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The indoor dog you have in your Flagstaff apartment does an excellent job of keeping you company and even slips you a wet kiss on occasion. But you spend so much time fighting with dog hair that owning a dog is gradually getting to be more frustrating than that precious reward. Thankfully, there are some pretty easy tips you can use on a daily basis to keep problems with pet hair at bay.
1. Keep dryer sheets on-hand for quick furniture rubdowns.
Dryer sheets are the best-kept secret for people with dogs. These things are amazing for picking up loose hair on your clothing and your furniture; the hair sticks to the sheet so you can toss it. Keep a box handy that you can retrieve whenever needed and do a quick furniture rubdown. Soft and hard furniture surfaces can be de-haired using a dryer-sheet rubdown. As an added bonus, you get that nice clean laundry smell all around your Arizona apartment.
2. Dry your clothes before you wash them.
It sounds counter-intuitive, but if you have major problems with dog hair on your clothing, give them a quick run through the dryer before you toss them in the washer. The secret? Use the tumble setting only. The hair will shake loose from your clothing and get caught in the lint trap.
3. Invest in a rubber squeegee for your floors.
Rubber squeegees tend to get used in commercial settings, but they can work just as well for clearing your floors of pet hair. With a wide-sweeping area and a rubber attachment, the hair will not be swept up into the air or clogging your vacuum cleaner. Loose strands will stick to the rubber, and you can easily use the squeegee across your carpet flooring as well.
You love your dog, but hair can be really annoying. Thankfully, your dog is always welcome in our pet-friendly Flagstaff apartments at University Square—in spite of the hair! Contact us to find out about availability.
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One of the guaranteed projects any student will face in college is a group project. Group projects can potentially be completed solely through calls, emails, and texts, but this is not recommended. Some of the challenges that come with group projects are finding a location that is close to everyone, aligning schedules, and getting each part of the project completed on time. While we can’t help with much, we can give you some of the best tips that you can use to turn one of our Flagstaff apartments into the perfect place for working on your group project.
Clean up your apartment
Whether you select one of our studio, one-, or two-bedroom Flagstaff apartments, you must keep it clean in order to house your entire group. If you have junk on the floor or items sitting on the couch, you limit the amount of space you have to fit everyone. You also give the eye a place to wander to while everyone should be working. A messy apartment is a big distraction.
Provide ample seating and surface area
Group projects typically involve long work sessions, so you don’t want to have anyone standing the whole time. Utilize your couch, dining room seats, desk chairs, floor pillows, and any other seating options you have available. Also, try to provide as much surface area as possible, so everyone can set down their laptops, notebooks and anything else that is required to efficiently work on the project.
Make sure you have surge protectors
Laptop batteries can last for some time, but it’s possible they may die. Have a surge protector or two on hand, so everyone can charge their laptops, if necessary. You don’t want a group member to avoid working simply because their laptop isn’t charged.
Your friendly off-campus housing community
Our community has the perfect apartments in Flagstaff for students who regularly work on group projects at home. We have some of the best amenities available, and we’re pet friendly! Contact our front desk today to see what floor plans we have available.
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If you’re entertaining soon in your apartment in Flagstaff, AZ, you might be in a panic. The guests are coming soon, but your place isn’t in the shape you want it to be. Now you have to put in a ton of work to get it clean before they arrive. Does this sound familiar?
The problem here is that many of us get into a vicious cycle in which we wait until we absolutely must clean before getting started. Operating this way causes stress and can even affect your social life. The secret to quick cleaning is to never have that much to clean in the first place. Here are two tips that will help you do just that.
Never Leave a Room Empty-Handed
Our first tip is to never leave a room empty-handed. Whenever you move from one space to another, stop and be present. Ask yourself what is out of place. Make it a habit to pick up a handful of items that are out of place each time you go from one room to another. Put them away, then go about your business.
Never leaving a room empty-handed is one way to decrease the amount of cleaning you’ll have to do later.
