We all love our pets, but managing the smells that comes with pet ownership can be hard to deal with. Although litter boxes work well, unless you are able to clean them immediately they will begin to smell.
Fortunately, there are a few options when it comes to masking and eliminating these odors. Read on to learn more about the top 3 options you have when it comes to having a better smelling home!
Also, check out the best air purifier for cat litter odor.
The Best Air Freshener for Cat Urine
& Litter Box Odor
BEST SCENTS
- 5 adjustable strength settings
- Odor masking
- Many scented options
- Uses 100% essential oils
- Works up to 60 days
BEST PURIFIER
- Eliminates odor causing molecules
- Does not require filter replacement
- Has a 1 year warranty
- UV-C Light kills bacteria
- 360° air circulation
ALSO GREAT
- Plug into any wall socket
- Purifies the air
- Uses a carbon filter
- Comes with a scented cartridge
- Works as a night light
The Air Wick Plug in Scented Oil Starter Kit has many different scents that can be used and diffused into your home to make it cat and litter box odor free. This air freshener works for up to 60 days and the strength can be adjustable simply by twisting the top.
This air freshener has 6 refill packs and two warmers. Great for bathrooms, closets, kitchens, living rooms, and anywhere that you would like for there to be a light, fresh scent.
As the oil in the Air Wick heats up, it will release a fragrance that moves around the room. You can choose between five different fragrance settings, depending on your needs.
The Air Wick Plug-in can be used anywhere that there is a standard plug in and with this starter set, you can blend fragrances in your home by using different scents with each diffuser.
Pros:
- Easy to use plug in anywhere
- Adjusts to 5 different strength settings
- Uses 100% essential oils
- Works up to 60 days on the low setting
Cons:
- At the lowest setting the diffuser does not smell for very long
- Works best in small rooms
- Some users say certain fragrances have a strong chemical smell
Customer Reviews
According to Walmart.com, the Air Wick Plug-In Scented Oil Starter Kit has a 4.1 out of 5-stars rating. Customers report that this plug-in works better than others, primarily due to the ability to change the strength setting. Others said that while the scent was subtle, it was fresh and helped masked odors.
Trial Results
Using the Air Wick Plug-In was very straightforward; open the package, insert the refill, plug it into the wall, and adjust the setting. Within minutes we could smell the fragrance coming from the device and masking any odors in the room. While not used for cleaning the air, as there are no filters, it did a good job as covering up any odors. On the low setting the scent was subtle and best used for a bathroom or other small room where you just want a nice fragrance in the air. On the high setting we noticed that it would definitely cover up any smells, though when we left it running all day with the door shut in our small bathroom, the fragrance was almost ‘too’ strong. I would recommend only using the strong setting for a larger room, or for when you are trying to mask a stronger odor.
The Germ Guardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer eliminates germs by using a UV-C sanitizer and deodorizer that will help keep your home fresh and clean from any pet odor. This product can be used in small rooms and runs on a fan that stays at one speed.
The Germ Guardian does not have a filter, butthe bulb may need to be replaced every 6-8 months. With its compact design (7″ tall), it is the perfect addition to any room that has a litterbox and will effectively clean the air, thereby reducing odors.
The Germ Guardian uses ultraviolet light to filter 99.97% of the germs that are blowing in the air. This covers dust mites, pet dander, pollen, smoke, mold, and bacteria spores.
Rated to clean 456 cubit feet in on hour, it runs on 3.5watts and you will not notice any significant increase to your electrical bill. Air enters the front of the unit and travels through before coming out the top. As it leaves, the UV-C light reduces the airborne bacteria, germs, viruses, mold spores, and any other impurities.
Pros:
- Easy to use, plugs into any 2-prong outlet
- Reduces odors by eliminating the odor causing molecules
- Kills germs associated with viruses and bacteria
- Includes a 1-year warranty
- Does not require a filter replacement
- Small, only 7 inches
Cons:
- The bulb needs to be replaced every 6-8 months
- Works most efficiently in a small room, as the air needs to be completely recycled to start noticing a difference
- An open window will eliminate the positive effects
Customer Reviews
According to Costco.com, the Germ Guardian Pluggable Air Purifier and Sanitizer has a 4.0 out of 5-star rating. Customers report that it is perfect for small areas and can help eliminate pet odors pretty quickly.
