Dust and How to Fight It

Mitchell Parker

There’s really no easy way to discuss dust. It’s one of those things that makes even the toughest of people just a bit squeamish. But it’s important to know what’s lurking in your house even at a microscopic level, especially if you’re one of every five people who suffer from household allergies. Besides, this info might finally get you dusting and vacuuming on a regular basis.

“House dust is a mixture of materials, some potentially allergenic — different fibers; dander from cats, dogs and other animals; dust mites and bacteria; mold and fungus spores; and pollen,” says microbiologist Karen Hall, who works at Dyson, the company known for its high-powered cylindrical vacuums.

We hear about dust mites all the time, but because we can’t see them, most of us don’t really give them too much thought. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, perhaps knowing that dust mites are part of the arachnid family, like spiders, and live in your mattresses and pillows in such mass numbers that they actually add weight to these items, should be enough to keep them in your mind for a long time.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

I hate to be the one to break this to you, but if someone says they're allergic to dust mites, technically that's not accurate. It’s actually their feces that people are allergic to. “It’s not the dust mites themselves, it’s their nasty droppings that cause an allergic response," Hallsays. "They contain highly allergenic proteins that trigger asthma or other allergic conditions."

Allergist James Sublett, who’s chair of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Indoor Environment Committee, says colonies of dust mites and their excrement are most concentrated in bedrooms and bedding, as well as heavily upholstered furniture. “You can have a lot more dust absorbed in those settings, which then gets stirred up into the air with activity," Sublett says.

FJ Interior Design

That means that modernists might have an advantage over dust. Flat, solid surfaces, especially flooring, and slick leather furniture are more ideal for keeping dust at bay. A simple wipe-down takes care of a lot of settled dust. If anything, Sublett recommends removing wall-to-wall carpeting in bedrooms.

Here are more ways to keep dust in check:

Terrene Homes

Get a dust-tracking mat. Look for something that says "anti-microbial." This will help remove some of the bad stuff you track in on your shoes. The best solution, though, is to remove your shoes before entering the home. “Otherwise you will be bringing in nasty chemicals, pollen, dirt and dust straight into your home,” says Hall.

Dunn Development, Inc.

Put small items in a plastic bag and freeze them.This is good for things like children's toys. You'll want to freeze them for about two days, says Hall, then let them thaw naturally. This will kill off all the dust mites.

Caden Design Group

Keep pets out of the bedroom. Sorry, but it’s best to keep animals out of your bedroom and especially off your bed. Dogs and cats tend to track in lots of dust and dander from the outdoors and shed it around your house. You might want to also consider vacuuming your dog often with special appliances like the Dyson Groom tool.

Dufner Heighes Inc

Wash your pillows. People remember to wash pillow cases, but the pillow itself often gets neglected. Ever notice how your pillow seems to get heavier? Congratulations, you're harboring a colony of dust mites and their feces. Wash them every six to 12 months or replace them.

Kristen Rivoli Interior Design

Here’s a shocker: Don’t make your bed. That’s right, Hall recommends leaving the blankets off to let the mattress cool. This can prevent dust mites from breeding so quickly.

Bryhn Design/Build

Protect your mattress. You'll want to regularly vacuum your mattress itself to pick up skin cells and dust mite feces. You might also consider encasing your mattress and pillows. Be sure to get a fine woven encasement with a sealed zipper, Sublett says.

Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

Get all the nooks and crannies. “It’s important to get the areas you don’t see as well — high shelving, air vents and mattresses,” Hall says. Also, vacuum intensively around beds and under beds if possible, because dust mites can be disturbed and fall to the floor as covers are thrown back. "And don’t forget to vacuum under the sofa; the perfect hiding place for dust mites," Hall says.

Dust and vacuum one to two times a week. You won't ever be able to get rid of all the dust, Sublett says, and dusting and vacuuming kicks up some dust anyway, so performing these tasks one to two times a week is sufficient. Also, invest in a dust mask, like an N95 NIOSH, so you're not breathing in all the disturbed dust. (It takes two hours for dust to settle, Sublett says.)

