The transition from late winter into early spring means new growth and new beginnings, but it can also mean an increase in allergy symptoms. Dust and allergens may have built up in your apartment combining with rapid weather changes and plant growth outside can make this time of year a bit rough on your health. To help you feel your best, we’re sharing some tips on how you can clean and prepare your apartment this spring.
Kick Off Your Shoes
Think about where you walk in a day – city sidewalks, public restrooms, a quick shortcut through the grass – all the mud, dirt, bacteria, and dust you step on clings to your shoes and catches in the tread, eventually making its way into your home. Fortunately, you can leave all these contaminants at the door (literally) simply by taking off your shoes when you get home. Invest in a shoe rack by the door to make it easy to keep your footwear in one place and also keep dirt off your floor, and ask your guests to remove their footwear too when they come over.
Get Rid of Clutter
Knick-knacks, stacks of books, pillows, seasonal items, and other items all collect dust and are difficult to keep clean, so these tips can help you pare down the clutter and keep up with what you have more easily:
- Gather the items you don’t need or want, like books you didn’t like or clothes that don’t fit, and donate them.
- Seasonal items, like heavy coats, blankets, and knick-knacks can be stored in totes until they’re needed again.
- Use microfiber cloths or a damp cloth to quickly and easily pick up dust on picture frames, books, and other items to avoid just tossing dust up in the air.
Use a HEPA Filter with Your Vacuum
Upholstery, curtains, pillows, and rugs all hold onto dust, dander, and other allergens and also trap moisture that can cause mildew and mold. Vacuuming regularly is essential to detoxing your apartment, especially using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and upholstery attachments. These trap allergens within the vacuum, rather than sending them up in the air, and are especially effective for removing dust mites, pollen, mold particles, and dander.
Use your vacuum on the following surfaces:
- Hard and carpeted floors
- Rugs
- Upholstery
- Mattresses
- Heavy drapes and blinds
Wash Your Bedding
Your comforter or duvet collects a lot of dust, oils, and other particles, but may go for long periods of time between cleaning. If possible, take your bedding to a laundromat or dry cleaner for a refresh every few months (or more often if you have pets) to ensure it’s clean and healthy.
Green Up Your Clean Up
Often, the cleaning products we buy in the store can irritate allergies and cause skin problems. Fortunately, there are more natural, eco-friendly alternatives that get the job done just as well. Even better, they’re usually much cheaper than store-bought cleaners!
Vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent glass and all-purpose cleaner for your counters, tables, microwave, refrigerator shelves, and other surfaces. If you don’t like the smell, add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil for a more pleasant scent.
Baking Soda
Baking soda absorbs odors, so sprinkling it on your carpets and furniture about 30 minutes before you vacuum can refresh your home quickly. It also makes a gentle abrasive cleaner to remove dried food off your stove or to brighten your bathtub. Simply sprinkle some soda on the surface, then gently scrub with a damp sponge or cloth.
Hydrogen Peroxide
When you want a powerful disinfectant that is eco-friendly and gentle, reach for peroxide. This can often take the place of bleach in much of your cleaning, including brightening stained grout, killing mold, and removing bacteria from surfaces. If you plan on using it in a spray bottle, make sure it’s an opaque bottle (such as dark brown glass or plastic) as exposure to light breaks the solution down.
Contact Stutsman Realty to Rent an Uptown Minneapolis Apartment Today
If you are looking for a new apartment, Stutsman Realty offers several apartments in the Uptown area of Minneapolis for rent. Conveniently located near Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles as well as all the restaurants and shopping that Uptown has to offer, our apartments are perfect for making the most of the neighborhood. To learn more about our apartments for rent in Uptown or to schedule a showing, reach out to us today at 952-927 4144 or fill out the form below to get started.