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Whether you’re getting ready to sell or staying put, a stinky house does no one any good. You may get used to unpleasant odors after a while, but your guests or service professionals won’t. And you know what they say about first impressions!
So, if you want a cleaner, better smelling house, here’s how to go about it.
Make it sparkle. Start with a deep clean; scrub all the nooks and crannies, and wash or vacuum fabric and upholstered items. Choose unscented or lightly-scented natural or plant-based cleaning products. If you do need to use harsher products like bleach, look for those infused with light, fresh scents, or allow the house to air out thoroughly after cleaning.
Eliminate odors. Not sure if your house passes the smell test? Ask your real estate agent or a friend you trust to be honest. If you are planning to sell, avoid cooking with pungent ingredients before showings or an open house. If you have pets, have your carpets and upholstered items professionally cleaned and leave windows open to give lingering detergent odors time to fade. You might even want to temporarily move your cat’s litter box.
Keep it simple. Avoid using blended or complex scents and opt for a single, subtle alternative like lemon, orange, basil, vanilla, or cinnamon. Stay clear of spray or plug-in air fresheners, as they tend to overpower a space. Instead, try a reed diffuser or a DIY air freshener spray made from ¾ cup water, 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol, and 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Combine them in a clean, 8-ounce spray bottle, shake, and give each room a few sprays.
Match the scent to the space. When choosing a scent, think about the special features or location of your home, or the season. For example, if you have a log home, the warm scent of cedar might help enhance the ambience. For a lakeside property, opt for a fresh, crisp scent, like lemon.
Remember, less is more. Don’t drench your home in scent as that can be just as annoying as yesterday’s ham and cabbage.
Of course, what if you’re making your house smell better only to mask unpleasant, lingering odors? In that case, any of the suggestions presented in this blog will have only a short-term effect. Instead, contact GBT Heating & Cooling and ask about a whole-house air purifier or UV Lamp purifier. In addition to ridding your home of common pollutants, unpleasant odors will soon be gone, too.