Know the Power of 10
Second, know the power of 10. One reason we don’t clean is that we feel like we don’t have the hours it would take to get the apartment looking perfect. Instead, set smaller goals. Spend at least 10 minutes in the morning and at night cleaning something. Work incrementally instead of saving everything for the day before company arrives.
Wrapping Up
Keeping your home clean is important, and sometimes staying motivated is hard. Of course, it’s easier to stay motivated to keep things clean if you love where you live. The Flagstaff apartments scene has plenty of options, but if you’re looking for an awesome off-campus living opportunity near NAU, contact our office today.
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It’s interesting, but in a lot of ways, cleaning an apartment can be tricky. Whether you’re moving out or just keeping your Flagstaff apartment clean, these tools can help you get the job done right.
Canister Vacuum Cleaner
The original canister vacuum might not have been designed with apartments in mind, but there are modern incarnations that take this view. If you’ve never used a canister vacuum, understand that it's all about versatility. The main vacuuming body is smaller and more compact than traditional designs. Also, this type of vacuum cleaner always runs off of a hose.
Canister vacuums are great for cleaning floors, furniture, and even walls and ceilings. If you want to cut the sheer number of cleaning supplies you need to store in your apartment, a canister vacuum will help you get there.
Hair Removal Broom
Hair removal brooms are often advertised to help clean up after pets, but they aren’t limited to that niche. The simple truth is that carpet collects hair and that hair creates problems. If you use a roller vacuum, it’ll tangle the hair, and in the worst cases, it’ll burn the hair—filling your apartment with an acrid stench. Hair brooms are easy to use and let you get the hair out of the carpet before it gets tangled in anything else.
Spin Mop
Like the other items listed, spin mops weren’t invented specifically for apartments, but apartment-sized versions are available. Spin mops are designed to scale down the mopping process. A shorter mop head, handle, and bucket all make it easier to clean the unique floor designs of apartments. The spinning bucket allows you to rinse and wring the mop without creating a mess. You won’t have to worry about accidentally bleaching or staining the carpet near your tile or hardwood floors when you clean.
If you’re looking for your next apartment to keep clean, check out the apartments available at University Square. Give us a call to learn more about our apartments in Flagstaff!
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In many ways, you can’t avoid clutter in life. Paper builds up, there are clothes in your closet that you don’t wear and those knickknacks you’ve had since childhood are difficult to get rid of.
Still, decluttering your life remains a great way to gain clarity and control over organization, and this means better organization of your mind too. If you can come up with some useful ways to declutter your apartment, you’re setting yourself up for success in other areas of your life.
Try These 4 Apartment Decluttering Tips:
1. Have a Place for Everything
Decluttering your life starts with having a place for everything you own. If you want to keep it in your life, make sure it has a place to go.
2. Abide by the 60-Second Rule
Will it take you 60 seconds or under to put that thing (whatever it may be) away? Do it now instead of holding off and shoving it on the counter “to deal with later.”
3. Abide by the Six-Month Rule
Have you used it in the last six months? You probably don’t need it, if not. You should either give it away, donate it, or recycle or trash it if it’s no longer usable.
4. Be Careful With New Purchases
Aimless shopping is dangerous — not only because it can make you waste your money, but also because it can clutter up your apartment in a jiffy. Sure, you went to Florida and you want something to show for it. But are you really going to be happy with your coconut chimes purchase once it comes time to put them up in your place? Maybe not. Think hard before you buy.
Still Looking for an Apartment in Flagstaff?
You can’t declutter your apartment if you don’t have one! If you’re on the lookout for a new place in the Flagstaff area, give us a call. We’ll let you know which of our Flagstaff apartments are still available.
