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The Best Carpet Deodorizer

Last updated on July 13, 2023

We looked at the top 14 Carpet Deodorizers and dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Carpet Deodorizers.

Best Carpet Deodorizer

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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If you have carpet flooring in your house, you probably already realize that it can absorb odors more than other types of floorings. Even area rugs can soak up scents like cigarette smoke and food aromas. If you have pets, they can leave their smells behind in your carpet, too, especially if they occasionally have accidents.

Carpet deodorizer can help soak those scents right up, freshening the air in your home. But not all of these products are made equally. There are products that help you clean stains, but those aren’t the same as odor eliminators and fresheners. When you’re shopping for a product to take the odor out of your carpets or rugs, look, first and foremost, for one that eliminates the odor rather than merely covering it up.

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You’ll find carpet deodorizers come in two varieties. Some are liquid-based, with ingredients built in that neutralize odors, while others use a powder that you sprinkle and then vacuum up. One benefit of the latter is that in addition to absorbing odors, they can also break up the elements causing them, including dirt and pet hair, making it easier for the vacuum cleaner to extract them.

While some carpet deodorizers are unscented, others have a specific scent built in. Orange is particularly popular in deodorizing products, as the citrus is known to help neutralize odors. You’ll also find many products are made from baking soda, which is well-known for its odor absorption. This will likely be a matter of personal preference.

One feature working in favor of liquid-based deodorizers is versatility. Some spray cleaners go beyond carpet, letting you also use them to spot treat items like mattresses, litterboxes and draperies. Make sure you carefully follow the directions on any product you use to ensure it’s safe for the specific type of flooring you have.

Our Picks For The Top Carpet Deodorizers

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Top Pick

Arm & Hammer Vacuum Booster Carpet Deodorizer, 3-Pack

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Arm & Hammer

Vacuum Booster Carpet Deodorizer, 3-Pack

You'll get a three-pack of carpet deodorizers with this product, which combines baking soda and Oxi-Clean to eliminate odors. The formula is built to also loosen dirt to give your vacuum cleaner a boost. In addition to pet odors, it can go to work on tough-to-remove odors like cigarette smoke and mold.

Overall Take

Double DutyBaking soda and Oxi-Clean combine to both neutralize and eliminate odors in your carpet.

  Runner Up

NonScents Animal Dust-Free Carpet Deodorizer

NonScents

Animal Dust-Free Carpet Deodorizer

What sets this carpet deodorizer apart from others is its lack of a scent. Instead of using perfumes to mask odors, it eliminates them, leaving behind a neutral smell. It also is made without chemicals, instead using biodegradable organic chlorine derived from a combination of amino acids and table salts, making it safe to use around pets.

Overall Take

30-Day ProtectionThis carpet freshener promises 30 days of freshness in each spot you use it.

  Strong Contender

Zero Odor Pro Non-Toxic Unscented Carpet Deodorizer

Zero Odor Pro

Non-Toxic Unscented Carpet Deodorizer

Amazingly, this carpet deodorizer uses molecular technology to fully remove odors, instead of just masking them. It's safe enough to spray on furniture, as well as into the air around your home. The bottle comes with a built-in spray nozzle, so all you have to do to use it is squeeze the trigger.

Overall Take

Won't Just Mask OdorsThis carpet deodorizer is completely biodegradable, so you can feel good about your purchase.

  We Also Like

MICROBE-LIFT Natural Stain Removing Carpet Deodorizer

MICROBE-LIFT

Natural Stain Removing Carpet Deodorizer

If you have pets in your home, you'll want to grab this reliable carpet deodorizer. It's formulated to not only eliminate odors, but also remove stains from turf, wood, pavers and grass. Even better, it blocks pheromones to deter cats and dogs from returning to the same area in the future.

Overall Take

Best for Cat and Dog OwnersSince this carpet deodorizer is highly concentrated, you won't need a replacement bottle for quite some time.

  Also Great

Adam’s Polishes Non-Toxic Hypoallergenic Carpet Deodorizer

Adam's Polishes

Non-Toxic Hypoallergenic Carpet Deodorizer

Keep the upholstery in your car looking and smelling like new with this carpet deodorizer. It's free of dyes and perfumes that tend to leave behind their own stains. Instead, it's formulated with natural ingredients that make it safe to use on your seats, floor mats and car interior.

Overall Take

Free of Dyes and PerfumesWith this high-quality carpet deodorizer, you don't need to do any scrubbing to remove stains.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, Simplemost analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
21

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the carpet deodorizers available to purchase.
14

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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33

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources.

115,397

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

What to Look For

  • Before you use any product to treat carpets or rugs, test a small area. If the product causes problems, you’ll only affect a spot on the carpet rather than the entire floor.
  • As useful as carpet deodorizer can be at neutralizing odors, you’ll likely find you’ll need to occasionally bring in a professional carpet cleaning service to fully treat all of the carpeting in your home.
  • The problem with treating carpet is that liquids can seep deep into the carpet’s backing layer. You can’t fully get to that layer, which means you may not realize that these liquids cause bacteria and mildew. For this reason, baking soda is a popular product for absorbing odors from carpets. Even setting an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator can help absorb odors, so you can imagine how it can extract odors from carpeting.
  • As with the original odor, your carpet deodorizer will be coming into contact with your carpet. Keep in mind that pets and small children may be moving around on that carpet and possibly even lying down on it. Look for a product that’s chemical-free and safe for use around pets and children.
  • Another consideration when choosing carpet deodorizer is how it’s made. Many pet owners look specifically for products that aren’t tested on animals, but you may also want to search for a deodorizer with ingredients that are sustainably sourced.
  • Some products last longer than others. Pay attention to how long you can expect freshening in your carpets after you apply the product. You will likely find a product that only lasts a day or two isn’t as useful as one that provides weeks of freshening power.
  • A bonus with some deodorizers is that they help prevent static electricity buildup. If you find that you and your pets deal with static discharge, especially during the winter months, this could be a welcome relief.

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