Household odors. Unfortunately, they are a thing homeowners deal with all the time. Kind of like a houseguest that overstays their welcome. Eventually, they’ve got to go. Friends, that time is right now.
If you’re getting ready to list your home on the market, let’s deal with this before we put the sign in your yard and schedule showings. No one wants potential homebuyers to open the front door wearing smiles as they gaze upon your Pinterest-worthy front porch only to turn up their noses once they cross the threshold and immediately retreat because your house stinks––literally.
Do not––I repeat––do not grab that air freshener. Instead, let’s get busy cleaning and bust those odors out of there so I can help get you top dollar for your home!
That’s Trashy
When food spills stink indoors, and garbage cans harbor odors in your garage, it’s time to scrub. Wash trash receptacles in warm soapy water, then dry.
Bathroom and bedroom trashcans? They can become gross, so clean those too.
How can you keep the funk from returning? Leave a light dusting on the inside bottom of trashcans of scented kitty litter. Rather than toss lemon or orange peels into compost, place a few in the bottom of your trash bag.
Baking soda works well, but not with waste receptacles made from metal. Remember what happened in chemistry class? Me neither, but I do know baking soda can cause metals to corrode. If that’s how you choose to keep odors away, place baking soda in a paper coffee filter, then close with a rubber band.
Your Drawers are Nasty
When you visit an antique store––or your nana’s house––you may notice a musty smell. It settles inside over time in furniture and carpets. Be like Burt Wonderstone and make furniture smells disappear.
- Empty drawers and closets
- Take packing paper or newspaper and crinkle several sheets into balls
- Sprinkle each one with just a little distilled white vinegar
- Place inside drawers or on the top shelves of closets for a few days
- This works excellent for gym-tasticly stinky shoes too
Once the scent is gone, scented dryer sheets or small, scented bars of soap will help keep these areas smelling fresh like a spring breeze.
What Died in Here?
You know that smell. The one that tells you an animal had a good life once upon a time, and now that’s over, and it may be in your attic or walls––yuck! You can peek inside your attic, yet knocking down drywall isn’t a money or time-saving option. Again, distilled white vinegar to the rescue! Pour some into a container with a tight-fitting lid. Poke holes in the top, then leave it inside the room. The roadkill scent will disappear after a few days.
Well, That’s Fishy!
Dishwashers, refrigerators, and garbage disposals can collect little food particles in nooks and crannies. Those smelly things have got to go.
For dishwashers, pour two cups of––you guessed it––white distilled vinegar into the machine and run on a hot water cycle. Midway, pause the washer for 20 minutes and allow the solution to break down residue. Turn the dishwasher back on and let it do its thing.
To clear odors and debris from disposals, toss in lemon peel, ice cubes, a little salt, and then flip on the switch. Rinse well.
Clean all shelves and drawers in your refrigerator with warm water and baking soda. Wipe clean with equal parts––one more time––distilled white vinegar and water. Place an opened box of baking soda inside to prevent smells from knocking you over every time you open the door to absorb odors.
Let’s be honest. Sometimes, you will have to rip out the carpet and replace items that just smell horrible and can’t shake the stink. Remember, this will help set your home apart from the ones who didn’t go the extra mile in prepping their home to be market ready.
Get started sprucing up the place so we can put your home on the market soon! Let me know what other selling and staging tips you’d like to hear more about. Contact me today!
