As a pet owner, you have the special gift of becoming nose blind to the aromas that have settled around the house from Fluffy or Baxter. Unfortunately, not everyone has that luxury.
When you’re trying to sell your home, lingering pet odors can deter potential buyers faster than your cat runs from water. As you’re prepping your space for the market, be sure to follow these steps to make all signs of your pet disappear from the air!
Ventilate your house.
The first step to eliminating pet odor from your home is to get the air flowing. Open your doors and windows to help flush out the contaminated air that has accumulated in your space. Allow it to circulate for at least a few hours to really start the deodorizing process.
Perform a deep cleaning.
Many of your household furnishings and surfaces absorb odor and hold onto pet dander and hair, keeping those unwelcome smells alive for years. Once you stake that “For Sale” sign in the lawn, it’s time to start scrubbing. That means all floors, surfaces, fabrics, carpets, and upholstery in sight.
Before you start, make sure you read up on the best ways to get rid of pet odor, specifically. Different types of odors require different approaches when it comes to cleaning!
Once you’ve done your research, here’s a checklist of cleaning spots you can start with:
- Floors
- Countertops & tables
- Windows & Sills
- Molding
- Curtains
- Towels & bedding (yours and your pet’s)
- Upholstered furniture
Bonus Tip: If you’re still struggling to fully eliminate pet odor after a deep house cleaning, repaint or reseal your walls—they hold onto these smells too. A new coat will cover the smell and give your home a fresh look!
Control the source of the odor.
Once you’ve expelled the unwanted aromas from your home, it’s your job to stay on top of any new smells that threaten to reemerge. This means cleaning the litter box every day (twice if you have to) and tossing any pee pads as soon as they’re used, to keep the odor from spreading.
If you can, try to relocate your pets to a friend or family member’s place until your house has sold. Or, if that’s not an option, temporarily restrict them to one floor so containing the smell is more manageable.
Sometimes, if you’re looking for a quick sale, you just don’t have the time to get rid of stubborn pet odors before you list your home. Your best bet is swapping out the tainted furnishings for a whole new set! With the DIY home staging packages we have available at Stage2Go, that process becomes both easy and affordable.
Contact our team today for more information about the stylish and convenient furniture and décor options we offer to help you get the most out of your home sale!
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