Spring Home Magazine

SPRING

M A G A Z I N E

Mountain of Effort

Wadena Builder’s Hard Work Pays Off Master Gardeners’ Spring Planting Tips Area Home Sales Setting Records

Supplement to the April 26, 2018 Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal

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CONTENTS 6 10 14 18

Mountain of effort becomes a new home: Wadena builder doubles up on work load

Spring Gardens

Record home sales at record prices: a highlight of sales study

Spring cleaning is (also) for the birds: Songbirds, waterfowl and even bats need a safe and tidy place to live

20

No room for a garden? Containers to the rescue!

Creativity of container gardens limited only by one’s imagination

22

Spring cleaning tips to help alleviate allergies

Contributors Brian Hansel bhansel@wadenapj.com Kim Brasel kbrasel@perhamfocus.com Michael Johnson mjohnson@perhamfocus.com Vicki Gerdes vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com Nathan Bowe nbowe@dlnewspapers.com

Publisher Jason Miller jmiller@perhamfocus.com / jmiller@wadenapj.com Page Design Tasha Kenyon tkenyon@dlnewspapers.com

Cover photo: Š [Stephanie Frey] / Adobe Stock

PAGE 4 | SPRING HOME 2018

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Mountain of effort becomes a new home Wadena builder doubles up on work load

BY BRIAN HANSEL

Z

ach and Alicia Haman found themselves in a quandary after looking at homes.

“We kind of looked around for different places,” Zach said. “Any house we liked we didn’t like the location and anyplace we liked the location we couldn’t find the house we liked so we decided to find a location we liked and build there.”

Zach makes his living as a builder while Alicia works as a nurse at TriCounty Health Care. They both love the outdoors so when they found a wooded lot in southwest Wadena sprinkled with young spruce, oak and birch and plenty of privacy to boot, they put down their stakes.

The basement was dug the last week in May and Haman has been using all of his free time since to build the house.

Even a cheaper home built brand new these days runs in the $200,000 range according to Haman. By building the home himself the 28-year-old contractor estimates he has saved $60,000 of the home’s cost.

As Minnesotans search for green grass and flowers the Haman family can be found living in a five-bedroom home on Madison Ave. in southwest Wadena.

They have been there since December.

PAGE 6 | SPRING HOME 2018

The place has all the room they need and perhaps a little more. All three of the upstairs bedrooms are occupied. The two downstairs bedrooms are currently being used as a playroom for Bria, 4, and Brysen, 18 months, and an office for their dad.

Haman poured the foundation of his home and found it to be one of his largest expenses.

The home has pre-painted siding of a durable construction material called Smartside, which is compressed from an eight-inch to a half-inch thickness.

Photos by Brian Hansel/Pioneer Journal

While the Haman home, above, is not completely finished it offers privacy and convenience for the Wadena couple and their two children. The Hamans have lived in the home since December.

Left: Zach and Alicia Haman have a full basement under their ranch style home giving them an extra 1,750 square feet of living space.

Far-left: Zach Haman’s family includes his wife, Alicia, and their two children, Bria, 4 and Brysen, 18 months. The Hamans live on Madison Ave. in southwest Wadena.

SPRING HOME 2018 | PAGE 7

The Haman family kitchen is spacious and decked out with all the cupboard and counter space they require.

“It’s about the most expensive, or highest quality siding,” Haman said.

Why spend so much on siding?

“Because I didn’t want to re-side my house in 20 years,” Haman laughed before offering the real reason — Smartside also comes with a 50-year paint warranty His windows are Thermo Tech— good windows but far from the most expensive.

“I have seen people put $30,000 into their windows,” Haman said.

LED lights dot the vaulted ceiling in the home’s large living room. They have the appearance of recessed lights but they are not. The lights are something that would occur to a builder — just as a vehicle with an engine that is easy work on would appeal to a mechanic.

“I find it is a lot more energy efficient,” Haman said. “Instead of having the big can up in the attic they PAGE 8 | SPRING HOME 2018

are actually just a regular lightbox.

Otherwise, you would have that big can sticking up in your vault up there and you would have to try and insulate over the top of that.”

Downstairs, Haman is putting the finishing touches on a nice family room.

Half of the basement’s big family room is finished but the other half, sporting the water lines, is waiting for a hanging ceiling. This is another one of Haman’s brainstorms. If he ever has trouble with his water lines he has much more access to them the way his home is built. It is much easier to take down and replace hanging ceiling panels than tear out soggy drywall.

