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Things most home sellers forget to clean


Blog by Kim Twohey | March 14th, 2018


So much work goes into getting a house ready to sell.  Decluttering, repairs, and home staging are priorities for any homeowner who wants to sell quickly and for the best possible price.  In addition to the obvious, here are 7 more areas most home sellers forget to clean but should pay attention to in order to help their house sell!   

1.            Inside cabinets and closets

Potential buyers will definitely be opening all your closet and cabinet doors to get an idea of how much storage space the house has.  Make sure these areas are free of dust and grime.  Items in storage areas should be kept in an orderly fashion so that nothing tumbles out when a buyer is looking at the space.

2.            Interior and exterior of appliances

Many home sellers completely overlook the impression that appliances can make!  Take the time to clean both the inside and outside of all your appliances including refrigerators and freezers, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.  Cleaning the inside of appliances will help eliminate odours and polishing up the outside can make older appliances look new again! 

3.            Doorframes and baseboards

Doorframes and baseboards provide a landing surface for dust, dirt, and pet hair.  In low light, these things might be almost invisible but a bright and sunny day will definitely highlight these often neglected areas!  Using a long-handled duster is an easy way to keep both clean.  For baseboards that are scuffed or have dust that is tough to remove, a quick wipe with a damp microfibre cloth is all you need to clean them off. 

4.            Fans and light fixtures

Light fixtures and fans are easy to neglect since we rarely pay attention to them except for when a bulb needs changing.  They collect a significant amount of dust which is not only unsightly but can also dull the lighting.  Dust fixtures regularly and be sure to replace burnt out light bulbs before a showing.  Wipe down the interior and exterior of dome light fixtures to really make your house shine!

5.            Windows and window ledges

Another way to show your home in the best possible light is by cleaning windows and the window ledges.  A quick interior and exterior clean of the windows will remove built-up grime and streaks.  Dirt quickly accumulates on window ledges and in tracks, so be sure to wipe those, too.  It might seem like a lot of work but buyers will notice!

6.            Upholstered furniture

Even though your furniture is not for sale, it is still part of the buyer’s experience when they tour your house.  Upholstered furniture can hold onto odours that you probably do not even notice.  There are plenty of ways to freshen your upholstered furniture including washing slipcovers and pillowcases, and using a deodorizing fabric spray.   You can also sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto your furniture, let it sit for at least half an hour, and then vacuum it off.

7.            Garbage cans

All garbage cans smell, even if they are empty!  You can eliminate garbage can odours by spraying them with a disinfecting cleaner and then hosing them down.  If possible, set them outside in full sun to dry.  When your house is on the market, empty garbage cans frequently and continue to clean them, as needed.  A cotton ball with a few drops of a yummy smelling essential oil at the bottom of the garbage can will help keep odours at bay.

Selling a home is a lot of work but it will pay off.  Homes that are well-kept, clean, and show pride of ownership are more likely to be sold quicker and at a higher price than homes that are in disarray.  Before you list your home, set aside a weekend to tackle the 7 things that most homeowners forget to clean!