Getting rid of odors when selling or renting a home

By: christineh Thursday November 26, 2015 comments Tags: carpet odor

Odors can be a really big problem when selling or renting a home. I remember one home we went into smelled very strongly of cigarette smoke. The Realtor called us to do cleaning so that when she walked potential buyers through, the smell would be gone. Some people have a very sensitive nose and they can smell cigarette smoke and pet odors in a home, and this can deter them from buying or renting a home.

Odor in carpet caused by pet urine can be problematic because many times the urine has penetrated the carpet pad and even subfloor. In these situations, you may have to replace the carpet, the carpet pad and even possibly repair or replace the subfloor. One home we went to required this in one room of the house because the family pet had used the same corner of the home several times. In one area, the carpets, padding and subfloor all experienced irreparable damage.

It isn't just carpet that can be affected by odors either. "Smoke particles can be smaller than one-thousandth the width of a human hair, which means they can penetrate almost any surface in any room in your house."

Here are 5 tips for getting rid of odors when selling or renting a home

1. 
   

   Kilz and/or a fresh coat of paint

   
   

In order to paint, you need ventilation, and this step alone can help dilute odors. Wash the walls with a cleaner or vinegar and water. Kilz(r) or a polyurethane sealant will provide odor protection. In the case of mold or mildew, Kilz will protect it from returning.

2. 
   

   Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning

   
   

"If the carpet odors are longstanding and accompany urine stains that you can't remove, hire a professional carpet cleaner. These experts have a wide range of machines and solvents at their disposal to clean your carpet, remove odors and make it look good as new." Source: Angie's List Blog: How to Get Rid of Odors in Carpet

Sometimes home remedies aren't able to remove the odors in the carpet and upholstery. Our professional and certified carpet and upholstery cleaning methods get deep to remove odors, dirt and grime.

3. 
   

   Air Filters and Dehumidifiers

   
   

Smells can get trapped in your furnace and/or air conditioning filters. Once those smells are there, they are blow throughout the home. Change your filters at least every 6 months as recommended by most manufacturers, or monthly if you find this to be significantly helpful.

Consider a HEPA air filtration system to remove airborne odors. If bad odors are being caused by mold or mildew, consider the use of a dehumidifier to help remove moisture from the air.

4. 
   

   Air Fresheners

   
   

Air fresheners can be purchased at any grocery store. Candles, scented oils and even home mixtures of vinegar, baking soda and water can do the trick. Some people suggest setting out small bowls of vinegar, activated charcoal, baking soda or cat litter can all help as well. With deeply set smells, these products only really provide temporary masking, which may be all you need in a moment.

5. 
   

   Clean Clean Clean

   
   

Taking out the trash, steam cleaning tile, grout, upholstery, garages and any other area where the smells seem to be coming from is important. Wash windows and surfaces that may have residue on them that could be holding onto a smoke or pet smell. For areas that can't get wet, use a dry cleaning sponge.

Fabrics, including curtains, should be professionally washed, as well as upholstery and mattresses, as the fibers can hold onto the odors within layers and padding. Don't forget to clean behind areas like the refrigerator or inside cabinets. The kitchen can be harboring unseen smells as food crumbs, liquid spills and even critter feces can be hiding.

If you are needing to get rid of pet or smoke odors, Champion Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning can help!

Champion Carpet, Carpet Cleaning

A Colorado Family Legacy for over a quarter century

Champion Carpet cleaning has been serving Colorado families and business with superior customer service. Our quality speaks for itself and when coupled with our family values you will see why some of our customers have relied on us for decades. It's so clean you will feel like a Champion!