Haman comes up with a crew to help him with the homes he builds for others but he has done more of the work on his own place by himself. His personal crew had included his Grandpa Bob

Haman, his dad, Dale, and his father-inlaw, Dean Johnson.

“I’ve had help with the stuff that requires more than one person,” Haman said. “Pretty much everything that can be done by one person I’ve done myself.”

Building his own house has been a different experience for Haman than building one for someone else. When Haman and his crew start on a job for someone else they work on it steadily until it’s finished. He has not had that luxury in building his own place. He has had to stop projects prematurely and juggle five or six of them, all half-done, at one time.

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Spring Gardens

BY KIM BRASEL

S

pring is in the air, even though it may not look like it on the ground, and Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners Carol Rethemeier and Mary Dertinger with Jean’s the Right Plant Place have some tips for folks once the snow is gone and it’s time to get gardening.

Tree pruning is one step to start getting lawns and gardens in shape, PAGE 10 | SPRING HOME 2018

but not all trees. Crab Apple Trees and the flowering Crabs but not Maple Trees, Dertinger said, because the sap is running and if you take a branch off, the sap will leak out and make a mess.

Rethemeier advises once the snow goes people wait a little bit before raking their lawns.

“If you rake a wet lawn, you’ll pull the grass blades right up,” she said. “People get itchy to get outside and they will be really itchy this year with the winter being so long.”

She added they can also cut back their ornamental grasses, because normally

those are left up until spring. She explained there are seeds in the grass that the birds eat, so those should be cut to about 6-8 inches, not all the way to the ground.

One tip she has is to use a hedge trimmer instead of pruning shears.

In general, she said flower beds can be cut back and cleaned up because before long tulips and Iris will start to come up.

She said for people looking to plant anything new, typically in this area the frost free date is May 20.

“You don’t want to plant too many annuals until after that date,” she said.

Photos by Kim Brasel/Focus

Primrose flowers, left, and rows of Coral Bells, below, at Jean’s the Right Plant Place are ready for spring gardens.

SPRING HOME 2018 | PAGE 11

“You could plant bare root trees earlier, but you need to watch that frost date.”

If frost is forecast, be sure to cover plants with sheets or towels not plastic, because they can freeze through the plastic.

Dertinger added the reason is the plastic conducts the cold.

She said some people plant things like tomatoes too early.

“We have proof of that, repeat customers,” she said with a laugh.

They try to caution people not to plant certain items too early, but it happens.

She said the rule of thumb is May 20, but watching the soil temperature is important.

The shop provides a guide for what plants are affected by frost or cool weather. Different classes of vegetable seeds germinate at different soil temperatures, and soil temperatures

Primrose flowers, left, are blooming at Jean’s the Right Plant Place in Perham, ready for gardeners and spring planting.

within a group of vegetables will control how long it takes the seed to come up.

Examples of cool season crops, include carrots, lettuce, radishes, and rhubarb. They can be planted at a soil temperature of 40 degrees. Mid temperature crops include spinach,

peas and cauliflower and can be planted at a soil temperature of 50 degrees.

Warm season germinating crops examples are melons, cucumbers, and peppers, and they need a soil temperature of 60 degrees.

Gardens like other home types of home decor has it own trends. Rethemeier said Hydrangeas were popular last year and she thinks they will be popular again this year.

“They are popular and really being advertised in magazines,” she said.

“Most garden centers will have those in pots and ready to go by Memorial Day.” Dertinger added there are a wide variety to choose from and some new ones. •

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How can I attract bees to my garden?

Bees are your allies in the garden. They travel from plant to plant, helping to pollinate your trees, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Here are some tips to attract them.

Photo © Newspaper Toolbox

FLOWERS Prepare vibrant flowerbeds where bees will be able to forage for sweet pollen all summer long.

To maximize your chances of success, choose plant varieties with different blooming periods.

Your winged friends would enjoy daisies, poppies, hyacinths and cosmos, among other varieties.

SHRUBS AND TREES Choose varieties that produce lots of sweet nectar. Shrubs that fit the bill include rhododendron, holly, lilac and raspberry; as for fruit trees, try apple, plum or cherry.

HERBS Bees are also fond of certain herbs and other aromatic plants. Grow lavender, thyme, savory, mint, sage and marjoram, among other bee-friendly varieties, and be sure to let them flower.

