Should You Clean a Home Before Putting It Up for Sale?
A clean home looks better in pictures, shows better, and gives buyers reasons to think about how the house was kept. Regular cleaning may not be enough if a home has a strong smoke smell or pet smells, visible mold, body fluid marks, or leftovers from a dangerous event. In such cases, getting professional help to clean may be a good idea before the house is put up for sale.
Keep reading to learn whether cleaning a home before putting it up for sale with UV-C tools is worth the investment.
Cleaning Goes Beyond Just Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning takes out dust, dirt, grease, stains, and things that are on the surface. Decontamination deals with organisms, living things, and smells that might stay even after the visible dirt is gone. The two steps often go hand in hand. Surfaces usually need to be cleaned before they are made safe or treated with special light because dirt can stop the treatment from working. The CDC sees cleaning, making things safe, and killing germs as steps with different goals.
When Should Home Sellers Think About Professional Help?
A professional check may be needed if the house has lasting cigarette smoke, strong pet smells, mold smells, body fluids, exposure to sewage, drug marks, or a past problem that normal cleaning didn’t fix. Sellers should also think about getting help if a smell comes back after carpets, walls, and hard surfaces have been cleaned. If the smell keeps coming, it could mean there is a problem inside materials under the floor in the space under the house or near a wet area.
What Professional Help Can Fix
Big Sky Decon offers services for homes with long-lasting smells and dirt. These services can address smells, smoke odors, mold issues, body fluids, and germs. Light should be part of a cleaning plan. It does not remove dirt, broken parts, grease, or living things. Depending on the problem, the house may first need to get rid of parts, clean thoroughly, fix plumbing, control wet areas, or get help from experts. Mold is a good example. The EPA says people should fix the area and remove the mold instead of just killing or covering it. Some soft materials may need to be thrown out if they can’t be cleaned completely.
How Can Cleaning Help Sell a House?
Fixing the smell before listing can make the home feel more comfortable and reduce unneeded worries. It may also improve photos and make showings more confident. Records from the cleaning can explain what was done, but sellers should never use smell treatment to hide a known problem with the house.
“Professional decontamination can be worthwhile when smoke, pet odors, mold-related concerns, or biological residue would otherwise affect a buyer’s first impression. The process should begin with identifying the source and completing any necessary cleaning, material removal, or moisture repairs. Proper treatment prepares the home for market more effectively than simply covering odors with fragrance or fresh paint.”–Jason Gardiner, CEO
Should Cleaning Happen Before Painting or Setting Up?
Check the source and clean first. Painting over a problem can trap smells without fixing them. Furniture used for showing may block access to walls, floors, and other areas that need cleaning. A good order is to remove damaged parts, fix water issues, clean the house, do the cleaning, then paint, do floor work, set up, and take pictures. This order helps keep finishes from being damaged during cleaning.
Is Cleaning Before Selling Worth It?
It can be when a problem or smell would otherwise make buyers unsure about the home. The best way is to find the cause, do the needed work, and use help as part of a clear plan. This gives sellers more than a smell. It gives them a home that’s really ready for the market. Contact the professionals at Big Sky Decon for more information about decontaminating your home before selling it.
Common Questions
Q: Does every house need to be cleaned before it is put up for sale?
A: No. Many houses only need cleaning and minor repairs. Professional cleaning is better when there is a problem, a smell that won’t go away, mold issues, or body marks that normal cleaning can’t fix.
Q: Can light remove smoke and pet smells forever?
A: Results depend on the smell and the materials. Light may help with the smell. Things like carpet padding, walls, insulation, underfloor, or personal items may need their own cleaning or may need to be thrown away. Long-term improvement depends on fixing the source of the problem.
Q: How early should sellers plan for cleaning?
A: Sellers should get a check before painting, setting up, or taking pictures. Doing it early gives time to clean, remove parts, fix issues, or do more work if the problem is worse than expected.
Q: Should sellers tell buyers that cleaning was done?
A: Cleaning records can show the seller took the problem seriously. Cleaning doesn’t replace required disclosures or expert checks. Sellers should talk about their duties with their real estate agent or lawyer.