4 EASY WAYS TO REDUCE DUST IN WINTER
Can you believe 2017 is behind us? Elections, weather, and just about everything on the news left us feeling uncertain. We could all use a dose of optimism in the new year. Here are some books that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit, even in the most challenging situations. Finding Forrest When an actor tries their hand
at other creative mediums, the results are varied, but the buzz about Tom Hanks’ new book, “Uncommon Type,” has been largely positive. His literary debut is a collection of 17 short stories, all featuring, in some way, a typewriter. At their heart, though, the stories are about human relationships,
Dust is the bane of every
homeowner and apartment dweller. It’s irritating and
it gets everywhere. In winter, the dust
problem can be even worse. As we’ve mentioned in previous editions of the newsletter, dust can be hard on your furnace. Dust
and Hanks manages to inject his most memorable character’s charm into his writing. As NPR reviewer Heller McAlpin puts it, “In a world where the news is unrelentingly bleak and much fiction tends toward the dystopian, postapocalyptic, dark, or edgy, this is a gentler, sweeter kind of storytelling than we’ve come to expect.” Overcome a Harrowing Year Few have done more to earn the title of modern-day hero than Scott Kelly, who has served as a military fighter pilot, an engineer, an astronaut, and now, an author. “Endurance” is Kelly’s memoir, and it recounts the year he spent on the International Space Station. From sharing everyday space adventures to letting us in on the physical toll space takes on the body, Kelly helps us understand what it’s really like to be in the great unknown. If you’re looking for inspiration in the new year, reading about Kelly’s harrowing year of challenges will surely give you the courage to overcome your own. If You Loved the ‘Divergent’ Series Veronica Roth brings us a new sci-fi/fantasy series with “Carve the Mark.” Roth whisks us to a planet where each person has a “currentgift,” a special power they develop. But for heroes Cyra and Akos, currentgifts are more of a curse. The two must work to overcome their distinctly different pasts and unite to save their world — or die trying. When You Need a Hero School is tough, and no one knows it better than George Heffley. In installment 12 of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, titled “The Getaway,” Jeff Kinney takes us on a tropical vacation with the Heffleys as they attempt to escape the cold weather and frenzy of the holidays. But the island isn’t the relaxing sanctuary it’s supposed to be. The suggested reading age is 8–12 years old, but this book would make an excellent listen for the whole family during a road trip of your own.
gets trapped in the air filter and accumulates over time, putting stress on your heating system. Though you won’t be able to get rid of all the dust, there are steps you can take to
reduce it and breathe easier.
Remove shoes at the door. Every time you walk in the door, you bring in dust, dirt, sand, and other small particles. Taking your shoes off at the door helps confine the dirt to one spot, making it much easier to get rid of. Invest in doormats and throw rugs. Even better, place doormats on either side of every door leading outside. Doormats help trap dust and debris before it spreads to the rest of your home. Plus, doormats give you an ideal place to keep your shoes. Elsewhere in the home, throw rugs help contain dust and dirt. But more than that, they make cleaning much easier. Once a week, take them outside to shake and beat the dirt out of them. Vacuum everywhere. Most of us vacuum the carpet at least once a week. But what about upholstered furniture and curtains? To cut down on dust and allergens, vacuuming furniture and curtains in addition to carpets makes a big difference in your home environment. Cut the static. In winter, and when the air is typically the driest within the home, static electricity builds up. When that happens, static acts as a dust magnet. One of the simplest ways to cut down on static electricity is with a humidifier. You can find models that humidify single rooms or your entire home. Not only will it help reduce dust and allergens, but you’ll find yourself breathing easier, too.
2 • www.lewismaclean.com
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