CARING FOR YOUR HOME
Welcome to your new apartment home! We're excited to have you as part of our community. To help you settle in and make the most of your new space, we've put together this guide full of useful tips and tricks. Here, you'll find everything you need to know about maintaining your apartment, from operating your appliances to keeping your home in top condition. This resource is designed to save you time, help you avoid unnecessary maintenance calls, and ensure that your apartment remains a comfortable and well-maintained place to live.
Our community is proud to be 100% smoke-free.
- For everyone's comfort and safety, smoking or vaping of any kind is not permitted in apartments, hallways, or common areas.
- Please be aware that smoking or vaping can trigger the building's smoke-detection system and activate a building-wide alarm.
- If this occurs, any fines or charges issued will be the responsibility of the individual who caused the alarm.
- These incidents can also be disruptive to neighbors and may result in unnecessary emergency response.
FIRE PREVENTION DEVICE GUIDELINES:
- Fire prevention devices are critical for early detection of fire hazards.
- It is very important to never tamper with or disable any fire prevention and/or detection equipment inside the apartment or in common areas, including but not limited to fire alarms, horns, strobes, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, or sprinklers. Please note that doing so is a breach of lease and may result in fines, reimbursement, and/or legal action.
- If your smoke detector (or carbon monoxide detector if applicable) is not working properly and/or is making a chirping or beeping sound, call us and follow the prompts for emergency maintenance.
For more information on fire prevention, please refer to your Resident Handbook.
How to Clean:
- Using any brand of glass cooktop cleaner, apply a few drops directly to the cooktop.
- Use a paper towel or cleaning pad to clean the surface.
- Use a dry cloth or paper towel to remove any residue. No need to rinse.
Tips for Cleaning:
- For burned-on residue, allow the cooktop to cool completely before cleaning. For heavily burned-on residue, use a razor blade scraper against the glass surface to remove it. Do not use a dull or nicked blade.
- Be careful to not slide metal pots and pans across the cooktop as it may leave metal markings. Once the cooktop has cooled, use cleaner to remove the markings.
- To clean black discoloration, allow the cooktop to cool and then use cleaner to clean it. If it’s not cleaned quickly, the discoloration may become permanent.
- If hot sugary substances are spilled (caramel, jelly, fudge, etc.), use caution and remove them immediately to avoid indentation of the glass surface. A sharp new razor blade or scraper should be used.
KEEP YOUR APPLIANCES BEAUTIFUL BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES:
- Avoid placing magnets on stainless steel surfaces as it may damage the finish. Magnets can be placed on the side of the refrigerator.
- Always use a non-abrasive cleaning pad and a non-abrasive cleaning solution to clean your appliances. For stubborn spots, use a sponge or brush (soft nylon/natural bristle) and warm soapy water. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
- Do not use bleach, products that contain bleach, or chloride to clean stainless steel.
- When cleaning, wipe and dry with the direction of the grain/polish lines to prevent scratching.
ICE MAKER INSTRUCTIONS (SAMSUNG MODEL ONLY)
- Open the refrigerator door to access the control panel on the right side.
- Press and hold the Lock button for 3 seconds to unlock the controls.
- Press the Ice Maker button until it displays “ON” to start making ice.
- Press and hold the Lock button again for 3 seconds to lock the settings.
KEEP CABINETS IN GREAT CONDITION, BY FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE STEPS:
- On a regular basis, wipe down the tops of cabinet drawers and doors where moisture can accumulate.
- If liquid spills or splatters on the cabinets, wipe it up quickly.
- These tips apply to all cabinets located throughout your home.
To use the garbage disposal:
- Turn on cold water and leave it running.
- Turn the disposal on and put food waste in.
- When done, turn the disposal off first and then turn off the water so the motor does not overheat.
Never put any of these items in the disposal:
- Oil/Grease
- Pasta
- Corn Husks/Cobs
- Rice
- Fruits/Veggie Peels
- Bones
- Coffee Grounds
- Fruit Pits
- Celery/Fibrous Veggies
- Non-food items
Keeping your quartz countertops looking great:
- Clean the countertop daily with a soft cloth using a quartz cleaning spray (available at grocery or home stores) or a mild soap.
- Clean up spills immediately to avoid staining. For dried-on gunk, use a blunt plastic scraper to remove.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners that contain bleach or harsh chemicals. Before using any cleaner, check the label to ensure it is safe to use on quartz.
- Avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the counter.
- Use a cutting board to avoid scratching the counter.
KEEP YOUR FLOORS IN GREAT CONDITION BY FOLLOWING THESE TIPS:
- Sweep floors regularly and use a mild cleaning agent (avoid harsh chemicals).
- If liquid spills or splatters on the floors, wipe it up quickly.
- Do not use flooring wax, polish, or shine on the floors.
- When mopping, the mop should be damp but not overly wet since too much water/liquid can damage floors.
- Use protective “feet” or rugs under furniture or large items to prevent scratching the floor.
NEVER FLUSH THESE ITEMS DOWN THE TOILET:
- Baby Wipes
- Hair
- Diapers
- Paper Towels
- Dental Floss
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Q-Tips & Cotton Pads
- Tissues
- Cleaning Wipes
- Food and Gum
If your toilet is clogged, use a plunger by inserting it into the toilet at a slight angle to cover the drain. Slowly, yet forcefully, push the plunger up and down to unclog the drain. If the first attempt doesn’t work, try it again. If you’re unable to clear it, enter a maintenance request.
If your toilet is leaking water or overflowing, locate the water shut-off valve below the toilet tank and turn it clockwise to shut the water off. Then, enter a maintenance request.
WASHING MACHINE TIPS:
- Only fill the washer tub up to three-quarters full (even for a large load).
- Keep the load balanced and avoid washing large, heavy items such as comforters and blankets.
- Use the appropriate amount of detergent.
- Leave the washer door open for a few hours after every load of wash. This allows the washer to dry and prevents moisture from building up.
DRYER TIPS:
- Don’t overload your dryer. Your laundry needs room to tumble inside the dryer to get dry.
- Clean the lint trap after every load of laundry.
DISPLAY:
- When the “Set to” temperature is changed by using the up or down arrow, it will take some time for the “Inside” temperature to achieve that degree setting.
CONTROLS:
- In addition to using the up and down arrows to change the “Set to” temperature, it is helpful to adjust the vents in your home to control air flow. For example, partially closing the vent in one room, will push more air to other rooms.
FAN:
- The AUTO setting means that the fan is only working when the air is being heated or cooled. Once the “Set to” temperature is achieved, the fan will stop. This is the most energy-efficient fan setting.
- When the FAN button is ON, air will run continuously regardless of the temperature setting which will result in a higher electric bill.
SYSTEM:
- OFF is not recommended because when the system is turned back on later, it will work harder to achieve the “Set to” temperature which will result in a higher electric bill.
We hope these tips and guidelines help you enjoy a smooth transition into your new home and keep your apartment running smoothly. If you have any questions about your home, please feel free to contact us.