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The residents of our Chicago, IL apartments love living in the center of all the hustle and bustle the Windy City has to offer. Many of them also love living in spaces that are spick and span. When cleaning day arrives, some people give everyday household objects double duty by embracing their abilities to make counters and floors spotless. Are you wondering which kitchen items have magical cleaning capabilities? Let's take a look!
Dishwashing Gloves Remove Pet Hair
You know those stubborn furs that Fido leaves behind after he's had a slumber on the sofa? It seems like no matter how much you vacuum, you can never get all of the hair to go away. When you run an ordinary pair of dishwashing gloves under water, they instantly collect pet fur like it's their business. This works on all types of sturdy fabrics, including upholstery, carpeting, and heavy outerwear.
Lemons Clean Microwaves
No matter how hard you try, it seems like the goo from food always finds a way to explode when it's in the microwave. Over time, this buildup can become crusty and quite difficult to get clean. This is when lemons enter the picture. When microwaved in a bit of water, the citrus from the lemons and the steam from the water come together in a way that makes it easy to wipe off most stuck-on messes.
Seltzer Water Fights Rust Off Cast-Iron Cookware
Cast-iron cookware isn't cheap, so it only makes sense that you'd want to keep it looking its best for as long as possible. Pour a little seltzer water into your skillet or pot, and the bubbles will know exactly what to do. Swish the liquid around for a minute or two, then use a scrubbing pad to easily remove the residue.
White Rice Cleans Coffee Grinders
Run a handful of rice through your coffee grinder to get it squeaky clean and ready to grind your next cup of Joe. The rice helps removed trapped coffee grounds and stale odors.
If you're searching for a Chicago apartment that's in the heart of it all, look no further. Schedule a tour with our River North Park Apartments team today!
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Some people think stainless steel appliances, beautiful as they may be, simply aren't worth the effort it takes to keep them looking nice and clean. It's easier than it looks, but as with anything in life worth doing, it does require effort.
There's a Trick To It
The first step to cleaning stainless steel: Get to know the grain. A vinyl countertop can be scrubbed and wiped in any direction you like. Straight across, zigzag, crazy circles — it doesn't matter. With stainless steel, you're going to need to get familiar with the grain. Take a close look and check the direction of the grain. Do the same for knobs, handles and other areas of your appliances as these might not match the surface. When you clean with the grain, you'll always get a better shine.
It's true that you should avoid using most off-the-shelf cleaners on stainless steel, but you may be surprised at the broad range of products you can use to clean and polish stainless steel: Baby oil, WD-40, white vinegar, olive oil, club soda — even flour. With acids like white vinegar, you can use a spray bottle and wipe the stainless steel with a cloth as many times as needed to get rid of grime. Then you can polish with oil: Apply a little to a cloth, wipe with the grain, then wipe away the product with a clean cloth. For fingerprints, a bit of window cleaner should do the job for spot cleaning.
And we weren't joking about flour. However, you may want to reserve this trick for the sink as it leaves you with a bit of a mess to sweep up after use on a countertop or fridge. Clean the sink using whatever method you choose, then, instead of polishing it with oil, wait for the surface to dry and then cover it with flour. From there you can use a circular motion to polish the stainless steel with the flour, and then rinse the sink clean.
If you'd like to see what a modern apartment looks like with all that beautiful stainless steel, get in touch with us at River North Park for available floor plans. There are a lot of apartments in Chicago, Illinois, but few are this amazing.
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Convertible apartments are also known as junior one-bedrooms or flex-apartments, and they are very similar to a studio but larger and have distinctly separated areas most often allocated by residents as a bedroom. Those looking to maximize on the space provided in a convertible apartment should consider these easy tips.
Incorporate a Room Partition
Foldable room partitions are one of the most common ways residents like to separate their convertible space in our Chicago apartments. These can be semi-sheer, opaque for maximum privacy, or they can feature ornate patterns and designs to enhance your interior decor. The best part of folding dividers is that they easily store in the oversized entryway closets we offer at River North Park Apartments.
