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Pet Smells and What to Do About Them

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Chervenic Realty

One of the biggest drawbacks to looking at a home is a pet smell. If you have a pet smell in your home it is imperative to get rid of it. First find out where the pet odor is coming from. If it is the animal's bedding or kennel, clean it with a good cleaner and then once dry do the smell test. One of my favorite cleaners is Oxiclean. It really works well for me. Sometimes I will use a cleaner such as Mr. Clean or Lysol and then spray with Oxiclean and then rinse and wipe down. I also use Oxiclean on pet stains on the carpet, but if you try it, do a test on the carpet in a corner first. I have never had a problem using it. It gets rid of the stain and the odor. You may have to get your carpet professionally cleaned.

I have heard you can ozone your home to get rid of smells such as pet smells and cigarette smells. Even an air purifier will work wonders on smells.

If you have a cat, clean the kitty litter box often. Don't use a cheap brand of kitty litter as it doesn't get rid of the smell.

Make sure your dog doesn't have an odor or give him/her a bath.

Let me know some of your tips on keeping pet smells at bay.

Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Susan~ It goes without saying, if you can smell it, you can't sell it!  It is so hard to get passed a bad smell when trying to sell a home. 

Sep 24, 2009 06:26 AM
Michael A. Caruso
Surterre Properties - Laguna Niguel, CA

Nothing turns a buyer off like a house that smells like animals. Thanks for the tips.

Sep 24, 2009 06:26 AM
Wanda Thomas
Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT
Billings Montana Real Estate

Good post Susan, pet smells can really be killers!  About the only way to sell a home that smells of cigs or pets is to lower the price drastically.  Would just be cheaper to remove, as you've described about, replace carpet and some flooring.

Sep 24, 2009 06:27 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Call a professional service to come in and do the job.  It's the only way to "really get rid of it"

Patricia

Sep 24, 2009 06:30 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HELLO SUSAN!  I've heard that "lavender" does wonders for absorbing pet smells - and it smells pretty good to! -- Gabrielle

Sep 24, 2009 06:39 AM