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Archive for the ‘Dorm Bed and Bath’ Category

As parents – especially moms, your mind is finely tuned to see the dangers that are awaiting your family. This doesn’t shut off when your child goes away to college. You can see the excitement and anxiety in your child’s eyes are you unpack their dorm room and then you say your goodbyes. I am sure that you have covered the basics as far as their needs go: bedding, towels, detergent, dishes, etc. There are some hidden dangers that lurk in dormitories as well.

Here are some of the most common:

Meningitis: The CDC has recently added meningitis to the list of vaccines college freshman should get. Read more about it.

Mononucleosis and Influenza: I’m sure that the flu is already on your list, with all of the coverage of the swine flu and flu shots and health statements being handed out by most colleges this year. I remember from college, that mono – the kissing disease – made its round about once a year. Both of these things can be prevented easily. The washing of hands regularly and not sharing drinks are top on the list. Add to that disinfecting surfaces regularly, and you are good to go. One of the easiest ways to disinfect surfaces is with a UV-C Sanitizer Wand and the air with a Clean2 Vacuum (which serves double duty as a cordless vac.)

Bed bugs: One survey found that one quarter of examiners found bedbugs on college campuses. While there is not much you as an individual can do about it –as it should be handled by professionals. You should always wash your linens in hot water and use a mattress protector as precautions as the infestations occur for not apparent reason most times.

Mold and Athlete’s Food: Both of these thrive in moist conditions – so be sure to keep bath and kitchen areas dry and clean. For your feet – always wear flip flops in the shower and don’t run around the hallways barefoot (just leave a comfy pair of slippers with your freshman).

And as far as social hazards, these aren’t as easy to guard against. Your best defense is to be open with your student about the risks so they know. The top three social hazards are sleep deprivation, binge drinking, and STDs. So leave your child with a comfortable bed so that the hours they do get are quality and trust that you have raised your child well.

Bath Robes and shower shoes are two things that every college freshman will need. If your child has never used a robe then it will be a new realm. Before my freshman year in college, I do not own a robe. My mom, being the wise woman that she is, got me a robe anyway. And I have to say that it was definitely used daily - along with shower shoes. The dorm that I lived in had community showers. It is so much easier to use a robe to get to and from the shower instead of hauling a change of clothes both directions. A robe is also good for heading to the dining hall - be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Since you will be using your bathrobe everyday, you need to get one that will hold up to the job. Christy Waffle Robes are a good basic robe that works marvelously. It is 100% cotton and durable. Karen Luu Minke Robes are THE luxureous robe choice. Once you feel of the material used, you will never go back to a terry cloth robe. They are available in a wide range of colors and styles so it will be easy to find one that matches your personality. It is a robe that will take you through all of your college days and beyond. 

Shower shoes are easy - go to a box-store and get a pair of $5 flip flops. They work perfect for the job and then you can throw them out when the year is done. Bath robes and shower shoes: don’t leave home without them. And trust me, they will become your favorite outfit before long.

Mattress Encasements work a lot better than mattress covers - that should go without saying. By using a cover that encases the entire mattress will ensure that whatever is in the mattress will stay there. This is extra important for dorm mattresses. The number of people who have slept on a mattress before you is countless - you definitely want to form a barrier between you and those germs.

Another benefit is the relief to your allergies. Dust and other allergens get caught in a mattress and can be released everytime you sit or lay on your bed. A mattress encasementwill keep these particles out of the air in your bedroom. Protect-A-Bed covers have a patented Bug Lock with Secure Seal on the zipper which is guaranteed to lock everything inside.

Once you enclose your mattress, it is done. With a mattress cover, you will end up pulling off a corner when you are changing your bed linens or can slip when you adjust your sleep position. This should be a one time chore, not one that is repeated every other week with laundry.

There are a wide range of check lists that a student gets when they graduate high school and are preparing to head to college: Bed and Bath Linens, Cleaning Supplies, School Supplies, and Vaccines? Yes - Vaccines. Vaccinations are generally thought of all the shoots that a toddler gets by two or the boosters that a 5 year old needs to enroll in school. Though there are not requirements for vaccines to be enrolled in a university, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) publishes a list of recommendations. This list can be found at the CDC website.

A new addition to the list is Meningitis. Since the early 90’s, cases of meningitis among adolescents and young adults has increased by 60%! This disease can take one of two forms: swelling of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord OR an infection of the blood. 10-15% of American who contract meningitis will die; up to 20% of survivors will have long-term disabilities. This diseased is caused by a bacteria and is spread through air droplets and direct contact - such as coughing, kissing, and sharing items that come in contact with your mouth.

Living in a dormitory, close quarters with lots of other students increases ones risk of getting a disease. That, coupled with irregular sleep habits, poor nutrition, and other lifestyle factors increases the risk 6X more! Students can reduce their risk of contracting this disease by getting a vaccination and not sharing certain things. Another preventative measure is to use a UV-C Sanitizer Wand in your dorm room over all surfaces weekly. This wand kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria by harness light. The UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer will keep the air in your room healthy to breathe.

