How to get house smelling nice to sell/show?

[Pontie]

We are selling our house and about to start viewings. I just want a house that smells fresh. It looks impeccably clean and fresh but we do have young children and dogs. All clutter has either been chucked or put into storage.

My plan is to rent a carpet cleaner, wash throw blankets, sofa covers, cushions etc. Change bedding. Curtains have already been washed.

Keep bathrooms spotless. Keep windows open.

Maybe chuck zoflora in mop water. Wash wooden floors with method floor cleaner.

Maybe bake a vanilla cake when we have viewings but that is obligations dependent.

I personally like some plug ins but know it is off putting to some.

Any products I should buy?

Any additional actions?

Im pretty tidy and friends assure me that my house does not smell but you never know!

I may hide dryer sheets around the house for viewings.

Which detergent / scent boosters are liked?

I buy literally whatever is on sale when it comes up.

I’d calm down a wee bit if I were you. Regularly open windows and keep ontop of cleaning so smells don’t embed. But people are pretty wise to artificial smells and things like scented candles and dryer sheets. For me I don’t want a house to smell like anything. If it smells to much of freshening products I’d assume you were trying to cover something up. My first thought wouldn’t be dogs - it would be drains, damp or something structural

Another vote for Open windows only ( make sure bedding is clean etc )

Anything else Might put people off

Catalytic lamps (Maison Berger or similar) are amazing. I use pine or linen scents in mine & they burn away any smells rather than just mask them. You'll never use anything else once you've tried one.

I wouldn't try and cook before a viewing, you'll have enough to do with last minute tweaking without cooking, washing up and cleaning worktops.

Think all you can do is keep furnishings as clean as possible, air well before viewing and spray air freshener around before you leave house.

If friend say it doesn't smell - trust them!

Yes, just make sure the house is clean and you're regularly opening windows. Anything more starts to be weird unless you're selling a 8 bed mansion in which case sure, have a few high end diffusers scattered around as it's probably expected.

I love my friend’s white company scent diffuser machine thing but worried not all will appreciate it

Another voice adding to the don’t use plug in type things. Open windows and do what you’re doing re cleaning soft furnishings.

Plug ins give a dreadful chemically smell if you’re not used to them. If I smelled them I’d be looking for the source of a smell you’re trying to cover up

I agree with keeping clean and opening windows. If you really need something buying a bunch of lilies isn’t a bad idea, they smell strongly, but a bunch of flowers doesn’t look out of place and people can see straight away what the smell is. It doesn’t scream I’m trying to cover up a blocked drain

Currently trying to sell/buy and artificial scents immediately make me think something is being hidden.

went to view one house and there were candles lit in every room. Sure enough we found bad case of mould in master bedrooms built in wardrobe and clear evidence of leak coming through from the roof.

Lily pollen is a major hay fever trigger for many.

Which washing detergent is universally liked? I personally just like Ariel original

I always have toasted cinnamon bagels for breakfast so there is always (I think) a lovely natural homely smell in my kitchen in the morning, a fresh coffee smell is also nice.

Cinnamon 🤮

And this is the problem with choosing scents! Much better to go clean and neutral.

Why are you not reading any responses ? Most people are saying just open a window, and you are coming up with more stupid suggestions

Please don’t use plug ins, they give me a raging headache and many folks I know. And don’t leave the windows open unless it’s warm, as viewing a cold house won’t appeal to some. They will think it’s hard to heat.

i think basically keep it clean and hoovered and you will be fine.

Why so aggressive?🤯

I use the lenor spring awakening beads for my bedding. Smell very fresh without being too overpowering.

Good luck with the house sale!

Plain unscented candles move the air around and thereby get rid of bad smells.

I’m asking for detergent preferences as I will absolutely have to wash dog blankets, dog beds etc before viewings.

Are you finding a problem with your current detergent?

Be careful with diffusers. I have asthma and it is often triggered by these. I can't even go into most beauty salons because of the over use of scented diffusers

I bought a plant with flowers in once which was pretty good at just giving a gentle smell. It was jasmine or similar. I think I put one in the hall and one in the living room.

I hate the smell of plug in things and scent boosters etc. I’d think you were covering up a bad smell.