Head to your local garden center to stock up on all sorts of plants that’ll attract friendly bees to your yard.

building project? Being a contractor, Zach would naturally rather they call Haman Construction so it will be built right. Yet he also knows that saving thousands of dollars in building costs is always going to be a big temptation for some.

“I know there is a lot of people that do it,” Haman said.

It might depend a lot on how much time a person has to work on their house.

Haman did the bulk of the building on his home alone and after many months of spending all of his free time at his new address, he can say one thing for sure — it’s a lot of work.

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SPRING HOME 20184/3/18 | PAGE 13 10:15 AM

Record home sales at record prices

BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

A

2017 home sales study shows some area communities are selling more homes than ever and selling at recordhigh prices.

The study performed by Terry Davis of Davis Appraisal in Wadena gave a summary of area communities including those in Otter Tail, Wadena and Todd PAGE 14 | SPRING HOME 2018

counties. The research came from county public records and all armslength real estate transactions in the eastern half of Otter Tail County, and cities of Staples, Long Prairie, Perham, Ottertail and Wadena.

“It’s certainly a seller’s market,” Davis said.

Davis believes we will see less volume in sales in 2018. He thinks that because the supply is low and the interest

rate has risen slightly, sales will likely decrease and sale prices could continue to rise. While real estate went through some rough times when the economy tanked around 2008, things have made a dramatic turnaround.

“I think in 2018 we’re going to have a good year,” Davis said. “I don’t know that it will be quite as good as 2017, but I think there are a lot of buyers out there.”

Here is a breakdown by city.

Photos by Michael Johnson/Focus

Homes sales around Perham last year broke records in volume and high prices. Those factors may make it difficult for first-time buyers to find a home in the area they can afford.

Perham Of all the towns in the study, Perham showed the least impact from the recession. In fact, home median sales prices steadily rose almost every year over the last 10 years. Home sales did see a drop in 2007 to 40 but never dropped that low again. The biggest change was a huge increase in sales from 55 in 2016 to 83 homes in 2017, a 51-percent increase in good sales.

Meanwhile, real estate owned homes are nearly non-existent in Perham ranging from zero (2009) to 7 (2013) in the last 14 years. There was just three in 2017.

Right in line with the record sales, is a record in the median sale price. That price increased from $135,000 in 2016 to $169,000 in 2017, a 22-percent increase.

“This was always the poster child,” Davis said of Perham. “The business community is so good there, people have jobs.”

Davis said Perham didn’t expect to sell so many homes, but homes sell so fast there that the number of sales turned out much higher.

“The days on market are almost zero, they have a lot of buyers and no sellers,” Davis said.

The speed of sales and higher prices are nice to see, Perham Economic Development director Chuck Johnson said, but it’s not so good for employers looking to get people to move to Perham to work there or if you are the employee that has to look at homes outside of Perham and commute.

“If they have to go so far, then Perham loses the positive impact,” Johnson said.

Johnson recognizes that Perham has an excellent job market and Perham has a lot to offer for its size. But he notes that those starting out at lower wages will have trouble finding a starter home in their price range and building a home that’s affordable isn’t easy either.

“The Perham area is a desirable place to live,” Johnson said. “The more desirable it is, the more it affects your real estate prices.”

Wadena The number of sales have increased from as low as 36 in 2009 to 73 in 2017, a 102-percent increase. The highest number Davis recorded for sales was in the first year of the study, 2005, with 97 homes selling. In that same time real estate owned homes have seen rather low sales from five in 2016 to 12 in 2017. In the past 10 years, median sale prices have gone from a low of $66,750 in 2008 to a new high in 2017 at $99,900. Meanwhile real estate owned properties have seen large increases, going from a low of about $25,000 in 2014 to a high of $58,800 in 2017.

Staples Staples has seen rather inconsistent sales, but there has been a gradual increase in sales and median sale prices.

Why zoning laws?

When buying a piece of land or a property, it’s important to consider what kind of zoning laws are in place for the area you’re looking into.

Zoning laws (especially in residential neighborhoods) exist to ensure that everyone is satisfied with what goes on in their neighborhood. Find out what kind of zoning laws might affect you before you decide to buy.

RUNNING A HOME BUSINESS If you’re looking to buy in a residential neighborhood and planning to run a business out of your home, you’ll definitely want to check the zoning laws beforehand. If your business could cause undue disturbance to others living around you, it’s likely that zoning laws will prohibit you from doing so, and your business could be shut down. Talk to your neighbors before starting a business; find out how they’d feel about having it on their block. Often, this will only become an issue if an official letter of complaint is sent to local authorities.

