How to Deodorize Your House Before Putting It On the Market

How to Deodorize Your House Before Putting It On the Market

Have you ever walked into someone's home and been overwhelmed by the smell? And then wondered how the person living there could stand it?

The truth is, they might not even be aware of it. We all create our own odor in our homes. 

And, to some extent, we get used to these smells. But other people don't. And those other people will be your potential buyers.

The deodorizing process of your home is crucial before putting it up for sale. It's the last thing you want to do, but it may be the most important. The deodorizing process isn't just about removing odors from the air, it's also about removing them from surfaces and fabrics. In this blog post, we will talk all about deodorizing your home before putting it on the market!

Tips and methods to deodorize a house

The first thing to do is clean your home thoroughly. Go from top to bottom, and clean everything. This will get rid of any smells or odors that are already there. 

Once your home is clean, it's time to deodorize it. Follow these deodorizing steps to keep your home smelling fresh!

Do all laundry promptly

Dirty clothes give off a bad smell, so it's important to do all your laundry as soon as possible. Not only will this deodorize your clothes, but it will deodorize your house as well!

Clean carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs tend to hold onto smells more than other surfaces in your home. If you have carpets or rugs in your home, deodorizing them will help immensely.

Wash all bedding, curtains, and cushions

Fabrics like bedding, curtains, and cushions tend to absorb smells. If you want your home to smell fresh, it's important to wash all of these fabrics.

Keep your fridge clean

Expired food, spills, and crumbs can all cause bad smells in your fridge. Make sure to clean it regularly to prevent any bad odors from forming.

Don’t leave the dishes for later

If you don’t do the dishes immediately after meals, they will start to smell. And not only will the dishes start to smell, but so will your kitchen!

Introduce a “no shoes in the house” policy

This is a simple way to prevent dirt and dust from coming into your home and causing bad smells.

Air out your home regularly

Fresh air is essential for deodorizing your home. Open up the windows and doors every day to allow fresh air in. This will help get rid of any stale smells that may be lingering in your home.

Set up odor traps across the house

Odor traps can be a great way to deodorize a house. They work by trapping bad smells and then neutralizing them. There are many different types of odor traps, so find the one that works best for you!

A simple and effective solution is to place bowls of vinegar or baking soda throughout your home. These will deodorize the air and absorb bad odors!

Use a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is a great way to get rid of any humidity in your home. Humidity can cause bad smells to linger, so by using a dehumidifier you will be able to get rid of them.

Lingering odors

Of course, there are some smells that are harder to get rid of than others. The two most common causes of bad smells in a home are pets and smoke. If you have either of these in your home, it will be more difficult to deodorize it. 

But, with some effort, you can make your home smell fresh once again! Here is what to do if your home has a pet or smoke smell:

If you have a pet, deodorize the areas where they spend the most time. This includes their bed, crate, and any other areas where they hang out. You can deodorize these areas by using an enzyme cleaner or baking soda. In addition, you can deodorize your pet by giving them a bath with an odor-neutralizing shampoo.

If you smoke in your home, getting rid of the smoke smell can be a bit more difficult. But, it's not impossible!

  • Start by airing out your home as much as possible.
  • Next, clean all of the surfaces in your home with a vinegar or baking soda solution.
  • Wash all of your curtains, bedding, and cushions.
  • Sprinkle baking soda on all your rugs and furniture. Leave it to sit for half an hour, and then vacuum it up.
  • Repaint walls that have been stained by smoke.

Stay fresh

Once you’ve deodorized your home, you want to keep it smelling fresh! There can be a temptation here to use air fresheners, but these should be avoided. Especially ones with strong scents. Many people find chemical fragrances to be irritating and even harmful.

Plus, if your house is open for viewing, it’s important to keep everything as neutral as possible. This means no scented candles, air fresheners, or anything else that could potentially overpower the senses of potential buyers.

Instead, deodorize your home by using natural scents. Things like fresh flowers, citrus peels, and essential oils can all make your home smell great!

Simple things like spraying a little bit of lemon or orange juice in the trash can help to keep smells at bay. You can also make a mister with water and essential oils to spritz throughout your home. This will give off a light, refreshing scent without being overpowering.

Making your home smell fresh before putting it on the market can be a challenge, but with some effort, you can make it happen!

Whatever method you choose, make sure to stick with it! Bad smells can be a real turnoff.

If you're thinking of selling, contact the Delphine Team! We have years of experience in Chicago real estate, and we know exactly what it takes to sell your home quickly and for the best price.

Post a Comment