When it comes to preparing your home for sale, you have to think objectively. While not everyone has the same decorating tastes, we all have one thing in common. We like things clean!
This is especially true in the kitchen. If you’re selling, you must surpass dirt-free and go straight for sparkly clean. Buyers should and will take a peek inside appliances and cupboards! Here are 10 down-and-dirty tips to sanitize your kitchen to sell:
1. Clean your ovens. You’d be surprised what sticks around in there! Don’t forget to clean the window and all the tricky knobs.
Same goes for your microwave. You’d be surprised how much reheating last night’s dinner splatters the inside!
2. Refrigerator and Freezer: Defrost your freezer and wipe down your refrigerator shelves – it says a lot about how you live. Even if you’re planning on taking it with you when you move, you may find it to be a valuable negotiating tool as some buyers will request it in their offer.
3. Sink and countertops: Scrub your sink, and keep it spotless. Don’t keep old sponges out. Hint: buy a bunch of microfiber rags, and put a new one out each day – great for cleaning counter tops and they’re washable. Yes, it’s clean AND green!)
Deep clean your countertops – If you have granite, make sure it has been sealed recently. (Hint: Method has a nice spray granite cleaner that will help your granite really shine for showings).
Wipe down all counter-top appliances, such as toaster, coffee pot, bread box, or whatever you must have out. (Hint: never put more on your kitchen counters than fits comfortably on your kitchen table).
4. Talking Trash. Take out the garbage before any showing, even if it’s not full. While you’re at it, sweep out the garbage area and hide a stick-on air freshener in the area. If your trash area is not concealed, get a nice step-on can.
5. Kitchen Cabinets. Wipe down your cabinets with wood cleaner. Make sure the cabinet handles are clean. If they’re nasty or dated, replace them.
6. Pantry. A messy, unorganized pantry screams “not enough storage space” to a potential buyer! Take a moment to organize and purge. Are you really going to use that jar of gravy from 3 years ago?
7. Do Windows. Wash your windows inside and out. If you have heavy window treatments, remove them or at least get the dust out of them. Don’t forget to wash the screens as well! If the trim around your kitchen window is too dirty to clean, add a fresh coat of paint. It does wonders!
8. Lighten Up. Brighten your light fixtures with a simple cleaning. You may not notice that dead bug caught in the fixture, but I guarantee that a potential buyer will! Make sure you have the proper wattage bulbs in place.
If your light is too dated, replace it with an inexpensive fixture. You’d be surprised at the difference it makes!
9. Rugs and floors. If you have any area rugs, clean or remove them. Hint: be sure not to use too many, only one or two. If you have a nasty (or outdated) rug under a kitchen table, pitch it. Be sure to add felt stickers to the bottom of your chairs so they move easily and won’t scratch the floor.
10. Towels. And finally, take a close look at your kitchen towels. Your best bet is to invest in some inexpensive “show” towels to keep out for showings. Hide your “real” work-horse towels in the dryer during showings.
Now, doesn’t your kitchen smell better and shine more? Quick, take a picture for your listing before “someone” messes it up!