So do your due diligence before you decide on where to buy.

EXPANDING AN EXISTING PROPERTY Sometimes, when you decide to buy, you do so with the idea in mind that you’ll be expanding the property to include an extension on the house.

There are a number of reasons why you may not be allowed to extend (proximity to a neighbors fence, for example), so proceed with caution and find out before you make any add-on plans.

REPURPOSING YOUR LAND Planning to buy in a rural area with the intent on changing the use of the land in question? Be sure to consult your local government before doing so to make sure that your lot is properly zoned for whatever changes you plan on making.

Zoning laws exist to protect your neighbors’ interests as much your own. Get informed before you commit to the purchase of your new home or plot of land.

SPRING HOME 2018 | PAGE 15

The community saw a low of 23 homes sold in 2012, increasing to 55 in 2017. The highest number was seen in 2006 with 79 homes sold.

Meanwhile, Staples has the lowest median sale prices in 2017 at $80,000, which is a 33 percent increase from the lows in 2009 and 2013. Real estate owned properties were limited to five with a median sales price of $21,500 in 2017.

Long Prairie Long Prairie showed similar fluctuations to Staples but had slightly higher sale prices or $88,900 with 51 sales in 2017. While median prices fluctuate from year to year, the number of sales has been very steady for the past four years after bottoming out from 2008-2012 at around 32 sales per year.

New York Mills, Henning and Battle Lake The number of sales among these smaller communities has remained fairly steady including 45 sales

in 2017. The price has steadily increased to a record level of $89,000.

Rural residential East Otter Tail County There were 135 sales in this area in 2017. That’s up from 120 in 2016 but down from a record number of 163 in 2015. Since 2012, median sale prices have increased every year in this region from $116,500 to $154,500 in 2017, an increase of 32 percent.

Otter Tail Lake One area Davis found interesting was Otter Tail Lake, which showed 35 sales in 2017. The lake has seen a lot of fluctuation in the number of sales each year, but the median sale prices are continuing to drop. Prices were at a peak in 2008 at $403,000. In 2017, that price is down to $265,000. That’s not to say that homes are selling for much less than they once were, but that the homes that are selling are not the more costly properties.

420 3rd Ave. SE (Hwy 78 & 4th St.) Perham, MN • 218-346-4051 Email: rightplantplace@yahoo.com

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Not quite sure where to start?

Davis suggested this could be due to several larger resorts selling off portions of the resort into smaller properties.

“On the other hand, the upper market of homes are not doing real well,” Davis said. “You get over half a million dollars and that market is pretty tough.”

Cropland/bareland of over 35 acres Another area of the report that Davis highlighted was the bareland price, which continues to rise in the state.

Over the last 15 years, this price has slowly increased from about $1,000 per acre in 2004 to $1,750 in 2017 in this region. This could include farms and recreational properties.

He commented that this number is far closer to normal than some prices seen in the southern parts of the state. But if crop prices do not start going up, this acre cost is going to have to decrease. Or if acreage costs continue to rise, crop prices need to follow suit. •

Area professionals say it’s a seller’s market and homes for sale don’t stick around for long.

This house in Wadena, left, is set to be sold in May and moved.

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SPRING HOME 2018 | PAGE 17

Spring cleaning is (also) for the birds Songbirds, waterfowl and even bats need a safe and tidy place to live

BY NATHAN BOWE

I

t wouldn’t be springtime without songbirds and waterfowl flying home or passing through, and now more than ever those birds rely on homes built by humans.

Take wood ducks, for example. Scott Sonstegard, a Becker County Master Gardener, says birders “have really saved the wood duck population from decline.

They like to nest in hollow trees, but those are getting harder to find — now a lot of people put up houses and it really stabilizes the population of wood ducks.”

Small ducks called hooded mergansers also like to nest in the duck houses, he says.

Duck houses should be cleaned out every year, and early spring is a good time for that. Ducks also like to have wood shavings on the bottom of their houses.

Sonstegard, who ran Wild Birds Unlimited in Moorhead before buying Becker Pet and Garden in Detroit Lakes, has a passion for birds and this spring his business was giving away free bags of duck house wood shavings to anyone who wanted one.

Wood duck houses should be placed in a tree at least 10 feet up, in an area PAGE 18 | SPRING HOME 2018

roomy enough to allow a pair of wood ducks to fly by (the female quickly “ducks” inside the house while the male flies past the house to fool predators).

