<h2>Did you know that there are quite some people in the Netherlands without a home? They have no house and no family who can take them in.&nbsp;Holland2Stay wants to give back to those in need, and we are starting with our first collaboration with the Salvation Army!</h2>
<p>The Salvation Army helps people without a helper. “We believe that everyone has the right to a fair chance and a dignified existence. We offer hope to the very weakest in our society and help them to stand on their own feet again so that they have the prospect of a better future."</p>
<p>We love to do our share and help the Salvation Army with its amazing work! Tess and Merel, our colleagues from the customer service team in Rotterdam, donated old duvets and pillows from our building The Lee Towers. “We collected all the older duvets and pillows for a while, to support the Salvation Army with their great work.” A small effort, but a big gesture!</p>
<p>You can help the Salvation Army as well! Are you moving and do you want to get rid of some of your (old) clothes or other stuff? Donate it to the Salvation Army! Visit their <a href="https://www.reshare.nl/english" target="”_blank”" rel="”noreferrer">website</a> for all the drop-off locations.</p>

Holland2Stay supports people in need

<p>Holland2Stay starts its first collaboration with the Salvation Army to support people in need by donating old duvets and pillows.</p>

<h2>Every year, 1.5 million mattresses are thrown away in the Netherlands. At Holland2Stay, we replace approximately 1,000 mattresses each year. But what do we do with the old mattresses?</h2>
<p>Most mattresses contain steel, cotton, and polyurethane foam. These materials provide different strengths and comfort but are often interconnected in such a way that they can no longer be separated. Given this wide range of materials, mattresses have typically been difficult to recycle and cheaper to burn. However, about 90% of the components of the mattresses can be recycled into raw materials for other products.</p>
<h3>Retour Matras</h3>
<p>To take a step towards a circular economy, Holland2Stay is working together with <a href="https://www.retourmatras.nl/het-verhaal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Retour Matras</a> to recycle old mattresses. Retour Matras is a Dutch company that was founded in 2009 and processes over 40% of all discarded mattresses in The Netherlands. Retour Matras aims to reuse 100% of discarded mattresses.</p>
<h3>Recycling process</h3>
<p>First, the fabric exterior of the mattresses is removed. This textile is compressed into large bales and sent to a textile factory in Marocco. In this factory, the textile is processed into thread, which is used to weave new textile products, such as clothing, blankets, and mattress covers.</p>
<p>After removing the exterior, the metal is removed from the mattresses with a large magnet. This metal is recycled into metal springs, that can be used to produce new iron products. What remains after removing the metal is the foam of the mattress, which consists of latex, polyether, or a mix of these materials. The foam is shredded and pressed into bales. The shredded latex is used as an end product. For example, in the furniture industry, latex is used as a filling material. The polyether can be recycled in a new type of foam, which is used in carpet underlay, foam for acoustics, or insulation boards.</p>
<p>By working together with Retour Matras, most elements of our old mattresses are reused into new products.</p>

Giving new life to old mattresses

<p>Holland2Stay is working together with Retour Matras to recycle the elements of our discarded mattresses into new products.</p>

