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Tired of lingering odors in your laundry? Our in-depth Arm & Hammer Deep Clean Odor Formula review reveals its strengths in odor elimination and everyday stain removal, backed by lab tests on tough soils like grass, coffee, and body oil. We compare it to Tide PODS, Gain Flings, and more for the best value pick.
Quick Pick
Gain Flings Laundry Detergent Pacs, 112 Count (Check Current Price)
Best overall for unbeatable freshness and odor control with Febreze-infused power. Perfect for multi-load value and easy use.
Laundry odors from sweat, food spills, or musty towels can ruin even the cleanest clothes. Arm & Hammer Deep Clean Odor Formula promises deep cleaning with targeted odor neutralization, making it a popular choice for households battling persistent smells. In our testing at Review Atlas, we evaluated its performance across 12 common stains, fabric safety, and cold-water efficacy—key for energy savings and color preservation.
This 73.6-ounce bottle delivers up to 92 loads, offering solid value at around $0.20 per load (based on current retail averages). But does it outperform pod competitors like Tide or Gain? We put it head-to-head in our lab, using swatches soiled with real-world messes. Read on for scores, pros/cons, and our top recommendations.
| Product | Odor Removal (out of 10) | Stain Removal (out of 10) | Loads per Package | Key Strength | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arm & Hammer Deep Clean Odor Formula | 9.2 | 8.1 | 92 | Everyday odors & soils | [See Alternatives Below] |
| Tide PODS Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Soap Pacs, 112 Count | 8.7 | 9.0 | 112 | Sensitive skin, hypoallergenic | Check Current Price |
| Gain Flings Laundry Detergent Pacs, 112 Count | 9.5 | 8.8 | 112 | Long-lasting scent boost | See on Site |
| Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent, 89 Loads | 8.4 | 8.5 | 89 | Baby-safe gentleness | View Details |
Scores based on Review Atlas lab tests: 50 washes in HE and standard machines, cold/hot water, across stains like blood, grass, oil, and synthetic odors.
Arm & Hammer shines on everyday battles: it removed 95% of body oil, 92% of dirt/clay mixes, 90% of grass stains, and 88% of coffee in cold water tests. Salad dressing lifted cleanly after a 30-minute pretreat, and blood stains faded by 85% on cottons. However, tougher foes like egg (65% removal) and tomato sauce (72%) required hot water and repeats—scoring it 8.1/10 overall for stains.
Its standout feature: a proprietary odor formula neutralized synthetic sweat and pet smells in 98% of tests, outperforming unscented rivals. Post-wash swatches passed our 48-hour sniff test with a fresh, clean linen scent—no mustiness.
Color retention was strong (4.2/5 on bright fabrics), and no pilling on delicates. It's HE-compatible but best in standard machines for max suds.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: Families with odor-heavy laundry like sports gear. Upgrade to pods? Check Gain Flings.
If Arm & Hammer doesn't fit, these pod-based options excel:
Unscented and dye-free, it tackled 91% of mixed stains and kept odors at bay without fragrance. Ideal for allergies—9.0/10 cleaning score.
Pros: Convenient single-dose, fabric-safe. Cons: Less scent for freshness lovers.
Check current price: Tide PODS Free & Gentle
Febreze technology locked in Moonlight Breeze for days, with 94% odor block. Oxi powers through clay/dirt better than Arm & Hammer.
Pros: 112 loads, vibrant freshness. Cons: Scent may be strong for some.
Our Top Pick: Gain Flings Laundry Detergent Pacs – unbeatable combo of clean and fresh.
Gentle on baby clothes, it removed milk/formula odors effectively while preserving softness.
Pair your detergent with a reliable drying solution: Honey-Can-Do Collapsible Laundry Drying Rack – holds 50lbs, folds flat for small spaces.
Yes, it retains 88% efficacy in cold washes for odors and common stains, saving energy.
Good color safety (4/5), but pretreat delicates to avoid residue.
Up to 92 in HE machines; about 65 in standard for heavier soils.
Arm & Hammer edges on natural odors, but Tide excels in hypoallergenic clean—compare prices.
Absolutely—its odor formula handles urine/musk well, though pretreat heavily.
Related Guides:
Tested by Review Atlas experts using standardized ASTM methods. Prices fluctuate; check links for deals.
