Home Staging is preparing your home for sale so that it will appeal to the widest range of potential buyers.   I see the staging process as consisting of two phases – preparation and staging.  The five key preparation steps are decluttering, depersonalizing, repairing, neutralizing and cleaning.  These steps are not optional!  Rather, they are a critical part of the home staging process.  The 10 tips and tricks below will help make preparation quicker and easier.  In addition, all of  these tips are green, so they are much healthier for your family than using the alternative, chemical-based products.

1. Clean your glass windows, doors and mirrors with a mixture of white vinegar and water and wipe with newspaper for a beautiful, streak-free shine. 

2.  Freshen your garbage disposal by putting a lemon wedge in and running the disposal.  This will neutralize odors and create a fresh, lemony scent.  Fresh lemon can also be used to scrub kitchen counters and salt can be added as an abrasive for stubborn stains.

3.  Remove crayon from walls with toothpaste (not the gel type).  Simply put a small amount of toothpaste on a damp sponge and wipe gently, then wipe away any remaining residue with a clean sponge.

4.  Refresh watermarks on wood surfaces by rubbing in a little mayonnaise and then buffing out the mark.

5.  Remove candle wax from fabric by hardening it first with an ice cube and then by chipping away the hardened wax.

6.  Repair small, noticeable scratches on hardwood floors with wood stain magic markers, available at most hardware stores.  Be sure to choose the stain color that most closely matches your current floor stain color, fill in the scratch with color and buff with a soft cloth to blend.   Wax pencils in many wood stain colors are also available for repairing similar scratches on wood furniture.

7.  Shine stainless steel appliances with a small amount of olive oil.  Simply  rub a little on a soft cotton cloth and polish to a shine.

8.  Remove soap residue in your dishwasher by running a wash cycle with a cup of white vinegar added.

9.  Clean stains on your sofa fabric with a small amount of club soda on a dry cloth.  Some stains can be more difficult to remove.  If the club soda doesn’t work, make a paste of 3 Tablespoons Baking Soda and 1Tablespoon of club soda and rub a small amount on the stain with a soft cloth.   Gently rub the cleaner off with another clean soft cloth dipped in a small amount of warm water.  Once dry, vacuum off any remaining residue.

10.  Remove oil and grease stains from concrete driveways or garage floors by sprinkling the stains with baking soda or another absorbent substance such as cornmeal or sawdust.   If the stain is dry, be sure to wet it first to create a paste and then scrub with a stiff  brush.  If this is unsuccessful, try using automatic dishwasher detergent, leave it on for a few minutes and then pour boiling water on it and, again, scrub with a stiff brush.

Tranquility Bay Home Therapy offers Home Staging in Annapolis, MD and surrounding areas.  The Tranquility Bay Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Home Staging is available by visiting:  http://tranquilitybaywellness.com/tranquility-bay-home-staging-annapolis-md.

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Terri Marshall -
About the Author:

Terri R. Marshall is a Certified Home Staging Consultant, Green Living Consultant, Certified Stress Management Specialist, Certified Wellness Coach and owner of Tranquility Bay Home Staging in Annapolis, MD.  For copies of The Tranquility Bay Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Home Staging and The Tranquility Bay Green Living Guide, visit her website at http://tranquilitybaywellness.com/tranquility-bay-home-staging-annapolis-md.

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