For pet owners, this is a keen challenge ... because the
key to successful showings is keeping your house smelling like
a bed of roses rather than a bed of Rovers. In other words,
you have to eliminate any aromatic evidence of pet ownership.
A tough task indeed, but according to the Carpet and Rug
Institute - yes, there is a Carpet and Rug Institute - it’s
not impossible.
If and when your pet has an accident, the Carpet and Rug
Institute recommends the following actions:
Finally, place a half-inch layer of paper towels on the
area and weigh it down with a flat, heavy object. Change paper
towels until the rug is completely dry.
If you can’t completely remove the offending material, you
can never completely remove the odor. Some enzyme-based
cleaners are especially made to treat pet odors but you’ll
need to find the one that works best for your pet’s biology.
You may also need to use them in conjunction with a steam
cleaner or a professional’s help to be completely effective.
If, after cleaning, you can still smell what your pet left
behind, you should remove the damaged area of the carpet and
replace it with a reserved piece of scrap. You might also have
to replace the carpet pad or sub-flooring. For general pet
odor control, clean the kitty litter daily. If possible, move
the cat litter from the house entirely. If not, place
odor-absorbing materials in these stench-prone areas, e.g., a
box of baking soda or a dish of activated charcoal (such as
the type used in aquarium filters). And vacuum regularly.
Of course, pets aren’t the only source of malodorous sale
breakers. The lingering taint of cigarette smoke, for example,
could turn off plenty of buyers. If you smoke, selling a house
may be the motivation you need to break the habit. Otherwise,
try not to smoke inside while your house in on the market.
Other sources of unpleasant odors include wet dishtowels
and rags, dirty laundry, garbage, and mildew.
To combat these smells, keep on top of the house cleaning
and laundry. Cleaning with a simple 50-50 solution of plain
white vinegar and warm water will go a long way in
neutralizing odors. And you can use it on carpets, upholstery,
floors, cabinet tops, and tile.
To remove mildew, mix a half-cup of bleach with a gallon of
warm water and scrub with a sponge or wire bristle. This will
kill the mildew fungus and leave the area smelling fresh. All
and all, it’s always best to remove the source of an odor
rather than covering it up. Houses that reek of heavy aerosol
use will turn buyers’ noses up in suspicion. So, don’t
overwhelm visitors with a can of the latest
Country-Fresh-Meadow-Lemony-Spring-Rain-Enchanted-Garden-Island-Breeze
air freshener.
That’s not to say, however, that you shouldn’t enhance your
home’s aroma with a few subtle touches. Well-placed bowls of
potpourri, a few drops of essential oils, or fresh flowers,
for example, can give your house a wonderfully inviting smell.
For an easy, homemade air freshener, stud a fresh orange with
cloves and hang it in your kitchen. It will give off a
pleasant smell for a longer period of time than you would
think.
Finally, never trust your own nose, which often grows
accustomed to pervasive odors. Ask friends or family to give
your house the nose test. If it passes muster with them, your
house will have a much better chance of selling. If it
doesn’t, keep at it until it does.
After all, you want your house to rank high on buyers’
lists ... not just plain rank
