If you’re selling your house, your goal is to attract and impress potential buyers so they’ll make an offer to purchase. However, unpleasant scents have the power to drive visitors away in minutes. So, if you’d like people to feel at ease while inspecting your space, check out our tips on how to make your home smell clean for property viewings.
1. Keep smells neutral by cleaning regularly
Scents can make us want to spend more time in an area, or they can send us running for the front door. However, what smells good to you may repulse the next person, and artificial fragrances should never overpower or overwhelm. Certain visitors could also have allergies or sensitivities, so rather keep your toasted marshmallow and apple cinnamon candles to enjoy when you’re alone over the weekend.
The secret to neutralizing odours is to clean regularly and ensure that stenches don’t develop in the first place. Remove garbage frequently, empty litter boxes often, and deal with stains when they happen.
Christine Chamberland-Beaudoin, president and founder of Élixir Marketing Olfactif, says that 75% of our daily emotions are linked to our sense of smell.
“Our mood improves by as much as 40% when we are in the presence of a good scent. However, very few people think about this when they present their homes to potential buyers.”
– Christine Chamberland-Beaudoin
Élixir Marketing Olfactif specializes in olfactory marketing, where fragrances are developed to enhance and complement a brand’s identity and messaging. “It’s been physiologically proven that our sense of smell is most intimately linked to emotion and memory,” says Chamberland-Beaudoin. “In fact, it can increase compulsive purchases by an average of 38%.”
So, before you allow prospective buyers into your home, Chamberland-Beaudoin says you should consider baking a delicious treat in your kitchen.
“The smell of freshly made cookies or a cake will make your home warm and enticing. It will also create nostalgia and allow others to imagine themselves in your home.”
– Christine Chamberland-Beaudoin
2. Be wary of moisture
Damp and dark spots are an invitation to nasty bacteria. As such, sponges, cleaning rags, and towels are some of the biggest culprits of musky household odours. Banish bad smells by replacing sponges before a property viewing and ensuring that towels are always dry before folding them. Use extractor fans in the washroom every time you bathe or shower and open the windows as often as possible.
3. Tackle problematic areas
One of the fastest ways to eradicate bad stenches is to tackle areas like garbage bins, pet beds, diaper containers, and litter boxes. You may not even realize these spots stink because you’re around them daily, so to be safe, empty all receptacles and scrub inside them (including the lids).
Wash pet beds and blankets with fragrance-free, non-toxic detergents and make sure they’re dry before letting your beloved pooches near them. If you allow your dogs or cats on your bed, don’t forget to clean your sheets while you’re at it.
4. Clean the fridge
Another culprit of unpleasant household odours is the refrigerator. If you have a property viewing lined up, look through this appliance’s contents and toss all expired items. Seal cold meat and cheese in airtight bags or containers and chuck condiments you never use.
Once you’re certain everything in your fridge is fresh, give the interior a thorough scrub with hot, soapy water. If you’re unsure whether your detergent is food-safe, try a one-to-one mixture of warm water and white vinegar plus a tiny drop of dish soap.
5. Wash your fabrics
Carpets, cushions, throws, rugs, curtains, and bed linen often cause bad smells, so launder these fabrics ahead of a property viewing to ensure your home is fresh and clean. Anything that can be machine-washed is safe to do yourself, but it may be better to call the professionals for tough carpet or upholstery stains.
If you’d rather save money, sprinkle dirty marks with baking soda and rub lightly with a soft-bristled brush. Let it sit for a few hours (four to eight) then hoover. Once again, prevention is better than cure, so always attack spills as they happen. The more regularly you vacuum and spot treat your carpets, the better they will smell over time.
6. Open the windows often
As you clean your home (or afterwards), open the windows on multiple sides. Letting your space air for a while can go a long way towards making it smell fresh. Using fans inside the house will also help increase ventilation and quell any lingering food scents from the night before.
EspaceProprio Tip If you need a quick fix, fill your kitchen or bathroom sink with hot water and a few drops of bleach before potential buyers arrive for a property viewing, then drain the liquid. The smell of detergent will help to give the impression that your home is clean.
7. Use essential oils
Besides using them in diffusers, combine essential oils with other household products to absorb bad scents and add pleasant ones. Fill a coffee filter with baking soda, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil, and tie it off at the top. Leave this homemade stench killer in any cupboard, drawer, or bin that needs it, and voilà!
If you use fragrances in your home, natural aromas (such as floral and citrus) are always better when you’re expecting company. Another quick fix is to place several small bowls of white vinegar (or coffee grounds) around the house as this also works wonders to absorb and neutralize odours.
8. Wash the walls
You will be amazed how much dirt and grime your walls can accumulate over time, and if you have ever smoked indoors, this is one of the foremost surfaces that needs your attention. First, remove dust by vacuuming in the corners and wiping with a microfibre cloth. Wash the walls using a combination of all-purpose cleaner, baking soda, and warm water before rinsing them again with clear water.
While this is certainly a time-consuming task, it’s totally worth the effort. Plus, it might just convince that buyer who is still on the fence!
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