This post was updated on June 25, 2018, with new tips.
It’s heating up in Chicago! With the summer comes days at the beach, farmer’s markets, outdoor dining and other activities that make living on Chicago’s north side so enjoyable.
Here are some tips for summertime apartment living in Chicago:
If your apartment has a dishwasher or washer and dryer, run them after the sun goes down. It can get hot enough during the day without the added heat of appliances. Running them after it gets dark will keep your home cooler during the hours of the day when it’s the warmest outside.
Be sure to run your dishwasher at least once a month. It will help to avoid odors within its basin.
Use curtains to shade east and west-facing windows during the day. The heavier the blinds, the more heat they’ll keep out. They’ll keep out more light as well though, so you may want thinner blinds to balance heat resistance with natural light.
Drinking plenty of water is important anyway in the summer. A cold glass of water or tea will help to keep you cool on a hot summer day.
Many of Wirtz’ apartment communities are close to Lake Michigan. If you live near a beach, you’re probably used to trying to get all of the sand off of you before entering your apartment. Baby powder can help! Sprinkle some baby powder on your feet or legs, then brush them with your hands. The baby powder helps to remove moisture from your skin, which helps to stop the sand from sticking to it.
If you have ceiling fans in your apartment, make sure they’re rotating counter-clockwise in the summer. This will push air downward, creating a wind chill effect.
While thick linens may be comfortable, they’re also hot. Try using thinner, lighter linens during the summer months. They’ll help you stay nice and cool.
The Food Lush blog has a great suggestion for helping to keep berries fresh. Mix one part white or apple cider vinegar with ten parts water, then wash the berries in the mixture. Rinse with water afterwards (though you won’t taste the vinegar if you don’t rinse them).
The vinegar will kill bacteria and mold that may be on the surface of the berries and should help them last a week or two longer!