Creative Room Dividers
A semi-permanent room divider option such as dual-faced or open cubical shelving with drawers can serve as a barrier between rooms and as a place for storage. Open shelves will permit more natural lighting to flow through, while traditional shelves or portable walls will provide more privacy and allow less light.
Maximize Space With Double Duty Furnishings
While room dividers can serve this purpose, there are more ways to make the most out of your convertible apartment space. By choosing small-scale pieces that offer both surface space and storage space such as opening ottomans or coffee tables, the space will feel larger and less cluttered. Other ideas include using totes for extra under-bed storage and television stands with concealed storage.
Look Up…Envision Storage
Thinking vertically can literally transform the way you view and utilize your space. Upright bookcases, vertical racks, over-the-door hooks or shelves, ceiling racks and stackable bins can become displayable pieces of art where you showcase your goodies or keep frequently used items handy. Vertical pole stacking shelves in bathrooms offer extra storage for towels and hygiene necessities without needing to drill holes or alter the bath whatsoever.
Discover River Front Living at Our Chicago Apartments
Our convertible apartments in Chicago, IL are comfortable and offer our residents pristine river views, ample space and provide access to many of the most desirable community amenities in the Windy City. Contact River North Park Apartments today to inquire about our current availability.
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Many residents prefer apartments in Chicago because of the incredible convenience; it puts them close to shopping, activities, work and more. Who wouldn't want to apply that same concept of convenience to life inside their apartment? One way to make your life easier and your apartment tidier is by having the right tools on hand in your kitchen. Here are some suggestions for you.
Useful Kitchen Tools for a Tidier Apartment
- Electric Kettle. This little kitchen tool has a ton of different uses. You can heat up water in a hurry for oatmeal, cocoa, instant coffee or noodles. It's much more convenient than heating water in a pot on top of your stove. Plus, an electric kettle uses less electricity than a microwave.
- Slow Cooker. A slow cooker can be a lifesaver for people who appreciate home-cooked meals but don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Simply toss the ingredients for a slow cooker recipe into the pot, turn it on and ignore it for several hours. If you were to use pots and frying pans to make the same meal, you'd have a stack of dirty dishes at the end of the process. But with a slow cooker, there's just one pot to clean after the meal.
- Electric Can Opener. An electric can opener can be a classy addition to your kitchen, especially if you can find one with a "retro" look to it. In addition to convenience, electric can openers have a much longer life span than the little hand-held openers.
- Wine Lever. Even if you're not a frequent wine drinker, a wine lever is a good tool to have in the kitchen in case a guest brings a bottle to a dinner party. A wine lever is also much easier to use — and it looks classier — than a simple corkscrew for opening wine bottles.
Those are just a few kitchen tools to make your life easier, simpler and tidier. We'd also like to let you know that we currently have availability in our River North Park apartments in Chicago. If you know anyone who is planning to move, have them contact the rental office for a showing or a list of available floor plans.
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When you don’t want to exercise outside due to temperature extremes or bad weather, you can still get your daily dose of physical activity in your apartment. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do quiet activities that won’t bother your neighbors. Consider including one or more of the following fitness activities in your workout routine.
Lift Weights
If you want to do some strength training at home, you can easily do this with a couple of dumbbells. Hold one in each hand, and alternate doing curls with them toward your chest to give your biceps a workout. Doing this activity doesn’t involve jumping or making any noise, so it’s ideal for apartment workouts. If you have a weight bench in your apartment, you should be aware that the bars on these can make a clanging sound that might disturb your neighbors when you lift weights.
Do Stretches
Stretching is a great way to make sure that your muscles are ready for a workout, which helps lower your risk of injuries. Doing stretches also keeps your muscles and joints more flexible overall. You can do simple stretches in your apartment that give your arms, legs and other muscles a good workout. For example, you can stand or lie down while pulling one knee up to your chest, then switch to the other knee. You can also alternate reaching up and over with each arm. Another form to try is the butterfly stretch that involves sitting with your feet together and knees bent while pushing your thighs down toward the floor as much as possible.
Try Low-Impact Cardio Moves
Cardio exercises give your heart and muscles a solid workout. Jumping jacks and similar cardio exercises are too noisy to do in apartments, but there are others you can try. These include curtsy lunges that involve standing in a lunge position, holding one leg slightly diagonal behind you and dipping in a curtsy move. Doing plank exercises or low-impact squats are also good cardio moves that won’t bother your neighbors.
