Getting Rid of Odors

You have probably grown so used to the smell of your house that you fail to notice that there are strong tobacco smoke, pet, mildew and cooking odors that will offend your buyers. Buyers are most suspicious of houses that have smells because they are afraid they might not be able to get rid of them. Ask a friend or a relative to do a sniff test of your house. The best smell is no smell.

Tobacco Smoke: Some buyers get turned off by the slightest whiff of tobacco smoke. The smell is caused by the leftover resins and tars. Over time they condense into yellow ‘goo’ deposits. To get rid of the smell you have to get rid of the deposits.

• Hire a professional to shampoo and steam-clean your carpets and upholstery.
• Wash your walls. You may have to repeat the procedure several times.
• Paint the ceiling if it has turned yellow. Rent yourself a power paint sprayer to save time.
• Wipe non-fabric surfaces with a vinegar and water mix. Paint the ceiling if it has turned yellow. Rent yourself a power paint sprayer to save time.

Take your smoking outside the house once you’ve gone to the trouble of cleaning and getting rid of the stench.

Pets: All pets smell, period! When practical, look for a temporary home for your caged animals. As a minimum, clean their habitats and open the windows to air out the house. Pets that roam around the house represent a bigger challenge.

• Hire a professional to steam-clean your carpets and upholstery. They have special cleaners to remove stubborn smells and stains.
• Thoroughly clean the corner where your pet sleeps.
• Remove pet hairs from upholstery.
• Patch and repaint scratched doors.

Ask your friends whether they can take on your pet(s) while your house is up for sale. Otherwise you’ll just have to grind it out and clean more often.

Mildew: Mildew and mold thrive in moist areas such as around the tub, shower and sink, or as the result of a leak. In places with poor air circulation, such as basements, they can produce a strong musty odor. Besides the smell, some people are allergic to the spores. Any sign of mildew or mold is a big turn off.

• Install a dehumidifier in the basement if your environment is naturally damp.
• Repair any leaks. Clean the affected area with diluted chlorine bleach. Let dry and repaint if necessary.
• Use mildew remover on the tub rim and between tiles.
• Re-caulk and re-grout as required.

Cooking: While you may have grown accustomed to your cooking, strong smell from fish, garlic, curry, cabbage and other pungent foods will reach your buyers. Your best bet is to refrain from cooking strong-smelling foods altogether until your house is sold. But if you must then open your windows to air out your house.

Stubborn Odors: When you have a smell that refuses to go away, consider renting an ozone machine. It’s best to hire a professional as you need to be out of the house for a few days. In the worst case scenario you will need to repaint your walls and replace the underlay and the carpet.

Regardless of the actions you take, open the windows and let fresh air circulate through your house.

More tips from 'Prepare Your House For Sale'