I used to reach for room sprays without thinking twice.
If something smelled off, I’d just spray… and problem solved, right?
But once I started looking into it, I realized that many conventional air fresheners may actually be doing more harm than good.
Most room sprays and aerosol fresheners contain phthalates, which are used to help fragrance last longer. The problem is that phthalates are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) — meaning they can interfere with hormone function in the body. They’ve also been linked to respiratory irritation and poor indoor air quality.
And here’s the part that really changed things for me:
That strong, lingering “clean” scent we associate with freshness? It’s often just a mix of synthetic fragrance chemicals masking odours — not removing them.
That heavy, artificial smell started to feel less like “clean” and more like a cloud of chemicals sitting in the air — especially in small spaces like bathrooms and bedrooms.
That’s a big reason I switched to the Norwex Odour Eliminator.
Instead of covering up smells, it uses enzymes and probiotics to break down odor-causing molecules at the source — so the smell is actually gone, not just hidden.
And the difference is noticeable. There’s no overwhelming fragrance, no chemical after-smell — just fresh air that actually feels clean.
That means it works on things like:
- urine smells
- garbage odours
- musty laundry
- smoke
- food smells
- pet odours
It’s more like a cleaning product for the air and fabrics, not just a “mask the gross smell” spray.
My Real-Life Experience Using It
This product has become one of those things I just… always have on hand.
I keep:
- a diluted spray bottle in the bathroom
- the main bottle in the laundry room
And I use it constantly.
My favorite way to use it:
Adding a capful to laundry. It works especially well for:
- workout clothes
- towels that smell a little off
- anything musty
It doesn’t just add scent — it actually removes that lingering smell that detergent alone often misses.
The “Okay, I’m Sold” Moment
One of the most convincing stories (and honestly, very relatable if you have kids):
A mom discovered her child had been hiding wet pajamas in a plastic toy box… and the smell had completely taken over.
She was ready to throw it out — until she tried this.
After letting it sit with Odour Eliminator, the smell was completely gone.
That’s exactly the kind of odour this product handles well — the stubborn, deep smells that don’t go away easily.
How I Use It (Super Simple)
This is a concentrate, so you do have to dilute it.
Spray bottle: 1 part Odour Eliminator, 7 parts water. Shake it lightly before using, and you’re good to go.
Laundry: 1 capful per load
Carpet Cleaning: Add 30 ml to 1.2 liters of rug shampoo solution (1 fl. oz. to 40 fl. oz)
That’s it. A little really does go a long way.
Where You Can Use It
I’ve personally used it for:
- bathrooms
- laundry
- garbage cans
- shoes (game changer)
- carpets and furniture
- pet areas (although Norwex Pet Stain & Odour Remover Concentrate is a more targeted solution for pet smells – read my review here)
You can also use it in:
- diaper pails
- lockers
- basements
- cars
Basically, anywhere that smells… questionable.
What I Love About It
✔ Actually eliminates odours (doesn’t just mask them)
✔ Light, clean scent that fades (not overpowering)
✔ Works in laundry really well
✔ Safe for use around kids and pets (when used properly)
✔ Biodegradable and septic-safe
✔ Highly concentrated (lasts a long time)
✔ Works on tough smells like urine and smoke
And as mentioned earlier, it’s a better alternative to candles and aerosol sprays, which can release VOCs and phthalates into the air.
What Could Be Better
⚠ You have to dilute it first
Not a huge deal, but it’s an extra step compared to grab-and-go sprays.
⚠ Needs a bit of time for tougher odours
For really deep smells, you may need to let it sit and/or repeat.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those products that quietly becomes a household staple.
It’s not flashy.
It doesn’t overwhelm your home with fragrance.
But it works — really well.
And once you realize the difference between masking odours and actually eliminating them, it’s hard to go back.
⭐ My Rating: 5/5
It’s effective, versatile, safer than traditional air fresheners, and lasts forever because it’s concentrated.
If you deal with real-life smells (kids, pets, laundry, garbage… all of it) — this is 100% worth having on hand.
How good is it on neutralising smells in toilets?
It’s very good at neutralizing bathroom smells.
What about odour eliminator on a foam mattress?! The mattress cleaner says not to use on foam or latex; I cannot find info anywhere stating whether or not odour eliminator can be used on foam and/or latex?
I haven’t heard one way or the other but we personally use it on foam mattresses and it has worked well.
Hi the odor elimator ,I believe there is 3 different scents ,which is the nicest scent . I have never bought this ,any recommendations .thank you.
Hi. We now just have one scent, which is the Crisp Linen.