And it never hurts to racoon-proof the tree with a 12-inch band of tin wrapped around the trunk.

Normally, the first week of April should be when you clean out your duck houses, but this year there wasn’t open water yet at that time, so a lot of ducks had yet to make their appearance, Sonstegard says.

Tree swallows like to occupy bluebird houses, and the way to combat that is to use their aggression to your benefit.

“Always set bluebird houses out in pairs, maybe 10 or 15 feet apart, ideally facing each other,” he says.

“Once a swallow takes one, it will prevent other swallows from taking the other one,” leaving it free for a bluebird family to occupy.

Sonstegard prefers birdhouses without perches under the entrance holes, since perches just make it easier for predators and other types of birds to get at the bluebirds. A bluebird will just as happily sit on the roof of the birdhouse and sing.

Sonstegard recommends cleaning your empty bluebird houses with vinegar or light bleach and a milk pail brush to get them ready for new occupants each spring.

Although wood ducks like it when people add wood shavings to the bottom of their houses, wrens, Flickr photo by James Jordan A house wren peers out of its colorful birdhouse. bluebirds and similar songbirds like an empty Now is also the time to clean out birdhouse, which they will fill themselves. birdhouses for bluebirds, wrens and Routine maintenance of birdhouses other songbirds, he adds. includes checking the size of the hole, and “The thing I’m most concerned about repairing it if the hole has been enlarged is location,” he says. “When mounting by predators or other types of birds. a bluebird house, put it someplace a cat “It’s an easy fix,” Sonstegard says. can’t get to — put it on a metal post or Correctly-sized wooden or metal hole conduit pipe.” replacements are available at retail

Photo by Bennilover/Flickr

Left: Birdhouses can be simple and rustic or bright and colorful, like this group.

Photo by Bennilover/Flickr

Below: Colorful feathered friends share a birdfeeder in snowy times.

stores and can be fastened over the enlarged entrance hole to bring it back to the proper size.

Birds such as robins, phoebes, blue jays and mourning doves prefer a nesting platform to an enclosed birdhouse. A good place to install a platform is under the roof eaves, in a spot where predators can’t easily access the platform and the birds get natural protection from the roof.

Platforms, like birdhouses, can be purchased or “it can be as simple as two boards nailed together, if you don’t want to get fancy,” Sonstegard says.

Songbirds are wonderful, but if you want to be outside to enjoy them without being eaten alive by mosquitoes, consider installing some bat houses, as well.

Bats eat other insects besides mosquitoes, of course, but a single bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquito-sized insects every hour, and each bat usually eats 6,000 to 8,000 insects each night.

That can sure make a backyard more comfortable.

Sonstegard prefers larger bat houses, with three or four layers of boards spaced an inch or two apart, that can hold 100 or more bats. Since some bat species can live up to 30 years, there can be five or six generations living in the same house, he says: “I would mount it on a pole, facing the morning sun — they like the heat.”

Take the time for simple birdhouse maintenance and cleaning each spring — our winged friends appreciate the help. •

Photo by Paul Harbath

A well-weathered birdhouse hangs in the snow. Most birds actually prefer a safe, but well-anchored birdhouse to one that sways in the breeze.

SPRING HOME 2018 | PAGE 19

Dahlias are a popular and colorful choice for container gardens.

No room for a garden?

Containers to the rescue!

Creativity of container gardens limited only by one’s imagination

BY VICKI GERDES

S

o you think you want to try gardening… but you live on the fourth floor of an apartment building, or in a condo community where the landscape is entrusted to a groundskeeper. Or maybe you just live in an area where the soil is really poor, or contaminated by chemicals.

What do you do? It’s containers to the rescue!

PAGE 20 | SPRING HOME 2018

Container gardens can be added to just about any space, whether outdoor or indoor, to make it more colorful and inviting — even when said space might at first appear inhospitable to growing things.

According to Becker County Master Gardener Catharine Weisenberger, the possibilities for container gardens are nearly endless.

“Just about anything goes,” she says.

“You can put flowers, vegetables and herbs together (in the same container).

You can mix up the sizes and shapes

of your containers, and use plants of varying sizes and height.”

There are a few restrictions, however: Plants that require wildly disparate growing conditions should be kept separate.

“Make sure you choose companion plants that like the same water and light,” Weisenberger says.

Beyond that, the scope of your container garden is only limited by your imagination, available light and space — and the amount of time and effort you want to put into it.

Submitted photos

Top-left: Plant boxes can be used to brighten up the exterior of your home without taking up much space.

