The best trash can deodorizers for odor elimination, tested and reviewed
Brands like Arm & Hammer and Pou-Pourri claim they can stop stench in its tracks. I let my nose be the judge.
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All the candles, diffusers and air fresheners in the world won't cover up the stench of your garbage . Nope, this is a job for a trash can deodorizer, which removes unpleasant smells rather than merely masking them with fragrance. And while I'm typically not one to talk trash, today's an exception since I just spent the last few days sniffing my way through a selection of the best trash can deodorizers on the market.
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To test these household helpers, I filled my kitchen trash can with some smelly offenders, including canned tuna and steamed broccoli. Then I installed each deodorizer and set a timer before giving it my first whiff. I let the stench marinate overnight and gave it another go. The following picks — which will run you as little as $2 a pop — kept the funk in check.
Best trash can deodorizers of 2026
Type:Sachet | Duration:30 days
What we liked:Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I appreciate a trash can deodorizer that not only removes the stench but also emits a pleasant scent. A lot of them are too flowery or musky for my taste, but Fresh Wave's original scent, a combination of lime, pine, clove, cedarwood and anise, is light and refreshing. Rather than masking odor with fragrance, natural plant oils bind to odor molecules, leaving you with a better-smelling bin. Case in point: I smelled citrus and pine instead of tuna, which is a real win.
The water-based packs are on the smaller side, so the brand suggests doubling or tripling up if you're dealing with a stronger stench. Throw 'em in your bin as-is or stick them inside the included holder and secure it under the lid or on the side of the bin for easier access. FYI: If you have a swing-top model trash can, you're better off sticking the holder to the side of the bin, as it'll weigh down the lid.
Minor criticisms:The holder is big, bulky and hard to stick onto the trash can. It didn't work on my swing-top lid, so I resorted to putting a pack at the bottom of the bin.
- No chemical fragrance or dyes
- Pleasant scent that isn't too overpowering
- Easy to switch out pod in the holder
- Only eliminates odors for 15 to 30 days tops
- Bulky holder doesn't fit all trash cans
Type:Pod | Duration:45 days
What we liked:Simplehuman is in the business of sleek, high-end trash cans (among other household essentials), so it's only fitting that the brand's deodorizer has such a streamlined design. Attach the adhesive holder under the lid, then slide in the odor-neutralizing pod, which continuously releases just the right dosage for 45 days straight (or so the brand claims).
I've been using this pod for the last two years, but installed a brand-new pod for consistency's sake. During my initial test, I could still smell the coffee grounds I had dumped into the trash after 20 minutes, but it was significantly less than before I put the pod in place. The next day, the smell was barely noticeable, indicating that the pod removed — and didn't just mask — the odor.
Minor criticisms:You get four refills for $25, which comes to about $6 a pod. That won't break the bank by any means, but it's definitely on the pricier side.
- Pod takes up very little space on the lid
- Easy to switch out the pod in the holder
- Uses plant-based oils
- Adhesive is hard to remove from the trash can
- Pricier than most
Type:Pouch | Duration:30 days
What we liked:You really can't beat the price of this one — each pouch comes in at around $2! Just stick one of the baking soda pouches at the bottom of the can under the trash bag, then let it work its odor-absorbing magic. Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is an alkaline substance, so it neutralizes acidic odors (like musty hampers, stinky shoes and, yes, smelly trash cans) as soon as it comes into contact with them.
And while you can always sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of your bin when you're in a pinch, these pouches do the same job without the mess. Now, I wouldn't say that the pouch has the same deodorizing power as some of the other picks on our list, but it did cut the stench in half. Plus, the brand claims it can last a whole month before needing to be replaced.
Minor criticisms:The baking soda didn't break through biting odors — the tuna was still detectable the next day! Still, it's a more budget-friendly option, especially if you want to take a tried-and-true route.
- No setup required — just throw and go!
- Inexpensive (roughly $2 per puck)
- Not as powerful as other picks on this list
Type:Spray | Duration:Not listed
What we liked:The brand talks a big game (Zero Odor, really?), but I must say this odor-removing spray does its job and does it quite well. It isn't formulated specifically for trash cans, so I turned to Amazon reviews for guidance — several shoppers suggested spraying the bottom of the bin when switching out the bag for routine maintenance, then spraying the trash itself to prevent smells from building up. Four sprays and 20 minutes later, my fishy, funky-smelling garbage was barely detectable. Unlike the other sprays I tested, this one claims to be fragrance-free — there isn't an artificial, overly perfumed scent, but I did get a slight whiff of bleach during my initial test. The brand does not say it uses bleach, but some fellow super-sniffers on Amazon noticed the same thing. (For what it's worth, there is a light tracer fragrance to let you know where the spray has been applied, but the brand says it disappears in less than 60 seconds.)
The beauty of a multi-purpose deodorizer is that a single bottle can tackle so many smells — from sweaty gym gear to overflowing diaper pails and all the gloriously gross things in between. Plus, the brand recommends an average of four to eight spritzes at a time, so this bottle will last you.
Minor criticisms:I couldn't shake the bleach-like smell, even though the brand says the light tracer fragrance lasts only 60 seconds at most. If it didn't work so well at getting rid of the stench, this would've been a deal breaker for me.
