Moving Tips
- Forward Your Mail - It is important to have your mail forwarded before you move. It can take up to three weeks for your mail to effectively be forwarded from one address to another creating potential delays in receiving your mail. You can forward your mail in person at the post office or via their website.
- Transfer Utilities - Call your utility companies as soon as you know your moving plans. This will allow enough time for the utility companies (electric, gas etc.) to provide you with a smooth transition to your new home. The earlier you set up cable/high speed/phone service, the quicker your installation date will hopefully be. Maybe even your move-in day!
- Plumbing - Invest in a plunger. Flush only toilet paper. Other materials can clog pipes. If your toilet overflows, remove the tank lid and push the flapper down into the bottom of the tank. Shut the water off using the valve handle located behind your toilet. This should help stop the water from leaking into any apartment homes below/around you causing, most likely, needed carpet water extraction and/or drywall repairs. It will also spare your neighbors the inconvenience. Call us immediately.
- Carpet - Vacuum often. Dust can settle in carpet causing it to wear. To remove furniture indentations, simply place a few ice cubes and let them melt. Use a hair dryer to dry out the area while working the carpet back in place with fingertips or a grooming tool (make sure to dry the area completely).
- Countertops - Hot pots/pans should not be placed directly on your countertops. Use hot pads to protect the surface. Do not chop any food directly on your countertops. This could cause scratching. Clean your countertops with a soft detergent such as Soft Scrub to avoid wear/damage to the finish.
- Balcony - Flower pots should not be placed directly on your balcony decking. Use protective plates or flower pot stands. Placing your pots directly on the decking could cause water saturation between the bottom of the pot and the balcony decking and warp the wood. Using plates will also keep your watering from falling onto any balcony/patio below.
- Windows - Windows should not be left open during rainy weather. The moisture will create damage to the window sills and walls.
- Walls - Use Command Strips instead of nails to hang items on walls/doors. They do not damage the surface and are easy to place/remove.
- Loss of Power - Check your fuse box. It could be as simple as resetting a breaker that has tripped.
General Storage Tips
- Use closet organizers.
- Use "under-the-bed" drawers.
- Consider storage when buying furniture. Look for living room end tables, coffee tables etc. with drawers instead of legs.
Maximize Your Kitchen Storage Potential
- Under Your Sink - Use tilting drawers (to get around those pipes), door racks, stacking shelves and/or buckets (fill with cleaning supplies) etc.
- Drawers/Cabinets - Use adjustable silverware organizers for drawers. You can also find plastic drawer dividers that can be cut to size with scissors. Rearrange shelving in your cabinets or look for stackable selving options to maximize storage space or to accommodate for larger items. Use the space above your cabinets for extra storage or decorating.
- Cooking Utensils - Use a large wide canister and place next to your stove for easy use.
- Add Small Pieces of "Kitchen Furniture" - Invest in a baker's rack or butcher's block. These items can be placed right outside our kitchens along the dining room wall next to the fuse box. These are great items for additional storage and decor. A butcher's block can add extra countertop space for dinner prep!
Green Living Tips
- HVAC - Leave your heat/air conditioning running at all times at a reasonable temperature. It is more energy efficient then turning it off and on. Doing this requires the unit to work harder (using more electricity and potentially increasing your monthly utility bill) to get back up to your desired temperature. Shutting the unit on and off could also cause the unit to freeze up.
- Unplug Household Items Not in Use - Reduce energy waste and your electric bill. Unplug items not in use (lights, TVs, DVD players, computers, game consoles, cell phone chargers etc.) or use a surge protector and simply flip the switch to the off position. Surge protectors will also protect your electrics from power surges. Since some power surges are due to lightning, the damage done may not be covered by your renter's insurance. Most electronic equipment is designed to consume energy when it is turned off. From this, the average household consumes 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
- Recycle - We have recycling bins in each of our 3 dumpster corrals. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours. Remember to recycle correctly. Electronics, batteries, energy saving light bulbs etc. need to be disposed of properly due to the toxic materials in them. You can go to the Environmental Protection Agency's website to find local electronics recyclers at http://www.epa.gov/.
- Washing Dishes/Teeth - If you are washing dishes in the sink and letting the water run, tons of water is being wasted! Utilize your double bowl sink by filling one side with warm soapy (eco-friendly and biodegradable) soap and the other with water to rinse. Also, remember not to leave the water running when brushing your teeth.
- Laundry - Save electricity usage - Only run full loads. Wash your clothes in cold water (to save up to 80% on laundry energy) during non-peak hours (6-8am or 8-10pm).
- Save Trees and Space in Your Mailbox - Get off junk mail lists and "opt" out of all those credit card offers you get. Call toll free (888) 5OPT-OUT. 100 million trees are lost each year just from junk mail!
- Reduce Plastic/Paper Waste - Take re-usable bags with you to the store. You alone could keep up to 1,500 bags per year out of landfills! Buy local and buy less. You will most likely be getting fresher more natural food and reducing the amount of fossil fuels required to transport the things you buy. It also reduces the amount of plastic/paper products needed to transport products. Use cloth napkins and cloth cleaning rags to reduce paper waste.
- Cleaning Products - You can create your own natural cleaning products. It's inexpensive, easy to make and not harmful to our environment (they can also be purchased at almost any store). For example, mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon of water and store it! You can use it as an all-purpose cleaner for things like chrome fixtures, windows, mirrors etc.
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