Selling your home doesn't have to stink.

DOES YOUR HOME HAVE AN ODOR?

You’ve cleaned, decluttered and painted to get your home ready to sell. But there’s still one job left. One job left? What? But I thought I did everything? You need to make sure that your home smells great for every showing. Here are four things to keep in mind to ensure your house smells fresh and clean for potential buyers:

1. Stuffiness.

Open the windows and air out stale, musty rooms. Steam clean carpets and curtains, wash all bedding, and store stinky athletic gear, out-of-season clothing and shoes away.

2. Pets.

Dogs need brushing and baths. Scoop cat boxes daily. Keep bedding and cages clean. Steam clean all furniture where pets sleep and don't forget to wash or clean their toys.

3. Food odors.

Clean your oven, burners, and sink drains. In addition to wiping down the refrigerator, make sure that there is no old and stinky leftovers. Oh... and take trash out daily.

*Pro tip: Grind a small lemon slice in the disposal and let the water flow.

4. Mold and mildew.

If you can smell moisture, others can, too. Check pipes and floors for leaks. Toxic mold can grow anywhere that contains cellulose, poor light, and low air circulation. Wash towels frequently and replace cleaning sponges with fresh scrubbing tools.

Bonus Tips

•Be sure to wash dirty clothes and bed linens frequently.

•If you have a young child, take baby diapers and other disposables to the outside trash every day.

•Don’t cover odors with sprays or scented candles. (While this sounds like a quick fix, the truth is that it only makes the smell worse!)

A good rule of thumb is – if you can’t remember when you cleaned it last, clean it now!

Are you ready to sell? Trust Chattanooga's experts to help you get the best deal. Let's get started.