| How to Clean a Typewriter Posted: 21 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT Typewriters aren't just cherished devices from the past! They are still used and loved by generations both young and old. If your typewriter is an antique or used regularly, chances are it needs a good clean. Clear out all the dust first with a vacuum, a small paintbrush, and a can of compressed air. Remove dirt and grime with a damp cloth and white vinegar. Deep-clean your typewriter by unsticking sticky keys and oiling the mechanisms to keep it running smoothly. Soon your typewriter will be shiny, glossy, and looking as good as can be! EditClearing Dust - Place the typewriter on sheets of newspaper. Lay 3-4 sheets of newspaper flat on your work surface. Unlatch the carrying case and lift the typewriter onto the newspaper. This protects your work surface from any dust, dirt, or products that may drip during the cleaning process. It also makes cleaning up your work surface easier.[1]
- Alternatively, place the typewriter on an old sheet or towel.
- Not all typewriters have a carrying case.
- How often you need to dust your typewriter depends on how dirty it is and how often it's used. If you use your typewriter daily, aim for once every 2-3 weeks.
- Use a vacuum and a paintbrush to remove dust from the exterior. Getting rid of dust is one of the largest tasks of cleaning a typewriter. Hold the vacuum cleaner extension arm directly above the machine and run the paintbrush over the area. Work your way around the machine with the paintbrush and vacuum cleaner to free up and remove the dust from all of the surfaces, key faces, and crevices.[2]
- You can find a variety of small paintbrushes at craft stores. Pick one with very soft bristles.
- Alternatively, you can use a toothbrush instead of a paintbrush. However, only use a toothbrush on modern typewriters and not antiques. This is because the bristles may be too rough, which can cause paint to flake off older machines. Try to use a toothbrush labeled "very soft" if possible.
- Vacuum underneath the typewriter to remove dust from inside the machine. Lift the typewriter and rest it on its back. Use the same process of freeing the dust with the paintbrush and removing it with the vacuum cleaner. Move the carriage from side to side so that more of the inner workings are exposed. Remove the dust from these areas too.[3]
- Rest the typewriter back in its proper position once you have vacuumed underneath.
- Use a can of compressed air to dislodge any difficult to reach dust. Compressed air is the best way to reach dust that couldn't be removed with the vacuum cleaner and paintbrush. Purchase a can of compressed air from a department or home improvement store and follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Aim the nozzle directly above the area you want to reach, such as the keys, and hold down the trigger to dislodge the dust.[4]
EditRemoving Dirt and Grime - Wipe down the typewriter exterior with a damp cloth. Warm water and a drop of dish detergent are great for removing years of built-up grime. Simply add a drop of dish detergent to a cleaning cloth and wet the cloth very lightly with warm water. Gently wipe all surfaces of the typewriter with the cloth.[5]
- Be very careful if you have an antique typewriter, as the labels can come off easily.
- It's best to clean the typewriter whenever you notice dirt building up to help keep it in good condition. If you use the typewriter daily, remove the dirt and grime at least once per month.
- Dry the typewriter with a cloth. Use a dry cleaning cloth to wipe all areas of the typewriter that you cleaned with warm water and detergent. Make sure that the typewriter is completely dry.[6]
- This prevents the typewriter from rusting.
- Use white vinegar to clean any glass panels. Not all typewriters have glass panels on the side, but if yours does, then white vinegar is a great cleaning solution! Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and lightly spray the glass panels. Then rub the glass panels with a cleaning cloth to get a shiny, glossy look.[7]
- Be careful to only get vinegar on the glass panels and not on other parts. This is because typewriters tend to be very delicate and the vinegar may lift worn paint.
- Clean the typewriter key faces with white vinegar and cotton swabs. Lightly dampen a cotton swab with white vinegar and gently rub each key face to remove dirt and grime. Replace the cotton swab as it gets dirty.[8]
- Don't scrub the key faces too harshly, as the paint may lift off.
