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Rainmaker
38,609
Holleay Parcker - Spinnaker Realty - Serving Clients From Corolla to Hatteras
SPINNAKER REALTY LLC - Kitty Hawk, NC
With 14 Yrs Experience in Outer Banks Real Estate

Hi Debbie;

I do not recommend air fresheners are many of them contain toxic chemicals, including phthalates, which are chemicals that can cause birth defects, hormonal abnormalities, and reproductive problems.  In additona, air fresheners frequently contain the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and benzene.  Since currently there are no labeling requirements, you have no way of knowing what is actually in the air freshener, unless you begin to research these products, as I did...I wouldn't recommend the use of air fresheners to my worst enemy, because I know too much about how UNSAFE many of them are.

Even if you could find one that was manufactured without these dangerous chemicals, it's a dead giveaway when you come in the house that the sellers are attempting a cover-up. 

An ozone machine is really the smart answer.  Not only does it eliminate the odor, it does much more - it actually kills mold spores and the like.

 

 

Apr 03, 2015 07:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I would not recommend them. Most of them have artificial aroma. I would recommend  to invest in high end quality candles and soups ( with natural essential oils).

Apr 03, 2015 05:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I think Dan Pittsenbarger is on the right track. Maybe you have a stinky problem Debbie so I am suggesting, not hijacking your question.  You should check out: Mrs. Clean

"Vinegar kills molds, mildews and fungi. Use full strength

Lemon juice and water the acidity in a lemon and water solution will wipe out musty odors quickly.

Soap and water will help to remove the any remnants of the offending mold or fungi that might still be present. Dry after cleaning so that you don’t leave moisture for new growth.

Baking soda removes odors. After using either vinegar or lemon juice and water, and then the soap and water, baking soda can be spread over a musty area to get out any residual smells.

A dry vapor steam cleaner will kill most molds."

Apr 03, 2015 01:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

If I recommended an air freshener, I would stay away from stron flowery ones.  Something that smells clean and natural.

Apr 03, 2015 12:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I never had Debbie. People have told me that the scent of an air fresheners signals a cover up of something unpleasant. I have had a client who is a chain smoker and it just does not work. 

Apr 03, 2015 08:44 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

None for me. If the home has odors  I bring in an ozonator and blast the place for 24 or 48 hours. Then air the place out and that usually does the trick. If there's heavy pet or smoke smell then no air freshener is going to make it better - handle the source and go with clean and fresh.

Apr 03, 2015 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

This is a touchy question, as so many sellers use too many, or very heavy scents.   Then the buyers think you are covering up something.   I like to tell them one vanilla only.

Apr 03, 2015 08:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't.  They are typically a red flag that someone is trying to cover up something.

Aug 19, 2018 06:42 AM
Rainer
23,743
Eric Valente
Calabasas, CA
Eric

I personally like the freshness smell, nothing extra, open windows( if possible). 

Apr 04, 2015 11:44 AM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

A good potpourri in a dish seems to freshen up rooms.  I never recommend plug ins or sprays, as their scents can irritate those with allergies.  A quality potpourri in fresh scent always seems to do the trick of keeping the home smelling fresh.  I encourage the fresh scent since you want to awaken the senses of those viewing your home.  Again, has to be subtle, fresh scent and good quality product.

Apr 04, 2015 04:06 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Debbie -- None.  Professionally clean and air it out.   

Apr 04, 2015 01:50 AM
Rainer
20,077
Carly Horsman
Cressy & Everett - Elkhart, IN
Make the Right Move!

I do not recomend air fresheners! My first thought is what are you trying to hide? Fix the odor problem! If its smells in the carpet get them cleaned and if that does not work remove them. Open the windows and air out house. Do the old fashion thing: Clean the house. Opening  small boxes of baking soda helps obsorb odor. Sprinkle some baking soda on carpet and vacumn. There are lots of things to do! Depends where the odor culprit is!

 

Apr 04, 2015 12:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I never have recommended them. I've had buyers ask what are they trying to hide.  Debbie uses them I think it's lavender in our home.  She keeps them turned down low so they 're not overwhelming.  If it makes her happy, I'm happy :)

Apr 03, 2015 11:22 PM
Rainmaker
750,057
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

NO, The first thought my clients have is, what are you hiding?

Apr 03, 2015 10:41 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't recommend any scent but vanillar. It is the universally most accepted scent. When they get too spicy or flowery people are turned off or even wonder what the home sellers are trying to hide.

Apr 03, 2015 09:11 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Debbie. I do not recommend air fresheners. It makes me wonder, what are they hiding?

Apr 03, 2015 07:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,139,819
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

I try to stick to cooking flavors or natural like a pine.  Nothing too over powering

Apr 03, 2015 07:07 PM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Debbie, I agree with Larry.  I don't care for those really foo fooey over the top scents!

Apr 03, 2015 05:01 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

No...and no air freshners. I just did a walk thru today and there were a ton of odors after the tenant left.

Apr 03, 2015 04:02 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Debbie, I hate all scented air fresheners.  Like pot pourri, they just cover up bad smells to make them worse.  I'd take cat urine any day befor some sweet overpowering flowery smell.

Apr 03, 2015 03:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

No, I recommend a clean home with windows opened for about 30 minutes before a showing.  Baring the snow has melted...

Apr 03, 2015 01:45 PM