Some well-intentioned homeowners may actually be doing more harm than good when they're completing normal household chores. Realtor.com® recently featured a list of cleaning myths that could actually reduce the value of a home. Here are a few cleaning habits to warn your clients against:
Too much bleach.
Homeowners may be under the assumption that bleach is the best cleaner in the bathroom. “Bleach does not clean anything,” Leslie Reichert, cleaning coach and author of “The Joy of Green Cleaning” told realtor.com®. “It does disinfect, but before you can disinfect a surface, you have to clean it with something that will lift off the dirt.” Wipe clean and then disinfect with a diluted bleach solution, she suggests.
Polish for wood care.
Commercial polishes can make the wood in a home shine, but they can also leave behind a waxy buildup. “Most wood furniture has a finish that seals the wood, and really just needs to be kept clean and free from dust and dirt,” Reichert says. In that case, a damp microfiber cloth is usually best.
Not enough vacuuming.
One myth many homeowners believe is that you can ruin your carpets by vacuuming too much. However, “dust and dirt that gets down into the base of a carpet can do more damage than a vacuum,” Reichert says. However, homeowners should take special care when vacuuming Oriental rugs or handmade carpets, and never leave a vacuum in one spot too long. "The constant beating can heat up the fibers, cause them to melt, and leave a burn mark," Reichert says.
Coffee grounds in the disposal.
Some homeowners have heard that coffee grounds can deodorize a garbage disposal, but they can actually harm it. “The grounds often clog up the drains and pipes,” says Debra Johnson, a home cleaning expert at Merry Maids. Instead, place two to three small peels of lemon, lime, or grapefruit in the garbage disposal and turn it on while rinsing with warm water.
Source: “9 Cleaning Myths That Could Be Wrecking Your House,” realtor.com® (Sept. 19, 2017)
1. Set the stage. It’s called staging for a reason. The idea is to set the mood in the same way that a theatrical backdrop does. Think of how to use furnishings and accessories to tell a story about how a buyer may live there. You want the listing to look modern and gender-neutral to show a home’s bones, not to remind buyers of an antiseptic hospital or laboratory, says Winter. Certified stager Susan Batka of Aerie Interiors in suburban Atlanta suggests adding a few textured pillows, a rug, and maybe a large piece of modern, colorful artwork to give the space the necessary warmth so it looks alive but isn’t overwhelming or too personalized.
2. Declutter. This is still the number one mantra for stagers. “The key to the desired Zen feel is to pick interesting but fewer decorative items and keep upholstered pieces clean and lean,” Baer says. She describes the goal as leaving “some breathing room. Not every wall space needs art and not every surface needs accessories.” It can be difficult to decide what to keep, but one good rule is to retain only the accessories that play up architectural features and strengths of the listing. Items that draw attention to built-in bookshelves or fireplace mantels are especially helpful. For example, Winter removes half the books on a shelf and arranges the remaining ones with turned-out spines or groups them by colors that work well with the room. She’ll winnow down collectibles on a shelf or coffee table to three key items rather than removing everything.
3. Heed the size and shape of the room. You can use staging to highlight a room’s distinct features. If it has volume due to high ceilings, Baer will use a few larger-scaled furnishings. If it’s long and narrow, she generally fashions two seating groups, turning a rectangle into two squares. That way buyers can imagine a comfortable space where visitors can sit and converse intimately.
4. Retain functionality within today’s style guidelines. Because space is highly valued, making the best use of all square footage remains a priority. Show this in listings by following the principles of cozy minimalism throughout a home. For example, in a master bedroom where buyers are looking to gain a sleep sanctuary, whittle down the furnishings to only the essential items of a comfortable bed, nightstands, and good lighting. The cozy factor can come in the form of blankets, pillows, a soft rug underfoot, and a soothing palette, says Batka. To outfit a spare room or a large landing, you might stage a workspace with a clean, modern desk and comfy upholstered chair.