Get a vacuum that’s allergy and asthma certified, and one with a HEPA air filter. A central vacuum system, like the one shown here, should be considered. They are designed to deposit the vacuumed debris outside the living space, usually in containers in the garage or basement.

Keep humidity out. Humidity plays a big role in dust mite proliferation and other potential dust allergens like mold. Sublett recommends you try and keep the humidity below 50 percent. Installing a dehumidifier might be right for some people.

Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC

Wash bedding weekly. This is a given. It doesn't have to be super hot, either. A warm water cycle will kill adult dust mites.

Also, purifying the air inside your home is one of the best ways to prevent dust buildup.

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12 Effective ways to help you sleep

Laura Gaskill

Having trouble getting a full, restful night's sleep? Join us as we tackle each aspect of the nighttime routine, from preparing your space to the final lights-out, so you can sail into dreamland — and learn to get back to sleep even if you pop up again. Take charge of your sleep routine and learn to let go of your day-to-day worries by following these 12 tips.

SHED Architecture & Design

1. Take a bath. Warming your body and then gradually cooling down is a great way to promote rest. Light candles and add essential oils if you like, read a book, sip refreshing herbal tea and begin the process of letting go of your day.

ras-a, inc.

2. Wind down. It helps to think about going to sleep as a process that begins hours before your head hits the pillow. After your bath, get into comfy jammies and shut off your laptop, TV, phone and other devices. Lower the lights slightly all around the house — lighting candles or twinkle lights is a nice nightly ritual — and spend time on an unplugged pursuit. Read, talk, pick up a craft project or listen to music.

San Francisco Organized Interiors

3. Choose bedding by feel. It pays to splurge here if you can. Sheets come in direct contact with your body and can make a huge difference in how you feel in bed. Get to know what sort of sheets feel best to you and stock up on them. Donate older, worn sets if they have begun to pill or feel uncomfortable — two sets of high-quality sheets are far better than a closet full of scratchy ones.

Rikki Snyder

4. Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary. Think about editing your bedroom down to the essentials. Remove the computer, the TV and other devices. Declutter your nightstands, your closet and under the bed. Make sure any artwork, pillows or decorations elicit peaceful, restful feelings, and move everything else to another space. Check your mattress, sheets, blankets and pillows for comfort, and upgrade anything that isn't absolutely a joy to sleep on.

Spend a few minutes making your bed and picking up the room every morning, so you can return to a clean, refreshed space in the evening.

LeBlanc Design

5. Stick to a sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help your body find a comfortable rhythm. If you have been falling asleep much too late, try very gradually adjusting your bedtime to an earlier time — even five minutes or so earlier — each night until you have reached a more reasonable time.

Davenport Building Solutions

6. Raid the fridge. It's true that having a heavy dinner late in the evening can make it more difficult to get to sleep — but going to bed hungry is not much better. If you are truly hungry, have a small, healthy snack before tucking yourself in. Just make it free of caffeine and alcohol, because they can both affect sleep.

Mindful Designs, Inc.

7. Try aromatherapy. Tap into the power of your senses by using essential oils in your bedroom to encourage rest. Lavender is well known for its relaxing properties, but you may find another scent you enjoy more — experiment to see what works for you. Place a few drops of the oil in your prebedtime bath or use a diffuser in your bedroom. You may also dilute essential oils with water in a spray bottle and (lightly) spritz your sheets and pillow before bed.

A Good Chick To Know

8. Read something mellow. Reach for a book, but not one you know you won't be able to put down. Seek topics that are interesting to you but also require some concentration — nonfiction, philosophy, nature writing or something inspirational. Hopefully after a few pages, you will feel your eyes begin to close.

Holly Marder

9. Make it really dark. When the time comes to shut off the lights, just how dark is your bedroom? If streetlights outside creep through your curtains, invest in a set of blackout shades. Remove any devices that light up or blink, like your laptop and cell phone. Place your alarm clock in the hallway or replace it with a simple analog clock that does not light up.

