We spent hours researching trash can deodorizers, carefully evaluating products on their type, longevity, scent, and ingredients. After sniffing our way through several contenders, our top pick is a bag of Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating & Deodorizing Packs. The packs feature a plant-based formula that effectively eliminates tough odors. Here are the best trash can deodorizers to keep your home smelling fresh. Each pack will last up to 60 days before needing to be replaced. At less than $2 per pod, they also offer a good price-to-performance ratio. This product is available in three scents: original, lavender, and lemon. You may have mixed feelings about the smell. Some find it pleasant, and others find it strong. On a positive note, it has the power to eliminate the worst trash smells, including pet urine and discarded seafood, which is why it’s our top pick. Price at time of publish: $10 Air Wick Stick Ups come in packs of two, and each puck lasts up to 30 days. Although they may need to be replaced more frequently than other options, they offer an affordable price point. They can also be tucked away in a variety of other spots throughout your home, including closets, bathrooms, and litter boxes. For best results, they should be placed directly at the source of odors. The adhesive tape may not be super strong, but you can easily reapply your own tape to reinforce it. Note that air fresheners simply diffuse fragrance, which means they mask odors rather than eliminate them. The manufacturer explains that the wicks can also cause skin irritation if touched, so it’s best to keep them away from children and handle them with caution and care. Price at time of publish: $2 Each pack comes with two pods and a pod holder, which makes them easy to remove and replace. The pod holder has an adhesive strip that can be conveniently attached under a trash can lid. With such a simple installation process, our tester says that “almost anyone can use this easy tool to combat smelly trash cans.” But does it work? Yes, it does! Our tester also notes that the Odorsorb pod successfully keeps unpleasant smells at bay. “In the weeks since I installed my Odorsorb pod, I’ve barely noticed the trash in my kitchen,” she explains. “No smells, good or bad, have wafted out when I open the can, and even when the trash is full, I don’t notice any unpleasant odors.” Price at time of publish: $20 According to the manufacturer, 3 ounces is an adequate amount to treat your garbage can for a week, meaning a 24-ounce package should last about two months. Plus, if you love the smell of cherries, then you’ll love the Stinky Bins’ scent, too, and find it pleasant rather than overpowering. Price at time of publish: $12 The fragrance can be strong at first, but the good news is that it dissipates quickly. Everyone may not be a fan of the scent, but this powder effectively eliminates some of the worst smells, including garbage that has been subjected to hot weather. Use it in all types of indoor and outdoor trash cans, diaper pails, and dog waste bins. Price at time of publish: $10 The purple deodorizer is specifically designed for use in trash cans. However, the charcoal deodorizers also come in three other colors and are intended for a specific purpose: fridge, litter box, and shoe deodorizing. According to the manufacturer, activated charcoal can last up to a year. If that’s the case, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth. To “recharge” the charcoal pouch, just place it out in the sun for a few hours. While the outer casing is not recyclable, once the pouch is totally spent, the carbon powder can be composted in a garden. Price at time of publish: $10 PureAyre is also powerful enough to tackle some of the worst pet odors, including cat urine and skunk spray. It contains enzymes that break down the molecular bonds of odor-causing compounds. Once the bonds are broken, stinky smells and other harmful contaminants are eliminated. PureAyre comes in a 22-ounce spray bottle and has a light mint scent. It’s pricier than other options, but it successfully tackles some of the toughest odors. Price at time of publish: $11 “Sprays only work if you’re willing to grab the can and spray it over and over, pods only work if you remember to replace them, and powders only work if you’re willing to wipe out your powdery trash on a regular basis,” says Melissa Homer, The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member and Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro. “There is no magical solution to odors that don’t require remembering to do, replace, or dispense something, so you really have to pick your poison based on how your brain works.”
How Long It Lasts
Trash can deodorizers that come in pod form have a specific lifespan, which typically ranges from from 30 to 60 days before they need to be replaced. Still, Homer notes that “the majority of trash deodorizer products are most effective during their first 30 days, though many claim up to 90 days of odor removal.” She suggests that shoppers carefully read manufacturers’ instructions on how to get the most out of the product. Some activated charcoal products, such as remodeez Trash Can Deodorizer and Odor Eliminator, can be placed in direct sunlight to improve their longevity and effectiveness and may last up to a year. It’s a bit trickier to gauge how a powder or spray formula will last. It all depends on the recommended amount of product and how often you use it. Typically, powders and sprays can last at least a month or two before needing to be reapplied.
Scent
Many trash can deodorizers come in a variety of fragrances, from earthy scents to more fruity and flowery options. One of the most common complaints with scented trash can deodorizers is that the fragrance can be strong, or even overpowering for some. If your nose is sensitive to smells, or you are concerned about chemicals in certain fragrances, an unscented option is your best bet. Our best unscented pick, remodeez Trash Can Deodorizer and Odor Eliminator, is both odorless and eco-friendly.
Ingredients
Ingredients vary by product, but both chemical and eco-friendly trash can deodorizers are on the market. If you have small children or pets in your household, you may want to opt for the latter, and look for deodorizers using eco-friendly ingredients, such as activated charcoal and essential oils, to eliminate odors. In addition, although they might smell great, several trash can deodorizers contain fragrances. Rather than eliminate odors at the source, their purpose is to mask the smell. To really deodorize your trash can, find a product that targets the source of the smell, rather than just the smell.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a home and lifestyle writer who has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019. To select the best trash can deodorizers on the market, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their type, longevity, scent, and ingredients. Sage consulted hundreds of customer reviews, as well as recommendations from third-party websites. For expert insight on cleaning practices, Sage interviewed Melissa Homer, The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member and Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro. There are also plenty of products that have baking soda right in them, such as our best powder pick, the Arm & Hammer Trash and Dumpster Deodorizer. To keep your deep-cleaning sessions to a minimum, Homer advises taking out the trash more frequently, especially with stinkier items. She cautions, “If you made an amazing dinner of fancy shellfish, part of the gig is taking those foul-smelling shells out to the dumpster right after the dinner party is over—unless you want your home to smell like a fish market by morning!”
