How to Get Rid of the Pet Smell in Your New Home
Lise Howe wrote a great post about how to get rid of pet smell in your new home, it seems that prospective buyers are often turned off by pet smell when entering a home that they might want to buy.
No matter whether it’s a buyer market or a seller market, the PERFECT house is hard to find. Whether it's the price, location, size or finishes, very few homes have it all. So, what happens when you found the right home - at the right price in the right location, but there is a huge issue. Should it prevent you from making an offer - or is there a work around. After all, isn't much of life about finding those work arounds? What should you do if the previous owners had dogs or cats, and that pet scent can be detected throughout the house. Do you stay or do you go?
Sometimes it is an issue that someone in your family has an allergy - And that can be a truly serious concern, but considering only pet-free homes may make it really hard to find your dream home. Remember that you are not bringing a pet with you and so you can in fact eventually get rid of the pet dander and the smell. There are ways to clear a home of pet smells, and they’re all simple and affordable. You won’t be able to get rid of those smells and hairs instantly, but these steps will get you started.
LET THE FRESH AIR IN
Open the windows in your new house for a long stretch of time. Obviously, this will be most
beneficial when there is a good breeze blowing on cool autumn or spring days. Open all windows throughout the house to encourage maximum cross ventilation, and be sure that curtains are pulled aside and blinds are raised to let that air blow through.
CLEAN THE AIR
Air freshening products are another simple and affordable way to make your house smell better. The old saying - Better to light a candle than curse the darkness - has meaning here too. Start burning some pleasantly scented candles like fir in winter, pumpkin in the fall and floral in spring and summer. The sight of a lighted candle cherrily glowing back at you will make you smile and clear the air too. Besides candles, there are a lot of products designed to tackle pet scents, including traditional air fresheners and products designed to deodorize furniture. Bowls of charcoal or white vinegar help here too.
CLEAN THE FLOORS
Face it, pet hair is hard to get rid of. I sold a house a few years ago and the pet hair was even in the freezer part of the refrigerator. No matter how hard people try, dog and cat hair has a way of showing up long after a pet has left the home. Sweep all the floors of your new home thoroughly. Then wet mop them. Be sure to sweep or vacuum closet floors, and check the floors of cabinets and storage areas, as well as other areas of the house that people tend to overlook. Also important is cleaning the basement floor. After you’ve swept, use a mop or appropriate cleaner to give all floors a little polish. Use a cleaner with a deodorizer. Be prepared to do this a few times.
CLEAN OR REPLACE THE CARPETS
Carpets are the biggest odor traps in a home. Hire a company to clean them, or rent a machine and do it yourself; however, the absolute best way to remove carpet-related odors is to replace the carpet itself. That can be costly, but if your allergies don’t go away, you may want to consider taking that step.
CLEAN OR REPLACE THE CURTAINS
Get rid of the previous owner's curtains. They smell just like everything that you don't want
to continue to smell in your new home. They smell like the pets of the previous owner! The previous owner's curtains probably don't even match your furniture. Just get rid of them, clean the windows, and start fresh. If you decide to keep the previous owner's curtains because they match the rest of the room and you can work your furniture into the decor, then take the curtains down and send them out to be cleaned or get a steam cleaner that will do an excellent job of cleaning them - and get the windows cleaned.
You shouldn’t have to turn down the home you want just because pets lived there. A few simple steps will you have you breathing easy.
The last alternative is to call Lise Howe, the Bethesda Condo Queen, and look at condos in pet free buildings. That way, you will not only be looking at homes that have never had a pet in them - but also homes that you know will not expose you to neighbors' pets. Give us a call at 240-401-5577 or email us at lise@lisehowe.com to start your search.
If you are looking for a home in the DC metro area, you know there is more to the process than just picking a property and making an offer. You need to find the best location for your wants and needs, get a great price, and work with a lender who will make your life easier - not harder. Trust your search with a Realtor who is licensed in DC, MD and VA and really knows the city and all its secret neighborhoods.
Start your search with the Lise Howe Group, Washington Natives who love the city and all its quirkiness! If you are moving or relocating to Washington DC, be sure to ask for our relocation guide. Call us at 240-401-5577 to schedule an appointment or email us at lise@lisehowe.com. Too excited to wait to talk to us about a great home? Just click here to start that home search.
If you want to see what is for sale in Washington DC, Chevy Chase and Bethesda, check out these links below:
Bethesda Single Family Luxury Homes
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Luxury Single Family Washington DC Homes
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Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties
4646 40th St NW
Washington DC 20016
240-401-5577 (24 hour direct)
Licensed in DC, MD, and VA
Associate Broker, GRI, ABR, CRS
The Lise Howe Group
Howe Real Estate Should Be!
www.lisehowegroup.com
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