- Clean the carrying case if the typewriter has one. The typewriter will only be as clean as the carrying case! It's easy for dirt and dust to build up in the case, so use a vacuum cleaner to remove as much as possible. Wipe down the inside and outside of the case with a damp cloth and then dry it fully with another cloth.[9]
- Don't put your typewriter back inside the case until they are both fully dry, as otherwise, mold and rust can form.
- Store the typewriter in the carrying case whenever it's not in use. The easiest way to keep a typewriter clean is to prevent dust from building up in the first place. Make a habit of putting your typewriter away whenever it's not in use so that it's protected from dust and spilled food and beverages.[10]
- If your typewriter doesn't have a carrying case, place a clean drape cloth over it for protection.
EditDeep-Cleaning the Machine - Unstick sticky keys with rubbing alcohol. Dip a toothbrush or small paintbrush in rubbing alcohol. Brush the rubbing alcohol over the metal key mechanisms and over any metal joints. If any key is particularly sticky, press down on the key face to expose that particular key mechanism. Scrub all sides of the key mechanism with the brush and rubbing alcohol to get it running smoothly again.[11]
- When scrubbing the key mechanisms, try to scrub in between each one as much as possible.
- The key mechanisms are visible at the front of the machine, just below the platen. This is the rubber roller that supports the paper in the typewriter.
- Cotton tips (which are the same as cotton swabs) can also be useful if a toothbrush or paintbrush isn't effective.
- You shouldn't need to deep-clean your typewriter very often, as it typically only needs to be deep-cleaned if you notice a problem starting. Aim to deep-clean your typewriter once every 3-4 months if you use it daily.
- Apply a firearm or machinery oil to the main internal mechanisms. A small amount of oil can make a huge difference in helping your typewriter run smoothly! Lift up the typewriter and rest it on its back. Spray a tiny amount of oil over the key mechanisms that you cleaned and over any pivotal joints. Immediately wipe any excess oil away using a clean cloth so that it doesn't clog up the joints.[12]
- Only oil the internal mechanisms once you have removed the dust with a vacuum cleaner first.
- The internal mechanisms of typewriters can look complicated. The easiest way to find the pivotal joints is to hold down the space bar, backspace key, and shift key individually, and watch from underneath to see which joints move.
- Clean the rubber platen with lacquer thinner if it has difficulty feeding. Pour a small amount of lacquer thinner onto a cleaning cloth. Rub the lacquer thinner over the platen and turn it as you work so that you reach all sides. You may need to swap the cleaning cloth halfway through if the platen is especially dirty.[13]
- The lacquer thinner removes the ink and grease from the platen, which helps it to run smoothly.
- Avoid using even mild cleaners on antique typewriters, as it is common for the paint to chip away.[14]
- If your typewriter is very old or if you don't feel confident cleaning it yourself, get it professionally cleaned. Take it to a typewriter cleaning service if you can find one or to a professional antique cleaner.
EditThings You'll Need EditClearing Dust - Newspaper, sheet, or towel
- Vacuum cleaner
- Paintbrush or toothbrush
- Can of compressed air
EditRemoving Dirt and Grime - Cleaning cloths
- Dish detergent
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Cotton swabs
- Carry case
EditDeep-Cleaning the Machine - Rubbing alcohol
- Toothbrush or small paintbrush
- Firearm or machinery oil
- Cleaning cloths
- Lacquer thinner
EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Celebrate Easter Posted: 21 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT Easter is a religious holiday celebrated by Christians, but non-religious people often mark the day, too. Religiously, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Non-religious celebrations include things like brunches, family get-togethers, and activities like painting eggs. Regardless of your reasons for celebrating Easter, there are many things you can do to commemorate the day. EditMaking Easter Fun for Kids - Paint eggs. You can buy an egg painting kit at nearly any supermarket around the Easter months. Hard boil some eggs and let your children have fun decorating them for the Easter holidays.[1]
- Usually, you place dye of different colors in various cups. Eggs are then dunked in the dye to add color.
