Apartment Blog

Spring is here! YAY!! But as the warm weather approaches, so does all the pollen and allergens that can aggravate your sinuses! Its not just outside allergens that can help create a Rudolph nose, but also the inside of your apartment! Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful to allergy proof your home!

Concentrate on the Bedroom!

According to Angel Waldron of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, you spend about 80 percent of your time in your bedroom! So it’s logical that should be the first place you start. Believe it or not, dust mites live in your bed! Somewhere around two million of them! They take residence in your pillows, mattresses, bed springs, blankets and comforters. “These mites are the number one indoor allergen, and their population peaks in July and August.”[1] So do your part in controlling them and it’ll go a long way toward helping your allergies. Be sure to wash your linens in the hot cycle frequently. Another tip is to purchase allergen-proof pillows and bed covers. I had both of them growing up and they helped relieve my symptoms!

Manage the Pet Hair!

While I’m an animal lover as much as the next person, there is some pet dander that I just can’t be around-specifically cats! And apparently I’m not alone. “Approximately 10 million people are allergic to cat dander, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.”[2] Cats have the most allergens followed by dogs and rodents. So to control your animals’ dander make sure you keep your pet off your furniture, including your bed! Bathing your pet once a week also makes a big difference in cutting down on allergens.

Keep Pollen Out!

With the warmer weather coming, people tend to have their windows and back doors open to let in the fresh air. I know I love doing that! Turns out that could be a huge contributor to my allergies! Doing that brings the pollen inside your apartment! So if you don’t want the runny nose, watery eyes, and stuffed up feeling-keep those windows and doors closed! Especially during the time of day the pollen count is at it’s highest, which is between 5:00-10:00 am.

Get Rid of Mold!

Who wants mold in their apartment? I know I don’t! The very thought of it gives me the shakes, but it happens! The biggest hotspots for mold happen to be in your bathroom and your closet! The bathroom is one of the wettest places in your apartment. The combination of heat and dampness is optimal for mold growth. So make sure you do your part to prevent it from starting. A few tips to help with bathroom mold is to make sure you circulate the air before and after your shower. Use the fan during the shower and open the door for 5-10 minutes afterwards. Also be sure to stretch the shower curtain after your shower so all the water can drain and the material can dry out. Wash your bathtub, shower door, walls, etc, if you see any mold. Use rubber gloves and a mixture of bleach and water. Doing these few steps will not only prevent your allergies, but also your health and the appearance of your apartment!

So there you have it. A few tips I’ve learned from AOL Real Estate about how to allergy proof your apartment! I know this spring the outdoor allergens are going to create difficulty for some, but at least when you get inside you won’t have to worry about too many irritants!

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[1] Realestate.aol.com/article/_a/allergy-proof-your-home/20060501110209990001[2] Realestate.aol.com/article/_a/allergy-proof-your-home/20060501110209990001

Life is full of stress and headaches, especially from the world-wind excitement of buying Valentine’s Day gifts. So in honor of you, we want to post some tips to help you relax and focus on yourself for a change!!

Something that always helps me to relax is taking a bath. I love just sitting in a hot water with my eyes closed. It’s very relaxing. I feel like my mind can just take a break from all the things I worry about & for a moment, I soak up the steam and calm all my nerves.

Whatever way you take a bath will work. If you prefer some salts or turning off the lights and only using candles. Maybe you like hearing some soft music in the background? Whatever you prefer is what you should do. And no matter what other tasks you ‘could be’ doing or whoever may be knocking at your door, take as much time as you need! This is ‘me’ time!!

After your bath don’t rush to get dressed. While in your bath robe or towel sit and put some lotion on your legs and arms. Apply a good layer and just enjoy the feeling of being rejuvenated. This would also be a perfect time to do a mud mask for your face if you’d like! This is still apart of your ‘me’ time so don’t try and multi-task. You’re worth the extra time you’re putting into yourself. Otherwise, you’ll rush into doing something else and never really give yourself the amount of time it needs to unwind.

So once you’ve applied the lotion or any other type of beauty product, you can get dressed. My recommendation is to dress in comfortable clothes. If you don’t have a pair of silky pajamas, I urge you buy a pair. They feel beautiful on your skin. Other fabrics that would feel wonderful would be cotton, micro-fiber, a chenille blanket, etc.

