Creating Scent Appeal

There is a big difference between using scent to cover up odors versus using them to enhance the experience and make the environment more appealing. When selling your home, two simple things that will help you keep unpleasant odors at bay are to take the trash out often and watch what you cook. If you have pets, if possible try to limit the animals to a certain room that can be easily cleaned and keep their bedding (and fur!) washed to avoid odors.

Even to smokers, a home that smells of cigarette smoke is typically considered a bad smell. An ionizer can help remove smoke smells and if you are a smoker, you may want to avoid smoking indoors while your house is on the market.

Smoke, pet smells, and musty odors are odors that you need to get rid of to improve your showings and to get your home sold. Simply adding air fresheners, scented candles and/or deodorizers usually will not get rid of the bad smell and can be viewed by buyers as an attempt to cover up the bad odor. Sometimes a thorough cleaning of carpets, drapes and upholstery is well worth the investment.

However, there is a direct connection between smell and people's moods so light fragrances can help create "scent appeal" when used properly in the home. The scents should never be overpowering but more of a subtle background to set the mood. A light floral fragrance can put people in a more pleasant mood while citrus scents tend to have an energizing effect. Vanilla is often found to be comforting and relaxing.

Some suggestions:

A small reed diffuser in a bathroom can keep the room smelling clean while not overpowering the space.

Boil water on the stove and throw fresh cinnamon in it.

If using scented candles stick to basic scents such as vanilla, apple, cinnamon and lemon or grapefruit.

Run lemon wedges through the garbage disposal to eliminate any odors.