Protect the well being of your child. It is cheaper to invest in quality products that keep your student healthy than to constantly worry about them falling ill. Go through the recommended vaccines for college students and send them equipped to fight off bacteria.

College days are fast approaching. It is now July and August follows, which is the start of college. College life and moving into the dorms will be upon you soon. By now, you have had time to go through all of your graduation gifts and see what is missing.

Mattress encasement  was most likely not one of the things you received, but it is one of the most vital items you can take with you into the dorm. If you stop to think about how many people have slept on that mattress before you and what they could have done on it… it should make you gag just a bit. You have this nice comforter and matching sheets - you are so excited about decorating you new home with with roommate. But before you put your awesome bed linens on, put a mattress encasement on. It completely encases the mattress and ensures that what ever is in the mattress, stays there.

UV-C Sanitizer Wands are incredible! They kill germs with the power of light! There is no easier way to disinfect your room than with a Germ Guardian Wand. It is compact and effective. The last thing you want to worry about it where to store bulky cleaning supplies in your small dorm room.

There are a million things you have to do and get before your start your college days. Getting these two items will enable you (and your parents) to rest easier knowing you are protected from germs and bacteria.

Dorm living starts now, in June. It may feel like August is a long way off, but it will be here before you know it! Also, if you put it off until the first part of August, you are stuck with the leftovers. What a scary thought! Below is a list of the essentials.

• Alarm clock - Yes, you will need an actually alarm clock. Your phone may work now;but after an all-nighter, you will need more than one. Trust me.
• Mattress Protector - Who slept on that mattress before you and what do they do on it? Yuck! A mattress encasement will protect you from whatever maybe in that mattress. You (and your parents) will sleep better.
• Bed linens - Isn’t it nice to crawl into a freshly made bed? Well, you’ll be in charge of that in the fall. It is easier to have 2 to 3 sets of sheets - one on the bed, one that’s dirty, and one that’s clean.
• Towels - 2 or 3 sets is a good idea for towels as well. When you go to dry your face and you get an odd odor - that means your towel needs to be washed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Or at the very least, thrown in the hamper.
• Robe - Maybe you’ve never had a robe before in your life, but it will soon be your favorite accessory. It is perfect for go to and from the shower - and the dining hall. You pay for dorm meals - and breakfast is hard to mess up.
• Area Rug & Bath Rug - Area rugs are not the place to spend money. They are there to cover the hideous tile and absorb sound. Bath Rugs (not mats) are perfect for in front of the sink. They can be thrown in the washer with your towels and will absorb the water that makes it way out of the sink.
• Mini-Fridge - Some dorms provide these; be sure and check before you purchase one. But it sure is nice to have a cold drink without having to walk to the vending machine.
• Small Microwave - Again, some dorms come with one. Think about watching a movie last and having fresh popped corn or a bowl of mac-n-cheese.
• Computer - duh.
• Dishes - Two of each: cup, bowl, plate, silverware set. Are you really going to wash the bowl right after using it? a second set will be nice.
• Handi-Tak to hang posters - no nails are allowed and you will want something to cover the boring walls.
• Iron & Ironing Board - you will want to look nice for class presentations and dates.
• Laundry bag - how else are you going to get your dirty clothes from your room to the washer?
• Radio/stereo/MP3 player - Some sort of music machine to mellow out with at night or rock out to when getting ready.
• Shower caddy - It is a lot easier to have everything you need in one basket than having to gather it in your arms every time.
• Telephone & Mobile - Telephone for the dorm room because you never know who might be trying to find you and that is the only number they can find. Mobile phone is a given, I know.
• TV/DVD player  - Movie night can be SO much fun. AND you might get free cable!
• Cleaning Supplies - A hand held vacuum is so handy; you won’t know how you lived without one all of these years. A plug-in air sanitizer does the work for you and a UV-C wand is so quick you won’t mind cleaning you room.

This is not an all encompassing list, but it is a good start. Get the basics and necessities and work your way up to the decorative. You only have 6 weeks! Think about how quickly that goes by! Start now and start at the dorm shop in GoGreenBedding.com!

Towels and Tub Mats are on the top 10 things you need when you head to college. Most people remember towels, but forget a tub mat. Most dorms I know of have at least a sink in the room. They also have tile or linoleum floors. That is definitely cold on your feet when you are brushing your teeth. It is also slippery with just a little water. Both of those problems are remedied with a tub mat.

Tub Matsshould be used over Bath Mats in dorm rooms because of their wash-ability. You would wash your tub mat with the same frequency as you do towels. Bath Mats typically have anti-slip backings on them. These do not stand up to washings frequently. A moist bath mat is a breeding ground for bacteria, germs, viruses and more - especially with as many students that come in and out of a dorm room in a given week. A tub mat will absorb any water that escapes the sink and is durable enough to stand up to the wash. It also provides a barrier between your feet and that cold floor.

