Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Check the care label, turn the garment inside out, and wash it promptly with detergent at the warmest temperature the label permits. For persistent or localized odor, try a fabric-compatible pretreatment, rinse it as directed, and wash again. If the smell remains, rewash before drying; heat may intensify or set the residual odor.
Start with the care label and the fabric
Read the garment’s care label before choosing a temperature or pretreatment. The American Cleaning Institute says to check the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best laundry results in its Cold Water Wash Technical Brief. Sort items according to compatible wash instructions, and do not assume that workout synthetics tolerate warm or hot water.
Wash sweaty clothes promptly
- Turn the garment inside out. This can expose odor-heavy areas to the wash.
- Wash it as soon as practical. If a damp item has to wait, hang it to dry instead of leaving it bunched in a basket or sitting in the washer.
- Use detergent as directed. Follow the amount specified for the load and avoid overloading the washer so clothing has room to move. For odor that persists, Whirlpool suggests considering an odor-fighting detergent; that is a category suggestion, not evidence that a particular brand is best.
- Choose the warmest label-permitted temperature. The American Cleaning Institute recommends the warmest temperature listed on the garment label for smelly or heavily soiled clothes and athletic gear. Follow the garment’s own limits.
Whirlpool’s guide to removing body odor and sweat smell also advises allowing clothes room to move and using care-label-compatible wash settings.
Try a pretreatment for stubborn or localized odor
A regular detergent wash is the simplest first step. If odor is concentrated in one area or remains after washing, a pretreatment may help—but only use one if the care label and fabric allow it. Whirlpool describes these options; its guidance is practical advice, not a comparative test proving that one treatment works better than another.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Bio Enzymatic Cleaner: ACTIVE Laundry Odor Removers Boost your normal laundry detergent to effectively target Stains & Odors, not mask them like washing soda or in-wash scent boosters. It uses Lab-proven Biological Cleaning to remove laundry odor & strong smell
- Heavy Duty Stain Remover for clothes: Our Enzyme Laundry Additive Powder is formulated for Stain Removal of dirty clothes, perfect for Funk, Grease, Armpit Sweat stain, Blood stain, Oil and more!
- Gentle on All Fabrics: Our Fragrance Free Laundry Boost Plant-based Formula uses zero harsh chemicals. Natural enhancer for whites & colors. Even safe for pesky activewear fabrics
- Value 64 Load Package: ACTIVE Enzyme Cleaner Concentrated 32-oz size is good for 64 Loads compared to other products with 1 lb or less
- Compatible with all Washers & Detergents: Add ACTIVE Laundry Booster Powder to your usual detergent & cleaners! HE, Front & Top load Washer Approved. Also use as laundry soak pretreat powder in order to treat set-in stain
Baking soda paste
Mix equal parts baking soda and water into a paste, apply it to the affected area, gently work it in, and leave it for about 30 minutes before washing. Check the garment’s care instructions and test an inconspicuous spot first, as Whirlpool recommends.
Diluted white vinegar soak
Whirlpool describes soaking the affected clothing in a mixture of one cup white vinegar to four cups warm water for at least 30 minutes. Rinse the vinegar off thoroughly before machine washing. Test an inconspicuous area first, and avoid frequent vinegar pretreatment on delicate garments or items containing elastic: vinegar can potentially damage elastic. See Whirlpool’s workout-clothing washing guide for its related precautions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- POWERFUL ENZYME LAUNDRY BOOSTER – Enhance your favorite detergent with our enzyme laundry booster powder. The advanced 3-enzyme + oxygen formula helps remove stubborn stains, sweat, body oils, and odor-causing residue for a deeper clean.
- ELIMINATES ODORS AT THE SOURCE – This laundry enzyme booster helps break down odor-causing buildup trapped deep in fabric fibers instead of masking smells. Ideal for towels, activewear, gym clothes, bedding, socks, and everyday laundry.
- ADVANCED ENZYME LAUNDRY DETERGENT FORMULA – Powered by Protease, Lipase, Mannase, and oxygen cleaning agents to help remove sweat, body oils, blood, food stains, and everyday messes while helping brighten fabrics.
- WORKS WITH ANY LAUNDRY DETERGENT – Simply add this laundry booster powder with your regular detergent to boost cleaning performance. Safe for HE, front-load, and top-load washing machines and effective in warm or cold water.
- FRAGRANCE FREE HE SAFE 64 SCOOPS – Our enzyme laundry booster is made without added fragrances and delivers powerful cleaning for colors and whites. Includes a 2 lb bag with up to 64 scoops.
Rank #4
- GENTLE: Our formula is consciously formulated with 100% bio and mineral-based ingredients. We left out all the harsh chemicals, fillers, toxins, and pollutants commonly found in other boosters to create a hyperefficient, nontoxic, biodegradable formula. We only use the good stuff so your body and the environment are left as clean as your detergent.
- EFFECTIVE: Our advanced 4-in-1 formula is the first laundry product in the US to feature a groundbreaking bioenzyme that breaks down tough-to-remove “biological” stains and odors caused by sweat, body grime, and blood. (Think ring around the collar, yellow pit stains, weird grey or yellow stains on your favorite white sheets, and other stains.)
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: At Dirty Labs - Less is More. By creating hyper-concentrated formulas, we greatly reduce our package sizes (and thus, our carbon footprint). Our packaging is made of recyclable cardboard. Our scoop is made from responsibly sourced schima superba wood. Our materials are responsibly sourced and extracted directly from nature. We examine every aspect of our product life cycles in order to achieve the safest, most sustainable solutions.
- DIRECTIONS: Follow your washer and garment care label instructions. For best results, use with Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergents. For standard and HE machines. Septic Safe. 1) Use laundry detergent as you normally would. 2) Add Bio Laundry Booster to wash drum before adding clothes.
- SPECS: 480 g = 48 loads. Free & Clear (Scent Free). Compatible with traditional and HE washers. Optimized for cold water. No synthetic ingredients. Biodegradable formula. Hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. Safe for babies and pets. Cruelty-free. Vegan. No sulfates. No dyes. No parabens and preservatives. No optical brighteners. No chlorine bleach. No 1,4-dioxane. No fragrance. No CA Prop. 65 chemicals. Packaging and formula are BPA-free.
Rank #3
- 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!
Rank #2
- LAUNDRY BIO-ENZYMATIC FORMULA: Helps break down and destroy tough pet stains and odors, such as urine, feces, vomit, blood, grass and drool.
- GENTLE ON FABRICS: Perfect for use on clothing, pet beds and more—not for use on specialty fabrics, including washable silk, khaki, fluorescents, wool, suede and leathers.
- SAFE FOR PETS AND HOME: Formulated without phosphates, parabens, sulfates and bleach, this product is safe for use around pets and home, when used as directed.
- ODORCAPTURE 360 TECHNOLOGY: An odor neutralizing system from Nature’s Miracle, the brand you trust because it works!
- WORKS IN ALL MACHINES INCLUDING HE: Use in addition to your laundry detergent to help loosen and remove tough pet stains and odors.
If the smell remains after washing
- Do not put a still-smelly garment in the dryer; Whirlpool warns that dryer heat can intensify or set residual odor.
- Rewash it with suitable detergent and settings that comply with the care label. If you use a pretreatment, follow its rinse instructions first.
- If the problem continues across loads, check whether the washer needs cleaning.
- Dry the garment completely before storing it.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