<h2>Separating and recycling your waste is essential to keep our environment clean. Don't know where to start with your recycling journey? Let's give some guidelines on how to recycle your waste in The Netherlands.</h2>
<h3>Dutch waste management&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Municipalities are responsible for the waste management in the Netherlands. You pay once a year for the collection and processing of waste through municipal waste charges. If you don't recycle your waste properly, you're risking a fine from your municipality.</p>
<p>How you recycle depends on where you live.&nbsp;Most households get a rolling recycling container to separate waste at home. These recycling containers are emptied when you put them along the roadside. Big cities and areas with high-rise buildings have underground containers. Some operate with a (environmental) waste card, while others are always open to use.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What do I need to recycle?</h3>
<p>What you need to recycle depends – again – on where you live and how it's arranged in your area. How your city handles its waste management can be found on your municipality's website.&nbsp;Are you renting from Holland2Stay? Check your online account for all information about recycling your waste.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The general rule to follow is: recycle for which there is a container. For example, some cities don't have (underground) containers for organic waste and plastic waste. Waste is post-separated: substances that can still be recycled are automatically taken out. In general, you need to separate these kinds of waste:</p>
<ul>
<li>Residual waste</li>
<li>Paper and cardboard waste&nbsp;</li>
<li>Plastic, metals, and drink containers</li>
<li>Organic waste&nbsp;</li>
<li>Glass waste</li>
<li>Batteries and light bulbs&nbsp;</li>
<li>Textiles&nbsp;<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h3>Residual waste</h3>
<p>The general rule is that if you cannot separate the waste, you can throw it away as residual waste (restafval in Dutch). When there are no containers for organic waste and plastic waste, you can recycle this as residual waste. The waste is post-separated: substances that can still be recycled are automatically taken out. Collect everything in a waste bag and dispose of it in a (underground) container.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Aerosol cans (whipped cream, deodorant, hairspray)</li>
<li>Chewing gums</li>
<li>Coffee cups</li>
<li>Dirty paper or cardboard (pizza boxes, baking paper)</li>
<li>Drinking glasses and bowls</li>
<li>Envelopes with plastic bubbles</li>
<li>Photographs</li>
<li>Razor blades</li>
<li>Sanitary pads and tampons</li>
<li>Shopping bags</li>
<li>Vacuum cleaner bags<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h3>Paper and cardboard waste</h3>
<p>Paper and cardboard (papier en karton) can be recycled together. If you can’t tear the paper or cardboard and when it’s dirty, it doesn’t belong with paper and cardboard waste. Photographs and dirty pizza boxes are considered to be residual waste.</p>
<p>Make the paper and cardboard as small as possible. Remove any plastic leaflets from the cardboard. Dispose of it in a (underground) container or place it on the sidewalk on certain collection days. Consult the website of your municipality to check the collection days.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Cardboard boxes</li>
<li>Newspapers, leaflets, envelopes</li>
<li>Toilet rolls<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h3>Organic waste&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Recycle vegetables, fruits, and any garden waste (groente-, fruit- en tuinafval (gft) in Dutch) as organic waste. It’s made into compost. This type of waste will fermented and composted into useful products, such as green gas, CO2, and compost.&nbsp;Collect it in a compostable waste bag, which you can buy in most supermarkets. Dispose of it in a (underground) container.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Flowers</li>
<li>Food waste (also brewed coffee without cup and tea bags with label and string)</li>
<li>Used napkins, tissues, and paper towel<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h3>Plastics, metals, and drink containers&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Recycle all plastic, cans, and drink containers (plastic, metalen en drinkpakken (pmd) in Dutch) together. To be sure which plastic packaging can be recycled, check the instructions on the packaging itself. Return beverage cans with a deposit back to the supermarket – good for your wallet!</p>
<p>Everything needs to be empty and you can leave the cap on bottles.&nbsp;In some municipalities, you need to collect your plastics, metals, and drink containers into a bag that's meant for plastic waste. You can find these bags in any supermarket. Dispose of it in a (underground) container.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Aluminum (aluminum foil, aluminum dishes)</li>
<li>Cans (beer cans, soda cans, syrup cans)</li>
<li>Chip bags</li>
<li>Drink containers</li>
<li>Plastic containers (yogurt, fruit, and salad cups, plastic bags, plant pots, detergent bottles)</li>
<li>Small plastic objects (toys)<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h3>Glass</h3>
<p>Throw glass jars and bottles in a glass container. Recycle the correct colored glass in the correct bin: white or clear glass with white, green glass with green, and brown glass with brown. Drinking glasses and bowls need to be recycled as residual waste. Mirrors need to be recycled at the recycling center.&nbsp;Consult the website of your municipality to check where you can find glass containers close to your home.</p>
<ul>
<li>Jars and bottles that contained cosmetics, perfumes, and medicines</li>
<li>Jars and bottles that contained drinks and (baby) food<br><br></li>
</ul>
<h3>Batteries and light bulbs</h3>
<p>Empty batteries contain some leftover power, which can cause a fire. Always bring them to a collection bin.&nbsp;Stores and supermarkets that sell batteries and light bulbs often have a collection bin.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Textiles</h3>
<p>Clothing, shoes, and bags are textiles. You can throw it in the textile bin if it's still in good condition. Some charities pick up clothing and other textiles at home. Put the clothing in a tightly sealed bag when recycling it.&nbsp;Consult the website of your municipality to check where you can find textile containers close to your home.</p>

How to recycle waste in the Netherlands

<p>Let's give some guidelines on how to recycle your waste in the Netherlands.</p>