Bottom-left: Flowering and non-flowering plants, as well as fruits, vegetables and herbs, can be used to compliment each other in a container garden. The only limitation is that plants in the same container should have similar needs with regard to soil, light and water.

The types of plants and containers that can be used to express gardening creativity are only limited by the imagination of the one creating them.

“I think the more creative the ideas you can come up with, the better,” says Weisenberger. “Edible flowers, herbs, grasses, vegetables, fruits… there are a wide variety of things to choose from.”

Something to keep in mind: Whether you choose to use containers made out of ceramics, concrete, wood, tin or recycled plastic, make sure they have adequate drainage for the type of plants they will hold.

“A lot of people like to repurpose — they go to garage sales and estate sales, antique and thrift stores, to try and find unique (containers),” Weisenberger says. “But you have to be careful.”

It’s important to check the bottoms of the containers you want to use, she

explains, and if they don’t have some way for moisture to get out, they won’t work: “You need good drainage.”

There should also be plenty of room for the plants’ root systems to grow — and if you’re going to be moving the containers around a lot, make sure you don’t fill them so full of soil and plants that they become too heavy for lifting.

Because flexibility is one of the biggest attractions of container gardening, making your containers as light and portable as possible is a big advantage.

(A good tip for large containers: Use a layer or two of empty, recycled plastic water bottles at the bottom of the container; they offer ample drainage as well as being lightweight.)

When you’re first starting out, it’s probably best to start small and work your way up — look at pictures, talk to experts at your local gardening center, and decide exactly what you want before planting.

“You want the best quality plants, at the best possible price,” Weisenberger says. “And find yourself some good books. There’s lots of resources out there, for everyone from beginners to experts.”

Another tip: If you see a container garden that you like, take a picture of it to show the people at your local garden center exactly what you want.

For more information, contact the Becker County Extension Office at 218-846-7328, or visit a local garden center. •

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Spring cleaning tips to help alleviate allergies surfaces. This helps trap small particles instead of sending them into the air.

Treat mold issues

conditioning running can help filter the air as well.

Use exhaust fans The AAAAI recommends using an exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce the levels of moisture in these rooms and filter out potential allergens and odors.

Moisture can eventually lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which isn't healthy for anyone, including allergy sufferers, to breathe in.

Suit up

Invest in a HEPA filter

Before any cleaning begins, allergy sufferers should don face masks and rubber gloves to prevent themselves from breathing in allergens or having them touch their hands, where they can be transferred to the face or elsewhere. Those cleaning should also wear clothes that can be easily removed and laundered after a day's work.

Vacuums with HEPA filters can trap allergens that are so small that they pass through regular vacuum filters. That means instead of containing them, these small particles are only being shot back into the air where they are easily breathed in. WebMD suggests vacuuming once or twice a week to keep carpets and floors as clean as possible.

Plus, don't forget to vacuum upholstered furniture and drapes as well.

Launder with hot water When it comes time to wash linens, do so in hot water, which can kill dust mites residing in sheets and blankets. Employ mattress covers to further protect against dust mite allergies.

Shampooing a carpet may cause moisture to become trapped in the carpet fibers, leading to increased dust mites or mold growth. Spot-clean stains instead. Otherwise, hire a professional cleaner who will clean and dry the carpet as quickly as possible.

Damp dusting is better When cleaning up dust or home renovation debris, use a damp cloth or a vinegar solution to wipe down

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Allergies can be problematic, but routine home cleaning in the right way can help alleviate symptoms. •

Shampoo smart

Clean windows singularly Prolonged exposure to outdoor allergens, such as pollen, mold or ragweed, can aggravate allergies. Therefore, if windows are being cleaned, do one at a time and then promptly close the window. Having the air

Mold can trigger allergic reactions, so it is best to keep it out of a home. Solutions that contain at least 10 percent bleach can be effective at killing mold, but it's best to prevent mold from growing entirely. That means keeping tabs of any moisture issues and addressing them immediately.

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Allergies affect people of all ages. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports that allergic rhinitis affects between 10 and 30 percent of the world's population.

In addition, the prevalence of allergic diseases has risen in industrialized nations for more than 50 years.

Seasonal allergies tend to be the strongest in spring and autumn. Allergies can be exacerbated by many factors, including in homes where improvements are being made. Regular housecleaning can remove many common allergy triggers and help alleviate symptoms. Knowing which common home improvement mistakes can aggravate allergies can help homeowners avoid them.

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