If you’re looking for a place to exercise outside your home, our community includes a 24-hour fitness center. Please contact us for more details on our apartments in Chicago, IL.
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Amenities are one of the big reasons why many residents choose a Chicago, IL apartment over a rowhouse or similar abode — amenities like the 24-hour fitness center we have at River North Park. In our fitness center, residents enjoy open access to many great pieces of equipment big and small. One type of equipment you can use to get fit and toned is a medicine ball.
Medicine balls look like padded, heavier versions of your typical playground kickball, but they offer so much more in terms of exercise. With the right positioning and movement, you can really transform routine exercises into power ones. Just check out the following list of our favorite beginner medicine ball exercises:
3 Medicine Ball Exercises for Beginners
- Medicine Ball Lunge with Twist. For this exercise, you'll begin by standing with the medicine ball held close to your chest. Then, step forward in a lunge with your left foot and press the ball forward. Once in the lunge position, twist to the left for thirty seconds. Repeat with the right foot forward. For best effects, complete three sets with each leg.
- Medicine Ball Squats. Like the previous exercise, you'll begin in a standing position with the medicine ball close to your chest. Then, as you squat down, engage your core muscles and push the ball to the front in that extended position. Hold for thirty seconds, follow with a thirty-second rest, and aim to repeat for three positions.
- Medicine Ball Balance. Begin in the standing position with the medicine ball close to the chest in both hands. Then slowly bend your left knee and lift your foot from the ground while holding the ball above your head for thirty seconds. Then, still balancing on the right leg, move the ball to just your right hand and hold for another thirty seconds. Move it back to the center and hold with just your left hand for thirty seconds. Then slowly return to a standing position, rest for thirty seconds before repeating it on the opposite leg.
Read Up and Take Your Exercises Slow
Before starting any new exercise routine, it's always a good idea to do research, including watching videos to be sure you are using the correct form. And if you have other questions about using the exercise equipment room in the fitness center at our Chicago area apartments, don't hesitate to contact our front staff.
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Living in apartments in Chicago, you may have a great view and a location that can’t be beaten. One downfall to apartment living is that sometimes your apartment may feel a bit confined or stuffy, and you’d like to enjoy cleaner, fresher-smelling air. However, store-bought, chemical-filled deodorizers are not always the best solution. They are expensive, bad for the environment, and can be triggers for asthma and other breathing problems. A better solution is to freshen your home naturally. Here are three ideas as to how you can do just that.
Simmer Herbs
Put a small boiler on low heat on your stove with water and a few herbs of choice. Cinnamon and cloves are an excellent go-to mixture. Let this simmer on low for a few hours, keeping a close eye to make sure your water does not boil dry. Your house will smell delicious, as though you had been cooking all day. Plus, it helps humidify the air too, which can be useful in winter.
Use Essential Oils
You will have to invest in the oil, but they can be picked up inexpensively online. Choose your favorite all-natural scent and either use in a store-bought diffuser or just dot a bit on a lightbulb before switching it on and letting it freshen that way.
Clean with Vinegar
While vinegar may not seem like it would freshen your home, using it as a cleaner by mixing it with water will help reduce odors at the source. You’ll notice an immediate improvement in how your home smells and feels. If you really do not like the scent of vinegar, you can mix a bit with water and add a few drops of your essential oil. Then, use this as a multi-purpose cleaner to clean throughout your home. It will immediately freshen and leave behind the smell from the essential oil, not the vinegar.
These are just a few of the ways you can help your apartment smell its best, naturally. If you are ready to find that perfect place to call home in Chicago, reach out to us at River North Park Apartments today, and let us show you which floor plans are currently available.
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During the summer months, your children are out of school and at home. Fortunately for you, just because they are home doesn't equate to a mess! Here are a few tips for how to keep your home clean when the kids are home for the summer.
Give Your Children Daily Tasks or Chores
One of the best ways to keep your home clean when your children are home for the summer is to give your children daily tasks or chores to complete. Ensure the task is age appropriate for your child. It may be something such as doing the dishes or starting a load of laundry to sweeping the floors or vacuuming.