And finally, the end to a wonderful pampering session is to actually do an activity you want to do. Maybe you want to have a cup of tea, hot chocolate, or coffee, sit and read a book. Or maybe you want to catch up on your favorite soap or do your nails. Whatever activity you enjoy (doesn’t necessarily have to be alone-although that’s usually when you take care of your needs versus someone else’s) do it! After unwinding, taking some time to do something you want to do will really make the ‘me’ time really worth it!!

It’s been a really long time since I’ve taken the time to do this, so I think I’m due for one!! I wish all of you the best pampering session as well! 

Look at this little guy! Isn’t he so cute and pathetic? I almost seem cruel for making him wear an outfit like this, huh? Well let me tell you, after reading some tips on how to keep my pet safe in the winter, I’m actually doing a GOOD thing by dressing him up like this!!

 

As the weather is starting to get colder, don’t forget to protect your animals too! The little guys and big guys alike need looking after so they aren’t hurting this chilly season. Here are a few tips for you to take into consideration while looking after your pets.

 

Tip 1:

Keep your cat inside!! This is very important during the winter because outside cats tend to go where it is warm and that may not be the safest place; i.e. under the hood of a car? How would a cat even get here? This obviously poses many dangers to them as they can become seriously injured or killed. Also be sure and clean up any left over antifreeze as it is lethal for dogs and cats!

 

Tip 2:

Never shave your dog down to his/her skin during the winter. It goes without saying that without their coat, they won’t have any warmth on their body. Also make sure that after a bath, your dog is completely dried off before going outside.

 

Tip 3:

Consider clothes for smaller animals. Okay, so to go along with my Bailey (up top); this is actually recommended for small dogs’ with short hair because they get cold so easily. I have even read that putting boots on dogs (regardless of size) may be recommended because their paws get cold and walking on the damp cement can actually hurt them.

 

Tip 4:

Never leave your animal alone in a car. This is not safe. Even though he/she is not specifically outside, they can still freeze to death!

 

Tip 5:

Consider their food consumption. If your animal isn’t getting as much physical exercise as he/she usually does (in the summer months), be sure and reduce the amount of food you give them to avoid any gaining of unnecessary weight.

 

Our pets are apart of our family, so make sure you are keeping them safe and healthy this winter season. For more information on how to keep your pet safe, visit ASPCA.org or visit ForRent.com to find pet-friendly apartments!

When thinking about getting a companion for your apartment, make sure you consider all the factors, especially when thinking about purchasing a dog. Such factors include your lifestyle, your finances and your environment.

 

You need to consider your daily schedule before you bring a dog into your home. If you are a very active person and are rarely home, it may not be fair to the dog. If you have several kids be sure and take into account the additional demands a dog brings. Once you’ve thought about your lifestyle, you can then think of what type of breed would work best (should you still choose to get a dog). Know the potential problems of getting a dog and the specific breed that may work best, before bringing one home. This will eliminate the possibility of it not working out and having to find a new home for your pet.

 

Having a dog is a financial commitment. Similar to having a child, a dog has financial needs that rely solely on you!! They have to go to the vet for shots when they are sick, be fed when they are hungry, and be bathed when they are dirty. On top of the necessary items, there are additional expenses such as daycare (if you chose), toys, training, and the cost of your time. So be sure that you are financially able to care for the dog before you bring him/her home. That too will eliminate the possibility of it not working out and having to get rid of it later.

 

And of course, you need to consider your environment. Make sure you live in a pet-friendly apartment community and check if there are any restrictions with animal breeds and sizes. You don’t want to get a medium size dog if your apartment community only allows dogs below a certain weight! On top of the rules inside the apartment community, make sure that the environment you live in has places for you to take your dog. Research if there are any dog parks near by or certain routes best for taking your dog for walks.

 

As a dog owner, a two year old Chihuahua named Bailey, I know the demands on my time and finances he makes, but I also know the true joy I experience by having my little guy. So be certain that you have thought about the factors involved of having a dog, or any animal, before bringing your pet to your apartment! Search for pet-friendly apartments for rent on ForRent.com via our optional search criteria off of the home page.