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When you decide to sell your Inland Empire home, you need to tackle a few chores first. Staging. Repairing. Cleaning. But one thing we sometimes overlook is how our house smells. Even if you are fastidious about cleaning your home, it may include some odors that you just grew used to while living there. Unfortunately, buyers may take a whiff and decide that they do not want to make your home their home. Avoid this negative reaction. Get rid of stinky odors before you even list your property and buyers will never know the funky smells existed in the first place.
How to Get Rid of Stinky Odors in Your Inland Empire Home
Pet and Cigarette Odors
Two of the strongest smells (and some of the toughest ones to eliminate) are cat urine and cigarette smoke. For pets, deep clean the carpets and use a pet enzyme removal product. Then, empty out the litter box daily and before every showing. For cigarette smoke, you need to deep clean all soft surfaces (such as upholstered furniture carpet, drapes, etc.). But you also need to scrub the walls, baseboards, ceilings, and windows to remove any residual tobacco smell. Even if a smoker goes outside, they bring those smells inside with them on their clothes, in their hair, and on their fingers.
Smelly Carpets
Speaking of carpets, these tend to soak up stench from everyday wear and tear. You can get rid of stinky odors by first thoroughly steam cleaning the carpets. This lifts dirt and grime from way down deep under the carpet. Many grocery stores and home improvement stores rent out steam cleaners. But if the carpet is well beyond a good steam cleaning, you may have to rip it up and either replace it with a new carpet or hardwood. If your Inland Empire home includes carpet in the bathroom, replace it with tile right away. No buyer wants to see (or smell) that.
Moldy Smell in the AC
Sometimes, water droplets (aka, condensation) collect inside your air conditioning unit. This may lead to a moldy/mildewy smell. First, tackle the funk with a good scrubbing. Clean off the coils, as well. Then, replace the filter. Sometimes the smells get trapped in there, too.
Burning Smell From the Furnace
Like the AC unit, your furnace may accumulate dirt and dust that settles in the floor ducts. That is why you may detect a slight burning smell when the furnace first gets turned on after the weather begins to cool off. A thorough cleaning of your air ducts should remedy this situation right away.
Mustiness
Typically, mustiness results from a water leak. But do not be scared off by that. All leaks should be identified and remediated right away. For smaller leaks, white vinegar and a dry cloth help eliminate the musty smell. Larger leaks may require more intense efforts.
Stale Air
Lastly, if you find that the air in your Inland Empire home simply smells “stale”, open your windows for a few hours once a week to let the fresh air in. Before a showing, make sure you open all of your windows as well. The circulating air helps move stale air out and allows fresh air inside.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
