Do You Smell That? What You Might Not Notice is a Huge Turnoff to Buyers

You’ve likely considered a wide variety of perspectives before listing your home to sell. But a few things you might not notice can be instant turnoffs to buyers! An unpleasant odor or a funky smell could instantly make a buyer change their tune.

Every home develops its own unique scent over time. Pets, food smells, garbage, scented home products, and more can contribute to a smell that might affect a buyer’s impression of your home.  The tricky part is that many sellers no longer notice these smells over time. 

To combat any off-putting odors, you can do a few things before listing. 

1. Take a deep breath. We don’t walk through our doors with a “fresh nose” very often, so it’s easy to not notice some lingering smells. After a day away, walk through the door and breathe in deeply. See if you notice anything off or strongly scented that could be changed. 

2. Wash all linens and washable upholstery. This includes cushion covers, window treatments, and pillows. A quick wash can remove smells that you may not notice. Check each item’s manufacturer’s directions, if an item isn’t supposed to be laundered, consider having it dry-cleaned or hire a professional to steam clean. 

3. Have carpets and rugs deep cleaned. Carpets hang onto scents for years and years. A professional can remove these with heavy duty steam and shampooing techniques. Cosmetic stains will be removed along with lingering odors. 

4. Empty trash cans more regularly and disinfect garbage bins. Your trash can is gross, so you likely empty the smelly trash, but have you considered cleaning the actual can? Leaks and spills can contribute to unpleasant home smells over time. 

5. Avoid using heavily scented air fresheners. These can be just as much of a problem as foul odors. Instead opt for unscented versions or use bowls of baking soda discretely placed in corners throughout your home. Soft surfaces can be sprayed with a mixture of vodka and water to remove scents without adding heavy perfumes. 

6. Consider the bathroom. Smells build up in bathrooms and have very little room to escape. Wash your bath mats, shower curtains, and decorative towels regularly. Replace a mildewed shower curtain liner with an inexpensive fresh one. Use an enzyme cleaner or urine eliminating spray cleaner on floors or around toilets, especially in grouted areas where porous surfaces tend to hold onto foul smells.

7. Eliminate pet smells. Pets are wonderful companions and family members, but they can create unpleasant smells that many owners miss. Wash pet beds, food and water bowls, crates, and litter boxes more frequently during the listing period. If your pet has a favorite chair or spot on an upholstered piece, consider cleaning the upholstery more frequently. 

8. Your dishwasher could be creating a smell that you can’t put a finger on. Bits of food sometimes get missed and land themselves on the dishwasher’s walls. These smells can create a scent that is unpleasant and lingering. Wash the interior of your dishwasher regularly and remove of any parts that can be easily taken apart. To keep it smelling fresh, rinse dishes thoroughly before loading them. 

9. Vacuum thoroughly throughout your home. You’ll definitely vacuum before showings to remove dirt and debris. Consider hitting the areas that regularly get missed. Vacuum fan blades, air vents, windowsills, and behind furniture to remove dust that adds to unpleasant smells. 

10. Bring in the pros. If you have lingering smells that can’t be addressed by these tips, consider hiring a professional to clean your ductwork. Dirt, dead rodents, and any host of other factors could be making your home smell bad. It’s worth the small investment to have peace of mind before you sell. 

Trying these tips could change the impression buyers have of your home. Try them out before you list, they could mean the difference between bad impressions and great ones!  

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