What is the best laundry sanitizer for smell?

Author: Makenzie Maggio V  |  Last update: Monday, September 1, 2025

For our best overall, we were most impressed with Lysol Disinfectant Laundry Sanitizer. During testing, we loved how it deodorizes garments and sanitizes them, too. Plus, the crisp linen scent lingers on your clothes post-wash, which is a bonus.

Does laundry sanitizer get rid of odors?

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Sport kills 99.9% of odor causing bacteria* to prevent odors before they can grow!

What is the absolute best odor eliminator?

11 Best Odor Eliminators of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Cleaning Experts
  • Best Overall. Clorox Disinfecting Mist. Read more.
  • Best Value. Febreze Odor-Fighting Air Freshener. Read more.
  • Best for Bathroom Odors. Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray. Read more.

Does laundry sanitizer make clothes smell good?

I've found that laundry sanitizer leaves the most laundry-like, fresh smell. Add it during the rinse cycle (or put it in the fabric softener dispenser). My routine is usually Tide powder, washing soda (hard water), vinegar in place of fabric softener, and sanitizer (instead of vinegar) for bedding/soiled clothes.

What is the best thing to deodorize laundry with?

Baking Soda: Adding half a cup of baking soda to your wash can help neutralize odors and enhance the scent of your detergent. White Vinegar: Adding a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle can help remove odors and leave clothes smelling fresh.

After discovering this trick my house smells like a rich man’s house!

How do people get their laundry to smell so good?

Using Fabric Softener:

Fabric softeners are specially designed to add a soft, pleasant scent to your clothes while reducing static and making them feel cozy. Simply add fabric softener to your laundry during the rinse cycle and let it work its magic.

How do I get rid of a bad smell in my laundry machine?

For front-loaders, place 1/2 cup of bleach in the bleach dispenser. For top-loaders, add 1 cup of bleach directly into the washer drum. Run a long, hot wash cycle. Use the machine's “clean washer” cycle if it's available.

Do laundry sanitizers really work?

Regular washing with laundry detergent will remove some germs and bacteria, but to "sanitize" laundry means to use high temperatures or chemicals to kill 99.9 percent of germs, like OxiClean Laundry and Home Sanitizer, which also works as a great mold remover.

Do you use laundry sanitizer before or after detergent?

Detergent alone does not always kill bacteria. To kill bacteria, use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the fabric softener compartment or pour directly into the rinse cycle. Use two caps filled to the correct line for your machine. To disinfect, pre-soak with laundry sanitizer.

What do you put in the washing machine to make clothes smell good?

Baking soda also absorbs oils that can cause odors. To remove oils, allow the baking soda to sit on the clothes or linens for a day before washing. Sprinkle half a cup into your laundry in the washing machine. Add the washing detergent and run your washer as normal.

What absorbs smell the most?

Several common household items (most notably baking soda and white vinegar) contain powerful properties that eliminate smells without the use of chemicals. But less-commonly known products like coffee and vodka can do wonders when it comes to eliminating, not simply covering, bad smells.

What is the most powerful odor eliminator DIY?

What Is the Best Homemade Odor Eliminator: 7 DIY Solutions You Can Make Now
  • Hydrogen Peroxide Spray. This is a powerful spray that helps you tackle tough odors like pet urine and vomit. ...
  • DIY Gel Air Fresheners. ...
  • Deodorizer Disks. ...
  • Essential Oil Wax Melts. ...
  • Essential Oil Spray. ...
  • Coffee Grounds. ...
  • Vinegar Solution.

What happens if you put laundry sanitizer in with detergent?

You may notice your normal detergent is not as effective if you mix with Lysol Laundry Disinfectant. These products are not meant to be used together so we do not recommend it. There are no safety concerns, but you will not have the best usage experience for both products.

Does OxiClean remove odors from laundry?

But OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Powder or Liquid can help you get musty smells out of clothes, towels and other fabric.

How to get the bo smell out of towels?

Soak your stinky towels in a bucket of white, distilled vinegar for 30 minutes to overnight with a tablespoon of detergent to help loosen body soils. Vinegar contains acetic acid that breaks up mineral deposits and dissolves the build-up of body soils on your towels. Rinse thoroughly.

Does vinegar sanitize laundry?

White Vinegar

To use vinegar to disinfect your laundry, try adding 1 cup to the rinse cycle. Not only can it kill germs and bacteria, but it's also a great natural deodorizer. White vinegar can be used on colors and whites, keeping clothes bright, and works as an effective fabric softener, too.

Where do you put laundry sanitizer in a top loader?

A: Laundry Sanitizer is added into the fabric softener compartment so that it is dispensed during the rinse cycle. If there is no compartment in the machine, it is recommended to add liquid at the beginning of the rinse cycle. Thank you for your feedback!

Does OxiClean sanitize?

OxiClean™ Laundry & Home Sanitizer is formulated to sanitize laundry♦ and for laundry virucidal action against Influenza A† in standard machines. Fill scoop to the top once (134.7g) before adding laundry.

What is the best homemade laundry sanitizer?

Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle when you want to sanitize a load of laundry. The white vinegar kills bacteria, deodorizes your laundry, softens fabrics, and even helps maintain bright colors. Who knew vinegar might be the ultimate eco-friendly clothes detergent?

Does borax sanitize laundry?

Borax is effective to kill germs, bacteria and other organisms. It is a disinfectant, biocide, insecticide, pesticide, herbicide and fungicide. Just one more reason to add it to a load of laundry. We know how tough tomato, mustard, grease and oil stains in clothing and towels can be.

What is the best fabric softener?

Our best overall pick is Downy Ultra Liquid Fabric Conditioner, which has a robust formula that offers seven different benefits (like wrinkle reduction, color protection, and freshness).

What is the best thing for smelly laundry?

Vinegar: Add one cup of vinegar to a bucket of cold water and soak your smelly clothes for up to 30 minutes. Baking Soda: Add one cup of baking soda to your wash load with your detergent and wash in cold water. Lemon Juice: Squeeze the juice of one lemon into your wash load to extinguish odor-causing bacteria.

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

“For removing odors, I would say vinegar.” Some people, however, prefer white vinegar because it's not as harsh as bleach. Unless, of course, your washing machine has been completely neglected, and is now a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and you want a power cleaner.

Why does my laundry not smell good after washing?

Over time, detergents and fabric softeners can accumulate inside the washing machine, especially if too much is used or if it's not suitable for your specific machine. This buildup can trap odors and foster bacteria and mold growth, which in turn can leave clothes smelling less than fresh.

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