Best Dog Smell Detergent: 5 Top Picks Reviewed

Does your home often carry that distinct, musky aroma after a fun day with your furry friend? You love your dog, but that lingering “wet dog” or earthy smell clinging to their bedding and blankets can be frustrating. It seems like no matter how often you wash them, the odor sneaks right back in.

Choosing the right detergent is key to winning this battle against pet odors. Standard laundry soaps often just mask the smell, or worse, they might contain harsh chemicals that irritate your dog’s sensitive skin. We need something that truly breaks down the odor-causing bacteria without causing problems for our beloved companions.

This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore what makes a detergent truly effective against tough dog smells, highlight the best ingredients to look for, and steer you clear of common pitfalls. Get ready to reclaim a fresh-smelling home!

Top Detergent For Dog Smell Recommendations

No. 1

Pet Laundry Detergent Odor Remover - ACTIVE Enzyme Based Powder Detergent for Dogs Beds, Cat Pee, HE Washer Friendly Natural Enzymatic Deodorizer, Urine, Smell, Dog Drool, Stain Eliminator - 64 Loads

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!

No. 2

Febreze Laundry Detergent Additive for Pet Supplies, Maximum Strength In Wash Pet Odor Eliminator, Designed to Remove Tough Odors in Fabrics and Clothing in a Single Wash, Fresh Scent, 98 fl oz

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

No. 3

LaundraPet 3X Strength Premium Laundry Detergent with Enzyme Cleaner - 64 Oz (96 Washes) Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator, Enzymatic Detergent by Alpha Tech Pet

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.

No. 4

Bark2Basics Dog-Off Laundry Liquid Detergent, 1 Gallon - 128 Loads, Dog Friendly, Eliminates Pet Odors and Stains from Clothes, Towels, and Apparel, Ideal for Grooming Salons, Kennels, and More

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)

No. 5

Powerful Pet Stain & Odor Remover - Say goodbye to stubborn pet messes! From urine and drool to lingering odors, our Pet Laundry Detergent tackles it all. Working at a molecular level, it effectively removes stains and ensures your clothes and pet supplies are deeply cleaned and refreshed.
Motherly Care for Sensitive Paws & Skin - Keep your pet’s skin calm and comfortable with our natural Pet Laundry Detergent. Designed to prevent irritation from harsh chemicals, this free and clear laundry detergent ensures their bedding and blankets stay clean, soft, and safe for sensitive paws, making it ideal for cozy snuggles.
The Go-To Detergent for All Pet Supplies - Good Natured Brand Pet Laundry Detergent is a must-have for any pet parent. It’s ideal for cleaning bedding, blankets, and toys, effortlessly dissolving in any washing machine—whether standard or HE models. Experience hassle-free, effective cleaning every time.
Concentrated Cleaning Power in Every Box - Enjoy more value with less product! Our concentrated laundry soap provides up to 94 loads per box, giving you incredible long-lasting performance. With fewer purchases and more savings, it's the smart choice for busy pet households.
Eco-Friendly & Biodegradable - Choose sustainability with our biodegradable powder laundry detergent, made in the USA. Offering a powerful alternative to chemically harsh products, it’s the responsible option for your cleaning supplies. Join us in fostering a cleaner, greener planet, one load at a time.

No. 6

Odorcide Laundry Odor Eliminator Concentrate – Pet Odor Eliminator for Strong Odors – Pet Smell & Urine Odor Eliminator for Clothes – Laundry Odor Neutralizer w/Safe, Non-Enzymatic Formula (32 oz)

Use what Your Vet Uses: Thornell is an excellent provider of pet odor eliminator for home and laundry products to the veterinary industry in North America. Use what the pros use! This powerful dog and cat odor eliminator concentrate for laundry can be used safely on towels, bedding, blankets, clothing, and all other machine-washable items.
Tough on Strong Odors: Use this pet odor remover laundry concentrate to permanently and immediately remove odors from the first application, saving you time and money. This concentrated laundry deodorizer for clothes penetrates the source of the odor whereas other pet deodorizers for home and laundry only treat surface problems.
Easy to Use & Cost Efficient: Add L.O.E. animal odor eliminator clothes additive to the pre-soak or auto-soak cycle, or directly with the detergent. For moderate odors, use only ½ oz per load. Our 32 oz bottle of dog and cat smell eliminator is good for 64 loads of laundry!
Not an Enzyme, Not a Mask: Our pet smell odor eliminator concentrate features a unique non-enzymatic formula that works regardless of what application you have used before. Odorcide L.O.E works where other odor absorbers for home laundry products haven’t and won’t.
Safe for Small Pets & Children: No need to fear, pets and children can safely be around anything treated with L.O.E. pet smell and cat urine odor eliminator immediately after use. Our concentrated deodorizer odor eliminator is non-toxic, non-irritating, non-carcinogenic, and biodegradable.

