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| Odor-removing tips for North Shore homeowners |
If you are selling your North Shore home soon, working ahead on your
spring cleaning, or planning for guests to visit for spring holidays
or spring break, now is a great time to combat house odors! Often,
the most common types of house odors are undetected by the homeowners.
We get used to the smells we’re around all the time. But when
someone else comes into the house, they might notice them. Getting
rid of these odors is key, especially when selling!
As your North Shore real estate agent, here are some tips for removing some of the most common house
smells:
Pet smells – If you have pets, you
most likely have a pet scent going on in your house, whether subtle
or not. Most pet owners worry about urine smell the most, but odors could also come from pet hair, ears, slobber, pet toys, etc. To remove the odors,
first clean the pet! Give them a good DIY cleaning, or make an appointment. Vacuum not only your floors, but couches, pet
beds, throw blankets, etc. Use a crevice tool to get in tight spaces.
Use baking soda on the carpet, or if there are urine spots, use
baking soda with a half-water, half-vinegar solution. Wash pet toys.
Must/mildew – Even if your nose is
blind to these smells, your eyes aren’t blind to the sight of them!
If you have a basement, crawlspace or anywhere you suspect mold or
mildew, inspect the area for gray or white splotches. If you find
any, use household cleaners on mildew. If it’s fuzzy, it may be
mold and you may want to call in professionals. Prevent it from
coming back with a dehumidifier in the basement, running the fan
during showers in the bathroom, and improving air circulation.
Deodorize these rooms in a pinch by setting out bowls of vinegar,
baking soda, or even half an onion.
Old mattresses – It’s not your
fault if old bedding has a smell to it. Every person sheds dead skin
and body oils when sleeping, so these are going to build up no matter
what. The easiest way to clean a mattress is to sprinkle baking soda
over it, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it up. Add a couple
drops of an essential oil to the baking soda for a lasting good
scent. Wash your sheets and bedding regularly. Use this trick on
pillows if they can’t be washed, or run in washing machine if they
can.
Kitchen odors
– These are the most common types of odors, especially if you cook
often. Take the trash out regularly, and put some baking soda or
fresh coffee grounds at the bottom of a clean trash can to soak up
smells. Clean out the fridge/freezer of spoiled food and clean the
insides and all of the shelves. Open the windows/doors to help strong food smells escape
faster.
For more odor tips, check out this
House Logic article. When ready to sell and/or buy in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or other North Shore communities,
give me a call! As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here and
ready to help you accomplish your North Shore real estate goals as
soon as you are!
Janie BressYour North Shore Real Estate ExpertNorth Shore Real Estate
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Local Expert… with National Connections!