Has the time come to sell your house? It’s essential to clean and deodorize your home before putting it on the market. No one likes to think their home has a “smell,” but in reality it may be difficult to detect when you’re around it all the time as the homeowner. Strong smells can turn away potential buyers and even lower the value of your home. Try out some of these tips to take care of home odors before you list.
Smell test
Because you are used to your home and the smells within it, you may not be able to tell that there’s an unpleasant smell. In this case, you should invite a friend over for a smell test.
A smell test can help determine where the smell or smells are coming from so that you can tackle them properly.
Treat the root cause
There are numerous common sources of odors, none of which you want buyers to notice and dismiss the house because of. Check out these frequent sources and tips to take care of home odors before you list.
Stinky rugs
Rugs are made of a sponge-like material, which makes it easy for them to harbor odors. The cause of a smelly rug can result from mold, mildew, or other bacteria holding on to the materials.
The best fix? Bring the rug outside to dry and allow the sun to evict the bacteria buried within it. You may also want to sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the rug and let it set for a few hours before vacuuming it up.
Stale antique furniture
With its great quality and timeless feel, antique furniture makes any house feel like home—though it might not always be fresh. Over time, mildew can start to form on wood panels, creating a musty smell.
Lining drawers and cabinets with dryer sheets can help disguise odors quickly, but a deep clean will help freshen the furniture for a longer time. Try cleaning the furniture with a sponge dampened with vinegar, Murphy’s Oil Wood Soap, or hydrogen peroxide.
Musty basement smell
Basements are completely or partly below ground level. This means that some or all of the walls are built underground, allowing the cold, moist soil surrounding the walls to leak moisture into the basement, making it susceptible to mold or mildew.
The fix? Start by getting a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier with a drain hose may be best, so you don’t have to worry about emptying the tank. To combat the odor itself, try leaving out bowls of baking soda or white vinegar. This can help diminish unpleasant smells.
Thirdhand smoke
Not the first owner? It is possible that the house was previously smoked in or that some of the furniture was owned by a smoker. Thirdhand smoke that lives in upholstered furniture and even the walls of your home can be more than just unpleasant. Thirdhand smoke is dangerous in living environments. This can include toxins like naphthalene and formaldehyde.
According to the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center, you can apply trisodium phosphate to the walls of your home to remove the smoke residue—although this won’t fix what lies within the walls.
For any upholstered furniture, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and go over every surface multiple times. You may also consider spritzing the fabric with white vinegar and a water solution to neutralize any smell.
Any wooden furniture can be cleaned and given a fresh coat of paint. To help reduce the smell of smoke from coming through, prep the surface with an odor blocker such as Kilz Restoration Interior Primer.
Summary
Making a good first impression includes making one on the nose. With these tips to take care of home odors before you list, future buyers will be more likely to picture themselves living in the home.
Looking for local help with home odors? Find recommended cleaners and more on Ryan’s Helpful Contacts List!
If you’re ready to find a buyer for your home or are looking to buy, contact Ryan Roberts. For more real estate tips and news, continue reading our blogs.