Tenant Tools and Resources

It's all about the coils. Dirty coils can hold heat, making your refrigerator's motor work harder to cool down the inside. Simply remove the cover from below the door and wipe away the dust. It's also a good idea to remove the drip pan, wash it, and check for clogs. Don't forget to give the freezer some attention too. You want to make sure you have less than ¼ of an inch of ice on the freezer walls. If you have more, let the ice melt at room temperature, or go ahead and take a blow dryer to it.

Ah yes, the almighty dishwasher. Make it a godsend, not a nightmare. For basic cleaning, run an empty dishwasher with 1 cup of baking soda as well as 1 ½ cups of vinegar. This should be done periodically. However, if your dishwasher goes unused for a week or more, dishwasher cleaner and deodorizer should be used to clean the interior of the machine. For the exterior, a damp sponge and a little detergent are all you need to get your dishwasher gleaming. Be careful not to overcrowd your dishwasher. Dishes won't get cleaned properly and some may even break in the insufficient space.

DIRT! The enemy of the perfect Nest. Make sure to have mats both inside and outside of any exit doors.  For carpeting or rugs, vacuuming once a week should help reduce the amount of dirt greatly.   Mopping weekly will take care of your wood/vinyl/laminate flooring.  High traffic areas may require a little more attention. For refinished wood floors, use ¼ cup white vinegar with ¾ cup warm water. This will maintain the finish and prevent it from breaking down.

Work on the air flow. Vents can get dusty and grimy pretty easily. If you have central air, vacuum these vents once a year, usually in spring time. To save energy, and to keep your units running strong, don't turn off your heat or A/C when you leave for the day. Instead, simply turn the heat up or the A/C down a few degrees. It'll be better for the unit and your wallet!