7 Ways to Improve Apartment Air Quality

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Nelson Prop Management Air Quality - 7 Ways to Improve Apartment Air Quality

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It didn’t use to be well-known that indoor air quality was often lower than outdoor air quality. Most people assumed that just because they have gotten rid of the dust inside their homes, the air inside those homes was less polluted than the air outside the home.

Today, we are realizing that this is not true.

According to Nelson Management Company,  there are often more sources of air pollution inside the home than outside it. They include everyday things we use for combustion, such as gas, wood, kerosene, and tobacco products. These release toxic fumes that can harm the home’s occupants.

Other sources of air pollution in the home are treated wood products found in cabinetry and furniture; fumes from household cleaning and personal care products; toxic gases emitted by building materials, and outdoor sources like radon or lawn pesticides.

HVAC systems can also worsen the indoor air quality issues of a home. That is because of the relative lack of air circulation inside the home compared to outside it. This problem is due to the way HVAC systems are designed to work.

To maintain the home temperature at the desired levels, the HVAC requires limited airflow between the outside and inside of the home. Sealing up the openings, joints and cracks where air can enter or exit keeps cooled or warmed air from escaping.

But this limited ventilation has unintended consequences. The same air is recycled inside the home over and over with the result that the concentration of air pollutants often reaches very high levels. That is in contrast to what is happening outside the home.

To compound the issues, most people spend up to 90% of their time inside a climate-controlled building, making them more likely to suffer from respiratory problems. Unknown to these people, they are more at risk of exposure to air pollution inside their homes than outside.

Is there anything you can do about the problem?

7 ways tenants and property managers can improve apartment air quality

1.      Clean carpets and furniture regularly

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Carpets and furniture are massive contributors to homes’ poor indoor air quality issues because of their ability to trap air pollutants. Regular cleaning of the carpets and furniture in the home using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter will limit this problem.

2.      Limit or eliminate toxic products

Check household cleaning and personal care products to make sure they don’t contain toxic ingredients. Ventilate the home every time you use a cleaning product. If possible, use only untreated wood inside the house. If anyone has to smoke, let them do it in a well-ventilated area.

3.      Replace filters when necessary

Dirty filters impede the ability of your HVAC to clean incoming air. Air filters are designed to trap the particles in the air, but those particles are reintroduced into the home if the filters are not cleaned or replaced as needed. Dirty air filters also impair the HVAC function.

4.      Ventilate the kitchen when cooking

Smoke from the kitchen and cooking oil fumes are two of the biggest causes of air pollution in the home. It is impossible to eliminate kitchen smoke and oil fumes from the home. But you can ensure they are completely removed by installing an exhaust fan in the kitchen.

5.      Pay attention to humidity levels

A lot of water vapor is released into the air during shower times (especially hot showers). This water vapor does not go away when you leave the shower. It lingers for a long time. Installing an exhaust fan in the bathroom and a dehumidification system in the home can help.

6.      Install ceiling fans

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Installing a ceiling fan will improve the circulation of air inside the home. Ceiling fans force the cooler air at the top of a room to circulate and dilute the stale warm air at the bottom. A ceiling fan can also improve the home’s humidity levels.

7.      Test your indoor air quality

An indoor air quality test will help you identify the specific air quality issues in the home to devise more effective means to solve the problem. An indoor air quality test is especially essential if you live where radon exposure is an issue.

If you are still determining where to start with all these or you have started but would like to know if your efforts are yielding the desired results, you should talk to an experienced HVAC technician. A competent HVAC expert will point you in the right direction as far as the above tips are concerned.

How to prevent mold from growing in the joints of your tile tub surround

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Here’s a post from our friends at Correct Caulking.

What is mold and where does it come from

Mold and mildew are not only unsightly when they build up on the joints of your tile tub surround, but they are also hazardous to your health.

Mildew, a type of fungus, grows easily on warm, moist surfaces. It likes to form on fabric-type surfaces, such as towels, fabric shower curtains, and that shower puff you use to wash with. Mildew usually has a white, yellow, or gray appearance and almost looks powdery. Since mildew is usually easier to spot and remove, it does not present the same serious health hazards that mold does. Although mildew is considered to be “pre-mold” it is just as important to remove it as soon as possible once discovered.