AKDO

10. Do a sound check. Some people need utter silence to fall asleep, while others prefer music or white noise. If you are not sure which you prefer, experiment with sounds (or a lack of sound) until you find something that does the trick. For a silent night, try earplugs, a white noise machine or an air purifier. If music helps you relax, create a bedtime playlist for yourself no more than an hour long and put it on softly before climbing into bed.

Caitlin Wilson

11. Drift off. If your mind seems to start racing a mile a minute as soon as you climb under the covers, try "dumping" your thoughts into a journal. Don't worry about how the words come out; just write without lifting your hand from the paper until your thoughts begin to slow down.

Turn out the lights, lie down and focus on your breath next. You could try counting your breaths (start again each time you lose count) or concentrate on relaxing your body from head to toe, one part at a time, until you fall asleep.

CCS ARCHITECTURE

12. Get back to sleep. If you wake up during the night, first try to use breathing or relaxation exercises to quickly drift off again. If that doesn't work, get up and read for a few minutes in another room. Thoughts racing? Pick up that journal again and write them down. Just keep the lights low and get back in bed after 10 minutes or so.

www.teambluesky.ca

The Right Way to Hang Toilet Paper

Houzz

Confession: I’m hung over. No, I didn’t drink too much alcohol last night. What I mean is, my toilet paper hangs over the front of the roll, rather than under (or behind) it. And according to a recent Houzz poll, I’m in the majority.

As of this writing, the poll has topped well over 13,000 votes, with nearly 11,500 (around 85 percent) saying they prefer (demand?) that the roll hangs over. But almost 2,000 people still say they want the sheets to hang under the roll. Maybe they have a point?

Let’s take a look at the most common viewpoints in the over-under debate.

Esther Hershcovich

The Case for Over

The fine print. If you buy printed or patterned toilet paper, the design usually shows up on only one side of the sheets. If you hang the toilet paper over, then this design is clearly visible as you pull the sheets out and tear them off. If you were to hang the toilet paper under, or behind, you won’t see the design as you unroll the paper. This leads many to believe that the proper way to hang is over.

But maybe they’re all making the same mistake. And if 15 percent of people are hanging their rolls under, toilet paper manufacturers are missing a large market. Someone should come out with a line of toilet paper printed on both sides — or, better yet, on just the underside of the sheets.

Simply Baths & Showcase Kitchens

Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.

Etiquette. Similarly, users say that because hotels hang it over — and neatly fold the tip — this means that over is the proper way. Also, one user commented that this method was even taught in her prep school.

Then maybe hanging under is a form of rebellion, something the cool kids do? For mitchwong, the way it’s hung is all a matter of keeping sane. “Over, because of family peace,” he says.

Smart Design

Fautt Homes Corp

The Case for Under

Cats and babies. Apparently the most popular reason for hanging toilet paper under is that it’s more difficult for tiny creatures to unspool it that way.

Splash Galleries, Inc.

A New Dilemma

But not everyone (gulp) hangs the toilet paper horizontally. Many people now buy hangers that hold rolls vertically, which opens up another huge can of worms. Do you hang it to the left, as seen here?

KraftMaster Renovations

GPPhotographers

Or to the right? Or does it depend on which side of the toilet the roll is on? Should it go toward or away from you?

Peter S. Balsam Associates

TKP Architects pc

Should it hang to the right but with the sheets gracefully flapping back to the left? Should the sheets go behind altogether?

Schwartz and Architecture

Schwartz and Architecture

Or what about those who don’t hang their toilet paper at all? What’s the correct placement here? Is it a matter of which finger you spool the roll on?

Vasquez Design, Inc.

And what about here? Are you supposed to give a celebratory low-five slap after each use? Which brings up another point: Some people just want the roll hung. Period.

“My husband has a tendency to set a new roll on top of the old empty tube without actually putting it on the holder,” comments bluenan. “Really, dude? You can’t stick the thing on while you’re sitting there?! In that case I would just like the new roll put on, and if it’s the wrong way, I can change it later!”

Meanwhile, Nexs Cabinets brings up a fine point: “I thought it depended on which side of the equator you lived on!”

Martin Hulala

I think I’m just going to hide the roll completely. That way it just doesn’t matter which way it’s hung. (Or does it?)

