Did you just have a relaxing day out, ran errands, or hustled through a long day of work and came home to a smell like that of a sweaty, old, stained sock that hasn’t been washed for years? That can be a huge problem, especially when the smell has already lingered for some time. Moreover, if you plan to sell your home soon, finding the perfect way to eliminate stubborn odors fast can drive you up the wall.
The good news is, as much as a pleasant-smelling home is ideal, foul smells don’t entirely ruin your chances of selling your house fast. So here’s what you can do:
Find the Source and Determine Which Odor-Eliminating Method is Best
You may have read or heard about plenty of D.I.Y solutions on the internet, and it’s always fine to try them out without a professional, especially when they don’t involve the use of corrosive, fuming chemicals that could harm your home or your health. But remember that there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, so if you want to get rid of the odor permanently, you’re going to have to dig deeper about each specific type of odor-causing matter.
Stinky Dishwasher
Over time, oil, grease, food scraps, and cleaning solutions can build up on your dishwashing filters. That’s why it’s essential to clean it regularly. If you live in a household where food is worshipped and you constantly find yourself eating and using your kitchenware, cleaning your dishwasher should be done more frequently (i.e. once a week). Refer to your manufacturer’s manual on properly taking out the parts of your dishwasher and filter when cleaning, and remember to scrape off the gunk from all the corners of your washer — not just your filter.
Garbage
Even if you line the inside of your garbage bin with disposal garbage bags, it’s pretty inevitable that the smell, particles, and maybe liquid residues will spill over your bin. This is why it’s important that you also wash, disinfect, and deodorize your garbage bins regularly.
Dirty Carpet
Fibers in carpets are the strongest hook and lines for microparticles. Additionally, when any liquid spills onto your carpet, it can create a suitable, moist environment for microorganisms to thrive. So if you’ve got a stinky rug, do not forget the four holy grails of carpet cleaning: sweeping, spot cleaning, disinfection, and drying.
- Sweeping. This is to take off any solid particles first. You can either use a vacuum or a stiff-bristled broom for this, depending on the thickness of your carpet/rug.
- Spot Cleaning. Ideally, carpet stains are to be treated right away, and the removal method depends on the kind of stain. If you’re unsure about the stain because it’s been sitting there for a long time, home D.I.Y tips often recommend trying vinegar and baking soda.
- Disinfection. Disinfection kills bacteria and viruses unseen by the naked eye. There are different types of carpet disinfectants. However, in the light of CoVid-19, you can check out the various disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.).
- Drying. Air-drying is the most recommended here. Be careful with using heaters and artificial dryers, as they can damage or alter the physical state of your carpet over time.
New Furniture
Most couches, wooden cabinets, new flooring, and other furnishings are painted or treated with volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.) that off-gas. Off-gassing is the release of chemicals in vapor form, and you’ll know it’s happening when you smell it from your furniture. The best way to combat this is to open your windows or exhaust fans. You can also place air purifiers with carbon filters around your home to regulate your indoor air. Lastly, if you have some extra cash, you can buy dry deodorizers or formaldehyde removal products and spray them onto your off-gassing furniture.
Mold and Mildew
When you have a broken plumbing system (e.g. leaking pipes, loose valves, etc.), you may find your walls, ceiling, and floor constantly damp. If the dampness isn’t addressed right away, this may also promote the growth of molds. As these colonies grow and spread, they emit Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) that cause the smell.
To get rid of the smell, you’d need to get rid of the molds first, dry out the area, and keep it that way. There are less toxic ways to take out molds, including vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and some essential oils. However, if the colony has already thickened over a large area, you might need stronger solutions like chlorine or hire professional cleaners.
Sell Your Home to a Professional Home Buyer
Other hard-to-eliminate smells can also come from your pets, clogged drains, broken sewer pipes, and unwashed linens. Once you’ve identified and eliminated what’s causing your home to smell funky, you can now add in scents, at least during your home viewing. According to Ideal Home UK, people 25 years and older get enchanted by the smell of freshly baked bread, while millennials are mostly attracted to fresh linens.
Do not worry if you think you’ve done everything on the book and still haven’t found the perfect solution. You can still sell your house even with the awful smell. Spire Property Solutions will buy your home in its present condition, and you won’t have to do anything to make it look and smell appealing. Call us today at 678-38-180, and let’s see how you can get cash for your house fast.