Be it brought on by a move or because the mood to redecorate strikes, (believe me, it happens a lot when you work here) I will undoubtedly find myself turning to Craigslist from time to time. While the system has its quirks, there are a few things you can do to make the process more painless. Being well prepared by making your items look their best is the first step.

Whether you are preparing to resell your furniture or are just cleaning it up for yourself, these five products will nearly always get the job done.

1. Furniture touch up pens are brilliant for covering any minor nicks and scratches on wood. Try to find as close a match as possible (and error on the side of lighter) then apply the liquid directly to the scratch. Buff it away with a rag and repeat as needed. Following up with a wax or polish will make your work appear seamless.

2. If you have any deeper scratches or gouges in wood you can fill them with wood putty in the same tone as the wood. You might have the best luck mixing two shades to create your own best match. Again, follow up with a wax or polish to blend the putty with the rest of the wood.

3. Furniture polish, as mentioned before is great for blending imperfections. It also reconditions the wood by locking in moisture.

4. I swear by Oxiclean powder mixed with a little hot water to remove stains from rugs and upholstery. Just rub a bit of the mix in with a cloth, let sit then remove with a damp cloth. They recommend spot testing for color fastness but I have never had a problem.

5. I hate the overpowering scent of Febreze itself so I try to let the piece air out for a bit after spraying it. After the initial scent has faded, however, nothing takes care of odors better.

Resources: Minwax Wood Stain Marker $5, Amazon. Minwax Wood Putty $2, Amazon. Pledge Extra Moisturizing $5, Soap.com. Oxiclean $10, Amazon. Febreze: $7, Amazon.