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Tuesday Tip: How Does Your Home Smell?

By
Real Estate Agent with Front Gate Real Estate Broker 11085

Many people are oblivious to how their homes look or smell. We live in our homes, and as owners we sometimes neglect or don't notice Tuesday Tipsdeferred maintenance or odors that can knock a visitor down as they walk through the front door.

Cooking odors, pet smells, musty odors, and smoking are some of the worst offenders. As people age, they either become used to these odors or have lost their sense of smell. So what do you do?

In the case of elder homeowners, a relative or family friend is tasked with bringing the issue to the forefront. If the home is for sale, the Realtor is often the one who will delicately mention the unpleasant smell.

For health reasons, and if your home is for sale, there are several things you can do to eliminate foul odors. For one, open the doors and air things out! Homes can get musty with recirculating air and it's good to let fresh air inside.

If you have pets, keep the litter boxes clean and vacuum frequently to eliminate unwanted pet fur. Use baking soda on rugs and carpets and fabric covered furniture to neutralize odors. Clean up spills and accidents as soon as they occur.

White vinegar is another odor eliminator, as are air purifiers, burning candles (carefully), Essential Oils, etc. In extreme cases, you need to remove rugs and carpets from the home to eliminate the source.

What odor neutralizers have you used? Do you have suggestions that aren't mentioned here?

Lingering odors should be addressed, for the health and safety of your household, as well as if you plan to sell your home. Just another Tuesday Tip from me to you!

Comments(14)

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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Author, Golfer, Retired Broker, Wenatchee, WA

You're right. People become oblivious to the odors in their home (or on themselves).
Some pretty effective air purifiers are on the market to eliminate the worst odors.

Jun 04, 2024 10:37 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Although I have a dog and cat, my home is okay. As for cooking smells... that has been my biggest pet peeve of open floor plans.

Jun 04, 2024 01:33 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Carol Williams - smoke and pet odors are among the worst offenders. Some people have rented or purchased ozone machines and repaint the interior to eliminate offensive smells.

Nina Hollander, Broker - Most of the time, a good exhaust fan can eradicate cooking odors. Then, I don't cook often so I don't have that problem. :)

Jun 04, 2024 03:45 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty smelly homes are a BIG turnoff no matter how nice the home is.

Jun 04, 2024 04:43 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Pat- when i consulted on homes, I'd suggest that they get a good friend, relative or neighbor to give their honest opinion about any odors. My sinuses were usually stuffy fo my sniffer isn't that good. 

I also suggest putting backing soda and vinegar down the disposal and having upholstered furniture cleaned. 

Jun 04, 2024 06:41 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Kathy Streib - most people don't want to hear the bad news. Baking soda and/or a bowl of vinegar are both good remedies. I've recently learned how great vinegar is for laundry, too.

Jun 04, 2024 07:19 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Having an objective person come in an take a smell is the best way to know what kind of smells might be there!

Jun 05, 2024 05:20 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

The smell of a home is vital and that is one area that I struggle with since my sense of smell isn't very strong.  I rely on others to let me know if the smell is good or bad.  Also, it seems we become accustom to scents we are around and don't realize that they are even good or bad, haha.

Jun 05, 2024 05:55 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are all great suggestions for mitigating odors in homes, Pat.  It is amazing how simply opening windows and doors can help.

Jun 05, 2024 08:32 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Pat, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Clubgroup!  

Jun 05, 2024 08:32 AM
Joe Jackson
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty - Columbus, OH
Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert

It’s a great post. Thank you for sharing!

 

Have a super fantastic week!

Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP

Jun 05, 2024 09:51 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Endre Barath, Jr. - I have two fur babies so I can relate. Their litter boxes are maintained daily. Did you know you can sprinkle baking soda to freshen up their litter boxes? I'm certain yours is just fine, but a sprinkle a day can keep odor away! Oh, wait. That's another jingle lol

Jun 06, 2024 07:47 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Kat Palmiotti - honestly, the most frequent undesirable odors come from stained and soiled carpets or heavy smokers. You don't need a heavy sniffer to detect those smells.

Brian England - you nailed it with your last comment. We become immune to the scents in our home, good OR bad.

Jun 06, 2024 07:52 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Myrl Jeffcoat - thanks for the feature and your comments. I can smell the fresh gardenias now!

Jun 06, 2024 02:25 PM