Mold is also a fungus, but unlike mildew which usually just affects the surface of something, mold can burrow and spread onto walls, ceilings, and other close-by surfaces. Mold looks almost like dirt, and can be black, green, or red. Mold also usually has a musty smell to it, and has a fuzzy, hair-like appearance. Mold is also potentially more of a health hazard, as it can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and even lung inflammation.

Both mold and mildew love to grow in moist, humid environments, the kind of dampness that your bathroom readily provides. Different sources that can produce mold and mildew in your bathroom include:

  • hot water steam
  • leaking bathroom plumbing
  • towels, washcloths, and loofahs that stay damp
  • tile grout

If there are defects in or around your tub, you should immediately bring this to your landlords’ attentions to prevent it potentially becoming your problem.

If there is no mold or mildew, lets talk about some ways of preventing it becoming a problem, so you can keep your security deposit and stay on your landlord’s good side.

It can take as little as 24-48 hours for mold or mildew to show up on damp surfaces, so taking preventative measures is your best bet to combat these two. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can prevent mold and mildew from growing:

Clean water from grout joints

As mentioned earlier, it only takes between 24-48 hours of grout being exposed to moisture before mold or mildew can start to form on it. Especially in a bathroom, where moisture accumulates daily, it is important to make sure you keep the area as dry as possible, both in use and not.

  • Proper ventilation

An exhaust fan is important to adequately deal with the constant moisture that accumulates in a bathroom. Excess moisture from those steamy, hot showers has to go somewhere. If it is not properly ventilated outside of the bathroom, it will accumulate on your shower walls, tile surfaces, and grout lines. It is genuinely less expensive to install an exhaust fan if you don’t already have one than it is to deal with mold removal and remediation. Run your exhaust fan each time you use the shower or tub, and continue to leave it running for 20-30 minutes after you’re done.

  • Squeegee everyday

Yes, it’s time-consuming to use a squeegee in your shower each day, but in the long term, it is both beneficial for your home’s value, as well as your family’s health. If you’re already using a microfiber cloth to wipe down your shower walls after each use, a squeegee can cut that time in half. Since it doesn’t absorb water, you simply have to use a top-to-bottom or left-to-right motion to remove the excess water left behind. This simple step is one of the best ways to prevent mold and mildew from forming in your tub surround.

  • Practical tips
    If you have a shower curtain, make sure it is a mildew-resistant one. If it is plastic, it is easily replaceable every few months. If you invest in a cloth one, use bleach (color-safe if necessary) to wash it each time you wash your towels and bathroom rugs. Make sure towels are hung up to thoroughly dry after each use. As convenient as it is, try to keep just the bare minimum of shampoo, shower gels, and other personal care products in the tub area. These containers provide nice places for mold and mildew to hide and grow. Clean the tub area and all containers regularly, drying each after you clean them.

You know the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when trying to prevent mold and mildew from forming in your tub area. Follow these guidelines and tips when you’re planning your next remodel or installation job, and you’ll be well on your way to preventing a potentially hazardous situation.

About The Author

Correct Caulking are the leading joint sealing applicators in Victoria, they have over 10 years’ experience in all types of construction from custom homes to high rise buildings.

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning

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Hey, spring is in the air! The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and your place looks like a dump.  Yikes, time to do something about that. Spring cleaning anyone?  Follow these five tips:

  1. Think organization. As you clean each space, look for opportunities to tidy thing up.  Is your entry a carnival of discarded shoes?  How about a shoe rack?  How about instead of hanging your coat on a doorknob or throwing it over a chair, you install some strategically deployed coat hooks?  We’ve already got ‘em at the Wilson Heights Apartments.
  2. Think donation. If you haven’t worn it in a year, let somebody in greater need than you have a chance at that still useable item. Ditto last year’s tech.
  3. Think selling. What about selling stuff you’re not using on Ebay?  You don’t pay unless and until it sells.
  4. Think regularity. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to wait for spring.  Any rainy Saturday can be put to good use keeping things clean and under control.
  5. Just think. Do you really need that?  Ponder the spontaneous purchases for the stuff you just got rid of before  you buy anything else.

