RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
We Don't Leave Home Without Them!
Over the years, we have used many products for our staging clients. Below are some of our perennial favorites. Of course, before using, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Krud Kutter - Safe and non-toxic, yet one of the most effective cleaners we have used to remove dirt and stains from a variety of surfaces. We never leave home without it! Can be purchased at home stores. See www.krudkutter.comhttp://www.krudkutter.com for more information.
GE Reveal Light bulbs - Buyers love light and effective staging includes ways to provide it. Made to filter out the dull yellow rays produced by standard incandescent bulbs, these bulbs provide clean, beautiful light. Visit http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/products/reveal_main.htm for product info.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - Another item that is always in our stagers' bags, these erasers will brighten up your home by helping to renew its surfaces. Good for use on walls, baseboards, floors, switch plates, blinds, etc. As a bonus, they contain no harsh chemicals. We've tried some of the less expensive "imitators," but they simply do not work as well as the original! See www.mrclean.com for more information.
Tibetan Almond Sticks - Great for use on small areas of furniture, frames, chair rails, door framing, etc. We've also used it for nicks and scratches on countertops. Not effective for large areas, but great for smaller jobs. We get ours at Ace Hardware.
Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair - The AVMA estimates that 37.2% of American homes own at least one dog and 32.4% own one or more cats. The result is a lot of animal hair. Since we have our own "zoo" at home, we are constantly trying products that keep pet hair at bay. The Pledge Fabric Sweeper is great for furniture, bedding, and carpeted stairs (our favorite use). Sold at just about any store that carries household products. See www.pledge.comhttp://www.pledge.com for additional product information.
Heavy Duty Wall Hangers - Typically, we mostly use traditional picture hanging materials/methods. However, in some instances it pays to use the somewhat pricey Heavy Duty Wall Hangers. They don't necessarily leave a smaller hole than conventional nails/picture hangers, but they are easy-to-install and hold well. Sold at most hardware/home stores, they are often on sale at <http://www.drywallhooks.com/servlet/StoreFront>.
Oust/Febreeze - As experienced stagers know, it is NOT a good idea to mask household, food, smoking, and pet odors. We've been in homes where floral scented wall plug-ins are in virtually every room in the house (prompting buyers to ask "what are they trying to hide?"). If a house has odors, take the following action: find/eliminate the cause of the odor (if possible); clean, clean, and clean again; when weather allows, let Mother Nature's gentle winds flow through the home; sparingly use a few spritzes of a neutralizing spray, such as Oust or Febreeze (NOT scented). Some mild vanilla sachets can be hung in bed and bath closets.
As new household products come on the market, we like to give them a try to see if they are "keepers." We'll keep you posted!
