What to Do to Make my House Smell Good?

Published by cravat | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

A little cleaning can make your home smell homey again. There are many things that can contribute to your home smelling less than clean. From stagnant air to pets and garbage that should have been taken out awhile ago, these unpleasant odors get trapped within the confines of your home. There are several ways to go about making your home smell good again.

Locate Odor Sources

There’s no sense trying to make your house smell good if there is something in it that will continue to negate your efforts. Conduct a thorough search of your home to find sources of odor. Check for mold and mildew in dark places such as under sinks and behind appliances. Mold and mildew give off a musty odor. Take the trash out of the house and check to make sure there isn’t a mountain of dirty laundry piled up somewhere. Pet accidents, old food, and an unclean kitchen can all contribute to your house smelling bad. Address the source before you proceed.

Air the House Out

Once you have eliminated what was making the house smell bad to begin with, it’s helpful to air the place out. Open doors and windows to create a steady flow of fresh air through your home. If you have a fan, place it in a window or doorway facing the outside and turn it on. This will help to force the old air out. Allow the house to air out for several hours.

Sugar and Spice

Maybe you haven’t been baking all day, but people who enter your home won’t be able to tell the difference. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Put butter onto the sheet and coat it liberally with cinnamon and sugar. Pop your concoction in the oven at let it warm up for about an hour. Your home will smell like freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Another way to create lovely house smells from the kitchen is to put a pot of water on the stove to simmer while you go through your spice collection. Create your own concoctions by adding things like cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg to the pot. Let it simmer for 30 minutes to an hour to create a pleasant aroma to linger through your home.

Candles and Air Fresheners

Air fresheners come in a variety of fragrances and are perfect for a quick aroma burst to cover up a sudden odor. Air freshener scents don’t last very long, but they’re nice to have on hand for certain occasions. Scented candles can fill a room with a soft fragrance even after you put out the flame. Use caution with candles and don’t leave them burning while unattended. Commercial products come in a variety of forms including fabric refreshers, carpet powders and reed diffusers