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Keeping Clean During Covid

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With the vaccine already being distributed, hopefully this will all soon be a bad memory. But there may be a new standard in cleanliness that we all feel more comfortable with moving into the future. So here are a few tips on how to clean whether you’re trying to protect yourself from Covid or from spreading the flu:

  1. Start with you. Wash your hands. If your currently ailing, consider wearing a mask so you don’t recontaminate surfaces. If you’re going to be using harsh chemicals, wear gloves.
  2. Put some music on. Unless cleaning is your favorite activity, maybe you want something that helps put a little swing to your swifter.
  3. Take a balanced approach. There’s no need to use a powerful disinfectant on every surface. High touch items perhaps yes. If there’s someone sick in your household, then the cleaning efforts ramps up accordingly.
  4. Be careful. Don’t use bleach on porous surfaces. Don’t mix chemicals on your own as dangerous gasses can result.
  5. Go green. Worried about the environment? Here’s your chance to do your part. There are plenty of planet friendly alternatives. Art of Green is one product line that appears to have been tested and is easy on skin and good for the environment.
  6. Celebrate. Allow yourself a reward for a job well done.

How to Clean a Stained Bathtub

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Nothing beats a cold or hot shower in a bathtub, especially after having a long day. However, with time, slime accumulates on the surface causing discoloration of the tub’s surface. You may even detest using the tub since some of these substances may even pose a health-risk to members of your household. You may be wondering why they keep accumulating while you attempt to clean the tub every time you bathe.

Soap and water have always been the go-to items for this type of cleaning. Well, the remnants of soap, shampoo residuals, and oil from your body form the grime and scum that’s quite hard to remove. Luckily, there are commercial products, as well as homemade remedies to make cleaning your bathtub easier than you thought. But even with the right products, you may not be successful if you don’t do it right. Keep reading to learn the do’s and don’ts of cleaning your bathtub.

BATHTUB - How to Clean a Stained Bathtub

Types of bathtubs

● Acrylic – This is a material made from petroleum by-products. It’s resistant to cracking, staining, and discoloration. But, it’s prone to scratching.
● Fiberglass – Most budget-friendly bathtubs are made of this material. However, since it comprises several layers and a final resin coat spray, the surface, and coloring don’t always match. These tubs also fade pretty fast.
● Porcelain Enamel – This material is more durable than acrylic and fiberglass, but it’s also prone to chipping and rust. You also can’t clean it with bleach, for you’ll cause discoloration.

How to Clean your Bathtub

Based on this article from Spekless Cleaning, it’s important to understand the various types of products to clean your bathtub effectively.

You can either clean using commercial products or homemade products.

Commercial products – For starters, make sure you have protective gloves when using these products. There are many products available in the market today, so check-out for recommendations from professionals, or consult a trusted dealer.

Natural Methods – Did you know that you may have some useful DIY cleaning agents in your cabinet? Using this approach is safe, especially when you have young kids and pets. Some of the products you can use include baking soda. A mixture of two to three spoons of baking soda and water can remove even the toughest stains. Other items include grapefruit, salt, borax, lemon, essential oils, and castile soap. Vinegar can be added to most of these pastes to make them more useful. It’s also good at eliminating bad odors in your bathroom.

cleaning ingredients - How to Clean a Stained Bathtub

Do’s
● Before applying any cleaning agent, pre-rinse the tub using a moist cloth, or a detachable showerhead. This ensures that you remove some of the easy to clean dirt, before you get to the tough stains.
● Use a sponge, grout brush, or toothbrush to clean the surface of the tub, the drain, and faucet, respectively. These tools are softer, ensuring that your tub lasts long as you clean it regularly.
● After cleaning, rinse with a lot of water. This helps wash away all the residuals from the surface of the tub after scrubbing.
● Whichever product you choose, read the instructions carefully. Some of the commercial products have some strong smells. Therefore, make sure there’s enough air circulation as you clean. If the scent is too strong, you can get some fresh air, or even use a respiratory mask.
● Clean more often, at least once a week, to prevent the accumulation of scum. Also, simple actions like rinsing the tub after your bathe will significantly help to keep it clean.
● Invest in a shower spray. It may be expensive but spraying your tub now and then prevents the soap residuals, and grime to accumulate.

Don’ts

● Avoid abrasive tools and chemicals that could chip your bathtub, or cause discoloration.
● Do not mix any of the products. They all have different compositions. When combined, they could trigger reactions that are harmful to your health.
● Do not store books, towels, clothing, or cleaning products close to the bathtub. They retain a lot of the moisture, creating dampness within the bathroom. If your tub is chipped, this may lead to growth of mold in these cracks.