No. 7

Poochie Suds Pet Laundry Detergent, Enzyme Cleaner and Odor Remover, Hypoallergenic and Fragrance-Free Pet Safe Detergent for Dog and Cat Bedding, Blankets, Toys and Gear, Made in USA, 16 fl oz

Cleans & Deodorizes What Your Pet Loves Most: Uses naturally derived enzymes to help break down the messy stuff like drool, oils, and food stains on your pet’s favorite blankets, beds, and soft toys
Odor Remover: Fragrance-free formula helps neutralize and eliminate dog and cat odors at the source, instead of masking them with synthetic scents like many conventional detergents
Kind to Sensitive Skin: Hypoallergenic and made without dyes, added scents, phthalates, or sulfates; just a gentle clean you can feel good about using around allergy-prone pets and people
Made Thoughtfully, Close to Home: Made in the USA with carefully chosen ingredients and packaged in a recyclable bottle; never tested on animals
Concentrated Formula: Lasts up to 32 loads with no booster needed; use two capfuls for regular laundry or four capfuls for larger or heavily soiled loads; for deep stains or heavy messes, a separate pre-soak treatment may be helpful; to sanitize, follow your washer's sanitize cycle settings

No. 8

Pet Parents® PetTergent®, Enzymatic Pet Laundry Detergent, 32 oz 32 Loads Pet Stain Remover & Pet Odor Eliminator, Laundry Detergent for Pets (Calming, 32 oz)

PETTERGENT - THE PET LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Your furbaby's favorite soft toy, dog blanket, pet bed, collars, clothes, and all other laundry items get dirty & smelly over time and need to be washed. PetTergent is the first and & only pet safe laundry detergent made specifically for pet smells, stains, and soils, & their microbiome so there's no need for additives, boosters, stain sticks, or sprays to use on top of your human detergent. Your furbaby has their own laundry, they need PetTergent.
SPECIFIC TO PET STAINS: Human laundry detergent is formulated for human needs, like coffee, ketchup, & body odor, not formulated for "that dog smell", stains, soils, or pet odors from pet messes like crusty dog toys, cat urine, feces, blood, vomit, & that stubborn 'dog' smell that you just can't seem to get out. Human stains & odors are different than pet stains & odors, so the laundry detergent to handle these should be different too. PetTergent was formulated specifically as a pet detergent for pet laundry needs; cleaning, deodorizing, eliminating stains for fresh & clean laundry, while being safe for their skin & noses.
PET ENZYME LAUNDRY DETERGENT: We were tired of turning over laundry labels and finding tons of chemicals, so we did something about it. Human laundry detergents often contain toxic ingredients like bleach, ammonia, & formaldehyde that can be passed to your furbaby by playing or snuggling. Instead, PetTergent, the dog laundry detergent, uses naturally-occurring enzyme blends as a pet stain remover, OdorArmor and SebumDestroyer as pet odor removers, and uses pet-safe & biodegradable surfactants to clean pet laundry.
PET SAFE LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Pet skin is up to 10x thinner than our own skin, and their noses are up to 100,000x better than ours, meaning their needs are physically, biologically, and chemically different. Just because human laundry detergent works for us, doesn't mean it'll work for our pets. PetTergent is formulated not only to be specific to pet messes, but made with pet safe ingredients and vet-approved, pet-safe scents to not irritate pet skin or noses, and is safe to use on all laundry.
GREENER PET LAUNDRY: You might've checked your own laundry detergent for how 'green' it is, how about your pets? PetTergent is made with 90%+ bio-based and biodegradable ingredients derived from nature, and all ingredients are approved by the EPA Safer Chemicals Ingredients list, and bottled in recyclable packaging. So we can protect our pets and keep their world beautiful. At Pet Parents, we continuously strive to improve pet products, and PetTergent is no different.

The Ultimate Buying Guide for Dog Smell Detergents

Does your home smell like a wet dog, even when the weather is dry? You love your furry friend, but that lingering odor can be tough to conquer. Regular laundry soap often only masks the smell. You need a specialized detergent built to break down those tough pet odors. This guide helps you choose the best detergent to make your dog’s bedding, toys, and blankets smell fresh again.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for dog smell detergent, focus on these important features. They determine how well the product works.

