When a pair of jeans or your favorite shirt gets a little smelly, there’s a simple solution: Just throw it in the washing machine. But when it comes to larger items, like your couch or rug, that’s not always an option.
That’s where fabric refresher sprays can come in. They can be a great way to counteract odors and help bring new life into the things you can’t wash easily. Though if you’ve tried any of the options on the market, you know that not every spray successfully does what it promises.
That’s why I tried 11 different sprays to see which works best. Plus, I reached out to experts to hear about what you should look for when shopping for an effective fabric refresher spray.
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Best long-lasting scent$undefined$6.94
What should you look for in a fabric refresher spray?
Most fabric refresher sprays are “designed to neutralize or reduce odors that cling to the fibers of your clothes, upholstery, and other textiles,” shares Rechelle Balanzat, the CEO and founder of Juliette, a laundry and dry cleaning company in New York City.
While some simply mask the odors and make the fabric smell fresher, others include ingredients that actually can help neutralize or break down the odor-causing compounds. These are the sprays that you should look for, she advises.
“Ingredients such as cyclodextrin can help trap odor molecules, while some formulas use enzymes or other odor-neutralizing ingredients depending on what they’re designed to treat,” says Balanzat. “I also prefer simpler formulas without an overwhelming amount of fragrance, especially when you’re using them regularly.”
Other formulas also have some additional features that can be helpful. “More functional formulas go beyond fragrance by using ingredients that interact with odor molecules, help lift the light oils and residue that accumulate through everyday wear (like a dry shampoo for hair), and sometimes help release wrinkles,” says Zachary Pozniak, co-author of “The Laundry Book: A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Clothes and Linens” and vice president of operations for the dry cleaning service, Jeeves.
See my top picks from testing below.
Best overall fabric refresher spray
Efficiency: 5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Application: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.83/5
Efficiency: To test how effective each of the sprays was, I poured the water from cans of tuna onto throw pillows, let it soak and then applied the sprays to see how well they covered the scent, both immediately and after a few hours. (And if you’re wondering, yes, my apartment did indeed smell terrible for the rest of the day.)
When I sprayed this one on the pillow, the tuna smell was immediately replaced with a fresh scent. After five hours, that pleasant smell remained and there were no tuna odors to be found.
Scent: I really enjoyed this scent! It was pretty much exactly like you would imagine a “fresh breeze” scent would smell: Light and clean, like fresh laundry.
Application: On the nozzle for the Zep Odor Eliminator, there are multiple modes, so you can choose between a targeted stream application or a spray that covers a larger area. The spray distributed really nicely and evenly, and the stream was also effective, but at times it was a little drippy.
Other fabric refresher sprays tested by the editor
Best for people with pets:
Efficiency: 5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Application: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.67/5
Efficiency: This spray got a perfect score on the efficiency front. It covered all the tuna odors and continued to do so hours later. For good measure, I also sprayed it on the areas of my couch where my cat often lies, and while there wasn’t a strong odor there before, it was left with a pleasant scent.
This spray is also made with essential oils, but the brand notes that the ones chosen for the formula are pet-safe.
Scent: I really enjoyed the scent of this product. It’s slightly floral, but something about it reminded me of the holidays (I think it might have been the pear and vanilla), which makes it feel particularly appropriate for the season ahead.
Application: This was the only area where the spray lost a point. While I really liked that the Pet-Pourri spray covered a wide surface area, during the first few sprays, I did notice some drips coming from the nozzle.
Best spray for targeted application:
Efficiency: 5/5 | Scent: 3.5/5 | Application: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.5/5
Efficiency: This was another spray that did a great job covering up the odor. There was no scent left from the tuna, even after the waiting period. It contains ionic silver, which the brand says works to remove odor.
Scent: The Fresh Air scent wasn’t bad by any means; it just wasn’t my favorite of the sprays I tried. It was minty but also had some sweet notes that were just a little too sweet for my liking.
Application: I really liked the way that this one sprayed. The general spray mode was very well-dispersed and even, but the targeted stream was really where Defunkify’s spray shines. It has a really powerful stream that makes it easy to target the exact spot that you want to hit.
Best spray with a long-lasting scent:
Efficiency: 5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Application: 3/5 | Overall average score: 4.33/5
Efficiency: The Febreze Fabric Spray did a great job of covering up any tuna scents. Even hours later, there was no trace of the odor. This one also still smelled the strongest after the waiting period. This is likely thanks to what the brand calls its “touch-activated technology.” Febreze says that it stores the scent within your fabric, and it’s reactivated when you touch, pat or sit on the surfaces that you sprayed it on.
The spray features cyclodextrin, which one of our experts called out as a beneficial ingredient for trapping odor molecules.
Scent: I really enjoyed the “Fresh” scent. It was almost sweet but not cloying, and overall just smelled clean.
Application: While this bottle also had two modes, it had by far the most drippage when I was using both the spray and stream functions. It didn’t significantly hinder the experience when I was using it, but it was still noticeable.
Best essential oil spray:
Efficiency: 4.5/5 | Scent: 4.5/5 | Application: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.33/5
Efficiency: When sprayed on the pillow, this formula effectively covered any unpleasant scents. The smell was pretty much just as strong hours later. (While I didn’t test the specific claim, the brand says that the scent can last up to seven days.)
