That sharp, unmistakable smell of dog urine on your favorite rug or bedding can stop you in your tracks. Have you ever scrubbed and washed, only to have that stubborn odor sneak back the next day? It’s frustrating, and cleaning pet accidents is a constant battle for many dog owners.
Choosing the right laundry detergent for these tough stains feels overwhelming. Regular soaps often just mask the smell, or worse, they might even set the stain permanently. You need something powerful that tackles the uric acid crystals causing that lingering, powerful stench, but you also need something safe for your fabrics and your beloved pet.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore exactly what makes a detergent effective against dog urine. You will learn the key ingredients to look for and discover the best products that truly eliminate odors, saving your laundry and your sanity.
Keep reading to transform your laundry routine from a smelly guessing game into a simple, effective cleanup process.
Top Laundry Detergent For Dog Urine 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
Skout's Honor Laundry Booster Stain & Odor Removal Additive - Plant-Powered Formula for Pet Bedding, Clothing, and Washable Pee Pads - Eco-Friendly & Cruelty-Free, 32 oz
- Powerful Pet Stain and Odor Remover - best laundry booster for pet odors, remove dog smell from laundry, safe laundry additive for pets. Effectively removes pet stains and odors from bedding, clothing, washable pee pads, and more.
- Professional Strength - Skout's Honor Laundry Booster offers professional-grade cleaning power, providing deep cleaning to tackle even the toughest pet stains and odors. Non-toxic
- Plant-Powered Cleaner - 3X concentrated formula breaks down odor molecules and lifts away stains, ensuring a clean and fresh environment. Enhances your regular detergent - simply add to each load (HE-washer compatible, up to 32 loads)
- Eco-Friendly and Cruelty-Free - Never tested on animals - Manufactured under the California Green Chemistry Initiative, making it safe for pets, family, and home when used as directed
- Paw Pledge - Together with their customers, Skout's Honor provides a day's worth of food to an animal in need, with every product sold (Buy a Bottle, Feed an Animal).
No. 5
KINZUA ENVIRONMENTAL Urine B-Gone, Professional Enzyme Odor Eliminator & Pet Stain Remover, Human, Cat & Dog Urine Cleaner, Effective on Laundry, Carpets & More, Lavender Scent, 1 Gallon
- Powerful & Effective Cleaner: Each gallon of Urine B-Gone is loaded with 200 billion microbe colonies, working tirelessly to liquefy, digest, and completely eliminate urine and poop; This high-strength formula ensures your home stays fresh and free from unpleasant odors while leaving behind a soothing lavender fragrance
- Deep Penetration, Lasting Results: Urine B-Gone doesn’t just mask odors; it attacks them at the source; This powerful enzyme cleaner penetrates deep into any carpet and upholstery, removing stains and neutralizing smells even from padding and the floor beneath; Its versatile formula makes it suitable for all cleaning tasks, ensuring every surface is left fresh and spotless
- Safe for Your Home: Our natural enzyme formula is safe to use around pets and children when used as directed; It’s designed to be gentle yet highly effective, providing peace of mind while maintaining a clean and odor-free environment; Enjoy the fresh scent of our urine cleaner
- Versatile Cleaning Solution: Beyond pet stains, Urine B-Gone is ideal for a variety of applications; Use it in your laundry to pre-spray soiled areas or even in drains, urinals, and toilets; This all-in-one cleaner & odor remover makes tackling tough stains and odors simple and efficient
- About Us: At Kinzua Environmental, we specialize in premium cleaning solutions that are safe and professional strength for both commercial and household applications
No. 6
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.
No. 7
ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner for Pet Owners Enzymatic Deep Clean Descaler for Cat & Dog Hair, Urine, Odor, Residue, 24 Septic-Safe Tablets for Top Load, Front Loader, HE Washer Tub - 1 Year Supply
- Specially Formulated for Pet Owners: ACTIVE Pet Hair Remover Washing Machine Cleaner with Ultra-concentrated 5-in-1 Active Enzyme Blend powers away pet hair buildup, sludge, oil, soap, limescale, effectively reducing drain clogs and hair accumulation! Keep clothes Fresh & Clean without pet fur clinging
- Pro Washer Pet Odor Eliminator: ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner and Deodorizer gets to the root of bad odors, removing stinky gunk, odor-causing grime, debris from washer drum, drain, seal, valves. Effortlessly eliminate washing machine odor for good
- Suitable for All Washers: ACTIVE Washer Machine Cleaner Tablets are Safe for Septic Systems, HE, Front-Loading Washer, Top-loader, Front Load, Compatible with Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, GE, Speed Queen, Maytag, Amana
- Safe Choice for Pets & Household: Enzyme Washing Machine Cleaner uses Simple ingredients & natural enzymes that are tough on grime, but gentle on machines. Compare pet hair dissolver products with harsh chemicals that leave harmful residue and fragrances
- Best Value Washing Machine Enzyme Cleaner: Bulk 12 Month Supply in each 24-Tablet Pack. Use ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaning Tablets monthly to Protect your washer, Extend its lifespan, Save over time. Compare Trusted Heavy Duty Washing Machine Cleaner to brands with less tabs and low quality formula
No. 8
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)
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Erasing Dog Urine Odor for Good
Dog urine accidents happen. Accidents are frustrating, especially the smell! You need a special cleaner to truly get rid of that strong odor. Regular soap just won’t cut it. This guide helps you pick the best laundry detergent made specifically for dog urine stains and smells.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for dog urine laundry detergent, look for these important things:
- Enzymatic Formula: This is the most important feature. Enzymes are tiny “helpers” that eat up the uric acid crystals found in pet urine. These crystals cause the lingering smell. A good enzymatic cleaner breaks them down completely.