<h2>Water is not expensive in the Netherlands. But, if you want to contribute to sustainability and ultimately to a better world, saving on water is never a bad idea.</h2>
<p>Just becoming aware of your water usage will help you a lot with saving on water. Unconsciously, lots of water disappears down the drain. Besides taking a shorter shower, there are a lot of other things you can do to save on water.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Cooking<br></strong>Saving water while cooking? Yep, that’s easy. Are you waiting for hot water? Don’t let the water run right into the sink. Think ahead! You can already fill a pan with water, fill your kettle, or collect the water for watering your plants. <br><br>Cook your vegetables and rice in a small layer of water. Leave the lid on the pan, and your vegetables will be fine. Even better is to steam your veggies. Especially with a ceramic plate, it can take some time until your water boils. Less water needs less time to boil, plus you'll preserve the flavor, vitamins, and minerals of your vegetables. With rice, put your finger vertically in the pan, touch the bottom, and pour in water up to only one fingertip above the surface of the rice. Leave the lid on the pan and wait until it's ready. <br><br>Done cooking? Fill up your dishwasher sufficiently and run it on the eco-program. No full dishwasher? Then do the dishes by hand. This saves about 8 liters of water!<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Washing<br></strong>Luckily, nowadays all washing machines and dishwashers are energy-friendly. However, you can be extra careful while washing. A washing machine uses about 60 liters of water per wash. Does your washing machine have an eco function? Use it! The eco-program takes a little longer than other programs, but you wash more economically and just as clean.<br><br>Also, make sure you fill your washing machine sufficiently. Saving up your dirty clothes and running a few large washes in the launderette is easier and more affordable than running several small washes.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Showering<br></strong>A tip that you’ve probably heard many times before is to reduce your time in the shower. According to <a href="https://www.milieucentraal.nl/energie-besparen/duurzaam-warm-water/besparen-onder-de-douche/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milieucentraal</a>, a household that showers for an average of 5 minutes instead of 9 minutes can save over 15,000 liters of water per year. Let’s not even talk about taking a bath. At the same time, you're saving energy as you don't heat up as much water.<br><br>Also, although you might think that your shower needs 5 minutes to warm up, it will be hot in actually less than a minute. Don’t turn on the shower if you are doing other things in the meantime. Or start with a cold shower for a minute, which wakes you up immediately. Or, turn off the shower when washing your hair. Makes a difference!<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Reduce your food waste<br></strong>Although you would think that showering less would really contribute to sustainability, eating less meat is indirectly many times more effective. Did you know that everything you eat is made with the help of water? Don't be shocked, but 15,000 gallons of water are used for 1 pound of beef. So if you want to save water, it is wise to eat less meat.<br><br>You can at least start by throwing away less food. Dutch people throw away more than 34 kilos of food every year, while you can still cook perfectly well with leftovers.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Measuring equals knowing<br></strong>After all, measuring equals knowing. You can check your average water usage by looking at the annual settlement from your water provider. On average, a one-person household in the Netherlands uses 46,100 liters of water per year. That is more than 120 liters per day. Count that out in terms of bottles in front of you.<br><br>You consume most water unconsciously. While you leave your water running for only two minutes while brushing your teeth, 40 liters of water rushes down the drain.</li>
</ul>
<p><br>Is your shower, faucet, or tub dripping? Get it fixed! A leaking faucet increases your water consumption unnecessarily. <em>Are you a tenant of Holland2Stay? Create a repair request in your online account. We'll fix it as soon as possible.</em></p>

5x Saving on water

<p>Find out five ways to be more sustainable by saving on water at your home.</p>

<h2>As the summer heat intensifies, keeping your home cool can be a challenge. With a few simple and smart practices, you can create your own refreshing oasis within your four walls. Let’s beat the heat!</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Shut your windows</strong><br>Summertime calls for opening your doors and windows. A minor setback is that you’re probably letting in warm outside air. Crack up your windows only when the air outside is cool, such as in the early morning or late evening. Keep your curtains and blinds closed to block the sunlight during the day.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Cross-ventilation</strong><br>If your apartment has windows on opposite walls, take advantage of cross-ventilation. Open windows strategically to create a breeze that can naturally cool down your living space. Place fans near windows to facilitate air movement and enhance the circulation of fresh air. Consider placing a bowl of ice or a damp towel in front of the fan for an extra burst of coolness.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Stay lazy</strong><br>Try to use your appliances as little as possible, as appliances generate heat. Don’t vacuum, don’t use your oven, and try to prepare meals that require minimal cooking. Avoid using your washing machine during the hottest times of the day and opt for air-drying your clothes instead of using your dryer. To keep your rental apartment cool and comfortable, it’s best to be not at home during the day. You might not notice it directly, but your home heats up while you're in it.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Energy-efficient lighting</strong><br>Many lightbulbs produce more heat than light. Switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs, which emit less heat and help keep your home cooler. Reduce the use of unnecessary lighting and take advantage of natural light during the day.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Create a green oasis</strong><br>Plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your rental apartment but can also help to keep it cool. Place potted plants strategically near windows to provide shade and reduce the temperature inside. Certain plants, like snake plants, aloe vera, and peace lilies, are known for their air-purifying properties while adding a refreshing touch to your living space.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Keep your head cool</strong><br>Stay hydrated and cool yourself. Keep your body cool by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. It lowers your body temperature, which makes you more comfortable.</li>
</ul>
<p><br>Of course, a combination of these tips will likely lead to the best results. Good luck with keeping it cool!</p>

How to cool down your home in summer

<p>Keeping your home cool can be a challenge when the summer heat intensifies. Let's beat the heat with some simple and smart practices.</p>

