Often when Buyers and their Agents are out looking at homes, after seeing only a few they all start to run together. In order to keep these homes straight in their minds,and be able to discuss the homes with their agent, Buyers tend to give the homes nicknames. These nicknames can range from the positive..."the pretty house" to the very negative "the dirty house". This will be a series dealing with the negative,obviously, because if your home is "the pretty house", you are already doing it right!
The first, and surely one of the most negative, is "the stinky house". We have a saying "If you can smell it...you can't sell it!" That goes for the bad smells (pet odors, cigarette smoke, mold) as well as the "good" smells...the overpowering smell of air fresheners, or scented candles. I would much rather walk into a home that just smells clean, than one with the odor of floral air freshener. It makes me (and the Buyer) wonder what smell you are trying to cover up. Also the scent of some of these can trigger migraine headaches, I know this firsthand...wow, what a bummer! Believe me when I say when I walk into a home that has been "floralized" I can't wait to get out before the pounding in my skull begins.
Pet Odors
The are a lot of products that work great for pet odor removal, Urine Gone, Odorzout,and Exstink are just a few. But first ,before you use any product, clean, clean, and clean some more.
There are vacuum cleaners with special filters that can help, or at least clean out the bag and put some baking soda in the new bag. Then shampoo your carpets. That means getting a professional carpet cleaner that specializes in odor removal to come and clean your carpets and upholstery. You probably can't smell your buddies-you have gotten used to their smell. Believe me when I say that other people can smell your little friends. Don't ask your human friends if your house smells. If they are around a lot -they are used to it too. If they aren't around a lot -they will lie to spare your feelings.
Cigarette Smoke 
Once again, there is no substitute for clean. Unfortunately cigarette smoke goes everywhere. All soft surfaces need to be cleaned, as well as the walls, windows,doors, and woodwork. There are a variety of cleaners on the market that are good for neutralizing cigarette odor. Zorbx,and Banish, are a couple. But simple and effective household cleaners like vinegar, and baking soda can be just as good or better than a lot of specialized cleaners. You can then use air purifiers to help as well. After you clean... Don't Smoke In The House...not even one. Notice I'm not telling you to quit smoking, if you could do that you would have done it already. Personally, I don't want to have to deal with the stress of a Seller jonesing for a cigarette, while dealing with the stress of selling their home.
BEFORE BED
First get rid of all cigarette/cigarette ash and wash ashtrays in dishwasher or very hot water and baking soda.
1. sprinkle baking soda on all fabric covered furniture.
2. Wash all linens & take out all trash
3. Steam all draperies (hand held steamer usually less than $20 at places like Wal-Mart and Target. Put 3 drops of any essential oil in water if you like or 1/8 tsp. of white vinegar).
4. leave out small dishes of white vinegar near affected furniture.
5. Sprinkle carpets with odor neutralizer made for carpet.
NEXT MORNING
1. vacuum all furniture and carpets.
2. spray all soft surfaces with white unflavored vodka and (this also works on dry-cleanables. It removes odor and kills bacteria).
3. get rid of dishes of vinegar.
4. do your normal cleaning on all hard surfaces.
5. light some nice neutralising candles, get a glass of your favorite spirit, sit back, don't smoke inside, and enjoy the clean!
Food Odor
Some food odors are really objectionable. The smell of cabbage,fish,fried foods,and some pungent spices are a few. First,try not to cook these extra smelly items when your home is on the market.To get rid of these odors try boiling a cup of water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar for a few minutes (don't let the pan boil dry). Turn on fans to help dissipate the smell. Also, you should clean out the stove, and microwave vents. The filters can trap odors inside your home. You can also put whole bean coffee, or lemons out in a bowl for a nice natural smell.
Moldy or Musty Smells
To prevent mold and mildew growth, be aware of rooms and areas around your home that will be susceptible to mold and mildew (bathrooms,and basements) and practice a regular cleaning regimen to prevent mold and mildew growth. If possible, take steps to reduce the heat and humidity (use a dehumidifier) that allows mold and mildew to grow. There are natural cleaners that can kill the mold spores,and bacteria ...vinegar, baking soda,lemon juice are some of the best, and healthiest you can use. Think clean and dry.
Next in the Series " The Cluttered House"
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