Şebnem Oğuz · ODORGO founder · Last updated: October 5, 2026
You go down for the suitcase or up for the holiday decorations, maybe once a month. Every time, the same heavy, shut-in smell meets you at the door.
Opening the window helps while it is open. Close it and the smell returns. Basements and attics are different from the rest of the house: close to the soil or right under the roof, short on sun, with air that does not move. The fix has to match the place.
Why do basements and attics smell so much?
They are the least ventilated parts of a house. In a basement, damp rises from the ground. In an attic, the swing between hot and cold causes condensation. The air stands still, moisture builds up, and porous materials such as wood, cardboard and fabric soak it in. Mold and bacteria settle there and produce the smell.
A room spray only adds a scent on top. A few hours later the odor underneath is back.
Is it mold or just a musty odor?
- Mold: shows as black, green or white patches. It is a living growth that releases spores, and the smell returns until it is cleaned.
- Musty odor: no patches in sight, but odor molecules build up in the damp air and in whatever is stored there.
The goal is the same in both cases. Deal with the damp and the visible mold first, then neutralize the odor.
What should you do in each situation?
| Situation | What to do | ODORGO product |
|---|---|---|
| Visible black or green mold | Clean with water and white vinegar, then dry | Cleaning first; ODORGO afterward for the odor |
| Odor in walls, floor, shelves | Wipe with 15 mL per 1 liter of water | Multi-Purpose Liquid 500 ml |
| Stored fabric, boxes of clothes | Spray, let it dry | Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml |
| Constant heavy odor in a corner | Leave a gel standing flat, lid open | Odor Eliminator Gel 250 g |
| Large basement or storage room | Refill the jars | Gel Refill 500 g |
How do you remove the odor step by step?
- Ventilate. Open whatever windows and doors there are and get the air moving.
- Clean visible mold. Wipe the marked surfaces with water and white vinegar and let them dry. ODORGO does not clean mold, so this step cannot be skipped.
- Wipe the surfaces. Add 15 mL of ODORGO Multi-Purpose Odor Eliminator Liquid 500 ml to each liter of water and go over the walls, the floor, the undersides of shelves and the corners. It is twice as concentrated as standard ODORGO.
- Spray what cannot be wiped. Shake ODORGO Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml well and spray stored textiles and the air. Let it dry and repeat if needed.
- Leave a gel. Set ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel 250 g flat on a shelf or in a corner and open the lid. No outlet, no batteries. It keeps working while you are upstairs.
- Check once a month. When a jar is finished, top it up with ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel Refill 500 g.
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 does ODORGO work, and what is in it?
The plant-derived essential oils (pine needle, anise, clove, cedarwood and lime) in the water-based formula attract odor molecules, bind them and neutralize them. The technology is rooted in research at Delaware State University in the USA. In enclosed areas of up to 15 m² such as a storage closet, the gel lasts up to 30 days.
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. The spray and gel reach up to 98% odor elimination effectiveness. The spray, gel and Multi-Purpose Liquid are vegan.
If the smell is spread through the whole house, start with how to eliminate musty odors at the source. For a room or building that has been locked up for months, see opening long-closed spaces.
Keep your basement and attic fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get rid of the mildew smell in a basement or attic?
Ventilate, clean visible mold with water and white vinegar, wipe the surfaces with Multi-Purpose Liquid in the cleaning water, and leave an ODORGO gel in a corner.
Why does the odor come back after cleaning?
Because the damp is still there. While moisture and mold remain, the smell is produced again, so the source needs fixing along with the odor.
Does ODORGO clean mold?
No. ODORGO is an odor eliminator, not a mold cleaner. Clean the mold and control the damp first; ODORGO then neutralizes the odor left behind.
Does the gel work in a basement with no ventilation?
Yes. The gel does its best work in small, enclosed spaces. Dealing with the leak or insulation and using a dehumidifier still makes the result last.
How long does the gel last?
Up to 30 days in enclosed areas of up to 15 m² such as a storage closet. It needs no outlet or batteries.
Can I use the spray on stored boxes and wood?
Test first on unfinished wood. Cardboard and bare wood are water-sensitive, so spray lightly and try a hidden spot before going further.