Smells that Sell

lls that Sell…


When selling your home, your home shouldn’t just look good, it should smell good as well. Every home has a “smell”…..so make sure your home has a good one. Homeowners are often coached to create pleasing aromas when potential buyers are paying a visit or an open house is scheduled. Recent research reports that simple smells are the best smells to help you sell your home. An important concept to take away from this article….less is more.



The best place to start is with a CLEAN palette.



Baking Soda – It’s safe, cheap, and versatile. Keep an open box in closets and laundry room to absorb odors. Sprinkle on carpets prior to vacuuming.

Open up – Open windows to allow fresh air into your home.

White Vinegar – Mix equal amounts with water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray drapes, carpets, and other fabrics. This is a great odor neutralizer! Placing a bowl of this mixture in a room for several hours will also help to absorb bad odors! Great for burnt food smells, pet odors!

Keep it Clean – Don’t let garbage pile up, clean the litter box daily, put dirty laundry in a closed hamper, clean-up spills promptly, and toss old fruit from baskets on the counter.

Vacuum – Use a fresh vacuum bag to prevent transferring old, stagnant odors trapped in an old bag.



——————————————————–



Once your home is clean, you can create the aromatic environment you desire. In the past, baking cookies, cakes, or bread, lighting candles, and using potpourri were all very popular trends. But now, researchers recommend keeping it SIMPLE and NATURAL. Complex fragrances can actually distract potential buyers. They can become focused on identifying the scent rather than focusing on your home’s fabulous features! Here are some easy, popular suggestions…



Citrus – A powerful deodorizer, it also brings a feeling of more energy! Cut a few quarters of a lemon or lime and toss into the garbage disposal. Run for a minute to deodorize the disposal and to re-fresh your kitchen.

Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract is a comforting aroma. Soak a few cotton balls with vanilla and place in small bowls around the room / home.

Cinnamon/Cloves/Spices – Conjures up memories of holidays and home. Fill a small saucepan with water, add some cinnamon sticks, cloves, a few drops of vanilla or even an orange rind. Simmer on the stove, keeping a close eye on it so the water doesn’t boil down.

Pine/Cedar – Terrific, all-natural fragrance for a mountain home! Decorate with some fresh sprigs of pine or place cedar chips in a bowl. Keep in mind; this may not work very well for a beach home or city residence. It may come across as un-natural and might suggest you are masking other odors.

Homemade Room Spray – Can be personalized and contains fewer chemicals than commercial sprays. Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup vodka (a cheap brand will work), and 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil…lavender, cinnamon, clove, lemon, or orange are all good choices. Find the mix that works best for you. Put into a spray bottle and use whenever the air needs a burst of freshness! (Keep out of reach, along with your other home cleaners)

Baked Goods – Some folks will still swear by this trick……keep the smell simple and familiar, like home (pumpkin pie, sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls, raisin bread). Be careful not to let them burn!



It’s time to put away the harsh, artificial sprays and fresheners. Here’s a chance to be clean, fresh, and creative.

Keep it all-natural, all organic………….keep it simple!