*HOT* FREE Cash or Gift Cards to Test Products Did you now that some readers fund their Christmas Presents and Summer Vacation with money made from Market Research companies like Opinion Outpost doing surveys,…There are many milestones in parenting, setting up a baby's crib, then moving that baby to a big bed and so on. Fast-forward 18 years and it’s setting up your child’s college dorm room. TODAY contributor Elizabeth Mayhew has these tips for getting your child’s room in gear: Those of us who have been off to college remember the professors we had, classes we attended (or didn’t) and the friends we made, but very few of us remember those few weeks before leaving home (some of us for the first time) and the harried preparations that took place. Lugging clothes, computers, sheets, towels, mini-fridges and an endless supply of ramen noodle soups into an often charmless, cinderblock dorm room to live with an unknown fellow student has always been daunting. But now, with more than 10 million kids living in college dorms, marketing and supplying students with all they need is big business.
All you have to do these days is enter a mass retailer — Wal-Mart, Target, Staples or Bed Bath & Beyond — to see that back-to-school/college dorm shopping is maybe only second to the holiday season for massive retail sales. The good news it that so much is available — more than ever — at affordable prices; just make sure that before you spend next year’s tuition bill on this year’s supplies, you are armed with some key bits of information. 1. Before you shop for your dorm room, check with your school to see if they can provide you with details of your room — its size, configuration, etc. Some colleges even allow you to take virtual tours of your room before you arrive at www.dormtours.net. Your school will tell you what is provided and what is prohibited (most schools do not allow anything that gets hot, like hot plates or space heaters — even candles). It is also wise to contact your roommate to find out what he or she is bringing so that you don’t end up with two microwaves or two mini-fridges.
You can also check out the MicroFridge. 2. Chances are you won’t be able to take your favorite bed sheets. Most schools have extra-long beds and sheets that require extra-long bedding. I recommend buying a good quality mattress pad and bed topper to make those much-needed Z’s all the better. Also forgo flat sheets — make it easy on yourself by having only a fitted sheet and a comforter with a duvet cover; it will be easier to “make the bed” and one less thing to wash. Also invest in some extra pillows — when friends drop by, your bed will have to double as a sofa. Savvy students also know to get blocks or bed risers to raise their beds up to provide much-needed storage. 3. Don’t go crazy with the clothes; if you don’t love it, then don’t bring it. Also remember you will probably head home for Thanksgiving, which is only a few months away. You can do your wardrobe switch then. The two things you want to bring a lot of are underwear and socks — just in case you don’t do your laundry as frequently as you should.
Speaking of laundry … plan on having a stash of quarters for the times you are forced to finally do a load or two. And rather than schlepping a hefty container of detergent to and from the laundry room, buy Dropps instead; they are dissolvable premeasured packets of detergent so there is no measuring, no heavy lifting. 4. Dorm rooms are usually outfitted with the basics: a bed, dresser, desk and chair, but you will want to bring some extra items to help you minimize clutter. Make use of back-of-door, under-bed and closet storage. Hanging shoe bags can hold everything from socks to a flashlight or snacks for the late-night munchies. Boxes and magazine holders can help keep class papers sorted. Stacked cubes or boxes next to your bed can store items and double as a bedside table. And because you want to look your best — even if you have been wearing the same unwashed jeans for two weeks — you might want to invest in a full-length mirror. 5. As for study time, I suggest bringing a task lamp for you desk — dorm rooms usually have overhead lighting only.
I would also consider swapping your dorm-provided wooden desk chair circa 1950 for an up-to-date ergonomic model. The one thing you are sure to have a lot of is books. Umbra’s clever, space-saving bookshelves and magazine rack attach easily to the wall; just make sure when you take them down at the end of the year that you fill in the holes with spackling (or toothpaste). You might want to include one book that opens to reveal a secret compartment for valuables. 6. This will probably be the first time you will have to share a bathroom with 100 other people and chances are you will have to walk more than 100 feet to get to it. A shower caddy is a must-have for dorm life. I would make sure you have a pair of flip-flops for shower time as well. 7. A note to parents: Even if you don’t have a student going off to college this month, you should encourage your kids to take responsibility for their laundry, rooms and study time; you will set them up for success once they do go to college.
Mattress Protectors, Underlays & ToppersSpotlight has a range of different mattress protectors, underlays and bed toppers available instore and online. If you want a good nights sleep and increase the longevity of your mattress and bedding then our range of products is what you are looking for.Each of these products comes in different styles, sizes and price ranges, as well as the levels of protection and comfort that they offer.So whether you need a waterproof mattress protector for your child or looking for some extra warmth in the cold winter nights Spotlight has all your bedding needs and requirements covered at the lowest prices guaranteed! Why use a mattress protector?A good quality mattress can be quite an investment, and many people will use their mattress for many years before buying a new one. During the night, our bodies shed miniscule dead skin cells, hairs and perspiration, which can all seep into the mattress and form an ideal breeding ground for dust mites, which can cause irritation for people with allergies or breathing problems.
A mattress protector will form a barrier to protect your mattress, and is easy to remove and clean. It will add to your level of comfort and hygiene, as well as prolong the life of your mattress.What kind of mattress protectors are available? Mattress protectors can come in two styles, either fitted around the top and sides of your mattress, or with straps, where the mattress protector lies on top of the mattress and has straps that fit around the corners of the bed. Mattress protectors are sold in the same sizes that beds come in and are available in single, double, queen, king and super king size.As well as general mattress protectors, it is also possible to buy waterproof mattress protectors, which will protect your mattress against accidents or spills, and anti-bacterial mattress protectors, which are especially made for people who are sensitive to allergies as they will prevent bacteria in the mattress coming into contact with the skin. Although waterproof mattress covers will provide an extra layer of protection to your mattress, the materials used to ensure the waterproofing will not allow them to be as breathable as for instance cotton mattress covers, as air cannot circulate freely.
What is the difference between an underlay and a mattress topper? Underlays are normally fitted around your mattress, enclosing the mattress like a fitted sheet would do. They will add an extra layer of softness and warmth, since these budget-friendly underlays are normally made from synthetic material such as polyurethane foam, while more expensive underlays are often made from natural materials such as wool. Reversible underlays allow you to choose either the wool side in winter and the cotton side in summer, which will allow more circulation for your skin.Mattress toppers are most often designed to be fitted on the top of the mattress with straps that go around the corners of the mattress, this will add an extra layer of comfort. It looks a bit like a quilt, and can have added fibres to assist in pressure point relief during sleep. Some mattress toppers can also be filled with duck or goose feathers. Adding an underlay or mattress topper to your bed can extend the life of your mattress and revive an old mattress, this is especially handy if you are not able to invest in a new mattress at the time.