Scents & sensibility

While homeowners go to great lengths to make their homes picture perfect for guests, any lingering odours in the house might mean they take away some less-than-pleasant memories of their stay.
But most people are used to their home's unique scent and often don't realize there is a problem.
"It's a blind spot for most people," says Dr. Michael Masson, professor of psychology at the University of Victoria. "A homeowner will find it difficult to detect any smell difference because they are habituated to it."
A person who smokes, for example, likely can't smell the tobacco smoke that has permeated the carpets and draperies. The same can be said of pet owners.
Real estate agents would be generally the first group of people to inform a client that they have to modify the smells around a house before it can sell.
"In my experience, the absence of smell is the best smell," says Mark McDougall, an agent with Royal LePage Coast Capital.
In preparing for an open house, he recommends clients steam clean their carpets. While some people put out bouquets of potpourri or bake bread prior to guests arriving, Mr. Mc-Dougall says these strategies can backfire and make visitors think homeowners are trying to mask a problem. "To me, they reek of desperation."
Cleaning experts agree.
"Whenever we get a call to get rid of a bad odour, we first have to uncover the cause before we can eliminate it," says Alan Bowles, owner of the Service Master franchise in Victoria. "That's a more effective strategy than applying a deodorizer to mask the problem temporarily, just to have it return."
Use of deodorizers and other scented products can sometimes bring on problems of their own. Cleaning products and perfumes can cause allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to products that emit volatile organic compounds. Symptoms range from a headaches to nausea.

"I once walked into a house and had to turn around and walk back out because the perfumed smell was so overpowering," Mr. McDougall recalls.
The cleaning industry has responded to consumers' concerns offering products with little or no fragrance. But the demand among the majority of population who are not hypersensitive is low.
"People generally want their house to smell fresh after a cleaning," says Scott Tanner, owner of the Victoria Merry Maids franchise.
"If they don't smell something, they think it hasn't been cleaned -- so we use a green product that leaves a light scent. We use unscented products when a client asks for it."
While professionals can get a house thoroughly cleaned, a homeowner can tackle a home's most likely sources of odours:
CARPETS
The major item to keep cleaned in a home is the wall-to-wall carpeting, say the experts.
"The carpet is like a sink," says Mr. Bowles, who has more than 30 years of experience in the field. "Typically, everything falls into it."
He says that regular vacuuming will extract 80% of the particulates. Sprinkling baking soda before vacuuming will take care of some of the smells. Carpets should be steam-cleaned every 12 to 18 months, he says.
CIGARETTE SMOKE
The smoke permeates into the carpeting, drapes, latex paint and lodges in porous walls. It will typically be infused into the clothing of smokers, too. Frequent hot-water extraction of carpet and drapes helps. Repainting walls and cleaning the home's heating system to eliminate the odour is recommended.
COOKING
Apart from smoking, cooking is the most common source of a home's odour. Some people swear by lining the counter with newspapers when frying or simmering a pot of water with white vinegar on the stove. It is a good idea to close any doors to the kitchen when cooking to prevent smells from entering other parts of house. To create a current to clear out smells -- and not just dilute the air -- a cook needs to open a window or door on opposite ends of a kitchen. Or try a Lampe Berger, which is also effective and can be used without scent or with a mild one.
DOGS
People love their dogs but not always their smell. The dog smell most people notice is caused by their skin oils going rancid. Regular brushing, combing and bathing helps. Homeowners should vacuum frequently and consider reducing the amount of carpeting around a house. Thoroughly clean areas where dogs eat, sleep and play. Some breeds without undercoats, such as greyhounds, seem less prone to doggie smells.