Şebnem Oğuz · ODORGO founder · Last updated: October 5, 2026
You washed the gym shirt, hung it up, folded it once it was dry and put it away. You put it on, walked for five minutes, and that smell came up from the underarms again.
The shirt is not dirty. The detergent took out the dirt and the oil, and its perfume covered the odor. The odor molecules holding on to the fibers stayed where they were, and you smelled them again once the fabric warmed up with your body heat. The same thing happens with towels, the dog's blanket and a jacket that sat in cigarette smoke.
Why does laundry still smell after washing?
Three things stack up. Odor molecules cling to the fabric, and an ordinary wash does not get all of them out. The perfume in detergent and fabric softener hides them for a day or two. And if the laundry sits wet in the machine or gets folded before it is dry, a damp smell lands on top.
ODORGO is not a perfume. Plant-derived essential oils (pine needle, anise, clove, cedarwood and lime) catch the odor molecules, bind them and turn them into an odorless compound. For that to work on laundry, the product has to reach the smelly spot before the wash.
How do you apply the spray before washing?
- Turn the garment inside out; the odor is mostly on the inner side.
- Shake the ODORGO Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml bottle well.
- Spray where it smells: underarms, collar, waistband, the middle of the towel.
- Let it dry.
- Wash the garment on its care-label cycle with your own detergent.
- Hang it up as soon as the machine stops.
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 for which odor?
| Laundry | Source of the odor | Before washing | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workout clothes | Sweat | Spray the underarms and the waist | Cool or warm |
| Towels, kitchen cloths | Staying damp | Spray both sides | Care-label temperature |
| Dog bed cover, cat blanket | Skin oil, urine | Remove the hair, then Pet Spray | Cool or warm |
| Clothes that smell of cigarettes | Smoke | Air outdoors, then spray both sides | Care-label temperature |
| Secondhand clothes | Long storage | Spray the whole surface | Care-label temperature |
Don't start with hot water on sweat or urine odor; hot water can set the odor deeper into the fabric. For pet textiles, ODORGO Pet Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml is used the same way. If the odor has reached the rug or the sofa too, the pet odor solutions guide covers that side.
Light cigarette odor may not need a wash at all. Air the garment outdoors, spray both sides and leave it to dry.
What goes in the machine?
Add your detergent as usual. Put 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. It is twice as concentrated as standard ODORGO. For other ways to use it around the house, see 10 tips with the Multi-Purpose Liquid.
Why do towels start to smell so fast?
A towel is thickly woven, holds water and dries slowly. One that sits folded in the bathroom, or hangs behind the door under another towel, turns sour in two days. Spread it out to dry after use, don't leave washed towels sitting in the machine, and put them in the closet only when they are dry all the way through. Change kitchen cloths often.
Clothes left in a gym bag are a separate subject; we cover them in how to get rid of gym bag and workout clothes odor. For blankets, see why blanket odor won't go away.
Does ODORGO leave a scent on laundry?
No. You notice a light plant scent when you spray, and it fades fast. Don't expect a scent that lasts; ODORGO was made to remove bad odor, not to leave one of its own.
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 is vegan.
Keep your laundry fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't detergent remove the odor?
Detergent dissolves dirt and oil and covers odor with its perfume. Some of the odor molecules attached to the fibers stay in place.
How long should I wait after spraying?
Until it is dry. Once it has dried you can wash the garment.
Can the Multi-Purpose Liquid be used without detergent?
No. It is used together with detergent; add one capful to the detergent drawer.
Does the spray stain colored laundry?
No, it does not stain ordinary textiles. On water-sensitive fabrics such as silk, test a hidden spot first.
Does fabric softener remove odor?
No, it only covers it. When its perfume fades, the odor underneath comes back.
Will the odor come out of secondhand clothes?
Yes, in most cases. Spray the whole surface, let it dry and then wash; repeat for heavy odor.