How to Get Rid of Pet Odors When You’re Selling Your Home

If you’re selling a home in Lake City, you want your house to appeal to as many prospective buyers as possible.

And that means eliminating every trace of pet odor.

So where do you start?

You need to know how serious the pet odors in your home are, so call a friend you trust to come over. Ask him or her to be brutally honest with you.

Pro tip: One of the biggest culprits of odor related to pets is pet food. Invest in a sealable plastic container to store your pets’ food in while your home is for sale. (Your pets will thank you, too, because these containers keep the food fresher.)

Here’s where you go from there:

Vacuum
Open the windows
Expose upholstery to fresh air
Use enzymatic cleaner on urine spots
Wash the floors and walls

Vacuum

Pet dander and fur get trapped in carpets, even if you vacuum regularly. Even if your home doesn’t have any carpet in it, vacuum the floors – and while you’re at it, vacuum your furnishings and window coverings.

After you vacuum, sprinkle baking soda on all fabric surfaces. Let it sit for several hours, and vacuum it all up. Then, vacuum it again a few hours later. Just like in your refrigerator, baking soda can neutralize odors trapped in carpet fibers and fabric.

Open the Windows

While you’re vacuuming, leave the windows open. In fact, leave them open as long as you can. The more fresh air you let in, the better – just remember that if it’s humid outside, your carpets and fabrics are going to release more odor.

Expose Upholstery to Fresh Air

As long as the day isn’t humid, bring all your upholstered items outside for a good airing.

Use Enzymatic Cleaner on Urine Spots

If your pet has marked his or her territory anywhere in the house, use an enzymatic cleaner. These all-natural cleaners can eat away odors associated with pet stains, and by doing so, the spots won’t be as tempting for your pet to mark again.

If an entire carpet seems soiled, or if you can’t get the odors to go away after cleaning, you may need to replace your carpet.

Wash Floors and Walls

Scrub the floors and walls throughout your home. You can use a vinegar solution on tile (but don’t use it on unsealed stone – it can permanently damage it) and commercial cleaners elsewhere in your home.

Pro tip: Have your upholstered furniture and carpets professionally cleaned before your house hits the market. It’ll be cleaner and you’ll have less to worry about.

Are You Selling or Buying a Home for Sale in Lake City?

If you’re selling a home in Lake City, we’re the local experts. We know how to market your home aggressively and bring in qualified buyers, and we’d love to help you sell quickly and at the right price.

If you’re moving to Lake City, we can help you find the perfect place to live. Call us at 386-243-0124 to tell us what you want from your home and we will begin searching right away.

In the meantime, check out the most popular Lake City home searches by exploring the links below.

How to Get Rid of Pet Odors When You’re Selling Your Home