Sanitizing a Home the Right Way Before Listing
Sanitizing a home before putting it up for sale is important to ensure that potential buyers feel comfortable and safe during walkthroughs and open houses. Here are some expert tips.
Clean All Surfaces as Best You Can
Start by cleaning all the surfaces in your house, like the counters, tables, and floors. Be sure to use a cleaner with a disinfectant to kill any bacteria or viruses that might be there. Also, if the house has been used for something bad, you might want to add extra services. For example, there are highly skilled services that offer drug testing for properties, such as when a has been used as a meth lab. You can also hire professional cleaners to get rid of biological materials.
Pay Attention to the Most Touched Things
Some things in a home get handled more often than others. Take doors and windows as an example. So, pay extra attention to places like doorknobs, light switches, handles, and faucets that a lot of people touch. Because these places are used so often, they are more likely to have germs and should be cleaned often. By cleaning these areas often, you can stop germs from spreading and make your property safer for people who might want to buy it.
Let In Fresh Air when Sanitizing a Home
A clean home needs to have good air. So, open all the doors and windows to let fresh air move through the whole house. This can help get rid of lingering smells and make the air better. Which is very important when showing a potential buyer around. Pollutants like dust, mold, and bacteria can also be removed from the home by letting in the fresh air. Also, opening windows and doors can help bring the humidity level down to a more comfortable level suitable for living.
Replace or Clean Any Linens
If you are renting out your home or selling it fully furnished, you should at least wash all the linens and bedding. All sheets, towels, and blankets are included. Make sure that all germs and bacteria are gone by using hot water and a good detergent. Or, take the linens to a professional laundry service that uses steam, like the ones hotels and motels use. But if you want to be extra safe, it's often best to just replace all the linens altogether for a fresher, newer look too.
Vacuum Carpets and Rugs
Most likely, you have carpets and rugs in your home. And if it does, you must use a vacuum cleaner to clean them very well. Also, pay attention to things like sofas, chairs, and curtains made of soft fabrics. Invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Allergens and other small particles will get caught in this. For an extra level of cleanliness, you could also use a steam cleaner. This can help kill bacteria, viruses, and other germs and help reduce the chance of COVID.
Summary
Sanitizing a home is essential before putting it up for sale. First, clean all hard surfaces with anti-bacterial products. Then, wash or replace the linens, and air out the home before a tour.
