CHAOCblog

I admit that although my home isn’t HUGE and I’m only one person, I’m not very good at regularly cleaning. In fact, I really don’t enjoy spending half of my limited free days (ie., weekends) scrubbing the floors and dusting shelves.  As I mentioned in my earlier post, I have switched to earth-friendly products but they need the TLC in application!

I’ve had a few different housecleaners in the last few years, and know that quite a few of my neighbors do as well.  For a one bedroom the rate seems to be around $70-80 for a top-to-bottom cleaning.  I’ve found, however, that most cleaning services do not include the external side of the windows, event though the fold-in design makes them safe and easy to clean.  Is this the case with everyone?

Do you have any recommendations for a cleaning person and how much are you currently paying? Do you tip on top of that?

The north campus includes not only residents but also commercial tenants.  Recently the dentist previously renting storefront space from CHAOC on Myrtle Ave has left and new businesses are moving in – a Thai restaurant (which I think is just moving from down the street) and a new boutique selling green products.  I’m excited about the boutique.

I’ve switched to using all earth friendly cleaning products about a year ago. I feel much safer knowing that the cleaning residues on my counters, floors, sink, etc are 100% natural – since your body is often absorbing these residues through the air and touch. Also the lack of regulations around cleaning products and the known hazards of cleaning chemical vapors, mixing products, etc raises a hundred red flags. Going green, I know that the stuff going down the drain, back into the earth and eventually our water supply will not include harmful chemicals  which threaten your health, erode the building infrastructure (ex. pipes), and pollute the earth (ex. poison the water).   Not to mention, its great when your home smells with real citrus, lavendar and herbs! 

My favorite cleaner so far is Parsley Plus (made by Ecos), an all surface cleaner that smells amazing.  Ecos also makes a lovely Lemongrass laundry detergent.  I find the countertop cleansers from Caldrea are indispensible.  J.R. Watkins makes natural products with beautiful vintage packaging (afterall it was estab. in 1868!) so for those things you leave out, like their lemon dish soap, it also decorates your home.  I coupled that with the Lemon Verbena hand soap by Meyer’s.  And of course the papertowels, toilet paper, dishwasher fluid and other products from Seventh Generation are great.

I was able to find most of these at the Associated, Target, hardware store, and hopefully now the new shop on Myrtle so I can stop trekking to Go Green on Atlantic and Nevins.  Has anyone been to the new store? Is it open?

Most of the shareholders I know have made some great modifications and upgrades to their apartments, myself included. Fortunately getting the right Board/Management permissions was an easy process and I LOVE how it turned out.  It may have been smoother sailing for me becuase I didn’t have a pressing timeline and I have family that could do a lot of the work. However, I have friends who each have used different contractors to help with the remodeling.

Below is an email I received from a CHAOC newcomer (welcome!) who is looking for some neighborly advice and recommendations.  Please leave your helpful contacts and tips in the Comments.

>>Looking for contractors/quotes on minor demo

I own a 1 br. apt. at the CH Co-ops, and am looking to get an estimate on removing this middle bar area that separates the kitchen/living area (pic attached). Also want to remove the short wall separating the kitchen from the living area. Most of the walls are concrete, as you know.

Anyone done this? Curious about cost of removal of that bar area and the short wall between the kitchen/dining area, and who your contractor was. My husband’s brother and dad (who build houses for a living) are going to come out in spring and install an island/cabinetry, etc. So right now I am ONLY looking for cost of tearing down the walls. We are going to do things in stages because we can’t shell out a ton of cash right now.

I emailed a contractor today who posts on this site and they replied as such: “For removing the walls only and garbage removal (no materials) $1,500. Depending on how many materials will be needed, I would not be able to tell you until demolition is complete because the floor more than likely might need to get done because some floors are built before the actual flooring is placed (sometimes not). Either way, will not know until it is removed.”

So (without seeing my place yet) I’m getting a quote of $1500 and possibly several hundred more? That seems like a lot, but then again, I’ve never done anything like this before.

Who knew but thanks to a CHAOCblog reader for tipping me off – there is a work order request form available online!

You can find it on the CHAOC homepage or click here.  I don’t know if this is more or less effective than calling the maintenance office or talking to your building maintenance crew, but it definitely can’t hurt to try!

Happy new year fellow CHAOC residents.  What is your top wish for the Clinton Hill Apartments in 2009?

(and hopefully your new year resolutions include increased participation in co-op activities!)