The Take-Away

By using the right materials and the proper techniques; you can get rid of the grime and scum in less than ten minutes.
Do not forget to rinse it after bathing, or use the shower spray, to make your job more comfortable when it’s time to clean. Always clean the faucets, drains, showerheads, and the ceiling to prevent the dirt from ever ending up on the tub. Also, avoid storing any materials that retain moisture close to the tub. These materials include books, newspapers, and towels.

For a worry-free experience, you can always hire a Professional Cleaning Service. One of the most recommended DC Cleaning Services is Spekless Cleaning.

Clean Your Walls To Maximize Your Security Deposit Return

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Dirty walls are one reason many renters fail to get back their whole security deposit. However, it is a repairable issue. Whether you’re dealing with dirt, grease, crayons or markers, ink or water stains, there is usually a cleaning product that can address the mess. One of the most important tips to keep in mind is to start gently and work your way up to a tougher solution.

The following article will provide information on the best techniques to clean your walls and other painted surfaces. If you follow these tips, you’ll stand a better chance of getting back that security deposit.

Telling Damage From Normal Wear and Tear

Sometimes it can be tricky to tell damage apart from regular scuff marks. Your landlord may use your security deposit to repaint, but it’s helpful to know when reasonable wear and tear has occurred as opposed to more severe destruction. The Rental Housing Act states that a property needs to be in an acceptable clean state once a tenant has vacated the property. However, the security deposit can only be used for damages and not to freshen a property for a new tenant.

That said, the matter depends on the contractual agreement presented in the lease. The landlord must be specific if he or she requires repainting, carpet cleaning or other maintenance before a tenant vacates the premises. If the lease does demand clean walls upon leaving, there are ways to ensure that you don’t leave permanent damage and maximize your security deposit.

How to Clean Your Walls

Before you get started, evaluate the walls to determine the level of cleaning you’ll need to do. Sometimes a simple all-purpose cleaner or eraser may be your ticket to a fresh residence. Other times, more aggressive methods are required. To avoid any unnecessary work, follow our steps for spotless walls.

  1. Try to figure out what kind of paint is on the wall: If you’re an experienced handyperson, you can probably tell at first glance whether the walls are painted with a semi-gloss, enamel, flat, stain or eggshell finish. If not, ask your landlord.
  2. Dust the walls: It may seem silly but running a vacuum attachment over the wall can be a simple way to remove surface dirt, which is often a main cause of visible wear.
  3. Lay towels or sheets on the floor for protection: The last thing you want is to damage the floor while you’re cleaning the walls. Laying a protective barrier on the floor can catch any water or paint drips.
  4. Obtain a cleaning solution: This is possibly the most critical part of the process. Start by wiping the walls with a damp cloth. Water can usually remove most surface dirt that isn’t ingrained in the paint. If water doesn’t suffice, create a mixture using warm water and a bit of dishwashing soap. For even tougher stains, carefully mix half a cup of vinegar, one fourth cup of baking soda and a cup of ammonia into a gallon of water. You could also make paste with baking soda and warm water. In any case, don’t scrub too hard because you risk chipping the paint.
  5. Use proper cleaning techniques for maximum effect: Start at the top and move downward to cover every area of the wall. It may also help to have one bucket for the cleaning solution and one for clean water. Use a damp — not wet — sponge, cloth or rag. Dry with a separate towel to avoid streaks or further damage.

In some cases, stains can’t be removed with water or basic cleaning solutions. Scratches, holes or deep scuffs on the wall may need to be sealed and repainted if the damage is too great. Hopefully you can catch any issues before they get too serious. However, knowing the root of a problem could maximize your security deposit return and save you the headache of an argument with the landlord.

cleaning walls - Clean Your Walls To Maximize Your Security Deposit Return

Author bio: Steve A. Parker is Director of Communications at Raider Painting, a California-based commercial and industrial painting company. It is committed to providing solutions that enhance and prolong the life of your workspaces and equipment.

How to Use Magic to Get a Bigger Security Deposit Refund

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Here is an area of frequent landlord – tenant friction: the security deposit refund. At Decker Properties, we would prefer to make a full refund to everyone. Then there is no dispute.

So we work hard at that goal. We share a cleaning checklist with each tenant that has given notice to vacate. We even offer to have our maintenance staff help with moving appliances to clean under or around them. Further, we fill nail holes for free. So don’t fill them with toothpaste!

Finally, we throw in the first hour of cleaning for free. That way, even if you missed something, you could still get a full refund.

