Nazlı Ersoylu · Chemical engineer · Last updated: October 6, 2026
I am a young chemical engineer, fresh out of school. As a student I thought a bad smell indoors was a ventilation issue: open the window, the wind blows through, done.
Then last month my family and I went looking for a rental. One apartment had been empty for months with the windows open, and still a heavy, set-in cigarette smell clung to us at the door. My mother said, "We'll have it painted and it will be fine." I wanted to know where the smell was hiding.
That evening I went through the research. The smell was no longer a gas drifting in the air; it was a chemical residue anchored to the surfaces. For everyday smoke odor at home, see our cigarette smoke odor guide.
What is thirdhand smoke, and why is it so stubborn?
The gray smoke you see and breathe in the moment is secondhand smoke. What stays behind, unseen, after it clears is called thirdhand smoke.
Nicotine, tar and the hundreds of other compounds in cigarette smoke are oily, resinous and sticky. Gravity and electrostatic attraction pull them onto curtains, carpets, sofa foam and wall plaster, where they keep releasing odor slowly for weeks, even months. Opening a window thins the smell in the air but does not touch the residue in the fabric or plaster, so the smell comes back.
Why do ozone machines and scented sprays fall short?
A heavily scented room spray only misleads the nose for a few hours. When the perfume fades the stale smoke smell rises again.
Ozone machines, common in hotels, bring a different problem. Ozone (O₃) is a very reactive gas, so nobody can be in the room during treatment; with constant use it oxidizes plastic, rubber and synthetic fabrics and wears them out fast.
How does ODORGO neutralize the odor?
Looking at the ODORGO formula as a chemical engineer, I found a neutralization mechanism, not "miracle" marketing labels. It is a water-based formula built on five plant-derived essential oils: pine needle, anise, clove, cedarwood and lime. It works in three stages.
- Capture (adsorption and electrostatic attraction): the fine droplets create an electrostatic pull and draw the oily odor molecule in like a magnet.
- Conversion: the formula's pH balance of 4.0–6.8 works like an acid-base buffer. The captured molecule reacts mildly, its bonds change and it loses its bad-smelling structure.
- Breakdown (biodegradation): the new compound is non-volatile, odorless and biodegradable.
The approach comes from technology rooted in research at Delaware State University in the USA. ODORGO spray and gel show up to 98% odor elimination effectiveness. The formula is vegan. It leaves no lingering scent of its own.
What should you do in each situation?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hotel or guesthouse room that was smoked in | As soon as the guest leaves, apply ODORGO PRO to curtains, carpet and sofas, then air the room for 30 minutes. |
| Rental apartment or Airbnb handover | All textiles and wipeable hard surfaces. If it has reached the plaster, apply again once the surface is dry and leave a gel at the fixed odor spot. |
| Used car (cigarette plus air conditioning) | Spray directly onto the seat upholstery and the headliner fabric. |
| Vape or e-cigarette residue | Apply directly to the surfaces where the residue builds up. |
| Cigar or pipe (heavier odor) | Chemically more stubborn. Apply twice, airing the room for 30 minutes in between. |
For a used car's vents, follow our car odor guide for fleets, dealers and detailers.
How do you set up spot treatment and continuous control in a business?
- Spot treatment: keep ODORGO PRO Odor Eliminator Spray 500 ml on the housekeeping cart. When you notice odor in a room, the lobby or a restroom, shake the bottle and give it a few sprays.
- Continuous control: for fixed spots where odor keeps returning, set down an ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel 250 g, standing flat and still. It needs no outlet, batteries or machine and lasts up to 30 days in enclosed areas of up to 15 m²; longer in smaller spaces such as drawers and cabinets. To keep it out of sight, place it inside a closet or below eye level.
Why does time matter for hotels, Airbnbs and rentals?
A room kept empty for days to air out, or closed for hours around an ozone machine, is lost revenue. With ODORGO PRO you treat the surfaces right after checkout, air the room for 30 minutes, and get it ready for the next guest.
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. For high-volume use, see our hotel odor control and industry solutions pages.
Don't cover the odor, remove it at the source
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a product that removes cigarette odor without covering it with perfume?
Yes. ODORGO captures nicotine, tar and other smoke compounds on the surface, binds them and converts them into an odorless compound.
What is the fastest way to remove heavy cigarette odor from a hotel room?
Apply ODORGO PRO to curtains, carpet and sofas as soon as the guest leaves and air the room for 30 minutes.
Does it work on thirdhand smoke that has settled into furnishings?
Yes. Thirdhand smoke is a chemical residue in fibers and on surfaces, and ODORGO targets it directly there.
Is it enough for heavier smoke such as cigar and pipe?
Yes, with two applications: air the room for 30 minutes after the first, then repeat.
Does ODORGO damage furniture, curtains or painted surfaces?
No, not on surfaces that water does not harm; it is water-based. On water-sensitive surfaces such as unfinished raw wood, genuine leather or silk, test on a small hidden area first.