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Cooking may be an art form, but doing the post-meal dishes remains a chore we’d all like to get through quickly and efficiently. Here are some dish-duty tips for our University Square community members in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Multi-Task While Cooking
Although focusing on the cooking can be a joy in and of itself, there should be enough wiggle room during the food creation time to give a quick wash to certain items. If you beat a few eggs, that bowl can benefit from a quick splash hot water and soap without slowing you down. If you use breadcrumbs to coat chicken for parmesan, consider washing the plate once everything is in the pan. Taking care of minor items as you go will make the final task less onerous.
Reduce Your Dishware Count
For those that truly abhor doing dishes, the washing and drying can be a significant source of procrastination. That means the pile in the sink may keep growing until you simply run out of plates, bowls and cups. Be your own best friend and calculate how many dishware items you really need and limit your inventory. If you have only 4 plates, you will be tasked with washing them when they’re all dirty or ordering take-out indefinitely.
One Meal, One Pot
The single-pot method of cooking can be actualized by planning meals. There are numerous one-pot recipes that are but a Google search away. Many are nutritious, delicious and easy to prepare. Hey, who can’t wash just one pot!
Avoid Overnight Mistakes
One of the biggest errors dishwashing haters make is soaking things in soap and water. On the surface, it sounds like such a good solution to loosen up clinging food. In reality, you can’t stand the idea of scrubbing and that pot, plate or bowl may sit there for days and get seriously tainted in the process. Scrub fast, scrub hard and don’t use “soaking” as a procrastination tool.
We hope these dishwashing suggestions help our University Square community members push through that unwelcome task. If you or a friend would like more information about our Flagstaff apartments, call us today.
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It’s springtime, which means it’s officially time for spring cleaning. Before you run screaming for the hills (We’re at 7,000 feet, guys, is running uphill really a better plan than cleaning?), we invite you to consider a new way of cleaning and decluttering your home: The KonMari Method. The KonMari Method is focused on helping you get rid of clutter forever. Here are five tips to help you tidy up your apartment and keep it that way!
Find What “Sparks Joy”
The idea of throwing things away is probably one of the most miserable thoughts we deal with when cleaning. Instead of thinking about what you’re losing, focus on cherishing items you love. As you declutter, hold each item and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” If the answer is no, it’s time to go. Part of this process is physically touching every. single. thing. in your home and asking this question. It’s about getting more emotionally in tune with what compels you to keep things, and more realistic about what actually brings joy to your home.
Clean By Category
The key to effective tidying, according to the KonMari Method, is tidying the right categories in the right order. Use this order to start tidying your home: clothes, books, papers, and miscellaneous. You can break down each category into subcategories, but the key is keeping them in this order. Did you notice how the order works from least emotional attachment to greatest emotional attachment? Consider, for instance, which is harder: tossing a sweater you never wear and don’t love, versus throwing away a letter from a friend. We love this method because it gives you time to build up to the hard stuff.
Tidy All At Once
This method takes some time, and depending on how much stuff you have can take anywhere from a few days to a few months. Don’t rush the process, but also don’t let it get too drawn out. Resist the urge to read every piece of paper you come across. Resist taking extended breaks. Resist bulk tossing.
Stop Decluttering By Room
Many of us grew up using the “clean each room” method of decluttering and tidying. But think about what you risk when you clean this way. Think of how many times you might move an item from one room to another to avoid dealing with it. Instead, use the categories above, and gather all items from that category in one place at one time to declutter. That means when you start with clothing, open every drawer, and pull every item of clothing from socks to scarves to Halloween wigs, and have at it all at once.
Picture Where You Want to Be
This might be one of the most important steps of the KonMari Method. The method asks you to clearly define where you want to be and how you want to live after you’ve finished decluttering. It’s not as simple as saying, “I want to live clutter free.” It needs to be more specific than that. Think about how you envision living, and ask yourself why you want to live that way. This helps you really take hold of the decluttering mission you’re about to undertake, and creates a stronger commitment to the task at hand! Why do you want to be tidy? What difference will it make in your life? Consider this long and hard, and then get started.
