Page 8 - REN_Mar-Apr 2021

Selling Your Home?

How to Get Rid of Dreaded Pet Smell

Brittany Stager courtesy of REATOR.ca
ets are truly the best human companions; snuggly, cuddly and even therapeutic. They instantly become a part
of the family the moment we bring them home. Regardless of whether you have a dog, cat, bird or reptile, as
Ppet owners we know they all have one thing in common: they smell.

It’s never our intention to own a smelly animal, but over time we quickly become “nose blind” to the odors our pets
omit. . Unfortunately, smell isn’t contained to the animal, it can quickly spread throughout your home; carpets, floors,
walls, furniture, and curtains-–all susceptible to absorbing pet odors. Homes with pets are far more prone to odor-
causing bacteria and they’re some of the toughest types of odors to remove.
And while a little “wet dog” smell might not seem like a big deal to you, it can be a real turn-off to potential buyers if
you’re trying to sell your home. If you’re thinking about listing your home be sure to ask your REALTOR® for an honest
opinion about whether your home has a pet smell. If the answer is “yes,” you might want to get to work and try one of
these 10 tips below!

1. Air out your house

Many homes lack good ventilation and just circulate
contaminated air. Depending on the type of pet you
own, simply opening the windows and allowing
fresh air to flow through is enough to help alleviate
any lingering smells. For items that can be removed
from the home, like upholstered items, bedding, and
blankets, take them outside and leave them for several
hours. The sunlight and fresh air will help neutralize
and remove odors that might be stuck in the fabric.
2. Wash, clean and scrub, EVERYTHING

Get ready to give your house a deep clean, which means
cleaning and scrubbing everything. Yes, everything. Start
with the floors and work your way up. Use a mop or get
on your hands and knees and scrub the floors, baseboards
and walls where your pets may have made their mark or
had an accident. Make sure to use an appropriate cleaner
for the surface and has odor-neutralizing capabilities. Wash
all fabrics such as removable couch cushions, slipcovers,
pillows, blankets, curtains and washable area rugs. And
don’t forget any pet beds or blankets! If you have items
that cannot be put in the washing machine take them
to be professionally steamed, dry cleaned or laundered.
For larger upholstered items such as couches, chairs and
ottomans consider renting a carpet shampoo/steamer with an upholstery attachment for a deep clean. Lastly, use
a cloth to wipe down furniture, picture frames, light fixtures and ceiling fans in your home as pet dander can float
through the air and settle on pretty much anything.

8 | REAL ESTATE NOW | denise@BCislandhomes.ca