How to Get Pet Odors Out of Laundry (That Actually Works)
If you share your home with a dog, cat, or any furry companion, you already know the struggle: you pull laundry out of the wash, take a hopeful sniff, and — the smell is still there. Pet odors cling to fabric fibers in a way that basic laundry detergent simply wasn't designed to handle. The good news? There's a reason this happens, and an easy fix once you understand it.
Why Pet Odors Are So Hard to Wash Out
Pet smells, especially from dogs and cats, are caused by organic compounds: dander, body oils, saliva, and sometimes urine. These compounds bind tightly to fabric fibers at a molecular level. Standard detergents are formulated to lift dirt and surface grime, but they're not optimized to break down the specific organic molecules that make pet odors so persistent.
Hot water can actually make it worse. Heat can set protein-based odors (like dander and saliva) deeper into the fabric, making them even harder to remove later. That's why many pet owners find that washing pet bedding or their own clothes in hot water doesn't solve the problem — and sometimes makes it worse.
What Actually Works: The Role of a Laundry Booster
A laundry booster is an additive you use alongside your regular detergent to supercharge its cleaning power. Rather than replacing your detergent, it fills in its gaps — targeting the specific types of odor and stain that detergents tend to miss.
Bubble Bandit OXI PLUS Laundry Boost uses advanced odor elimination technology specifically designed to break down pet odors, including those from dog fur, cat dander, and pet accidents. Unlike some odor-fighting products, OXI PLUS is fragrance-free — meaning it genuinely eliminates the odor rather than masking it with a heavy perfume scent.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Pet Odors from Laundry
1. Pre-treat heavily soiled items — If a garment or pet bed has a strong odor, presoak it first. Stir one scoop of OXI PLUS into one gallon of warm water and submerge the item for 1 to 4 hours. Rinse thoroughly before washing.
2. Check your water temperature — For odor-causing organic compounds, warm water (not hot) tends to work best. OXI PLUS works in all temperatures, including cold, but warm water helps the booster activate more quickly.
3. Add OXI PLUS to your machine — For top-loading machines, sprinkle one scoop of OXI PLUS directly on top of your clothes in the drum. For HE machines, add OXI PLUS directly into the drum before loading clothes — not in the dispenser.
4. Add your regular detergent — Add your preferred laundry detergent as you normally would. OXI PLUS works with any detergent — liquid, powder, or pods — and won't interfere with its fragrance.
5. Run the wash cycle — Select your usual cycle. There's nothing else to do. OXI PLUS gets to work throughout the entire wash, breaking down odor at the molecular level.
6. Check before drying — Before transferring to the dryer, give the item a sniff. If it smells clean, you're done. If there's still a trace of odor, repeat with an extra scoop.