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Safer, Healthier Ways to Clean Your Chicago Apartment
Apartment cleaning isn't always about scheduling top-to-bottom professional makeovers. Sometimes you just need to deal with a sudden spill, dusty environment, ugly stain or a bit of baked-on food. At the same time, however, you hate the idea of using caustic, toxic or potentially damaging cleaning methods. Here are a couple of tips for keeping your apartment looking fabulous the natural, non-toxic way.
Non-Toxic Cleaners for Sparkling Surfaces
Nobody likes the thought of adding caustic or poisonous cleaning agents to countertops, carafes, cutting boards, and other objects meant to hold food. Fortunately, you can achieve your cleaning goals with a non-toxic mix of distilled white vinegar and water. Simply spray this mixture onto the surface and then wipe it away. For stubborn soap scum or calcium deposits, apply undiluted white vinegar and let it sit until the deposits come off easily. Do you want to disinfect a surface without covering it with chemicals? Add some lemon juice to your spray mixture, spray your surface, and wipe clean. Do you need to remove a spot on your carpet? Drop a teaspoon of shampoos into your vinegar-water solution. Spray the spot, let this minimal amount of solution work its magic for a couple of minutes, and then dab the carpet dry.
Dust-Busting Filters for Cleaner Air
Regular dusting and vacuuming is an important part of keeping any apartment clean and maintaining the quality of the air. This task becomes especially critical if you suffer from allergies to dust, dander, or mold. To ensure that your air vacuum cleaner, air purifier, or HVAC system is intercepting even tiny particles, invest in HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. These filters use a combination of glass fibers, activated carbon, and/or electrostatic charges to remove particles as small as 0.3 microns from your air. That means less airborne dust entering your lungs — not to mention cleaner carpets, floors, upholstery, and other apartment surfaces.
If you're just plain ready for a change, no matter how spotless you keep your current apartment, then maybe it's time to step up to the Belden-Stratford. Contact us today to ask about our stylish, comfortable apartments in Chicago!
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It's no secret that many residents of our Chicago, IL apartments are busy people who may experience a lot of stress throughout their workdays. While it's not always easy to leave work at work these days, there are some simple ways you can unwind and decompress.
1. Breathe
It's funny how even the most automatic functions can be hard for our bodies to perform when we're stressed out. Learning how to breathe deeply, particularly in a meditative state, can reduce stress and anxiety, which can ultimately lead to better focus during the days and more restful slumber sessions at night.
2. Employ the Use of Essential Oils
Certain scents are known to naturally calm the receptors in the brain that trigger stress and discomfort. A few dabs of essential oil on your skin or pillowcases can help you let go of the tension you're holding in your body and bring you back down to earth. The following essential oils are known for their serenity-bearing elements:
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Tea tree
- Ylang Ylang
3. Leave Your Phone in a Drawer
If you're constantly bombarded with emails and texts at all hours of the evening, put your phone in timeout. Although this isn't an easy task for busy professionals, the peace and quiet will reap great rewards on your nerves. Once you get used to cutting yourself off from work, it will get easier. Start with short intervals like 30 minutes at a time until you feel confident that you can keep it tucked away in the cabinet during your "me time."
4. Get Regular Massages
Not only do massages feel good, but they're actually good for you. Muscle fatigue and aching joints can occur even when you're sitting at a desk all day because your body's not getting the attention in needs. Additionally, massages help reduce blood pressure, relieve headaches and overall keep people physically and emotionally well. One visit to your massage therapist each month can really change everything.
Are you looking for an apartment that'll welcome you with open arms when the workday is done? The Belden-Stratford is ready to show you what a peaceful city retreat truly looks like. Find your perfect floor plan today!
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