washable garments, leaving them soft and smelling fresh!
- Triple-action enzymatic power - Offering 3x cleaning efficacy, LaundraPet is a pet laundry detergent fortified with enzymatic technology that boosts cleaning power by 15%. It can be used in cold water, saving energy consumption.
- Veterinarian-approved - This pet enzyme cleaner is an effective pet odor eliminator with the purest cleaning ingredients for home, clinics, or kennels. It is a dermatologist-approved, all-natural, family and pet-safe detergent.
- Perfect for high-efficiency washers - Its low-sudsing formula is ideal for high-efficiency machines, making it the choice of groomers, vets, and pet owners. Plus, an economical pet cleaning solution as you can get up to 96 washes (1oz for HE and 2oz for regular washers).
- Trusted animal care solutions - With over 38 years in business, Alpha Tech Pet delivers eco-friendly, USA-made products scientifically formulated for effective and gentle pet care solutions.
- Get the dog off with DOGOFF! You’re probably thinking: Wow. Another laundry detergent option to choose from. But we’ve made the choice so simple, a dog could sniff out the awesomeness.
- Pet Safe - 100% safe for washing items such as towels, clothes, bedding, and more belonging to dogs, cats, and other pets.
- Naturally Derived, High-Powered Ingredients - Everything we use in our formulas is derived from nature. With super concentrated, biodegradable formulas, you can rest assured that you're using a product not only good for your doggo but also for the environment.
- Made by Grooming Supply Experts - We've been making products for the grooming industry for over 23 years, so we know a thing or two about high-quality pet products that perform. In fact, this professional-grade product was created with the grooming industry in mind!
- 1 oz = 128 loads! (Please note this product does not come with a scoop/cup)
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Conquering Pet Odors in Your Laundry
Pet owners know the struggle. Accidents happen. Wet dog smells linger. Regular detergent often just masks these tough odors. You need a specialized weapon: laundry detergent designed specifically for pet odors. This guide helps you choose the best one for your furry family.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look for these important features. They separate the odor fighters from the regular soaps.
- Enzymatic Formula: This is the most crucial feature. Enzymes are tiny helpers that actually break down the organic matter causing the smell (like urine proteins). Look for terms like “bio-enzymatic” or “enzyme-powered.”
- Odor Neutralization, Not Just Masking: Good detergents eliminate the smell completely. Cheap detergents just cover it up with heavy perfumes. You want true neutralization.
- Concentration Level: Concentrated formulas often mean you use less product per load, saving money over time.
- Color Safe and Fabric Safe: Ensure the formula works well on your favorite blankets, pet beds, and clothing without fading colors or damaging fibers.
Important Materials and Ingredients
What’s inside the bottle matters greatly for effectiveness and safety.
Enzymes (The Heavy Lifters)
The best detergents contain a blend of enzymes. Common types include protease (breaks down proteins found in pet waste) and lipase (breaks down fats). These ingredients actively destroy the odor source.
Surfactants (The Cleaners)
Surfactants lift dirt and oil away from the fabric. In pet formulas, these must work alongside the enzymes effectively.
What to Avoid
Be wary of detergents relying heavily on synthetic fragrances or harsh bleaches. Overuse of fragrances means the smell is still hidden, not gone. Bleach can damage certain fabrics where pet accidents often occur, like memory foam or synthetics.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all pet odor detergents perform the same. Quality often depends on how well the formula handles extreme situations.
Improving Quality:
- Pre-Treatment Options: The best product lines often include a pre-soak or spray. Treating the stain before the wash cycle significantly improves odor removal.
- Water Temperature Compatibility: High-quality formulas work well in both cold water (for energy saving) and hot water (for sanitization).
- Residue Removal: A high-quality detergent completely rinses out, leaving no sticky residue behind that might attract more dirt.
Reducing Quality:
- Heavy Fillers: Products loaded with cheap fillers dilute the active ingredients, making them less effective against strong odors.
- Inadequate Rinsing: If the detergent doesn’t rinse clean, the fabric feels stiff, and the remaining soap can trap odors.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about *how* you will use the detergent. This affects your choice.
Common Use Cases:
- Pet Bedding: These items need the strongest treatment. Look for industrial-strength formulas if beds are heavily soiled.
- Accident Laundry (Urine/Vomit): For these items, always use the recommended enzyme soak time before starting the main wash cycle.
- General Refreshing: If you just want to remove that “damp dog smell” from towels, a standard, enzyme-booster dose usually suffices.
Good user experience means the detergent is easy to measure, doesn’t clog dispensers, and leaves behind a neutral or very light, clean scent. If you have sensitive skin, check if the formula is hypoallergenic, as strong odor fighters can sometimes be irritating.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does this detergent really remove urine smell, or just cover it up?
A: A quality pet odor detergent uses enzymes that break down the odor-causing uric acid crystals. It truly removes the smell, unlike standard detergents that only mask it with perfume.
Q: Can I use this detergent on my regular clothes?
A: Yes, most formulas are safe for everyday use. They are gentler than straight bleach but powerful enough for pet laundry.
Q: How much detergent should I use?
A: Always follow the instructions on the bottle. If the load is heavily soiled with pet accidents, you might increase the dose slightly, but never exceed the maximum line.
Q: Should I use hot water or cold water?
A: Cold water is often best for activating the enzymes without setting protein stains. However, always check the fabric care label first.
Q: Will enzyme detergents damage my washing machine?
A: No. Enzyme detergents are designed to work within the machine. They are generally safe for both standard and High-Efficiency (HE) washers.
Q: How long should I let my pet items soak?
A: For tough odors, a soak time of at least 30 minutes, or even several hours, is recommended before starting the wash cycle. Check the product’s specific soaking instructions.
Q: Is this detergent safe for puppies or kittens?
A: If you have very young pets, look for “hypoallergenic” or “dye-free” options. Strong chemicals can irritate sensitive skin.
Q: What if the odor is still there after washing?
A: If the smell persists, the item was likely not treated long enough, or the detergent was not strong enough. You must run the load again, perhaps using a longer pre-soak or a higher concentration.
Q: Do I still need to use fabric softener?
A: Fabric softeners can actually coat the fibers and trap odors. It is usually best to skip the softener when washing pet items to allow the detergent enzymes to work fully.
Q: Are liquid or powder formulas better for pet odors?
A: Liquid formulas usually dissolve better and work faster, especially when used for pre-soaking. However, high-quality powders are also very effective.