- Odor Elimination, Not Just Masking: The detergent must destroy the smell. If it just smells like flowers or strong perfume, the urine smell will return when the fabric dries. Look for “Odor Eliminator” on the label.
- Color Safe: You wash your dog’s bedding, blankets, and maybe even your own clothes. Make sure the detergent safely cleans colors without fading them.
- Concentration Level: Highly concentrated formulas often mean you use less product for a bigger cleaning job. This saves you money in the long run.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The ingredients list tells the real story about cleaning power.
What You Want:
- Bio-Enzymes: Look for names like Protease, Amylase, or Lipase. These are the cleaning heroes for organic stains like urine.
- Oxygen Boosters: These ingredients help lift tough stains and brighten fabrics safely.
What to Avoid (If possible):
- Ammonia: Never use ammonia-based cleaners on pet urine. Ammonia smells similar to urine to a dog. Using it can actually encourage your dog to pee in that spot again!
- Bleach: Chlorine bleach can damage fabric fibers and often reacts poorly with urine components, sometimes making the smell worse or setting the stain permanently.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all pet detergents work equally well. Quality depends on how the product handles tough jobs.
Improving Quality:
- Pre-Treating Power: The best detergents work well even if you just toss the item straight into the wash. However, for very old or heavy stains, the ability to soak items first drastically improves the outcome.
- Residue-Free Rinse: A high-quality detergent completely washes away. Leftover soap residue can attract dirt or irritate sensitive skin on your pet.
Reducing Quality:
- Heavy Fragrances: While a light scent is nice, overly strong perfumes often mean the manufacturer is trying to cover up poor cleaning action instead of truly eliminating the odor.
- Low Enzyme Count: If the detergent relies mostly on standard soap ingredients, it will fail against stubborn uric acid.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the detergent matters as much as what you buy.
Best Use Cases:
- Pet Bedding: This is the number one item needing specialized cleaning. Wash bedding frequently, using the enzyme detergent, to keep your pet’s sleeping area fresh.
- Accident Cleanup: Use the detergent to wash clothing or rugs soiled during house-training accidents.
- Litter Box Liners/Mats: These items absorb a lot of odor. Specialized detergent helps refresh them between full replacements.
For the best results, always follow the instructions. Use warm or cool water (hot water can sometimes set protein stains permanently). Allow the detergent time to work—don’t rush the wash cycle!
10 FAQs About Dog Urine Laundry Detergent
Q: Can I just use my regular laundry detergent?
A: No. Regular detergent cleans dirt, but it cannot break down the uric acid crystals in dog urine that cause the lasting smell. You need enzymes.
Q: How much detergent should I use?
A: Always check the bottle’s instructions. Generally, use slightly more than you would for a normal load, especially if the urine stain is heavy or old.
Q: Is it safe to wash pet items with my own clothes?
A: Yes, if you use a safe, enzyme-based pet detergent. The enzymes break down the urine completely. However, many people prefer to run a quick, empty rinse cycle afterward for peace of mind.
Q: Will this detergent work on old, set-in stains?
A: It works much better than regular soap, but old stains require extra effort. Always soak the item in a solution of the detergent and water for several hours before washing normally.
Q: Do I need to use hot water?
A: Avoid very hot water for the initial wash. High heat can sometimes “cook” the proteins in the urine onto the fabric fibers, making the stain harder to remove.
Q: Is this detergent safe for my washing machine?
A: Yes. These specialized detergents are designed to work safely in standard top-loading and high-efficiency (HE) washing machines.
Q: What if the smell is still there after washing?
A: If the smell persists, the enzymes did not fully contact the stain. Try soaking the item again for a longer period, or run a second wash cycle using the detergent.
Q: Can I use this on carpets or upholstery?
A: This product is specifically for *laundry*. You need a separate enzymatic *spray cleaner* for carpets and furniture.
Q: Are enzyme detergents safe for my dog’s sensitive skin?
A: Generally, yes. High-quality formulas rinse clean. If your dog has very sensitive skin, you might consider running an extra rinse cycle to ensure no residue remains on their bedding.
Q: How long does the clean smell last?
A: Because the odor source (the uric acid) is destroyed, the clean smell lasts until the item gets soiled again. It does not just mask the smell temporarily.