Part of what the KonMari Method teaches is to have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place. The first part of discovering this place is to get rid of everything that doesn’t belong. It may be hard, but during this spring cleaning season we invite you to give it a try and see what a difference the KonMari Method can make in your home! Want to learn more about the method? Check out “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo, the founder of the KonMari Method!
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At one time manufacturers were required write out these cleaning instructions in plain language, but in July of 1997 the FTC decided it would allow makers to use symbols instead, kind of like the universal symbols seen on traffic signs and restrooms. This saves manufacturers time and money, but it can be confusing for consumers who are unfamiliar with them.
The symbols were developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials and are supposed to be intuitive and easy to understand, but in reality they’re not without a little initial guidance. Luckily, the American Cleaning Institute has published a handy guide to the most commonly used symbols, which can be found here. They also offer another visual guide to the common elements of all the symbols here. With just a little study and practice, you too can become a laundry pro.
We’re Here To Help!
Residents of University Square Apartments in Flagstaff, AZ who have questions or concerns about our laundry facilities are encouraged to stop by the office or contact us by phone and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.
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It’s summer, and that means it’s time for fun. But it also means it’s time to declutter your apartment, and let’s face it … nobody likes cleaning. If you’re like us, keeping your space neat may present a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, we’ve picked up some helpful tips for folks like us who really, really, spectacularly, hate having to clean!
1. Make It A Challenge. Set a timer, and tell yourself you HAVE to get that corner of the room cleaned before time runs out. Or, imagine that there’s someone on the other side of your bedroom wall also cleaning their room, and it’s your challenge to beat them. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a limited amount of time. Try typing your time limit into Google (i.e. “10 minute timer”) to pull up an automatic timer that will sound when time runs out! Or, create a 10-30 minute playlist and challenge yourself to finish cleaning before the end of the final song.
2. Make It A Party. Speaking of music, there’s no rule that says you can’t dance your way through cleaning! Create a cleaning playlist full of songs that inspire you or make you happy, and start cleaning! The Seven Dwarves whistle while they work, so you can totally wobble while you wash. Just keep your dance moves a little tamer during tasks like dusting!
3. Make It Multiply. No, we don’t mean add more cleaning tasks to your checklist! We’re talking about making cleaning less of a chore by cleaning while you do something else you enjoy. It’s easy to enjoy a glass of wine while you wash the dishes. Chat on the phone with your best friend while you fold your laundry. Watch a movie while you dust and sweep. Put knick-knacks away during commercial breaks. Listen to a book on tape. Study for that upcoming exam. Knock the boredom out of cleaning!
4. Make It Worthwhile. Nothing makes cleaning more pleasant than knowing you get a prize at the end of your labors! Set a cleaning goal, and make sure it includes a reward for seeing it through. Whether it’s a luxurious bath, an extra dessert, a shopping trip, or even money (yes, you CAN pay yourself), keep your eyes on the prize while you clean to make it feel more like a treat than a tribulation!
5. Make It Disappear. While we’re not exactly talking about shoving things into drawers, don’t forget to take advantage of cabinet and drawer space for knick-knacks and other items that might not have a place. At the same time … if you can’t think of the right place for something, it might be that it doesn’t belong in your apartment at all. That goes for everything from décor to that extra pair of boots. Remember, the less you have, the less you have to clean! We know it’s hard to whittle down on stuff—even the mention of throwing out shoes made us wince—but you’ll be glad you did when it takes you 10 minutes to clean instead of 20 hours!
(Pro Tip: Want an easy way to declutter before you clean? Buy yourself a large storage box and just dump everything in there! Don’t worry about being neat and tidy … just get it in the box. This makes it so much easier to get the basics taken care of… We’re talking about making the bed, sweeping the floors, dusting, doing the dishes, etc. Once those things are taken care of, and everything looks nice and tidy, start going through the box; put things back where they belong, and leave things with no place in the box to donate or toss later!)
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