I just got the Odour Eliminator today! I cleaned my cat box area. I have a female cat who stands up and pees out. So gross. I diluted and poured it over the area. Let it sit for a few minutes and wiped with my envirocloth. I rinsed my envirocloth and will wash it using the laundry detergent. I hope I haven’t ruined it with the ammonia in the cat pee.
Isn’t Odour Eliminator amazing?! I love it! And no worries, the ammonia in the cat pee won’t ruin your Norwex microfiber 🙂
How do I use the odour eliminator on the inside of my son’s diaper pail to get rid of the smell? I read online that it helps, but I’m unsure how to apply it? Would it be the same as how I used it on the inside of his wood chest to get rid of vomit smell? For that project, I used it undiluted on a cotton ball and wiped the surfaces. Thank you for any help!
I personally keep a spray bottle of odour eliminator that has been diluted with water around my house. On a diaper pail, I would spritz the inside of the pail with this diluted spray bottle, between emptying, and let it air dry, to help with odour!
Hi,
I am struggling to find an ingredient list for the odour eliminator. Where can I find a list of all the ingredients in this product? I see it says it’s an enzyme which is fine, but I would like a complete list, as my 6 year old has had allergic reactions to other Norwex products.
Thanks
Hi Meredith,
Please send me an email, through my contact page, about this, and I’m happy to chat with you regarding specific ingredients!
Oops, it’s me again. I meant to ask how much you would use in a shampooer for carpets?
Most people seem to use 1 tablespoon for a full shampoo.
Our dog was in an accident and suffered head trauma. She has not fully recovered at this point and may not, which has me concerned because she is having accidents. One was on the couch that has multiple types of materials, such as wood, faux leather, and fabric. Have you had an issue with the product changing the composition of the foam where it would sit differently or any issues with one of those materials? Also, have you tried it on concrete like the garage or patio?
We always recommend spot testing on anything like that just to be sure it won’t cause damage. I haven’t tried it on concrete. I’m not sure if it is porous enough. Let me know if it works.
Do you think i could use the odour eliminator in lieu of my scented wax in a scentsy warmer? i love the smell and usually have something like this – not sure if it is safe to put in a warmer?
thank you!
I’m sorry; I’m not sure if that would be safe.
Thanks Crystal – I do have the bags, and they are wonderful. The larger one set near the fireplace got rid of any damp char smell this spring. I think my best option really is to paint/seal the walls…but that is so much work! I also put one of the bamboo bags under the kids beds and their bedrooms smell so fresh.
Love your site, I now know how to use the Norwex products better! For musty basement smell, do you think I should dilute and lightly spritz the cement walls in the unfinished area and the carpet in the finished area? I made the switch to Enviro clothes about 3 months ago and feel better, and haven’t needed my inhaler once! I used it about twice a week, always on cleaning days, but got wheezy regularly, amazed! I just hosted a party and can’t wait for my new items to come.
Hi Susie,
Thanks for sharing your positivi experiences with the EnviroCloth! It’s so encouraging to hear firsthand how Norwex has helped improve your health!
For your musty basement, the Odor Eliminator diluted and sprayed on the carpet area would help definitely help with the musty smell, and would be a MUCH better option compared to chemical spray or plug-in. You would likely need to use this method more than once (every once in a while).
Can you use odor eliminator on leatherette? If so, how? I have heard that you should never really leave anything on leatherette.
My mother in law bought some second hand leatherette armchairs and, sadly, we cannot seem to get out the cigarette smell out of them.
Hi Chantal,
I have been mulling over this question. I don’t personally have any experience using Norwex products on Leatherette, and I couldn’t seem to find other consultants that had any advice to help with this question. I’m so sorry! I do know that our Leather Care line has a lovely beeswax smell that is safe for the armchairs. A good wipe with an EnviroCloth is always good to do. Perhaps you could use the odor eliminator diluted in a spray bottle, spritz it on, let it sit a few minutes, then wipe with an EnviroCloth? I used Sportzyme on a wool coat that smelled like cigarettes with great success, but once again, am not too sure if it would be bad for leatherette, as it is meant to be left on to do its work. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Hi i just recently moved into a house. Its such a beautiful home but the previous renters had dogs and cats that peed everywhere . Iv had the carpeting professional shampoo and it still smells. Also the radiators smell like the cat sprayed. Its so gross and i cant deal with it anymore iv tryed so many things. Do u think this product would work. Thanks so much, Sara
Oh Sara, how miserable for you! Although I can’t make any guarantee that any of the Norwex products will completely eliminate the smell, you should be able to significantly reduce the smell, and even through continued use (over the course of a few months with repeated applications) you may be able to get rid of it. I think I would start with the Norwex Pet Stain & Odour Remover Concentrate rather than the Odour Eliminator, and use a fairly strong concentration (3 parts water to one part concentrate). You don’t have to saturate the area you’re trying to get the stink out of, just a generous misting so it’s fairly damp. Then wait till it dries, and apply again. Just keep doing this over and over, and the Pet Stain & Odour Remover will do it’s work removing the source of the smell.