- Make sure your kids wear old clothing when decorating eggs. It can get very messy.
- Have an Easter egg hunt. An iconic part of Easter is the Easter egg hunt. You can have kids hide real boiled eggs they decorated. However, you can also fill plastic eggs with treats and hide them throughout your home.[2]
- If opting for plastic eggs, you can provide things like Cheerios and pretzels if you want healthier snacks. Religious families sometimes put Bible verses on pieces of paper in plastic eggs.
- Keep track of where you hid all the eggs, in case they are not all found by the hunters. This is especially important if you're hiding real eggs, as these will eventually start to rot.
- Some great Easter egg hunts are put on by local communities or organizations and are open for you and your family to attend. See if you can find an Easter egg hunt in your area.
- Provide Easter baskets. Easter baskets are an important Easter tradition. Young children love waking up to a basket filled with Easter goods. You can buy baskets at department stores around the holidays. Fill them with small treats like candy and small toys.
- If you're religious, try adding plastic eggs with Bible verses tucked inside.
- Snacks do not have to be unhealthy. If you want your kids to have a healthy snack, put things like fresh fruit in their Easter basket.
- You can also provide small toys instead of food-based items, like tiny plastic animals or small plush toys.
- Make rabbit-themed baked goods. The Easter bunny is an exciting part of Easter for children. Make baked goods shaped like bunnies. This can be a fun way for kids to get excited about the holiday.[3]
- You can make cut-out sugar cookies using a rabbit-shaped cookie cutter.
- Bake three cinnamon rolls. Stick two together, forming a snowman-like body, and cut the other in half. Place the two halves near one end of the cinnamon roll, making bunny ears, and then use cream cheese frosting to color your bunny white. You can use chocolate chips or blueberries for eyes.
- Decorate with your kids. Children often enjoy decorating for the holidays. Invest in small decorations at a local department store or even a dollar store. You can also look for craft tutorials online. Your kids may, for example, enjoy using construction paper or felt to make things like chicks and bunnies.[4]
- Window stickers are great for young children, as they're fun and easy to use.
- If you have an Easter Brunch or dinner, try having your kids make special placemats for everyone attending using cardboard paper.
EditCelebrating with a Secular Approach - Take a hike with family or friends. Easter often takes place as the weather starts to get warmer. If you live in an area where Easter marks the start of spring, take advantage of the warm weather to celebrate the day. Spend Easter Sunday taking a long walk or hike along a local nature trail.[5]
- If you don't live near a wooded area, you can simply take a walk through your neighborhood with family and friends. For example, instead of driving to your favorite ice cream place, walk or bike there.
- Have an Easter brunch. Many people love early afternoon brunches on Easter. You can go out to a restaurant that has an Easter brunch special. You can also have family or friends over for an Easter-themed meal.[6]
- Due to the connection with eggs, deviled eggs or scrambled eggs can be a good thematic fit to your Easter meals.
- Many people enjoy serving ham as the main dish for their Easter meal. Think about adding some side dishes such as mashed potatoes or glazed carrots.
- Try to use a spring-like color scheme. For example, use pastel plates, napkins, tablecloths, and silverware.
- Plant something to celebrate new life. As Easter falls during the spring in many parts of the world, it is seen as a celebration of life. Stop by a local greenhouse and pick up some seeds. Plant them in your yard or in a pot in your home. Growing some new flowers or other plants can help you commemorate Easter by welcoming spring.[7]
- Spend time with family and friends. Holidays are great opportunities for us to spend time with our loved ones, enjoying the time together. Most people have the day of Easter, so take advantage of that time. Make some plans with your loved ones to make your Easter together with a great one.
- For example, you and a group of friends could get together for dinner on Easter Sunday.