Enzymatic Formula: This is the most crucial feature. Enzymes are tiny cleaners. They eat up the odor-causing proteins left behind by your dog’s oils, dander, and accidents. Look for labels that clearly state “Enzymatic Cleaner” or “Enzyme-Powered.”
Odor Neutralization vs. Masking: Good detergents neutralize the smell. They destroy the odor source. Cheaper products just use strong perfumes to cover up the smell. You want neutralization for long-lasting freshness.
Concentration Level: Highly concentrated formulas mean you use less product per load. This saves money over time, even if the initial price seems higher.
Compatibility: Check if the detergent works well with your washing machine type (e.g., High Efficiency or HE machines).

Important Materials and Ingredients

The materials inside the bottle matter a lot. You want powerful cleaning agents that are safe for your dog and your family.

Safe and Effective Ingredients

Surfactants: These help lift dirt and oils from the fabric fibers. They are standard in all detergents.
Enzymes (Protease, Amylase, Lipase): These specific enzymes target different types of pet messes: proteins (like drool), starches, and fats/oils.
Plant-Derived Ingredients: Many modern formulas use plant-based cleaners. These are often better for sensitive skin and the environment.

Ingredients to Approach with Caution

Heavy Dyes and Artificial Fragrances: While they smell nice initially, strong perfumes can irritate sensitive dogs. If your dog has allergies, choose “Fragrance-Free” or “Hypoallergenic” options.
Harsh Bleaches: Never use chlorine bleach on pet bedding unless absolutely necessary. It damages fabric and can leave harmful residue.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

The quality of a dog odor detergent is judged by its ability to handle tough jobs without damaging your clothes or machine.

Quality Boosters:

Cold Water Effectiveness: The best detergents clean effectively even in cold water. Cold water preserves fabric life and saves energy.
Residue-Free Rinse: High-quality detergents rinse out completely. Leftover soap residue can attract more dirt and irritate your dog’s skin.

Quality Reducers:

Fabric Softeners: Avoid using fabric softeners with your dog’s laundry. Softeners coat the fibers, trapping odors inside the fabric instead of letting the detergent reach them.
Overuse: Using too much detergent is a common mistake. It creates excess suds that don’t rinse well, leading to that musty, stale smell returning quickly.

User Experience and Use Cases

How you use the detergent affects your results. Different situations require slightly different approaches.

Best Use Cases:

Daily Bedding: Wash weekly using the recommended amount for a standard load. This prevents odor buildup.
Accident Cleanup: For serious stains or urine accidents, pre-soak the item in a solution of water and the detergent for 30 minutes before running the wash cycle. This gives the enzymes time to work.
Outdoor Gear: Use it for muddy towels or outdoor dog coats. The enzymes break down environmental smells, not just body odors.

Overall, look for enzymatic power and skip the heavy perfumes. A good detergent cleans deeply, leaving fabric truly fresh, not just scented.

10 FAQ About Dog Smell Detergents

Q: How is dog odor detergent different from regular laundry soap?

A: Regular soap cleans dirt. Dog odor detergent uses enzymes to specifically eat away the odor molecules left by pet oils and dander. It destroys the smell source.

Q: Can I use this detergent on my own clothes?

A: Yes, you can. These detergents are usually gentle enough for human clothes. Many people wash their gym clothes with them because they handle tough smells well.

Q: Do I need to pre-soak items before washing?

A: Pre-soaking is helpful for very smelly items or old stains. For regular weekly washing, the machine cycle is usually enough.

Q: Should I use hot or cold water?

A: Cold water is often recommended because it is gentler on dog bedding fabric. The best enzymatic detergents work very well in cold water.

Q: Will this detergent hurt my dog’s sensitive skin?

A: If you choose a fragrance-free or hypoallergenic formula, it should be safe. Always rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

Q: How much detergent should I use?

A: Always follow the instructions on the bottle. Most people use less than they think they need, especially with concentrated formulas.

Q: Can I use fabric softener with this detergent?

A: No. Fabric softeners block the enzymes from reaching the odors. Skip the softener for the best results against dog smell.

Q: How often should I wash my dog’s bedding?

A: Aim for washing at least once a week. This keeps odors and allergens under control.

Q: Are enzyme detergents safe for septic systems?

A: Yes. Most enzyme-based cleaners are biodegradable and safe for septic tanks because they break down naturally.

Q: What if the smell is still there after washing?

A: If the smell remains, the fabric is holding onto the odor. Try a second wash cycle using a slightly longer soak time or a dedicated odor-removing booster product.