While it was very efficient, because of the essential oils in the formula, I would be reluctant to use it on every surface in my house, particularly areas where my cat often is, because certain pets can be sensitive to their effects. While there’s likely not enough in the formula to have an effect, I still like to be cautious, especially because the bottle doesn’t say anything about being pet-safe.
Scent: I wouldn’t necessarily describe the spray as having a uniquely lavender smell; the scent was floral and generally pleasant overall. It also lasted a long time.
Application: Unlike some of the other sprays, this one only had one setting. But the spray covered a large surface area and dispersed evenly.
Best value fabric refresher spray:
Efficiency: 5/5 | Scent: 3.5/5 | Application: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.17/5
Efficiency: No trace of tuna here! This spray effectively covered the odor, both immediately and hours later. I also only applied a few sprays, and it did the job. Given how much of it you get for the affordable price tag, you’re really getting a great bang for your buck.
Scent: This had one of my least favorite scents of all the sprays that made the cut. It wasn’t bad, but it did smell more like a cleaning product than any of the others.
Application: The stream setting on this was really powerful, so it’s great for when you need to target small areas. The spray mode covered less surface area than some of the others, but it still covered enough to get the job done.
Best smelling spray:
Efficiency: 3.5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Application: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.17/5
Efficiency: While this spray completely covered the odors in the first sniff test right after I sprayed it, after the five-hour period I did notice a slight odor under the rich cashmere scent. But that was also when I was pressing my nose directly up to the fabric. I couldn’t smell it from further away.
This spray is also made from essential oils, and the brand does not note whether or not it is pet-safe, so I’d be hesitant to use it on too many surfaces with my cat around.
Scent: This is such a warm and cozy scent. It truly matched the luxurious feel that the brand touts with its “high-end fragrance.” It has notes of sandalwood, musk, pear and florals and smelled like a really good candle that I would want in my apartment.
Application: Laundry Sauce’s formula was the only one with a continuous spray nozzle and I actually liked it more than I thought I would. It makes it easy to ensure that you are completely covering a surface area, though it seems like it uses more product at once because it continually sprays. The spray is pretty strong, so you’ll need to hold it pretty high above whatever fabric you’re targeting while spraying.
Best multitasking spray:
Efficiency: 4/5 | Scent: 3/5 | Application: 3/5 | Overall average score: 3.33/5
Efficiency: This spray did a decent job of covering up the tuna odor both immediately and in the long-term, though there was still a very light fish scent when I smelled the pillow hours later.
I did really appreciate that this spray has multiple purposes and can also be used to take wrinkles out of clothing. (It worked well on a wrinkled button-down shirt that I had.)
Scent: Overall, the scent was pretty light and not overpowering, so it’s a good option for those with sensitive noses. It’s a refreshing scent, but underneath the main notes, I thought it smelled a little chemical-like.
Application: This formula comes in a small spray bottle and it comes out in a mist. You have to be pretty close to the fabric to ensure good coverage and it doesn’t have a very wide spray radius.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the product, says Balanzat. "Some fabric refreshers use odor neutralizers that interact with odor molecules rather than simply masking them with fragrance."
However, she adds that they are not a replacement for cleaning. "If you have sweat, body oils, food, smoke or another strong odor buildup, spraying the fabric may only be a temporary fix."
"I always recommend checking the care label first and testing the spray on a small, hidden area, especially with delicate or darker fabrics," Balanzat shares. "Hold the bottle a few inches away and lightly mist the fabric rather than soaking it. Give the garment time to fully air dry before wearing it or putting it away. You also want to avoid spraying too much because excess moisture can leave residue or create its own smell."
Balanzat says that you should be cautious with heavily fragranced formulas, which may just cover up the odor.
She adds, "I’d also avoid anything that isn’t intended for the specific fabric you’re treating. Delicate fabrics like silk, leather, suede and certain specialty textiles can react differently to sprays, so always check the care instructions first. When in doubt, less is more."
How we tested fabric refresher sprays
I, Emma Stessman, tested the sprays on throw pillows that we ordered especially for this testing process. I opened five cans of tuna in water and poured the liquid from each in even spots on each of the pillows.
I let the tuna water settle into the pillows for a couple of hours before spraying each one with the individual sprays. We tested each spray on a different pillow to ensure we could distinguish each scent clearly. I smelled the pillows immediately, let them sit for five hours and then sniffed them all again.
While going through the testing process, I considered three main factors:
- Efficiency: How well does it work? Does it actually cover and get of the smell? Is it meant to be used on multiple fabrics?
- Scent: Does it actually smell like what it says it’s going to smell like? Is it strong or faint? Is it a pleasant scent?
- Application: Does the spray apply evenly across a wide area? Does the bottle leak? Is it easy to use?
Why trust Shop TODAY?
Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY who joined the team in 2020. Through the years, she has tried and written about a wide variety of products, from the best shoe deodorizers to the best fitness trackers. She covers everything from sneakers and tech news to celebrity shopping habits in our Shopping Diaries interview series.
Meet the experts
- Rechelle Balanzat is the founder and CEO of Juliette, a laundry and dry cleaning company based in New York City.
- Zachary Pozniak is the co-author of “The Laundry Book: A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Clothes and Linens” and vice president of operations for Jeeves, a New York City- and London-based dry cleaner.
Illy Whole Bean Coffee Classico (Medium Roast)
Illy Whole Bean Coffee Classico (Medium Roast)