Put Together a Schedule
Another tip for keeping your home clean when the kids are home for the summer is to put together a schedule for them. Kids crave structure. Having a schedule in place lets kids know that lunch is right around the corner or outdoor playtime is near, which may prevent them from hauling out another toy or two and creating a bigger mess.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Be sure to enjoy the outdoors during the summer months with all of your loved ones! Plan trips to the park, swimming pools, the river, the zoo or even hiking trails. Children cannot be making a mess in your house when they are outside.
Follow the One Item Out, One Item in Rule
Lastly, follow the one item out, one item in rule during the summer. If your kids take one item off a shelf or out of the closet, they have to put one item back. This helps to ensure they are not dragging out multiple toys or games that will need to be cleaned up later.
Having the right home can also make it easier to keep your home clean. Here at River North Park, luxury apartments in Chicago, we have many things in both the complex itself and the immediate neighborhood to help ensure your kids are kept busy. Call us today to schedule your tour of our community.
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When it comes time to clean up your apartments in Chicago, it is important to have the right tools on hand. You can only grab the tools you need if you know what they are, however. Some tools may not have yet made it on your radar — but that is soon to change. Check out the four following tools, and you will surely want to add them to your cleaning kit.
Cotton Swabs
There is no better way to get deep down in nooks and crannies than with cotton swabs. They reach far between the crevices in your bathroom, kitchen and other living areas. You can lightly moisten the ends of the cotton swabs with your preferred cleanser to boost their cleaning power even more. Try them while cleaning your sinks, toilets, and stovetop to see how well they work.
Drain Hook
When your drains are clogged with hair and other debris, they start to drain slowly, leaving stains in your sinks. If you act at the first sign of a problem, you can remove the clogs without calling a plumber. You just have to use a drain hook to pull the hair and debris out of the drain. This device works equally well on your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Rubber Squeegee
With a rubber squeegee, you can effectively clean your mirrors, tile, and other flat surfaces. After you spray the surface with your cleanser, this device pulls the cleaner and water away from the surface, leaving a streak-free appearance. The surface will look much cleaner and shinier when dried with a squeegee instead of a rag.
Pumice Stones Work for Cleaning Chicago Apartments
Toilet and bathtub stains will be a thing of the past once you learn about the power of pumice stones. Simply spray the cleaning product on the surface of your bathtub or toilet, and then scrub with the pumice to make it look like new again.
When you use these tools on a regular basis, you can make your Chicago apartments shine. If you would like to explore how to upgrade your apartments, contact our team at 866-489-7207 to learn about our available floor plans.
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Decorating your apartment kitchen is an important part of making your apartment feel like home, no matter where you are. If you would like to decorate your kitchen in a way that you and your guests are sure to love, check out these tips.
1) Choose a Color Scheme and Theme
The first step to decorating your apartment kitchen is to choose a theme and color scheme to work around. Common decor themes for kitchens include things such as farmhouse kitchens and Italian kitchens, though the only real limit is your own tastes and imagination. Once you have chosen a theme and color scheme for your kitchen, though, it's easy to find enough decorative items to make your kitchen complete.
2) Work Around a Focal Point
One great idea to make your kitchen's decor really stand out is to decorate around a single focal point, such as a large piece of art that you temporarily hang on the wall. Having a focal point that goes along with your theme and color scheme can just about complete a kitchen's decor.
3) Keep an Eye Out for Interesting Items
The final piece in your kitchen's decor is to sprinkle your kitchen with interesting items related to your theme. If your theme is a farmhouse kitchen, for example, displaying cast iron skillets on your shelves or putting porcelain figurines of roosters on your counters are two ways to make use of interesting items to go along with your theme. If you keep an eye out for items such as these that match your theme and color scheme, you'll be able to put the finishing touches on your kitchen's decor.
Decorating your kitchen is an important part of making your apartment feel like home, and at River North Park, we love seeing our residents add their own unique spin on their new home. If you are looking for a new place to move into and make your own, be sure to contact us today to learn more about our Chicago, IL apartments.
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