Humans are wired to respond to scents. Dirt, debris, dust, dander, and daily activities add their unique scent to a house, and it's not always pleasant. When you have a house for sale, its indoor scent needs to evoke positive feelings.  

Here's how to eliminate unpleasant household odors, and how to add the scents that help buyers immediately feel comfortable in your house. Your signature scent could be what makes buyers remember your home after a day of touring different homes. 

Deep clean

All but the most organized and energetic homeowners put off major cleaning projects. I confess I don't tackle regular closet purges, take on garage overhauls, and wash window screens yearly. 

An all-white color palette can reassure
buyers your home is clean. 

When it's time to sell your home, it's time to make it look good and smell good. First step: removing clutter and, if possible, whatever won't be part of your final staging. With fewer small things to get in the way, your cleaning will go more quickly, and you'll have better results. 

If you can fit it in your home-prepping budget, paying for a professional deep clean will free you up to manage other staging tasks.    

Freshen the air 

Good indoor ventilation is what makes your home feel comfortable and smell fresh. This doesn't mean you have to open all your windows. In some areas, pollen could be a problem, or it is too hot, too cold, too noisy, too windy, or too humid. 

Count on your HVAC system, or on ceiling fans, and dehumidifiers to circulate and clean the air. Odors from pets, smoking, cooking, dirty laundry, and chemicals from construction, painting, and craft projects can linger if your indoor air isn't circulated. Many models of air purifiers with HEPA filters are compact, good-looking, inexpensive, and do a good job -- perfect for homestaging. . 

A diffuser doesn't need to
stand alone. Make it part of an artful
tabletop or counter arrangement. 
Photo: Pepper and Oak Candle Company

 Prevent moisture

One of the most common sources of indoor air that doesn't feel fresh is humidity, and the mildew and mold it causes. Mildew can grow gradually over time from spills, a water leak, or poor plumbing, so you may become accustomed to the smell.  

Most of us all know the look of mildew's powdery, grey coloring on surfaces that don't get adequate ventilation or light, surfaces that stay damp too long. 

Mildew and mold are not the same. Mold spores are microscopic and may not be visible to the naked eye, but mold becomes noticeable if untreated. Although they may not smell it, buyers will recognize mold and mildew as a sign of poor maintenance. And people with mold  allergies will have a reaction. 

Crawl spaces, basements, cabinets and vanities under faucets, and shower stalls are common areas for mold. If there is a roof leak, walls and ceilings may be hiding mold and mildew. A damaged sewer line will also create unpleasant aromas. A home inspector will do moisture readings of these places. Remediation can get pricey, so the best bet is preventative measures, and getting a water audit from a plumber to find hidden leaks. 

Bathroom air is commonly humid. Use your
exhaust fan when showering and to help
towels, shower curtains and rugs dry
quickly. Photo: Jim Franco via BHG 

Go natural 

Add fragrance from nature instead of the chem lab. I'm not talking about bouquets of flowers. I'm talking about essential oils, which are gaining in popularity as people become aware of the health problems associated with artificial fragrances. I've blogged about how artificial fragrances are messing with your health and what you can do about it. 

Diffusers that use essential oils will gently scent the air in your home, and are common enough that they don't signal that you are masking problem aromas. Don't equate "fragrance oils" with essential oils, which are derived from plants such as lavender, cedar, pine, jasmine, rose, and sandalwood. 

Do not use plug-in air fresheners. They are fire hazards, so I never use or recommend them. 

Living plants help purify indoor air, but you would need many plants to measurably purify the space the way an air purifier does. Well-staged rooms always include some foliage, so choose from these plants that help clean the air: hardy snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, pothos, rubber plant, English ivy, Boston fern, and philodendron.  A blooming lavender plant would be a lovely way to scent any room, especially in a sunny spot. Here's how to take care of a lavender plant.  

A sunny window is the perfect spot
for a fragrant lavender plant.
Photo: Future via Ideal Home

Get the look, get the book

Don't let the scents in your home distract homebuyers touring your home. Make it easy for them to love your home by removing problem smells and adding "feel good" scents. 

You'll find more advice on making buyers want to buy your home in my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You can download it now here and start staging it yourself with simple, economical tricks and projects that add value to your home.