Şebnem Oğuz · ODORGO founder · Last updated: October 5, 2026
Checkout is at 11:00. The next guest checks in at 3:00. You have four hours, and the last guest smoked in the living room and fried fish in the kitchen.
Every host knows this picture. The sheets get changed, the floors get mopped, the place looks clean. But the person who opens the door smells the air first. If the odor is still there, the cleaning goes unnoticed, and the odor is often what ends up in the review.
A scented room spray covers the odor for those four hours and fades by the time the guest has unpacked. Then there are two smells at once. The job is to take the odor out of where it has settled.
Where does the previous guest's odor stay in the home?
Not on hard surfaces. It stays in everything soft. Odor molecules hold on to fabric and foam. Opening a window changes the air, not the fabric.
| Where the odor stays | Common odor | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sheets, duvet covers, towels | Sweat, perfume, cigarette smoke | Wash with detergent plus one capful of Multi-Purpose Liquid |
| Sofa, couch, cushions | Cigarette smoke, food, pets | Spray and let it dry |
| Curtains and carpet | Cigarette smoke, frying | Spray; repeat for heavy odor |
| Bathroom | Dampness, drains | Air it out, run water down the drains, put gel on a shelf |
| Fridge and trash can | Stale food | Empty them; wipe with a damp cloth and a few drops of Multi-Purpose Liquid |
| Wardrobe | Stale, closed-in air | Leave the doors open, put gel on a shelf |
What order should you follow between two guests?
A fixed order saves time. Air first, then the washing machine, fabrics last.
- Open windows on opposite sides as soon as you walk in. Keep them open while you clean.
- Load the sheets, pillowcases and towels. Add your detergent, then one capful of ODORGO Multi-Purpose Odor Eliminator Liquid 500 ml in the detergent drawer. It does not replace detergent; the two are used together.
- Take out the trash and throw away any food left in the fridge.
- Spray the sofa, couch, curtains and carpet with ODORGO Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml. Shake the bottle well first. Go over the corner where someone smoked a second time.
- Let the fabrics dry; finish the bathroom and kitchen in the meantime.
- Place the gel in the rooms before you leave.
The spray is water-based; you can use it on any surface that water does not harm. On water-sensitive fabrics and surfaces (unfinished or untreated wood, silk, leather, electronics, etc.), test on a small hidden area first.
What do you do when someone smoked inside?
Even with "no smoking" in the listing, it happens now and then. Cigarette odor settles into curtains, the sofa and the carpet; it does not leave when the ashtray does. If the curtains are washable, wash them. If not, spray both sides. Lift the sofa cushions and spray underneath too. If you can still smell it, repeat.
Heavier cases are covered step by step in our guide to lingering cigarette odors in a home or car, which is also useful if you rent out a vehicle.
How should the gel be placed in the home?
ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel 250 g is not a one-time fix like the spray. Open the lid, leave it, and it keeps working while the guest is staying. It needs no power or batteries. Put it somewhere flat and still: a bathroom shelf, a wardrobe shelf, the hallway cabinet. The gel lasts up to 30 days in enclosed areas of up to 15 m². In a large room it runs out sooner, so check it at every turnover.
For a small toilet or a single wardrobe, the smaller ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel 100 g (Compact) also works.
What if the home will sit empty for weeks?
In a home closed for the off-season, the odor comes from inside: a dried-out drain, a towel left damp, a shut fridge. Before you lock up, pour a glass of water down each drain, empty the fridge and leave its door ajar, and leave no wet textiles behind. Put gel on the shelves of closets and small rooms.
What to do when you open the place again is laid out in order in our guide to long-closed spaces.
Why doesn't the home smell like perfume?
Some guests walk in looking for a "clean smell." When you spray ODORGO you notice a light scent from its plant-derived essential oils (pine needle, anise, clove, cedarwood and lime), and it fades quickly. Don't expect anything to linger; ODORGO is not a perfume, its job is to take the bad odor away. Noting "fragrance-free, neutral-smelling home" in the listing helps guests bothered by strong scents.
The fragrance-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, dye-free, sulfate-free, and alcohol-free claims are verified by tests conducted at laboratories accredited by TÜRKAK (Turkish Accreditation Agency) and ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation). The manufacturer declares that no toxins or harsh chemicals are used in the formula. It can be used in homes with children and pets.
Keep your rental fresh at every check-in
Frequently Asked Questions
I only have two hours between checkout and check-in. What comes first?
Airing and textiles. Open the windows, start the sheets, spray the sofa and curtains; the rest can wait.
Will ODORGO smell like perfume to my guests?
No. It contains no perfume; you notice a light plant scent when you spray, and it fades quickly.
Can I leave the gel out while guests are staying?
Yes. Put it on a flat, steady shelf where it will not tip over; leaving the lid open is all it takes.
Can Multi-Purpose Liquid be used instead of detergent?
No. It is used together with detergent; add one capful to the detergent drawer.
I accept guests with pets. Do the steps change?
No, the same steps apply. For the spots where the animal slept there is also ODORGO Pet Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml.
Does the spray stain the sofa?
No, it does not stain regular upholstery fabric. On water-sensitive surfaces such as silk and leather, test a hidden spot first.