Come on, unders. It’s not too late to balance the votes. 

www.teambluesky.ca

Food & Wine Pairings for Hanukkah

Epicurious

Celebrate “Thanksgivukkah” with the perfect wine pairings

This year, for the first time in over 100 years, Hanukkah falls on the same day as Thanksgiving, creating one super holiday for Jewish Americans that has been dubbed “Thanksgivukkah.” Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight days and nights, celebrating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during a period of unrest and rebellion around 160 BC. Hanukkah involves many rituals and one of the richest, literally, is the food of Hanukkah: latkes, doughnuts, and pretty much anything else fried in oil. Foods fried in oil are typically served during Hanukkah because they are a reminder of the oil that miraculously kept the Temple menorah alight for eight days. Because most of the food is so rich, lighter wines with crisp acidity often work well to cleanse the palate and keep the meal from feeling too heavy. We offer some of our favorite pairings with these traditional dishes below. Happy Hanukkah! Classic Latkes: These delicious golden potato pancakes prove that there are few things that are not improved by a hot oil bath. Pair them with a high-acid wine to cut through the oily texture and rich flavor, like a sparkling wine or sauvignon blanc. LA MARCA Prosecco non-vintage(Veneto, Italy) $14 VILLA MARIA Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Marlborough, New Zealand) $18 Gingered Sweet Potato Latkes: A lot is going on in this dish--richness, sweetness, and spice--so the wine pairing can be tricky, but a crisp Alsatian or Austrian riesling should do the trick. DOMAINE ZIND HUMBRECHT Riesling 2012 (Alsace, France) $25  EGON MÜLLER “Scharzhof” Riesling QbA 2012 (Mosel, Germany) $25 Red Wine Braised Beef Brisket: Choose a wine you like on its own to cook the brisket in, and then use that same wine, or a similar one, to serve with the dish. Bold, fruity cabernet sauvignons or zinfandels won’t lead you astray. ROBERT BIALE “Grande Vineyard” Zinfandel 2011 (Napa Valley, California) $45  MOLLYDOOKER “Gigglepot” Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Coonawarra, Australia) $49  Sufganiyot: These deep-fried doughnuts, often filled with jelly or custard, are rich, sweet, and just the right way to end a meal (or start it!). It’s best to pair desserts with wines that are as sweet or sweeter than the dessert. Sweetness in food decreases perceived sweetness in wine, so that a fruity sauvignon blanc may seem harsh and bitter with dessert. We recommend something like a sweet Champagne or a late harvest riesling. TAITTINGER “Nocturne” Sec non-vintage (Champagne, France) $60  HERMAN J. WIEMER Late Harvest Riesling 2012 (Finger Lakes, New York) $27  www.teambluesky.ca

2 deposits on a home purchase offer

Mark Weisleder

As the GTA housing market remains strong, some buyers are losing their deposits when they have a change of heart about the purchase after seeing the home inspection.

Here’s what is happening:

As the average price of a house climbs, many offers are accompanied by substantial deposits, in some cases $25,000 or more. The offer is conditional on the buyer being satisfied with the inspection and in some cases, the buyer is unhappy enough to walk away and ask for their money back. The sellers are upset, because if other buyers hear about what happened, they will wonder what is wrong with the house. The seller can’t answer because they didn’t see the inspection report.

In general, the courts have indicated that buyers must act honestly, reasonably and in good faith. Unfortunately this will have to be proven in court, which means lawyers, legal fees and the potential for the deposit to be withheld for up to two years.

Sellers are not entitled to a copy of the inspection report unless the parties agreed to it. In my opinion, sellers should always include a contract clause that says if the buyer wants to negotiate a reduction, or cancel the deal because of problems in the inspection report, then the buyer must give the seller a copy of the report. This will give the seller the opportunity to check the problems for themselves and be able to explain it to any future buyer.

If the buyer does not conduct the home inspection at all, or perhaps brings in an unqualified person to conduct the inspection, then I believe that these might be examples of not acting reasonably and in good faith. It would then be difficult for a buyer to try and cancel the agreement and argue that they acted in good faith. That’s why it is so important that buyers always use qualified home inspectors.

