The 234 Apartment

How to clean a living room is a question any conscientious homeowner will ponder. Don't your family and guests deserve a pristine place to hang out in? Don't you ? This showpiece area of your home cries out for white-glove treatment—but let's get real, no one has white gloves anymore . Which is why, in this latest installment of our comprehensive  House Cleaning Guide , we'll show you how to clean a living room with minimal mess, drama, or trauma. How to clean lights, lamps, and chandeliers When tackling any room in the house, clean from top to bottom, says Jan Dougherty , author of “The Lost Art of House Cleaning ”—otherwise you’ll have to clean the floors twice. Therefore, the best starting point in a living room is to look up at its light fixtures. First off, whatever type of lights you have, don’t forget to dust the lightbulbs at least once a month—dirty bulbs shed 30% less light than clean ones, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The best way to clean the...

Facebook Google Plus Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email When it’s time to move on from your apartment, it’s tempting to just throw your stuff in some boxes and go. But, not so fast. Remember when you initially signed your lease and paid your first and last month’s rent? That’s right….you also paid a hefty deposit. Want that money back? Of course, you do. Here’s how to reclaim that money to use for your next apartment—or as a down payment for your house: 1. Give Ample Notice Check your lease to know what’s required; on a month-to-month lease, it is typically 30 days, but make sure you give written notice at the correct time. 2. Check the Balance “Ensure that all rents and fees have been paid in full,” says Amy Groff, vice president of operations at apartment manager and developer Kittler Management. It’s not unusual for tenants to think they’ve paid their maintenance fees and realize they haven’t, for example. 3. Leave No Trace You don’t want to leave anything behind, whether it’s trash ...