Staging With "Fluffy" (Name Changed to Protect The Innocent)

As a cat owner, it's hard to imagine your cat being anything but adorable. When it comes to staging, however, they do pose challenges. Here are a few to consider:

• Fur - hairballs, shedding, and buyers with allergies ... need I say more?
• Claws - If you want to rent furniture or accessories to enhance your property, you will be liable for any damages such as scratch marks.
• Litterbox - well, at least they USE a litterbox, but these can pose an unattractive problem due to smells, tracked litter, and - let's face it - litter boxes just aren't pretty.

Do consider these issues when staging. A house may be the most expensive personal item you ever sell, so it pays to get the maximum value by making it very attractive to buyers. Finding an alternate location for your cat(s) during open houses, and perhaps until you sell, might be a worthwhile investment.

"Out Damn'd Spot!, Out, I Say!"

Pet stain before

This famous quote makes me wonder if Lady MacBeth had dogs. They can certainly be a source of unwanted spots! Here are two clean and green products that are very effective at removing stains from carpets.


The first is club soda. Look for a brand that only contains carbonated water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), because extra ingredients reduce its effectiveness for cleaning. Schweppes brand works well.  Just spray on, then absorb with a towel as the stain disappears, it's that easy.

After removal with club soda

However, some carpets do not enable club soda to work, because the weave holds in moisture and spreads the stain instead. For these, hydrogen peroxide 3% may work better. You can spray it on and leave it to dry, and it will begin to fade the stain immediately.  However the fading action may also change the colour of some carpets, so test first on an inconspicuous area. If only Lady MacBeth had known, it also works quite well on blood!

Pet stain on woven carpet - before.

Pet stain immediately after hydrogen peroxide 3% applied.

Staging For Bird Owners

Birds are enjoyable pets, and exotic birds come in beautiful colours. It's natural to want to show them off, but is it a good choice when you are staging? Here are a few reasons birds may detract when showing a home.

1. Feathers - and seeds! Even new bird cage designs allow a few of these to find the floor.
2. Flutters - a surprising number of people dislike or fear birds, and this may distract them from enjoying your home.
3. Fantasy - When trying to create the image of an idyllic lifestyle, cages suggest 'work' because they require cleaning - even if they are perfectly clean at the time.

When selling, you want buyers to put themselves in your place - literally- and imagine comfortably living in your home. So if possible, try to arrange a mini vacation for the birds in your life when your house is for sale, and enjoy the happy reunion in your new place.