- Take photos each year to preserve memories. Photos can be a fun way to remember the holiday. While having brunch, dinner, or engaging in other activities, bring a camera. Take some great photos to help you remember your Easter memories for years to come.[8]
EditCelebrating with Religion - Pay attention to the significance of different days of Easter weekend. Easter is not one holiday. There is a Holy Week which leads up to the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Starting the Sunday before Easter, known as Palm Sunday, pause to reflect on the Biblical significance of such events. If your church holds special services on these days, attend if possible.[9]
- From Palm Sunday to Holy Tuesday, Biblical stories are surrounding Christ entering Jerusalem and entering the temples there. On Holy Wednesday, Judas decided to betray Jesus, and the story of his persecution begins.
- Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, which took place between Jesus and his disciples. Good Friday is the day of Jesus's death on the cross.
- Holy Saturday and Sunday, or Easter, are the last two days of the holy week. During these days, Christ's resurrection is remembered and celebrated.
- Attend Easter services at your church. Almost every Christian church will offer an Easter service on Easter Sunday. Exactly what the service will consist of will vary depending on your church. However, attending an Easter church service can be a good way to focus on the Christian messages that accompany the holiday. Make sure to attend church on Easter morning.[10]
- If you have young children, see if there are special Sunday School classes offered on Easter Sunday. It can sometimes be difficult for children to understand the story of Christ's death due to the scary subject material. A qualified Sunday School teacher can help your child understand the meaning of Easter.
- Read the Easter story in your bible. Take some time over Easter weekend to read over the Easter story. This can be a good way to focus on the meaning behind the holiday. Reminding yourself why the holiday is celebrated can help you to engage more fully with your faith and its traditions. Much of the Easter story is found in the New Testament, covered in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.[11]
- If you have young children, see if you can find a children's Bible that details the story of Easter. This may explain Jesus's death and resurrection in terms they can easily understand.
- Discuss Jesus's sacrifice with your family. Easter is primarily a celebration of God sacrificing His only son for your sins. This is something to talk over with your family. On Easter morning or Holy Saturday, have a talk about what God's sacrifice means to you. Why are you grateful for Jesus's sacrifices, death, and resurrection?[12]
- One activity to help with this can be writing down times you've sinned on a piece of paper. Have everyone in the family do this on Holy Saturday and then gather the papers together.
- On Easter Day, do something to destroy the papers. You can, for example, burn them in a fireplace or feed them through a paper shredder. This represents Jesus saving you by erasing your sins. You can then express gratitude at Christ's sacrifice.
- Focus on the personal meaning this holiday has for you. Attending a church service or reading over the Easter story can both be great ways to focus on the meaning of the holiday. However, taking some time on your Easter Sunday to reflect on the personal meaning of the holiday can help you discover what it means to you.[13]
- Think about your religion. How has it benefited your life? What have you learned from Christianity? How have Jesus's lessons affected your actions?
- You may want to have your family answer these types of questions. For example, you could have everyone go around the table and share a time they acted in a certain way because of Christ's teachings.
- Practice some non-religious celebrations. If you are religious, not everything you do on Easter has to be specifically related to your religion. Try doing things like having an Easter brunch or doing something fun with your family, like going on a hike. This can be particularly helpful if you have non-religious relatives who want to celebrate with you.
- Find all the eggs after an Easter egg hunt or else they will begin to rot.
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences EditQuick Summary
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Know if You're Double Jointed Posted: 21 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT In medical terms, double-jointedness is referred to as hypermobility, and it simply means that you have a greater range of motion in some or all of your joints than most people. To determine if you have hypermobility, try the Beighton test. While hypermobility isn't a health problem in and of itself, it can lead to joint pain and puts you at an increased risk of injury. Exercises to stabilize your joints can reduce these risks.[1] EditUsing the Beighton Test - Lift your pinky back further than 90 degrees. Rest your palm and forearm on a flat surface, bending your elbow at a 90-degree angle. Reach over with your other hand and lift your pinky finger back towards your body. If it goes further than 90 degrees, you have hypermobile fingers in that hand.[2]
- Repeat the test with your other hand. Give yourself 1 point for each pinky that you are able to lift back further than 90 degrees – up to 2 points total for this part of the test.
