How to Get Rid of Pet Odors and the Negative Impact on Your Home
First impressions are vital for homebuyers. If you are trying to sell a home, you must think like a buyer. The smell of your home impacts that first impression. It is a big deterrent if a house smells of pets or pet waste.
As a seller, you want to make sure your house does not have strong pet odors. When you are getting ready to sell your property, spend some time getting rid of those odors. Clean homes often sell quicker and at a better price.
How to Get Rid of Pet Odors
There is a lot to get done before you can sell your home. Do not be tempted to skip getting rid of odors. Here are some quick tips to help you remove pet stains and odors.
1. Vacuum Everything
Even if you vacuum regularly, pet hair sticks to everything. Pet hair and dander get stuck in carpets, furniture, curtains and even air vents. Be sure you vacuum each area of your home thoroughly. You can also sprinkle baking soda on carpets and upholstery, let it sit for a few hours and vacuum again.
After vacuuming, check for stains and try to remove any remaining stains. Next, rent a carpet cleaner and use an odor neutralizer to clean your carpets. Of course, you can also get them professionally cleaned. Be sure you tell the cleaners to use products that fight pet odor.
2. Machine Wash Everything Possible
Items that can be machine washed are easiest to clean. To fight odor, add baking soda in with your regular detergent. If that does not eliminate the odor, use enzymatic cleaner and wash the items again.
Items like throw rugs, curtains, slipcovers and other linens are usually washable. Read the labels carefully and dry clean if necessary.
3. Fresh Air and Sunlight
If you have upholstery, rugs or other fabric-covered items that can be moved outside, do so. Fresh and dry air and sunshine can help eliminate odors quite effectively. Airing your house out at the same time helps further. Open windows and doors to allow air to flow freely through the home.
4. Find the Source of the Smell
Older messes can be hard to locate. Try to sniff out soiled areas and look closely at suspect spots. Using a black light can help find problem areas and reveal urine spots. If you have furniture or rugs with stubborn stains, remove those items before showing your home.
5. Wash Floors and Walls
Wash floors, baseboards and walls. If pet urine has discolored the varnish or paint, you might have to repaint or replace the varnish.
You can use either a vinegar solution or an enzymatic cleaner for almost all the cleaning. Test both on a small carpeted area before using them everywhere. Do not use vinegar on unsealed stone-based surfaces, like marble, as the vinegar can damage those.
Get Your Home Ready to Make a Great First Impression
We want to empower you to effectively sell your home with advice on the best ways to keep your home looking, working and smelling great. Removing pet odors and stains is a big part of that.
If you have any questions about the state of your property, we are here for you. Schedule a home inspection with Kenco Home Inspections today! We make it easy to find out the current condition of a property before selling or buying.