Şebnem Oğuz · ODORGO founder · Last updated: October 5, 2026
You turn the key, the door swings open, and the smell reaches you before you step inside.
Summer house, storage unit, office reopened after a long break: same scene. The good part is that this smell isn't baked into the walls. Once you know where it comes from, one afternoon turns it around.
Why does a closed-up space smell?
When air stops moving, humidity rises. In damp conditions mold and bacteria grow mostly on textiles; mattresses, sofas, curtains and cardboard boxes hold on to the odor. Then there are the drain traps: once the water inside them evaporates, nothing stands between the sewer pipe and the room, and sewer odor drifts in.
What order should you follow once the door is open?
- Open windows on opposite sides. Let air come in one way and leave another, and keep it that way for at least half an hour.
- Pour plenty of water down the sink, shower, tub and toilet drains. Don't skip the floor drain.
- Spray the sofa, the mattress, the curtains and the air with ODORGO Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml. Shake the bottle well first and let it dry; repeat if the odor is still there.
- Put an ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel 250 g in each room, somewhere it can stand flat and still. Just open the lid; it needs no power or batteries.
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.
Summer house, storage unit, office: what do you check in each?
| Space | Where the odor holds on | Check first | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer house | Mattresses, cushions, curtains | Drains and textiles | Humidity runs higher near the coast |
| Long-empty apartment | Still air, dry drain traps | Bathroom and kitchen drains | If the fridge was unplugged, leave its door ajar |
| Storage unit | Cardboard boxes, fabric, floor | Under shelves and in corners | Take out any box that got wet |
| Office | Carpet, chairs, air conditioner | The AC filter | Windowless areas such as meeting rooms |
| Basement | Base of the walls, piled-up items | Leaks and insulation | Odor returns until the moisture is repaired |
For a full season-opening list, see our summer house guide. If the basement is in rough shape, move on to the basement and attic guide.
Do the air conditioner and the drains bring the odor back?
They do. Moisture collects inside an air conditioner that sat idle for months, and the first run blows that air into the room. With the unit off, take out the filter, wash it, dry it well and put it back.
If the odor continues after you've poured water down the drains, the trap itself may need a plumber. For the damp smell that stays in the rooms, the musty odor guide covers the rest.
What do you leave behind when you lock up, and what not?
- Empty the trash, wipe the bin and leave it dry.
- Don't leave wet towels, mops or dishcloths inside.
- Pour water down the drains one last time.
- Leave closet and interior doors ajar.
- Set the gel on a flat shelf or side table. The gel is used for up to 30 days in enclosed areas of up to 15 m²; if you'll be away longer, swap in a new one when you return.
Are vinegar, baking soda or a room spray enough?
In a small cabinet, vinegar and baking soda help a little; across a whole house they fall short. A room spray adds perfume on top of the odor, and when the perfume fades the odor is right where it was.
ODORGO works differently: plant-derived essential oils (pine needle, anise, clove, cedarwood and lime) attract odor molecules, bind them and neutralize them. It is technology rooted in research at Delaware State University in the USA. The spray and gel have up to 98% odor elimination effectiveness.
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.
Walk into fresh air when you open the door
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a home that has been closed for a long time smell?
Because the air doesn't move, humidity rises, textiles turn damp, and the water in the drain traps dries up and lets sewer odor in.
What is the first thing to do when you open the door?
Open windows on opposite sides. Then pour water down the drains, and after that spray the textiles.
How long does the gel last in a closed house?
It is used for up to 30 days in enclosed areas of up to 15 m². It has to stand on a flat, still surface.
Can I use the spray if the boxes in my storage unit smell?
Yes, spray the air and any surface that water does not harm. Throw out cardboard that got wet; a damp box keeps holding the odor.
Doesn't a room spray do the same job?
No. A room spray covers the odor with perfume. ODORGO gives off a light plant scent that fades quickly and leaves nothing lasting behind; it neutralizes the odor at its source.