- Push your thumb back to touch your forearm. Hold your arm out straight in front of you so that your palm is facing down. Press your thumb towards your inner forearm with your other hand. If you can push it all the way back so that it touches your forearm, you have hypermobile thumbs.[3]
- Repeat the test on your other thumb. You get 1 point for each thumb that can touch your inner forearm, up to 2 points total for this part of the test.
- Open your elbow upwards more than 10 degrees. Hold your arms outstretched, even with your shoulders. Your palms should be facing upwards. Lower your wrist and forearm to open your elbow further so that it appears to bend backward. If the bend seems greater than 10 degrees, give yourself a point for each elbow.[4]
- If you're doing this by yourself, stand in front of a mirror. You also may find it easier to do one arm at a time rather than trying to assess both at once.
- This level of hypermobility can be difficult to measure on your own. If a physical therapist were conducting this test, they would likely use an instrument called a goniometer to measure the angle of your joints.
- Extend your knees backward more than 10 degrees. Stand with your knees locked and extend them backward as far as you possibly can. If your knees extend further than 10 degrees backward, add 1 point for each side to your score.[5]
- If you're doing this by yourself, stand sideways in front of a full-length mirror and evaluate one side at a time.
- As with elbows, hypermobility in your knees can be difficult to assess on your own. Consider any extent to which you can bend your knees backward from the straight locked position to be an indication of hypermobility.
- Bend at the waist and place your palms on the floor. Stand with your feet together and your knees straight. If you can bend from the waist and place your palms flat against the floor in front of your feet without bending your knees, you have a hypermobile spine.[6]
- If you can do this with your knees locked straight, give yourself 1 point.
- Total your points to find your Beighton hypermobility score. Add up the points from each of the joints tested. A score of 4 or greater indicates you have generalized hypermobility. In basic terms, this means many of your joints have a greater range of motion than what is considered normal.[7]
- Even if you have a relatively low score, you may have hypermobility in other joints that aren't evaluated in the Beighton test, such as the jaw, neck, shoulders, hips, ankles, and feet.[8]
EditAssessing Other Symptoms - Evaluate the levels of pain and stiffness in your joints. If you have hypermobility, feeling pain or stiffness in your joints is extremely common. This is especially likely after physical exercise, and may also be more apparent in the evenings.[9]
- If you feel joint pain after exercising, you may want to change the type of exercise you do. High-impact exercises are particularly hard on hypermobile joints. For example, if you run, you may want to switch to a lower-impact exercise, such as biking, and see if you notice a difference.
- Review your medical history for joint dislocations. If you've frequently experienced joint dislocations, such as a dislocated shoulder, this may be a symptom of hypermobility syndrome. Recurring soft-tissue injuries, such as sprains or ligament tears, may also signal that you have hypermobility syndrome.[10]
- The types of injuries you've experienced also depend on the type of activities you've done. For example, if you play soccer, recurring knee injuries may not necessarily be a sign of hypermobility syndrome, because soccer is really hard on the knees.
- Determine if you have any digestive issues. Many digestive system problems, such as acid reflux, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are also present in people who have hypermobility syndrome. Although doctors aren't entirely sure why, it is believed to be caused by weakened muscles in your digestive tract.[11]
- Occasional digestive issues aren't typically considered a symptom of hypermobility syndrome, even if you also have hypermobile joints. A chronic condition for which you are under medical care, on the other hand, could be considered a symptom.
- Urinary incontinence also may be a symptom of hypermobility syndrome.