<h2>Maintaining a rental home is not just about ensuring its aesthetic appeal, but also about preserving its functionality and value over time. Regular upkeep helps create a comfortable and attractive living space while reducing the likelihood of major repairs. We’ll give you a checklist, organized by cleaning tasks that should be done weekly, monthly, half-yearly, and yearly.</h2>
<h3>General cleaning tips</h3>
<p>Every home, big or small, gets dirty. Let’s start with some general tips and tricks to make cleaning a bit easier.</p>
<ul>
<li>Of course, delay is the beginning of defeat. Tackling your cleaning jobs right away saves you time in the end. By regularly doing small tasks, it's easier to keep up.</li>
<li>Read the instructions for your cleaning products, as some might not be suitable for the material you will clean. Prevent yourself from it getting worse and start reading.</li>
<li>Always pay attention to your air circulation. Reduce dampness by opening a window or getting yourself a dehumidifier. It keeps the air fresh and it prevents the development of mold.</li>
</ul>
<h3><br>Weekly cleaning tasks</h3>
<p>Make cleaning easier by breaking down big tasks into several manageable tasks. Prevent your home from building up with dust and mess. Let’s start with the basics you should be paying attention to every week.</p>
<ul>
<li>Change your bed sheets.</li>
<li>Dust off surfaces, including furniture, countertops, and electronics.</li>
<li>Wipe down kitchen surfaces, appliances, and your sink.</li>
<li>Empty and clean the fridge of expired items and spills.</li>
<li>Clean and disinfect the bathroom surfaces, including the sink, countertop(s), and toilet.</li>
<li>Scrub the shower floor, its tiles, and grouts to prevent soap scum buildup. Tip: to prevent heavy lime formation, buy a wiper to dry your shower wall after showering.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Vacuum and mop the floors.</li>
<li>Empty all trash cans.</li>
</ul>
<h3><br>Monthly cleaning tasks</h3>
<p>Of course, you don’t have to clean everything weekly. Once you have more time, check out-of-mind tasks that become more difficult to get clean if you leave them unattended.</p>
<ul>
<li>Wipe all interior and exterior doors.</li>
<li>Wipe down the inside and outside of cabinets and drawers.</li>
<li>Wipe down the microwave and oven.</li>
<li>Clean the cooker hood filters.</li>
<li>Empty and clean the dishwasher filter to prevent clogs. Don’t forget to clean the rubbers. Find a complete step-by-step guide on how to deep clean it <a href="https://holland2stay.com/blog/cleaning-dishwasher">here</a>.</li>
<li>Flush the drains with some vinegar, boiling water, and baking soda. Find a step-by-step guide <a href="https://holland2stay.com/blog/unclog-sink">here</a>.</li>
<li>Dust and clean the air vents.</li>
<li>Dust and clean the light fixtures.</li>
<li>Wash the ventilation hood filters.</li>
<li>Wipe out and disinfect the recycling bins.</li>
<li><a href="https://holland2stay.com/blog/cleaning-washing-machine">Deep clean your washing machine</a> and its filters. Don’t forget to clean the rubbers.</li>
</ul>
<h3><br>Half-yearly cleaning tasks</h3>
<p>Semi-annual or seasonal cleaning is perfect to put the focus on more major tasks.</p>
<ul>
<li>Clean around the ventilation extractions on ceilings.</li>
<li>Deep clean your oven and microwave.</li>
<li>Defrost and clean your freezer.</li>
<li>Descale your coffee maker and kettle.</li>
<li>Vacuum the mattress and flip or rotate it 180 degrees.</li>
<li>Wash or dry clean your pillows.</li>
<li>Wash the windows from inside and outside (if you can reach them).&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3><br>Yearly cleaning tasks</h3>
<p>Handle this yearly, and you’re good to go.</p>
<ul>
<li>Remove deep-seated dirt and stains from your couch and bed.</li>
<li>Test and replace batteries in smoke detectors. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Check if the ventilation filters need replacement. You can't replace these yourself, your property manager will replace them once in a while.</li>
</ul>
<h3><br>Check-out cleaning tasks</h3>
<p>Are you checking out of your home? Check out our <a href="https://holland2stay.com/blog/cleaning-spots-check-out">10 cleaning tips</a> you can’t skip when you’re checking out.</p>

Cleaning your home: Checklist with weekly to yearly tasks

<p>Cleaning and regular upkeep help create a comfortable living space while reducing the likelihood of major repairs.&nbsp;We’ll give you a little checklist, of what you should be doing weekly, monthly, half-yearly, and yearly.</p>

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Holland2Stay supports people in need

Giving new life to old mattresses

How to recycle waste in the Netherlands

5x Saving on water

How to cool down your home in summer

Cleaning your home: Checklist with weekly to yearly tasks

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Holland2Stay supports people in need

Giving new life to old mattresses

How to recycle waste in the Netherlands

5x Saving on water

How to cool down your home in summer

Cleaning your home: Checklist with weekly to yearly tasks