The best laundry odor removers you can buy

Why you'll love it: If you don't have time to wash your favorite shirt and it doesn't smell very fresh, Febreze Heavy Duty Fabric Refresher can get you through the day with no embarrassment.

I'm not a big fan of heavily-scented air or fabric refreshers that simply mask offensive odors with another odor. All that usually does for me usually is cause an allergic reaction, and I can still smell the original offender.

Febreze fabric refresher works a bit differently by trapping offensive odor molecules within the chemical molecules of the formula. The product contains ring-shaped cyclodextrin molecules that bind the odor molecules inside the ring to make them imperceptible to the human nose. Then the corkscrew-shaped duo-PSB provide the fragrance you have chosen to replace the bad odors and citric acid holds it all in suspension until you decide to wash or dry clean the garment.

Since its introduction by Proctor and Gamble in 1996, Febreze has grown into a huge product line. For laundry, I prefer either the unscented or crisp clean formula so that it doesn't compete with my perfume or body chemistry. When I want to quickly and effectively remove odors, the heavy-duty formula is going to do the best job.

On Target, one mom shared a review that says it all, "If you need to get rid of odors that have a life of their own, you need Febreze Heavy Duty. If it can kill my teenage son’s stinky sneakers smell it’s worth every penny!" On both Target and Amazon, hundreds of others agree with Febreze ranking 4.3 stars on each site.

To get the best results, spray the offensive garment on the inside and on the outside then allow it to dry completely before wearing. This will prevent wrinkling and allow the Febreze formula time to trap the odor molecules before you accidentally rub it off putting on the clothes.

Pros: Heavy-duty formula works well to trap odors, readily available online and in mass-market stores, safe to use on washable and dry clean only fabrics

Cons: Does not permanently remove odors, not effective in masking all odors

Buy Febreze Heavy Duty Fabric Refresher from Walmart for $3.91

Why you'll love it: Environmentally-friendly Rockin Green Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer removes residual urine odors from diapers but is gentle enough to protect sensitive skin.

Besides its cool name, I chose Rockin Green Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer as the best odor remover for diapers because it works. And not just on diapers for a baby.

Urine, whether from pets, babies, or adults with incontinence problems is a distinctive and difficult odor to remove. Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer uses natural minerals to break down the odor molecules and flush them out of washable fabrics.

The key to success in using this product on fabrics that retain an odor from urine even after washing is to first do a pre-soak. By adding the Funk Rock to a sink of the hottest water recommended for the fabric and allow the garment to soak for at least one hour, the natural minerals can strip away the ammonia molecules. Then, add one tablespoon of Funk Rock along with your usual detergent to every wash load to maintain the freshness. It is safe to use in both high-efficiency and standard washers.

There are more than 500 reviewers on Amazon and 65% of them give Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer 5 stars.

Pros: Mineral-based ingredients are environmentally-friendly, effective as a presoak and laundry additive to remove urine odors from washable fabrics, works well on human and animal urine odors

Cons: Not readily available in mass market stores, the plastic bag may spill and is not childproof

Buy Rockin Green Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer in a 16-ounce (30 loads) bag on Amazon for $17.95 (originally $18.95)

Why you'll love it: If you are guilty of trying to get one more gym session out of your activewear before heading to the laundry room, FunkAway Odor Eliminating Spray will keep others from running away when they smell you coming.

Okay, 'fess up. How many times have you sniffed your gym clothes and decided you could wear them again? Nearly everybody has done it. Now that doesn't mean that the guy or gal on the next treadmill didn't run faster just to get away from you. Next time, keep some FunkAway Odor Eliminating Spray in your gym bag.

While its effectiveness in removing odors from fabrics and non-washable gear is the main reason I love this product, I also like that you can get the non-aerosol formula in several sizes and in an aerosol formula that makes treating larger equipment like yoga mats and hockey pads easier. There's even a small size that the TSA will approve in a carry-on bag.

FunkAway works great on gym shoes, pet areas, diaper pails, work boots, and car upholstery. Just give the offending item a spray and allow the area to dry before using or wearing.

Around 73% of reviewers on Amazon with odor-challenging gear rated it as a 5-star product. One reviewer named Sheila writes, "I have fur-lined slippers that were smelling pretty rank and couldn't be washed. They weren't worn, so I didn't want to throw them away. This solved the problem." And, here's a great part, the product has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Pros: Effectively removes odors from fabrics and non-washable sports gear and shoes, pleasant scent that is not overpowering, available in several sizes, 100% satisfaction guarantee

Cons: Not widely available in mass-market stores

Buy FunkAway Odor Eliminating Spray in an 8-ounce bottle on Amazon for $7.99

Why you'll love it: Not every garment that is stinky can be tossed in a washer, Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag will remove odors naturally without adding another scent or damaging fabrics.

Even if a non-washable garment is clean and free of odor-causing stains, it can still not smell fresh. The problem could be absorbed odors from storage in a musty-smelling space, sitting next to a cigarette or cigar smoker, or dry cleaning chemicals. As a natural fiber, wool is particularly susceptible to the absorption of odors.

The most non-toxic and easiest way to remove those odors without damaging fabrics or adding more chemicals is to use the Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag. The small fabric bag contains 200 grams of moso bamboo charcoal. To remove odors, simply place the garment and the Moso bag in a sealed container for several hours or overnight depending on how strong the odors are and the charcoal will absorb the odors.

Moso bags come in several sizes and fabric colors and will last up to two years. They do need to be "recharged" by placing them in the sun for one hour per month. This helps remove the moisture that has accumulated in the charcoal so it can absorb more, along with odor molecules, from the air.

In addition to removing odors from fabrics, the bags can be hung in closets, pet areas, kitchens, cars, anywhere odors linger to act as an air freshener. Since this is a natural product, after two years the charcoal can be composted for the garden.

I use them to freshen clothes and linens in every closet and in my car to combat odors then add them to the compost pile.

Pros: Non-toxic, natural product containing no petroleum-based chemicals, products, available in a variety of sizes, reusable for two years per bag

Cons: Does not remove odors immediately, takes several hours to work well

Buy Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag in 200g size at Walmart for $9.95