Şebnem Oğuz · ODORGO founder · Last updated: October 5, 2026
Fall arrives, the winter clothes come out and the summer ones go into storage bags, and that familiar smell shows up with them: the heavy, flat air of a wardrobe closed for months, the damp in a drawer, the sourness that meets you at the shoe cabinet.
Why does a closet smell?
Odor is physical matter: tiny volatile compounds in the air. They cling to porous surfaces such as fabric, which is why the smell stays even after you air the closet.
- Damp. Air does not move in a closed closet, and moisture collects in wardrobes set against a wall. Molecules such as geosmin, released by fungi, create the musty smell.
- Odors carried in on textiles. Clothes worn once and hung back bring sweat, food and cigarette molecules with them. One piece can make a whole shelf smell.
- Shoes and leather. The odor in a shoe cabinet comes from short-chain fatty acids produced by sweat.
- Mothballs. Put in years ago, they work their sharp chemical smell into wood and fabric, and it can last for months after they are taken out.
What takes the odor out of a closet?
| Method | How it works | Its limit |
|---|---|---|
| Airing | Dilutes the smelly air | Cannot lift molecules settled in fabric; the odor returns when the door closes |
| Baking soda, coffee, activated carbon | Passive absorbers that trap molecules | Stop when saturated; limited on settled odor |
| Soap, perfumed scent stones | Add a new scent on top (masking) | The bad-odor molecule stays |
| Mothballs | A moth repellent, not an odor remover | Leave a sharp, lasting chemical smell |
| Molecular neutralization (ODORGO) | Plant-derived oils bind to the odor molecule and neutralize it chemically | Does not mask; works on the odor at its source |
How do you remove closet odor step by step?
- Remove the source. Empty the closet. Set aside damp or worn-once textiles for washing, throw out old mothballs, and air the shoes outside.
- Wipe the surfaces. Go over shelves, the inside of drawers and the inside of the doors with a damp cloth. For a stronger result, put a few drops of ODORGO Multi-Purpose Odor Eliminator Liquid 500 ml on the cloth.
- Treat settled odor on the spot. On textiles that cannot be washed, such as suits, coats and what is in the storage bags, shake ODORGO Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml well, spray from 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) and leave them to dry.
- Place the gel and forget it. Open the lid of ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel 100 g (Compact) and set it on a shelf, flat and still. It is used for up to 15 days in areas of up to 15 m² such as closets and drawers, and when it is finished only a few brown crumbs are left in the jar.
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.
How do you get rid of mothball odor?
Mothball odor is among the most stubborn closet smells; its molecules settle into the pores of wood and the fibers of fabric. Take the mothballs out, air the closet on and off for a few days, wipe the inside, and wash what can be washed. Spray what cannot be washed and place the gel, which over time neutralizes the mothball molecules still spreading into the space.
What should you know about musty odor?
ODORGO neutralizes musty odor, but for a lasting result the moisture problem has to be solved first. In our experience, moving the wardrobe an inch or two away from the wall, using a moisture absorber or airing the closet regularly is often enough. Our musty odor post goes into the damp side, and the one on stubborn laundry odors covers clothes that still smell after washing.
How does ODORGO work in a closet?
The odor control technology behind ODORGO is rooted in research at Delaware State University in the USA. The formula is water-based and built on plant-derived oils chosen to bind sulfur- and mercaptan-based odor molecules. They find the odor molecules, attach to them, and a chemical reaction turns them into a neutral, odorless compound.
You do not want your clothes to smell of perfume; you want them to smell of nothing.
Keep your closet fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closet odor get into clothes?
Yes. Odor molecules cling to fabric and pass from one piece to the next, so ongoing odor control inside the closet matters as much as washing single pieces.
Does the gel have a smell of its own?
It is fragrance-free. When first opened there is only the light smell of the plant oils, which soon becomes unnoticeable; the gel keeps working after that.
How long does the gel last in a closet?
Up to 15 days for the 100 g jar and up to 30 days for the 250 g jar, in enclosed areas of up to 15 m². When it is finished, continue with a new 100 g or 250 g jar or with the 500 g refill.
Can it be used in a home with children, next to clothes?
Yes, it can be used in homes with children and pets. Follow the warnings on the label and store it out of children's reach.
Is it the same product for the shoe cabinet?
Yes. The 100 g gel suits a shoe cabinet, standing flat on a shelf; for the inside of a shoe, use ODORGO Odor Eliminator Spray.