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Carpet deodorizers are a simple way to eliminate odors that can make an entire room smell “off.” Because carpets and rugs are soft, absorbent, and subject to frequent use by adults, children, and pets, it’s no wonder they sometimes get stained and even a bit smelly. Deodorizers in the form of powders, foams, and sprays help neutralize odors, freshening fibers once again.
To help you find the right deodorizer for your floor coverings, we tested eight popular products before choosing the Woolite Advanced Pet Stain & Odor Remover as our favorite. It’s simple to apply, neutralizes odors effectively, and acts as a sanitizer and stain remover to make carpet cleaning quick and easy. Read on for our full list of the best carpet deodorizers based on our tests.
Carpet Deodorizer Comparison
| Product | Type | Antibacterial | Stain removing |
| Woolite Advanced Pet Stain & Odor Remover | Spray | Yes | Yes |
| Carpet Fresh Super Pet Carpet Odor Eliminator | Foam | No | No |
| Capture Carpet & Rug Dry Cleaner | Powder | No | Yes |
| Bodhi Dog Pet Carpet Powder | Powder | No | No |
| Emmy’s Best Pet Products Pet Odor & Stain Eraser | Spray | No | Yes |
| Febreze Gain Original Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam | Foam | No | No |
| Good Natured Brand Carpet Deodorizer | Powder | No | No |
| Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator | Powder | No | No |
Best Overall
Photo: Amazon
What We Like
- Kills 99.9 percent of bacteria to remove odors
- Also a stain remover and upholstery deodorizer
- Smells clean and lightly lemony
- Safe for many soft surfaces
What We Don’t Like
- Contains hydrogen peroxide, which is a mild bleaching agent
- Not for velvet, silk, wool, vinyl, or leather upholstery
Product Specs
- Type: Spray
- Antibacterial: Yes
- Stain remover: Yes
Our Ratings: Application 4.8/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 4.5/5; Value x4.7/5
After testing a range of popular foams, powders, and sprays to deodorize carpet in our home, this Woolite pet odor carpet cleaner and stain remover was an easy favorite because it can clean and sanitize the source of a smell instead of merely masking it. As an EPA-registered product, it also does this safely, using 0.5 percent hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria, break down stains, and neutralize odors.
In testing, this carpet deodorizer spray was one of the simplest products to use. To deodorize, we just sprayed it on our carpet, let it dry, and vacuumed. To spot clean and sanitize, we applied until wet, allowed it to work for an hour, then blotted with a color-safe cloth. The scent was clean and a bit lemony, and we didn’t find it overly chemical at all (which is something we hate). It was only noticeable for a couple of hours before fading into a generally clean smell.
When both our dogs got sick during testing, this formula did a great job removing the smell of urine and diarrhea from our hard floors and entryway rug. Though hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent, all the soft surfaces we tested it on (carpet, rug, and couch pillows) still look good as new. However, it’s not recommended for use on all fabrics, including wool, silk, velvet, vinyl, and leather.
What our tester says: “I’m really picky about cleaning products, in terms of both ingredients and fragrance. The Woolite carpet deodorizer smells fresh without being too chemical, and I love that it uses hydrogen peroxide to safely sanitize instead of just covering up odors.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Woolite carpet deodorizer at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Bissell.
More Carpet Deodorizers Worth Your Money
The following carpet deodorizers also performed well in our tests. Whether you prefer a carpet deodorizer powder or a foam carpet freshener, one of these products may be exactly what you need to eliminate odors and leave fibers fresher.
- Carpet Fresh Super Pet Carpet Odor Eliminator, available at Amazon or Walmart.
- Capture Carpet & Rug Dry Cleaner (various sizes), available at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Target.
- Bodhi Dog Pet Carpet Powder, available at Amazon or Bodhi Dog.
- Emmy’s Best Pet Products Pet Odor & Stain Eraser, available at Amazon, Walmart, or Emmy’s Best Pet Products.
- Febreze Gain Original Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam (various sizes), available at Amazon or Bissell.
- Good Natured Brand Carpet Deodorizer, available at Amazon, Walmart, or Good Natured Brand.
- Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator, available at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Target, or Walmart.
How We Tested the Best Carpet Deodorizers
| Products tested | 8 |
| Time spent testing | 2 months |
| Tests performed | 6 |
| Price range | $5 to $45 |
To choose the best carpet deodorizers, we tested a range of popular options in different forms and with varying active ingredients and fragrances. We considered powders, foams, and sprays, evaluating how easy they were to apply and whether their initial scent was pleasant. We paid attention to how well they neutralized odors right away as well as whether the carpet was still fresh a week later.
Since these products are for use on floor coverings, we walked over tested areas to see if any residue remained. Where possible, we also used them on other soft surfaces, including couch pillows, automobile upholstery, and curtains. Once our work was complete, we rated each option on ease of application, effectiveness, scent, and overall value, choosing our top pick based on those scores.
| Product | Application | Effectiveness | Scent | Value | |
| Woolite Advanced Pet Stain & Odor Remover | 4.8/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 | |
| Carpet Fresh Super Pet Carpet Odor Eliminator | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 | 4/5 | 3.8/5 | |
| Capture Carpet & Rug Dry Cleaner | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 | 3.5/5 | 4.3/5 | |
| Bodhi Dog Pet Carpet Powder | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | |
| Emmy’s Best Pet Products Pet Odor & Stain Eraser | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 | |
| Febreze Gain Original Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.3/5 | |
| Good Natured Brand Carpet Deodorizer | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 | |
| Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator | 4.8/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
FAQs
When you’re learning how to keep your carpet smelling and looking new using carpet freshener powder or sprays, you’re likely to have a couple of questions. See the most common ones below.
The best way to remove pet odor from carpet is to use a natural carpet cleaner made to neutralize pet odors. For persistent smells, a carpet cleaning machine can help fully eliminate them.
Your carpet may smell a bit like dog pee if the carpet shampoo you used doesn’t contain ingredients for neutralizing pet urine odors. Also, if the machine you used doesn’t have strong suction, it’s possible it didn’t fully remove the dirty water and urine residue.
Yes, different carpets do often require different carpet deodorizers. While the deodorizing agents themselves are usually safe, certain products may include cleaning ingredients that could discolor, shrink, or stretch certain fibers. Since each carpet freshener is different, be sure to read the label before use, and use a plug-in air freshener near delicate fabrics as an alternative if necessary.
To get rid of odors in your house, apply a carpet deodorizer anywhere from once a week to once a month. If you have pets or kids or are combating odors caused by smoke, food, or mildew, using a non-toxic carpet deodorizer regularly can help.
Some carpet deodorizers can leave residue behind, especially if they’re powder-based. For residue-free cleaning, choose a spray formula or try a steam cleaner.
Yes, carpet deodorizers (like a scented powder for carpet or this liquid DIY carpet deodorizer recipe) really work on odors, either by masking or neutralizing them. For more comprehensive results, consider a deodorizer that also cleans and sanitizes.
Meet the Tester
Michelle Larson is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering health, business, and home topics. With kids, pets, and an active outdoor lifestyle, she’s well aware how quickly carpet can get dirty, so she takes a real-life approach to testing to find products that actually work.
Additional research provided by Glenda Taylor
