11 Best Odor Eliminators, Tested by Cleaning Pros

One thing you can count on is that wherever bacteria is found, odors usually follow. Think of the kitchen trash can, bathroom toilet and your pet's bedding and toys. Clorox's Disinfecting Mist has earned the top spot on our list of odor eliminators because it can freshen the air, kill bacteria on soft surfaces and even kill viruses (including the SARS-CoV2 virus) on hard surfaces.

When used as directed, it can sanitize upholstery, mattresses and plush toys in 5 minutes and disinfect bathroom fixtures and countertops in 10 minutes. In our tests, we liked how evenly it covered surfaces without making them overly wet, and it left a subtle, fresh scent behind. Keep in mind that food-contact surfaces, children's toys and pets' toys will need a rinse after using this mist.

The Febreze name has become practically synonymous with odor removal. This GH Seal-holder quickly tackles airborne cooking odors, smoke and must with scent-capturing molecules that surround odors to make them less detectable. And all this performance comes at a great price, making it our best value pick.

Febreze Air Mist's latest upgrade dispenses as an even finer mist to stay airborne longer and pull more odors out of the air. In our testing, we found that cooking and bathroom odors were rendered unnoticeable, and stale spaces quickly smelled fresh again. Just be sure to wipe away any excess that lands on hard floors, as it can make them slippery.

In contrast to those little tree air fresheners that hang from the rearview mirror, Febreze Car odor eliminators clip directly to a dashboard vent to freshen your vehicle without blocking your view. The air coming through the vent wafts over them to disperse the scent. We found them to be effective in every car we tested them in, and we like that the intensity of the scent can be adjusted with a simple dial. They gave cars a fresh, pleasant scent that was noticeable the minute we got in, even before we turned on the ignition.

They can also be placed on the rear seat vents to combat odors from spilled foods, kids and pets riding in the back. Be aware that the scent can be a bit strong when you first clip them on, and some reviewers noted that the "heavy-duty" clip in this package didn't seem any different from the others.

If you like the "set it and forget it" approach to odor elimination, a Fresh Wave jar could be just what you need. The vented lid lets the gel continuously deodorize your space as it evaporates. In our tests, we found it removed lingering food and bathroom odors well, and we liked that it can be used in places not suited to sprays, like closets.

The ingredients in Fresh Wave are plant-based and EPA Safer Choice-certified, and refills of the gel can be purchased to replenish it as it evaporates. Fresh Wave claims a jar can freshen an area as large as 200 square feet for up to 60 days, though larger areas may need multiple jars.

Shoes can easily become funky, especially if you wear them without socks. Even if you allow your shoes to air out between wears, that still may not be enough. That's when you need a good shoe deodorizer. After testing this highly-rated spray on sneakers and dress shoes, we were impressed with how evenly it sprays without puddling inside shoes. The spray leaves shoe interiors with a pleasant scent, and it contains silver ions that kill odor-causing bacteria and keep them from coming back — all without chlorine or bleach in the formula.

Online reviewers loved the scent and effectiveness of this spray. "I have a few pairs of shoes I was considering retiring due to recurring odor, but this stuff cleared that up and has prevented the odor's return," one wrote. For the best results, use the spray after wearing your shoes, allowing them time to dry before your next wear. Taking out removable insoles can also speed up drying.

Pets are certainly lovable family members, but the messes they leave behind are anything but. Even if you bathe and brush them regularly, there is still the challenge of removing pet hair, and their favorite lounging spots, bedding and toys can still develop musty smells. But an even coating of Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator on these fabrics will neutralize stinky pet odors as it dries.

In our GH Seal tests, pet owners reported that it effectively removed odors on fabrics and even freshened the air, helping to camouflage that there was even a pet in the house. It's easy to use, works quickly and it's not just for pet odors — we found that it's also effective for cooking and smoke odors in a pinch. For water-sensitive fabrics, be sure to test it on a hidden spot before spraying the entire item.

Front-loading washing machines clean well and save energy, but they have a dirty little secret — they can stink. Water that pools in the drum, door gaskets and dispenser drawers can be prime habitat for mold and bacteria, leading to all kinds of unpleasant scents. Detergent and fabric softener residues can also congeal and transfer the odors to your laundry. Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner tablets are an easy and effective way to rid your appliance of unwanted odors.

Once per month, simply add one tablet to the drum and run a normal cycle (with hot water) or your machine's self-cleaning cycle, if it has one. The time-release tablet works throughout the entire cycle removing the residues bacteria feast on. It cleans the drum, pump, valves, hoses and more. In our tests, it left both front- and top-loading machines clean and fresh-smelling.

The box has a checkbox for each month on the side, so you can check off each cleaning and keep track of when it's time for the next one. We do still recommend drying the gasket, door and dispenser drawer regularly, and you'll still have to occasionally remove and scrub the detergent dispenser because Affresh won't reach in there.

Smelly towels can stink up an entire closet or bathroom — and sometimes even the best detergent won't cut it. A winner in our Good Housekeeping Cleaning & Organizing Awards, this odor eliminator contains gentle citric acid that removes unpleasant odors and restores softness to fabrics during washing.

In testing, we were impressed by the way it made even rancid smelling towels smell clean and feel soft after just one wash. To use, pour the liquid into the fabric softener dispenser on your washing machine and run a regular wash cycle with laundry detergent. Some online reviewers said the scent is a bit strong, so consider choosing their fragrance-free option if you are sensitive to fragrances.

We're in the early stages of testing this odor-eliminating candle from Diptyque, but we love it so much already that we had to include it here. Diptyque's luxury candle burns beautifully and smells divine but it's also very hard-working. It replaces malodors with a combination of mint, basil and tomato leaf essential oils.

In our tests, two Cleaning Lab staffers each lit the candle after cooking a particularly pungent dinner and noticed an obvious clearing of the air just a short time later — even after leaving and returning home. It burns evenly and slowly, so though it's a bit pricey, it will last a long time and provide a lot of odor elimination for the cost, and it emits a nice warm glow. As with all candles, never leave it burning unattended, and keep it away from children and pets.