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Checklist · 11 picks · 4 categories

odor control checklist

Edited by Zach · updated Nov 1, 2026 · How I pick

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A candle on top of a bad smell just makes a bad smell that's also vanilla. The fix is going after the source: an odor eliminator spray for pet accidents and soft surfaces, an absorber that quietly works in the bathroom or by the litter box, a deodorizer in the fridge, and something in your gym shoes.

Read more

Bob Vila picked the spray that cleared dog accident smells from a rug, BestReviews' cleaning expert chose the absorbers and pet sprays, Taste of Home rounded up fridge deodorizers, and Shop TODAY's editors brought their own stinky shoes to the office to find the shoe fix. Clean the mess first, then deodorize. Each card shows the drawback the outlet called out, like a gel that can spill or a shoe pouch with its own bleachy smell.

Who this is not for. Skip this if the smell is dust or allergies rather than a specific stink; the Clean Air & Floors list has air purifiers and vacuums.

plan my budget pick an amount ↓

Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.

My budget

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see the plan, item by item

Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.

The must-haves

0 of 3 on your list · tap one to see your options

Showing all 11 picks

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01 Spray it

the first pick is the one I would start with
Compare these 3
PickTierPriceBest forEvidence
Woolite Advanced Pet Stain & Odor Removerbudgetunder $15pet accidents on rugs, carpet and couch cushions1 outlet
Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminatormid$15-25pet smells around the whole placeLimited evidence
OdoBan Original Eucalyptus Odor Eliminatorsplurge$25-50carpets, furniture, pet beds and laundryLimited evidence
Best odor eliminator

budget pick · Spray bottle

Woolite Advanced Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Best for pet accidents on rugs, carpet and couch cushions

Bob Vila's best overall carpet deodorizer: it cleans and sanitizes the source of a smell instead of just masking it, and cleared dog accident odors from hard floors and an entryway rug.

Heads up. Contains hydrogen peroxide, a mild bleaching agent, and isn't for velvet, silk, wool, vinyl or leather upholstery

1 outlet. Bob Vila best Overall carpet deodorizer.

under $15

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mid pick · Spray bottle

Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator

Best for pet smells around the whole place

BestReviews' cleaning expert recommends this citrus spray for animal odors, from kennels to barns: shake it well and let it dry fully.

Heads up. The citrus smell may bother pets with sensitive noses

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$15-25

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splurge pick · 1 gallon concentrate

OdoBan Original Eucalyptus Odor Eliminator

Best for carpets, furniture, pet beds and laundry

BestReviews calls this concentrate affordable, and its cleaning expert likes how effective and versatile it is.

Heads up. The first smell can be strong, though it fades

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$25-50

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02 Set it and forget it

Best odor absorber

budget pick · Jar

Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel

Best for bathrooms, closets and litter box corners

BestReviews' best bang for the buck odor eliminator: an all-natural gel you set out near the smell for low-maintenance odor control.

Heads up. An open container can spill, so keep it away from kids and cats

1 outlet. BestReviews best Bang for the Buck odor eliminator.

$15-25

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splurge pick · Compact

Hamilton Beach TrueAir Odor Eliminator

Best for smoke, cooking, pet and bathroom smells in one room

BestReviews likes its dual-action design: a quiet fan with carbon filters that neutralizes odors and traps dust at the same time.

Heads up. Needs a power source, and the cartridges need replacing

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$25-50

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03 Fridge

Compare these 3
PickTierPriceBest forEvidence
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Fridge-n-Freezer Odor Absorberbudgetunder $15a fridge that just smells a little off1 outlet
NonScents Refrigerator Deodorizermid$15-25leftover-takeout emergencies1 outlet
Purriko Refrigerator Deodorizersplurge$15-25never thinking about fridge smell again1 outlet
Best fridge deodorizer

budget pick · Box

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Fridge-n-Freezer Odor Absorber

Best for a fridge that just smells a little off

Taste of Home's best-value refrigerator odor eliminator: plain baking soda that absorbs odors naturally for very little money.

Heads up. Needs replacing every 30 days and is less effective on very stinky fridges

1 outlet. Taste of Home best Value refrigerator odor eliminator.

under $15

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mid pick · Compact

NonScents Refrigerator Deodorizer

Best for leftover-takeout emergencies

Taste of Home's fastest-acting refrigerator odor eliminator: it starts working within hours, for when a smell needs to go now.

Heads up. Can't be recharged like some charcoal deodorizers

1 outlet. Taste of Home best Fast-Acting refrigerator odor eliminator.

$15-25

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splurge pick · Compact

Purriko Refrigerator Deodorizer

Best for never thinking about fridge smell again

Taste of Home's best overall refrigerator odor eliminator: activated carbon in a stainless steel case, the set-it-and-forget-it pick.

Heads up. On the expensive side

1 outlet. Taste of Home best Overall refrigerator odor eliminator.

$15-25

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04 Shoes

Compare these 3
PickTierPriceBest forEvidence
Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Shoe Deodorizerbudgetunder $15gym shoes and sneakers1 outlet
Lumi Outdoors Natural Shoe Deodorizermidunder $15a spray-and-go fix for lots of pairs1 outlet
NonScents Shoe Deodorizersplurgeunder $15running shoes that really reek1 outlet
Best shoe deodorizer

budget pick · 3 count

Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Shoe Deodorizer

Best for gym shoes and sneakers

Shop TODAY's best overall shoe deodorizer and an editor's pick: baking soda balls you drop in your shoes overnight.

Heads up. Needs replacing after 60 days

1 outlet. Shop TODAY best overall shoe deodorizer.

under $15

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mid pick · 4 oz

Lumi Outdoors Natural Shoe Deodorizer

Best for a spray-and-go fix for lots of pairs

Shop TODAY's best all-natural shoe deodorizer spray: a long-lasting bottle that keeps lots of pairs smelling fresh.

Heads up. The scent can be overpowering, and a faint trace of the original odor stayed up close

1 outlet. Shop TODAY best all-natural spray shoe deodorizer.

under $15

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splurge pick · 2, 4 or 8 count

NonScents Shoe Deodorizer

Best for running shoes that really reek

Shop TODAY's best shoe deodorizer for multi-purpose use: pouches that completely wiped out the odor in its writer's running shoes.

Heads up. Its own scent reminded some of chlorine or bleach, and the packaging isn't resealable

1 outlet. Shop TODAY best for multi-purpose use shoe deodorizer.

under $15

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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me

Side by side

Questions people ask

Do air fresheners get rid of odors?

Not on their own. Bob Vila picked Woolite's spray because it cleans and sanitizes the source of a smell instead of only masking it. Clean up the mess first, then let an absorber like Fresh Wave gel handle what's left in the air.

How often should you swap a fridge deodorizer?

It depends on the type. Taste of Home says a box of baking soda needs replacing every 30 days, the NonScents deodorizer lasts up to six months, and Purriko's carbon deodorizer is made to last for years without replacing.

Are odor gels safe around pets?

Keep them out of reach. BestReviews notes that Fresh Wave's open container can spill in common areas and calls for caution around children and cats, so it's best on a high shelf or in a closed-off room.

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