But the topic of this post is to give you one more tool in your arsenal to increase your chances of a big refund. And that tool is magic. Actually, it’s Magic Erasers.

Magic Erasers are a white cleaning sponge. They are particularly effective at removing scuff marks or blemishes on a wall. You simply wet the sponge and wipe. That’s it. There is no need to rinse and there are no other steps. So easy and inexpensive.

So try Magic Erasers. They are available at most grocery stores or hardware stores and they would be in the same aisle as other cleaning products or sponges.

And why wait until you’re moving out? You can keep your walls looking like they were freshly painted the entire time you’re living in your apartment with hardly any effort at all.

It’s so easy, it’s like magic.

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5 Common Repairs You Need to do When Moving out of Your Apartment

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Editor’s note: Here’s a guest post from our friends at Omega Industries (www.omegaindinc.com). Just an added word to the wise – in Wisconsin, landlords can’t require their tenants to clean their carpets. Additionally, at Decker Properties, we’re very concerned with how someone untrained might do repairing their own drywall. If your repairs aren’t going to be perfect and invisible, it’s better to leave them to us. Yes, you may get charged. But you could get charged, potentially even charged more, for a botched drywall repair. – Dave

All your boxes are packed and you’re ready to move out. The last thing on your mind is cleaning and repairing the apartment you’re leaving. But, as a tenant, you have the responsibility to leave the place as you came.

Continue reading →

Gardening Themes for Your Apartment

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Gardening Themes for Your Apartment

By Jim Blake

Great decor doesn’t happen by accident. When a space and its elements mesh perfectly, it’s because of the design work. If you’re considering a gardening theme for your apartment, some extra legwork in the planning stages can pay off in the finished product.

The choices you make in heavily trafficked areas are extra important when hosting gatherings. Most balconies have large windows and plenty of ventilation, making them perfect for plants. Here are a few ways to incorporate a garden theme into your apartment, along with plants that will fit any occasion or aesthetic.

Herbs: The Classic Indoor Garden

Herb gardens are the most popular type of indoor garden for good reason. Herbs are easy to grow and don’t need much maintenance. They’re compact, so they’re perfect for windowsills and countertops. Plus, they’re useful, since nearly every dinner recipe calls for at least one or two herbs.

Because they are small and manageable, herb gardens make excellent projects with kids. They’re also dirt cheap to create. Many claim herb garden success using little more than some potting soil and an old egg or milk carton.

Vegetable Gardening Indoors

Vegetable gardening can be a messy endeavor that requires lots of space and sunlight. But if you choose your plants wisely, you can harvest all kinds of veggies from your tidy little apartment garden.

Lettuce is the plant that keeps on giving. It doesn’t take up much space, and you can harvest part of it and wait for it to replenish. Scallions, tomatoes, and carrots will also thrive indoors. Want something decorative and functional? Try a dwarf lemon tree.
Just make sure the plants you pick like shade, won’t get too big, and that they’ll grow upwards instead of outwards. Keep in mind: some indoor vegetables not exposed to bees will require pollination. The beauty of container gardening is that you can move these plants outside for a day every spring.

Indoor Flower Gardening

What’s not to love about flowers? They’re pretty, they smell good, and they can absorb toxins from the air. Some of them even make a nice tea.

As great as cut flowers are, there’s a good reason to incorporate a few live flowers into your apartment décor, too. Live flowers have several maintenance requirements that cut flowers don’t. But they also have one big advantage: Live plants will last!

If you’re growing a garden on your patio or balcony, native plants require less maintenance and offer better success rates. Some of those Wisconsin natives, such as wild geraniums, will thrive inside your apartment as well.

Some indoor perennial flowers can bloom again and again for years after they’re planted. Once you get the hang of it, you can have an apartment that’s accented by a steady stream of living blossoms.

Displaying Your Harvest

Aside from the taste, the next best thing about fresh from the garden produce is how good it looks. Fresh vegetables either on the vine or arranged on a counter give any space an air of color and energy.

Of course, you don’t have to stick to only your own harvest when it comes to appearances. Fall vegetables like gourds and pumpkins aren’t great for indoor growing, but they’re perfect for decor. So if your autumn decor relies on a few store-bought squash to complete the look, we won’t tell if you won’t!

Jim Blake is a lifestyle and environmental writer who enjoys making the most of small spaces. His balcony is covered with a garden he built with upcycled materials.