In a seller’s market, many buyers decide not to include a home inspection condition so they can provide a “clean offer” to the seller. This usually happens when there is a bidding war.

But there are other ways to protect buyers in these circumstances. For example, you can arrange for a home inspection before you bring your offer. Most sellers will be agreeable to this. You are only asking for trouble if you don’t conduct a home inspection before you decide to buy.

In addition, if a buyer is not in a bidding war, consider two deposits, a small one when the deal is accepted, and a larger once you are satisfied with all of your conditions. That way, if you are not satisfied, there is not much of a deposit that will be worth fighting over.

It is very important for buyers to understand all your legal rights and obligations relating to conditions before you bring any offer to buy a home.

www.teambluesky.ca

Transit driving real estate investment decisions

Eric Atkens

Being close to good schools, parks and shopping have long been key to home buyers choosing a neighbourhood.

And now access to commuter trains, light rail or subways is quickly moving up the list when people choose a place to live, according to a new report on the Canadian real estate market.

Clogged highways and rush-hour traffic are adding to commuting times and helping to spur a move away from the car-focused suburbs.

"With challenging infrastructure in all major Canadian centres coupled with the urbanization trend, there will be a continued demand for retail, office and residential space in our urban centres where there is easy access to mass transit," said Lori-Ann Beausoleil, a partner at consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers, which wrote the report with Urban Land Institute.

Urbanization and immigration are expected to increase Toronto's population by more than 90,000 in 2013.

Vancouver and Montreal are both forecast to gain about 40,000 people each, according to the Conference Board of Canada.

"The choice to live in cities is no longer economic, but has now become cultural," the report said.

Smaller cities are also growing, as aging baby boomers tire of shovelling snow on long driveways.

Younger people are enticed to move for better jobs and a vibrant nightlife.

Titled Emerging Trends In Real Estate, the report is aimed at developers and real estate investors.

It outlines the prospects for office and retail spaces as well as condos, houses and rental developments.

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Strength of Canadian Housing Market Surprises Economists

Globe & Mail

It’s increasingly looking like the strength that Canada’s housing market has been showing in recent months has staying power.

 

Economists have been surprised by the degree to which home sales have bounced back from the pounding they took in the summer of 2012, when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tightened the mortgage insurance rules.

 

Part of the reason the market has been so resilient since July is that consumers have been jumping in because they feared that mortgage rates would be rising. Many economists have been forecasting a drop in sales once that phenomenon plays out. Most experts say it won’t be until the end of the year that we’ll really know whether the recent momentum is more than a short-term blip.

 

The latest data, for October, will be released Friday by the Canadian Real Estate Association. The preliminary numbers from local real estate boards suggest it was another strong month, on the heels of September’s 18.2-per-cent year-over-year increase in sales.

 

“Canada’s real estate market looks like it has its mojo back,” Bank of Montreal economist Benjamin Reitzes said in a research note. “Existing home sales are expected to rise 12 per cent year-over-year in October, continuing the firming momentum established in the summer months.

 

“The persistent strength suggests that it’s more than just sales brought forward due to anticipation of higher rates,” he added. “In fact, mortgage rates have shifted lower in recent weeks, reinforcing that rates aren’t likely to move materially higher any time soon.”

 

It should be noted that the market was in a slump this time last year, making it easier for the year-over-year comparisons to be strong. But this spring economists were expecting home sales in 2013 to come in below 2012, and that’s no longer the case.

 

And new home construction continues to be stronger than expected, suggesting builders think the market still has legs, although economists continue to caution that the pace of building should come down.

 

Economists were expecting builders to start construction on 190,000 new homes on an annualized basis last month, but the actual number came in at 198,000.

But some say that may not last.

 

“This renewed strength in the housing market is not expected to continue for much longer, as many of the largest markets in Canada are overbuilt,” Toronto-Dominion Bank research associate Sonny Scarfone wrote in a note. “Demographically supported levels of new home construction are an estimated 175,000 units.”

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