Bath Towels come in many varies. One of the most important factors for most students, especially females, is the color. Prism Bath Towelscome in 14 vibrant colors. You are sure to find one that will match your child’s decor. These towels are economical as well as high quality. They are sure to stand up to the beatings of any college student.

Quality towels and tub mats will last through your students entire college career and into their adult life. There is nothing worse than having a scratchy towel when you get out of the shower. Make sure your student is taken care of even though you can not be there.

Protect-A-Bed mattress and box spring covers provide both allergy relief and bed bug protection. The mattresses and box springs in dormitories are not the cleanest items in the room. Think about how many other students have slept on them over the years. Also think about the spills that might have occurred, from soda to soup to mouthwash. There is not way to know what all is on or in your mattress. Bed bugs have been in the news a lot lately. A bed bug can last a year without feeding. So just because the room was unoccupied over the summer, it doesn’t mean these pests have moved out. Bud bugs hide quite well and are nocturnal so you may not see them when you are moving in.

You wheels are turning now and you are probably disgusted at the sight of the dorm bed. But Protect-A-Bed’s Protectors are incredible. Their box spring cover encases the entire foundation and creates a secure seal. This locks everything inside, not allowing bed bugs or dust or other allergens to escape. Their mattress encasement comes in two varieties. Both have Bug-Lock three sided zippers and AllerZip seals that trap bed bugs, mites, dust, allergens, and more inside the mattress. One has a Smooth Surfacethat is waterproof and stain-proof, yet remains breathable and comfortable. The other has a Terry Cloth surface for superior comfort and a soft feel.

Protect-A-Bed products provide a barrier between your child and the dormitory bed. This simple set of encasing the mattress and box spring will help with allergies and also with anything that is making it’s home in the bed.

Germ Guardian products should be at the top of your list for products to send with your child to college. They harness the power of Ultraviolet (UV) light to kill 99% of germs on most surfaces. UV-C is the specific light wave frequency that is used. These rays are naturally filtered out by the earth’s atmosphere. This is not new technology; in fact the Nobel Prize of Medicine was given for the use of this technology in 1903.

UV-C light is also known as germicidal because its short wavelength breaks down micro organisms. It destroys the nucleic acids in these organisms so that their DNA is disrupted by the UV radiation. Micro-organisms have less protection from UV and cannot survive exposure to it. This method is used in hospitals and other medical faculties because it does not rely on chemicals, which could be harmful to humans.

Germ Guardian has a range of products that will keep any dorm room, apartment, or home germ free. Their products not only work on surfaces, but also the air. Use the sanitizer wand on all surfaces, including door knobs, bedding, and walls. The pluggable air sanitizer keeps the air safe to breathe. Another way to continually sanitize the air is with the Clean 2 Hand Vac. The base serves as a charger for the vacuum and also an air sanitizer. A cordless vacuum is the most practical cleaning tool you can have in a dorm room! Do not forget about your toothbrush! A moist toothbrush could serve as a breeding ground for germs. Use the toothbrush sanitizer to make sure you aren’t brushing germs onto your teeth.

You will have enough worries as you send your child off to college. Do not let germs be one of them. By sending your child off with Germ Guardian products, you will have one less worry. We all know that with students living in such close vicinity to each other, germs could have a hay-day. But not in your child’s room!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a National summit on Bed Bugs April 14-15 in New York City. Bed bugs, as you have most likely heard on the news, are on the rise. They have been reported in almost every type of institution designed for sleeping - from hotels to dormitories to homes. The EPA Summit resulted in well thought out recommendations and procedures that will be reviewed and, once approved put into motion.

I appreciate the EPA having a summit to address this problem. And I am sure that parents of high school seniors are glad as well. Being well informed is a must when you are sending your child to live in a dormitory. The thing is that the recommendations and procedures will not have a direct impact on you for some time. So what do you do in the mean time? Keep reading and I will tell you.

The first thing to do is research the dormitory where your college freshman will be staying: see if there are any reports of bed bugs in that or any other dorm on campus. Before moving any of your items into the room, survey the space carefully for any signs of bed bugs. You should thoroughly clean the room now, before luggage and clothes and such are filling the space. The college will have cleaned the space, but to be sure it is up to your standards, vacuum every corner, the mattress and box spring. The Clean 2 Cordless Hand VAC + UV-C Air Sanitizer is ideal for dorm rooms. It is convenient for cleaning up any spills and the base continuously sanitizes the air .

Next you should use a UV-C Sanitizer Wand over every surface. This wand uses ultraviolet light to kills 99% of germs and bacteria. Now uses a mattress encasement on both the box spring and mattress. This will form a barrier between whenever is left on or in the mattress and your child.

These simple steps will ensure that your child will start out with a dorm room that is clean and bed bug free.