Trial Results
We used this in an enclosed walk-in closet that had the smell of mildew permeating throughout. A few hours after installing we noticed that the smell reduction was about 80%, but that the air felt much, much cleaner. The next morning the smell was all but gone. This Air Purifier took a little longer than the Hamilton Beach Air Freshener at reducing the smell, but was preferable to the Air Wick Freshener, which just masks the smell.
The Hamilton Beach Odor Eliminator is a plug-in air freshener that is perfect for getting rid of pet odors. By using the same type of carbon filter found in larger air purifiers, this air freshener traps unwanted smells and neutralize the odors in your home. As a plug-in mount, this can work with standard electric outlets in your home and is most useful in the bathroom, kitchen or near the litter box.
The Hamilton Beach uses the same amount of electricity as a 4watt bulb. With its replaceable filters, there is also an indicator that lets you know when it is time to change them out. Like most filters, this is typically every 3 months.
This air freshener does not simply mask odors with other scents. How the Hamilton Beach Air Plug-Mount Odor Eliminator works is that a small, quiet fan pulls the air into the device. The air passes through a carbon filter which traps the molecules responsible for the odors, and then sends fresh air back into the room.
As an extra bonus, this product not only cleans the air, it also comes with a scented cartridge to add a nice fragrance. On top of that, there is a built-in nightlight, which helps illuminate the area and gives you two functions in one.
Pros:
- Easy to use, plug in anywhere
- Uses standard 110 Volt Outlet
- Comes with a scented cartridge
- Eliminates unwanted smells by neutralizing odors
- Uses replaceable carbon filters
- Works as a night-light
Cons:
- Filter will need to be replaced every 3 months
- The scented cartridge gives off a faint smell and might not be for everyone
- Works best in a small room
Customer Reviews
According to Walmart.com, the Hamilton Beach True Air Plug-Mount Odor Eliminator has a 4.0 out of 5-stars rating. Customers report that this air freshener helps to eliminate pet odors and cigarette smoke quickly and efficiently. Others say that the filter worked so well that it was visibly dirty after 3-months of use.
Trial Results
We used the Hamilton Beach True Air Plug-Mount Odor Eliminator in one of our bathrooms (60 sq. ft.) where the cats litter box also is. Once a haven for strange underlying odors, within an hour the air freshener had a noticeable effect on the air quality. We could not hear the fan running unless you put your ear right up to it, and appreciated it’s quiet effort. On day two we used the scented cartridge and although faint, it added a pleasant background scent to the room.
Buying Guide for the best Air Freshener for Cats Urine and Litter Box Odors
If you have a cat, you know that the house can sometimes get smelly because of litter boxes, urine, and dander. In order to find the best air freshener to keep these odors at bay, follow the guidelines when making a purchase.
- Odor Reducing.
- Easy to use.
- Plug in or portable freshener.
- What size room you need to cover.
Make sure that you look at the following guide when purchasing the best air freshener for cats, cat urine, litter boxes and any other odors that might be associated with owning a cat. People, especially cat owners, want to have a house that not only is safe, but smells great too!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my litter box from smelling?
There are several ways to keep your cat litter box from smelling. The two best ways are to use an air freshener or an air purifier. Actually, it is best to use these two in combination. An air purifier will eliminate the odor while an air freshener will make the room smell great.
What is the best cat urine odor remover?
The best cat urine odor remover is the Air Wick Plug-in Air Freshener and the Silver Onyx Air Purifier. These two deodorizers can effectively eliminate cat urine and litter box odor. The air purifier uses activated carbon to absorb the odor while the air freshener releases the great smelling aroma into the air.
What is the best litter box deodorizer?
The best litter box deodorizer is the Air Wick Plug-in Air Freshener. This air freshener is a plug-in device that releases great smelling scents into the air. The scent eliminates odor from the litter box and cat urine and leaves a great smelling room.
Does cat pee smell go away?
Cat pee smell will go away when using an air freshener or air purifier. An air freshener will reduce cat urine odor by releasing great smelling aromas into the air to eliminate the urine smell, while an air purifier will absorb the odor.
Are you also worried about your basement smell? Find the best basement air freshener today!
Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.