Stray cats have taken to “marking” my front door and around my front yard. As you could imagine the odour is not exactly roses and lavender which waftes into the house!
Which product would you recommend? Composites are metal mesh security screen, wood, front door mat Coconut fiber or similar ?? Please help.
Oh Jo… I feel for you. Growing up we also had a stray cat who would come and spray our front deck… it drove my mother mad! Although I haven’t had the same issue as you, our cat decided to start peeing on our futon. I had a bottle of the Pet Stain & Odour Remover Concentrate and a bottle of the Norwex Odour Eliminator and between the 2 of them, we were able to get the cat pee smell out of the futon COMPLETELY. I don’t really know which worked best, I’m just thankful that the smell is gone!
Hi, I love your website. Thank you. I have a question about the odor eliminator. Can it be used as a room deodorizer, like in the bathroom?
Thanks Jan! The Odour Eliminator is meant to be used on surfaces to eliminate odour, although I don’t see why you couldn’t try using it in the bathroom as an air freshener. I’ve not tried it, but would love to hear from you how it works, if you do!
What amounts are 1 part to 7 parts. So if I use 1 cup of OE I would use 7 cups water??
Have never understood that system. Therefore if using it in your was you would require at least 1/2 cup would you not.
Lana, I generally use 1/4 cup of the Norwex Odour Eliminator to 1 & 3/4 cups of water (this is a 1:7 ratio) – it’s a much smaller amount to store in spray bottle!
Cup or tsp?
Either one; just be sure it’s 1 part Odor Eliminator to 7 parts water.
If I were to use this as a room deodorizer, how would I dilute it?
To use the Odour Eliminator as a room deodorizer, you should use a 1:7 (OE:water) dilution.
Deja,
I am new at selling Norwex and have a question about odours on hardwood floors. I have not tried the odour eliminator but was wondering about using it diluted in a spray or in water on hardwood floors with the mop system? I would think once the odor is up, you would be able to maintain with just the mop system? Any advice is appreciated!
Thank you for any help!
Emily, I would think that adding a very small amount of Odour Eliminator to a spray bottle of water to wash your floor with, would be just fine. I’ve personally never tried it, but would love for you to comment again once you have, and let me know your experience with it! One small word of caution… I would test the Odour Eliminator on a small patch of the hardwood floor before adding it to your wash water.
hi Deja,
I am a new Norwex consultant, and just like Tracy wrote (back in Feb 2013), I am finding your site extremely helpful. Thank-you!
Jen Harpole
Gallatin, TN
Hi Jen! I’m SO glad that my site is helping you… thank you very much for the encouragement! Best of luck with your new business 🙂
Hi! Can you use the odor eliminator in stinky shoes? Just curious as I wasn’t sure about spraying it in and ruining the inside of a pair of shoes!! Thanks!!
Erica
Erica, you can use Odour Eliminator on stinky shoes (dilute 3 parts water to 1 part Odour Eliminator), but I know from personal experience that the Norwex Sportzyme works MUCH better on getting rid of shoe odour!
How would I use the odour eliminator in my washing machine if I use the norwex powder detergent? I have a front loading machine with a detergent dispenser. Not sure if I should mix the powder and liquid?
Kathy, I just pour a capful of the Odour Eliminator concentrate directly into the detergent dispenser of my front load machine. Another option, if you want your clothes to really smell like the Odour Elminator, is to add a little to the fabric softener dispenser.
Hi – Do you put both the Odour Eliminator and the Norwex Laundry detergent into the detergent dispenser at the same time? Or just the Odour Eliminator without the Detergent?
Thanks!
Theresa
Theresa, I put the Norwex laundry detergent in the detergent dispenser, and the Odour Eliminator in the fabric softener dispenser!
Do you use the Odor Eliminator straight in the washing machine, or dilute it, then add it to the washing machine?
Hi Christina, When I use the Odor Eliminator in my laundry, I don’t dilute it, and I just add a capful to the detergent or fabric softener dispenser!
Hi Deja,
I have stumbled across your website and I love how informative it is! I have just started selling Norwex and am receiving a lot of questions about the product. I too received it as a gift and loved it so much that I decided to share it with friends.
Thanks for your info, I’ll be check back regularly and sharing your posts!
Tracy
Quesnel, British Columbia
Thank you SO much Tracy! I’m thrilled that you are finding this site to be helpful, and I really appreciate that you’re sharing it. I hope you have great success as a Norwex consultant!