- A little goes a long way (but you can also spray to your heart's content)
- Can build up deodorizing power, depending on how smelly the job is
- Multi-purpose option that can be used on any hard or soft surface
- Slight bleach-like smell
- Leaves residue behind on trash can lid and sides of bin
Factors to consider when choosing a trash can deodorizer
✓ What kind of deodorizer is it?Sprays, pucks or pods — the type comes down to personal preference. Pucks and pods are more set-it-and-forget-it options, while sprays require continuous use. On the plus side, you can always spray more trash can deodorizer if your trash is really stinking things up.
✓ How often do you have to replace it?The staying power varies from one trash can deodorizer to the next. For instance, Arm & Hammer recommends replacing its Fresh Effects pouch each month, but its Munchkin Puck (read more about it below) only every 60 to 90 days.
✓ Does it remove odors or simply mask them?Every brand we tested focuses on eliminating smells, not merely masking them. Some, of course, do a better job than others.
How we test trash can deodorizers
My thinking: The stinkier the trash, the better the results. As a result, I combined the most pungent foods I could easily get my hands on — a can of albacore tuna, ¼ cup of coffee grounds, six pieces of steamed broccoli and a paper towel soaked in soy sauce — and used the same measurements in every test. To rank on our list, the trash can deodorizers had to excel in the following:
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First whiff test:I put the deodorizer in place (or sprayed the bag and bin, as directed) and added the measured ingredients to an empty trash bag. I set a timer for 20 minutes, then returned to the bin to give it a good whiff. The goal? No stench whatsoever.
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Stay-fresh test:I left the trash in the bin overnight, then gave it another sniff. Does it smell worse or better than it did the day before? Ideally, it would be the latter.
Meet the smelly offenders: I used the same amount of coffee grounds, soy sauce, broccoli and tuna in every test for accuracy.
Other trash can deodorizers we tested
Eko Activated Charcoal Odor Filter : I won't get too deep into the science of it all, but this deodorizer uses activated charcoal to reduce — notice the word choice here — unwanted odors. Charcoal is another natural odor absorber, but I didn't notice much difference after 20 minutes. I'll stick to baking soda if I want to take the more natural route.
Arm & Hammer Munchkin Puck : This lavender-scented puck is powered by baking soda. And while it was nearly as effective as the Arm & Hammer pouches in my top picks, it's more than three times the price. Another thing to note: It's specifically designed for the brand's Munchkin Step diaper pail , and I can't speak to how well it eliminates that particular stench (though you can take a peek at hundreds of five-star Amazon reviews for proof).
Poo-Pourri Home-Pourri Trash Can Odor Eliminator : I wanted to love this one, I really did! The brand has mastered trapping number-two odors with its toilet spray, so you'd think that it'd be able to handle trash with ease. Sadly, it fell short on all counts — especially given that you get only 400 sprays per $10 bottle, which is considerably fewer than Zero Odor.
Purriko Deodorizer : I tried this deodorizer because Yahoo readers love it, but it's way too big and bulky for standard-size trash cans. I placed it at the bottom of my can, and quite frankly, I don't think it did a thing. It's marketed as a refrigerator odor eliminator, so I'll stick it in my fridge to see if it's all that it's cracked up to be.
OdoBan Disinfectant : Alright, this one's not specifically a trash can deodorizer, but some Amazon shoppers use it for exactly that. There's an overpowering eucalyptus scent that I couldn't look, er, smell past, but I won't deny that it did its job quite well. In fact, it canceled out the odor at the same rate as Zero Odor, but the fragrance was just too strong for my taste.
A spritz a day keeps the stench away ... or something like that.
Trash can deodorizer maintenance tips
A trash can deodorizer can only do so much, so it's up to you to ensure that you're laying the right foundation. Each month, remove the bag from your trash can and scrub away any leftover debris with warm, soapy water. Leave no stone unturned — use a heavy-duty sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub the sides, bottom and lid. "Pay close attention to the rim and lid, where residue often collects," says Ryan Wong, director of research and development at Simplehuman . Dry the whole bin thoroughly before adding a new bag.
The right trash bags can make all the difference. "When managing trash day to day, using a strong, well-fitted trash bag helps prevent leaks and keeps the base cleaner between washes," Wong adds. Opt for trash bags that expand around sharp objects to prevent rips and tears — some are even scented with Febreze, a popular odor-fighter. "While cleaning removes the source of smells, deodorizing helps neutralize any remaining odor molecules and prevents new ones from building up," Wong says.
Best DIY trash can deodorizer solutions
Some of nature's best deodorizers are sitting in your pantry. Baking soda is the créme de la créme — sprinkle it along the sides and bottom of a clean bin each (and every) time you replace the bag. Add a little more if you notice any unpleasant smells.
Essential oils will also do the trick. "Place a cotton pad or cotton ball with a few drops of tea tree and lemon essential oils at the bottom of the bin, underneath the trash bag," says Katie Derrick, scent specialist and founder of essential oil company Fern & Petal . "Tea tree oil is known for its antimicrobial properties, while lemon oil adds a fresh scent and helps neutralize odors."
Meet our experts
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Katie Derrick, scent specialist and founder, Fern & Petal
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Ryan Wong, director of research and development, Simplehuman
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
