Funky to Fresh: Smart Cleaning Hacks

You don’t need to Marie Kondo your entire life to impress buyers—but you do need to deal with that mystery smell in the laundry!

A good clean does more than just make things look tidy; it tells buyers the home’s been well cared for. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune—just a few clever tips and a bit of elbow grease can make your home shine from top to bottom.

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1. Carpets and Couches: Say Goodbye to Hidden Smells

Pet odours, old spills and just general “lived-in” smells can cling to soft surfaces.

• Sprinkle bicarb soda over carpets and leave overnight before vacuuming thoroughly.

• For lounges and cushions, lightly mist a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, then let air dry with windows open (or if they're removable, run them through the wash).

• Consider steam cleaning if odours or stains persist.

Don’t: Mask smells with overpowering, cheap floral air fresheners. Buyers often assume you're hiding something. Fresh, clean and neutral is best so stick with citrus, mint and/or vanilla.

2. Kitchen: Neutralise Odours and Make It Shine

Cooking smells, greasy appliances, and bin odours can linger long after dinner is done.

• Clean the dishwasher by placing a cup of vinegar on the top rack and running a hot cycle.

• Wash kitchen bins with hot, soapy water and wipe them with vanilla-scented methylated spirits to leave them smelling fresh.

• To freshen the air, simmer lemon slices, vanilla essence, or coffee grounds in a pot of water for 10–15 minutes.

• Pour half a cup of bicarb soda and one cup of vinegar down the sink drain. Let it fizz, then flush with boiling water to deodorise.

Don’t: Cook with strong spices or fish right before an open home—those smells can linger for days.

3. Windows and Tracks: Light, Bright and Spotless

Clean windows make every room feel brighter and bigger.

• Clean glass with a mix of vinegar and water, then polish dry with newspaper or a microfiber cloth.

• Sprinkle bicarb soda in the window tracks, spray with vinegar, let it fizz, scrub with a toothbrush, then wipe clean.

• Use vanilla methylated spirits for a streak-free finish and subtle scent.

Don’t: Forget to dust the tops of window frames and sills—grime up high still gets noticed.

4. Shower Screens and Grout: Bring Back the Shine

Bathrooms should feel clean, fresh, and low-maintenance.

• Spray shower screens with a mix of dish soap and vinegar, leave for 10 minutes, scrub and rinse.

• Make a paste of bicarb and hydrogen peroxide to brighten grout—scrub and rinse well.

• Wipe down tiles with vanilla methylated spirits to add shine and neutralise odours.

  
  

Don’t: Forget the drains. Smelly drainage can be a major red flag for buyers, pour bicarb and vinegar down the floor drain to keep it smelling clean.

5. The Right Order: Clean Like a Pro from Top to Bottom

Even with the right tools, cleaning in the wrong order can double your work.

• Always clean high to low: start with ceiling fans, light fittings, cornices, and door frames before moving to furniture and finally the floors.

• Use a damp microfiber cloth for dusting to trap rather than spread particles.

Don’t: Skip high-touch areas like light switches, cupboard and door handles—these small details leave a big impression impression if they're missed.

Bonus Tip: Call in the Pros (If You’d Rather Not DIY)

If scrubbing grout and deodorising bins is something you're happy to delegate, ask your agent for recommendations. Professional cleaners can do everything from carpet steaming to full pre-sale deep cleans—and they’re often worth every cent.

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In Summary:

A clean home will sell well. With a little attention to detail—and a few budget-friendly cleaning tricks—your home can look, feel, and smell buyer-ready. So roll up your sleeves or call in the experts, and let your property shine.