Friday, April 18, 2014

Remove that Stain!


We have all had the stain in our clothing items that refuse to come out.  There may be a solution that you do not know about though.  Did you spill red wine on your dress at a party, or did someone spill it on your carpet? Don't let your favorite Emory University shirt get ruined by a stain.  You can learn more cleaning tricks at Apartment Therapy.

STAIN REMOVAL STAPLES
I find the best way to deal with stains is to be prepared. I keep my cupboard stocked with enzyme detergent (best for removing protein-based stains such as food or sweat), rubbing alcohol, baking soda, Borax, and clean absorbent rags.

GENERAL GUIDELINES
I also follow these general guidelines: 1. Never apply heat (iron or dryer) to a stained piece of clothing until the stain is completely removed; and 2. Read the clothing label for washing instructions before cleaning. If the stain is on upholstery or carpet, the goal is to dissolve the stain with a solvent (often water or club soda) and pull it out with something more absorbent than the upholstery/carpet, like a sponge or rag. If using a harsher cleaning agent, make sure to test for colorfastness before accidentally bleaching the dye out of the fabric.
Some of the most common and most annoying stains are from red wine, ballpoint pen ink, and vegetable oil. Here are some techniques for cleaning them up.
RED WINE ON CLOTHING
  1. When discovered, immediately saturate the stain with club soda, cold water, or white wine.
  2. Blot with an absorbent cloth.
  3. Sprinkle with salt and let stand 1-2 minutes, then rinse in cold water and rub stain out.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until it stops fading.
  5. Rub liquid enzyme detergent into the stain and let stand 3-4 minutes, then rinse in cold water. Do not use natural bar soap or stain could set.
  6. If stain is still visible, apply a spot stain remover.
  7. Launder with liquid enzyme detergent.
WINE ON CARPET
  1. Blot up as much wine as possible.
  2. Soak the stain in club soda or cold water. Blot, and if necessary, repeat.
  3. Make a paste out of water and either Borax or baking soda. Rub it into the stain and let dry.
  4. Vacuum, and if necessary, repeat.
PEN INK
  1. Place stained fabric on top of an absorbent cloth. Blot with water or rubbing alcohol (whichever removes more ink) until no more ink comes off stain.
  2. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric.
  3. If stain remains, lay it out in the sun to bleach the rest of the stain.
OIL
  1. Apply a laundry presoak or clear (undyed) dish soap.
  2. Wash in the hottest water safe for fabric.
If you have any useful stain-fighting tips, please let us know in the comments!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Moving into Clairmont Reserve?

Are you excited to move into Clairmont Reserve next year?  We are very excited to have you in our community! Emory University and the surrounding area is a great place to live and learn.  Here are some great moving tips for next year! You can learn more here.

MAKE A CALENDAR

When planning a move, it's helpful to draw up a calender beforehand, to prevent tasks from taking you by surprise. Make your best estimate of the time it will take to pack and transport your belongings, and then, for safety's sake, add an additional 20 percent.

MEASURE THE SPACE

Before moving your possessions, carefully measure both the space of the apartment itself and the hallways and staircases that lead to them, to make sure they'll fit. This is particularly important with large furniture and mattresses. There's nothing worse than purchasing a California king mattress, only to realize the staircase is too narrow to accommodate it.

CLEAN UP FIRST

Before your apartment becomes crowded with furnishings, take advantage of its emptiness to do a thorough cleaning. Change the toilet seats and disinfect the fridge. Also, if you have any concerns about pests, including roaches, rats and bedbugs, the period before you move in is the time to spray and set traps.

ORDER FURNITURE AND UTILITIES IN ADVANCE

If you're purchasing new furniture for your apartment, remember to order in advance, as there is often a few days' lag time between purchase and delivery. The same is true of utilities, such as electricity and gas, as well as cable and the Internet. Plan ahead to avoid spending your first night on the floor in the dark and cold.  

MOVE IN ON A QUIET DAY

If possible, schedule your move for a quiet day, such as a weekend. Move-ins are stressful all by themselves, but can become well nigh intolerable if you're competing with heavy traffic. If you expect the move to be quick, avoid rush hour and do it in the middle of the day.

KEEP THE FURNISHINGS SIMPLE

When moving into your first apartment, that heady rush of independence can cause you to want to go all out with the furnishings. However, consider first how long you're planning to stay in the space: if your lease is short, you may be out quickly. Keep your furnishings simple and adaptable to a number of different spaces.

CHANGE THE LOCKS

Unless your apartment is brand new, you're not the first person to live there. After you've moved in, ask the permission of your landlord to change the locks.
Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More