1. Dust everywhere, even your ceiling fans

It’s easy to notice dust on places at eye-level or below—bookshelves, TV and computer stands (and the technology equipment itself), cabinets and countertops. But look up to see where you might be missing. Ceiling fans are a huge collector of dust, that then circulates right back into the air every time you turn the fan on. To ensure you get all the dust contained the first time, tuck each blade into a pillowcase before you dust—it creates an effective trap for all airborne particles.

2. Get serious about your refrigerator and freezer

Freezers in particular can become home to food that is so far past its expiration date, you can no longer identify it, and a too-full refrigerator can often hide spills and sticky residue that is creating its own biosphere behind the cartons of milk and juice. Clean it all out! If you have a portable cooler, you can use it to store your frozen items while you wipe down the interior of the freezer, but even the most daunting refrigerator and freezer unit can usually be deep cleaned in under an hour. If your refrigerator has removable shelves, take them out and wash them separately to speed the process and make sure you get into every corner. Once your refrigerator is squeaky clean, only replace the items you know you will consume in the next few weeks. For the freezer, if you’re trying to decide about a food item that’s more than three months old—discard!

3. Trash your trashcan’s germs

Even if you line your trashcans with plastic bags, chances are the interior and exterior of your waste cans could use some sanitation. If the problem is too big for some disinfectant or bleach wipes, take the cans outside, squirt some dishwashing detergent inside them, and use a garden hose to blast them clean. Leave them out in the sun to dry to complete the disinfecting process.

4. Put the heat on your stovetop and dishwasher

Always follow your stove’s directions for cleaning, but if you have an electric stove, you usually can remove the electric coils to clean the surface of the stove, and hand wash the pot grates separately. Wipe down the entire unit, inside and out—and while you’re up, consider deep cleaning the interior of the stove as well. Again, follow the directions for your particular stove, but focusing on this appliance can take your super-clean kitchen to the next level.

Your dishwasher is another appliance that can sneakily build up residue over time. Pull out the dish holder in the bottom of the unit and check out the base of your dishwasher. If it looks a little dingy, use a sponge dipped in a combination of white vinegar and baking soda to clean it—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it brightens up.

5. Pro level cleaning details

387030. to go even farther? Bleach any grout in your bathrooms that is showing signs of mildew, clean out your faucets and drains, and take the time to clean your windows (inside and out, if you can!) with high-grade glass cleaner. The result will be an apartment that is as sanitary as you can make it—and one which will sparkle with freshness when the sun shines in.

The post Deep cleaning your apartment appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

For many parts of the country, it’s taken a little longer for spring to decide it’s here to stay. Now that flowers and trees are finally blooming, the days are staying warmer longer, and everything is fresh and new outside…it’s time for you to bring some of that great energy into your apartment. And not just to pay your respects to the season, either. Studies have shown that the drab, dark colors of winter can dramatically affect your mood once the chilly months have passed, and that adding some pops of color to your environment can truly help energize you.

Stumped on how to begin your spring apartment makeover? Start with these easy ideas!

1. Add some flower power

Whether you have a green thumb or the closest you like to get to nature are wooden tulip cutouts, nothing says spring like brightly blooming flowers. If you’re feeling ambitious, invest in a few live flowering plants to add to your kitchen counter, dining room table or window sills. Otherwise, consider posting pictures of flowers, picking up some inexpensive wall or table décor at a thrift market, or even spray painting gardening equipment like trowels and watering cans with bright colors to create a spring focal point for your living room. Everything counts!

2. Get colorful

Speaking of color, look for ways to easily add fun, fresh, spring-like color to your space without breaking the bank. Get a couple of new, bright throw pillows, switch out that heavy wool blanket over the couch with a light, open-weave afghan, or even paint an accent wall a cheerful bright color if your apartment community allows. Another option is to buy inexpensive plastic picnic-ware in fun colors to add some zip to your daily meals. Let your imagination wander to see how you can brighten every room in your home!

3. Lighten Up

Pull back those shades during the days and let the sun shine in! In most areas of the country, temperatures don’t get too hot during the months of spring, so enjoy the season to the fullest—and if you have a balcony or outdoor seating area, spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the longer, sunny evenings or the cool morning sunshine. Brightening up your interior spaces with natural sunlight might also encourage you to do some spring cleaning, so give into that urge to tidy up, and donate or discard those items you don’t truly love.

4. Brighten your balcony

Speaking of balconies, decorating your outdoor space is a great way to encourage yourself to get out and enjoy the mild weather more frequently. Adding a chair with inviting cushions and throw pillows as well as a small bistro table can be just the ticket to creating an outdoor oasis. Once again, get creative, and decorate with items that fit your lifestyle…don’t choose fussy furniture that can’t stand up to rain or too much sun unless you have covers at the ready to protect it during inclement weather.

5. Say goodbye to winter

If your apartment has extra storage space—say, beneath your bed or in the back of your closet—consider storing away all your heavy blankets, winter jackets and thick wool sweaters and jeans, so that every time you look inside your closets and drawers, all you see are the light, bright clothes suitable for the season. Pro Tip: If you find a sweater or jacket you haven’t worn all winter long…consider giving it away. You’ll be glad you did!

Here’s wishing you an absolutely beautiful spring, and a colorful, bright apartment space to go with it!

The post Decorating your apartment for spring! appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.