How to make house smell fresh/clean/nice for viewings?

[SleepBecomesHim321]

House going on market soon. Most viewings likely to be when we're out so the usual 'brew some coffee', 'bake some bread', 'have windows open' advice doesn't really work.

What can we do to try to ensure the house smells as fresh as possible (not chemically)? Any really strong smelling flowers? Any other tips?

Thank you!

Most house smells come from soft furnishings including carpets so make sure all carpets, curtains, sofas, cushions and bedding are fully washed a week before.

I say a week before because it takes a while for things to "settle".

Then, the morning of viewings, whack a pan on the stove with 3 or 4 cut up lemons in it and bring it to the boil before anyone arrives. You can add things like cinnamon too...depends what smell you prefer.

When it comes to the boil, just simmer it...let it cook away for a while and the house will smell lovely.

For upstairs rooms, you can consider getting some lavender furniture polish if you like that smell. It does linger.

If you have a kitchen door, start keeping it firmly shut when cooking with windows open so smells don't go through the house.
Empty bins daily into outside bin
Febreeze sofas and curtains to remove any lingering smells there
Have your carpets cleaned before going on the market
Give hard floors a wash with zoflora in the bucket on viewing days
Squirt of bleach down plug holes and toilets

If possible, go out for the day leaving your house shut, and then get an honest friend to be first in and tell you what they smell - clean and fresh is what you want, not a smell of things being covered up

In addition to the previously mentioned things, clean your kitchen thoroughly - grease, especially old grease, smells. Clean the cooker hood, splashbacks and oven. A viewer may well open the oven so best to have it nice and clean. Open windows when you are in - fresh air is the best thing.

If you have pets, clean their bedding, food bowls, litter trays regularly and especially if you have a dog or dogs, take them and their beds out if the house on viewing days.

Don't use plug in air fresheners as they are horrible and make potential buyers think you are masking something like damp.

Very helpful indeed, thank you! Can anyone recommend a strong-smelling detergent to wash soft furnishings in?

Well I would avoid strong smelling detergent as too many "fake" scents can smell terrible....and using things like Lenor is tricky as what one person loves, another finds repellent.

I'd just focus on getting things clean and then using one or two things as scent. Lemon or other citrus smells can't be beaten in my opinion.

I just love the smell of lilies in the house, and they last for at least a couple of weeks.(Couple of bunches from Tesco).

I went round a garden centre and chose a few of the smelliest flowering house plant.

Persil small and mighty has a lingering scent. We used it with a rug doctor after a recommendation here.

Lillies make me feel sick. I would have to run out.

Some good quality diffusers would be good, I like the laura Ashley ones, currently in the sale!

No to artificial scents of any kind tbh - lots of people dislike them. Many of them are very strong which is off putting. When you live with something, you get used to it and don’t smell it the same way as someone who walks in for a short time. Cleaning and getting fresh in are the best ways to make somewhere smell fresh.