- Note if your skin is fragile or bruises easily. Many people who have hypermobility syndrome also have thin, stretchy skin that is fragile and easily damaged. If you have a tendency to bruise easily, or frequently develop stretch marks, that could be a symptom of hypermobility syndrome.[12]
- Stretch marks and frequent bruising can also be symptomatic of other conditions, not necessarily hypermobility syndrome. For example, if you've recently lost a lot of weight or were recently pregnant, you may have stretch marks, but they wouldn't be considered a symptom of hypermobility syndrome.
- Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. If you have hypermobile joints as well as more than 1 of the symptoms of hypermobility syndrome, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Tell them that you believe you have hypermobility syndrome and list the various symptoms that have led you to believe this. Your doctor may prescribe medications to ease your joint pain and stiffness or other symptoms. They may also suggest activities you should avoid or lifestyle changes you should make.[13]
- Hypermobility syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, especially if your doctor doesn't have your full medical history. Your doctor will test the flexibility of your joints and may order blood tests or X-rays to rule out other conditions before making a diagnosis.
- If you have a history of recurring joint dislocations or soft-tissue injuries, tell your doctor the injuries you've experienced and the context in which you were injured. They will evaluate whether the injuries are a possible symptom of hypermobility syndrome.
- Your doctor also may refer you to a geneticist or a rheumatologist for more specialized evaluation.
EditStabilizing Your Joints - Monitor your body positioning to keep your joints neutral. Mentally check in with your joints and adjust as necessary to keep them in a neutral position. This may take conscious effort at first, but after a while, you'll get in the habit of keeping your joints in a neutral position (neither flexed nor fully extended.)[14]
- Joints that are hypermobile are often loose. Keeping them in a neutral position prevents further weakening of the surrounding muscles.
- If you spend long hours engaged in repetitive motions, such as typing, take breaks and allow your joints to rest.
- Make sure that you do not lock your knees while you are standing. Keep them slightly bent or soft.
- Correcting your posture can also help decrease back and neck pain, which are common if you have a hypermobile spine.
- Get a referral for a physical therapist from your doctor. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can prescribe specific stretches and exercises to help ease your joint pain and strengthen the muscles supporting your hypermobile joints. Getting a referral from your doctor may get you an appointment sooner than if you tried to book one on your own.[15]
- Some physical therapists will want to work with you themselves. However, typically they'll give you a range of exercises to perform by yourself at home each day.
- If any of the stretches or exercises prescribed by your physical therapist cause you pain, let them know as soon as possible so they can evaluate your joints and adjust your program.
- Strengthen and condition the muscles around the joints. The looser joints associated with hypermobility may cause the muscles around those joints to be weaker than they normally would. A basic strength training program can help build those muscles to reduce joint pain as well as decrease your risk of injury.[16]
- Start your strength training program slowly, using only your own body weight as resistance for the first 2 to 4 weeks – especially if you've never worked out with weights. When you feel comfortable, gradually increase the resistance, starting with very small weights at first and working your way up.
- Talk to your doctor or physical therapist before you start strength training. They may be able to suggest some exercises that would help you, as well as particular exercises and movements to avoid.
- Try doing isometric exercises to strengthen your joints without putting stress on them. For example, you could do straight leg raises while lying on your back.
- Engage in low-impact cardio exercise 3 to 5 times a week. Cardiovascular exercise improves your blood flow and the oxygenation of your muscles. This may decrease your joint pain and reduce stiffness in your joints. Low impact activities, such as swimming or cycling, won't cause further stress to your joints.[17]
- Avoid high-impact activities, such as running and jumping, that can put additional pressure on your joints.
- Drink plenty of water, especially after exercising. Staying hydrated is an important part of joint health and can help keep your joints from becoming stiff or painful. Have a full glass of water before and after any activity, with additional water available to sip during the activity.[18]
- Generally, a healthy adult male should drink at least 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water a day. A healthy adult female should drink at least 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of water a day. You may need more than this, depending on your weight, the climate where you live, and your overall activity level.[19]
- Keep your joints active throughout the day. Stay at one task or in one position for at most 30 minutes at a time. If you are doing something that requires you to sit or stand in the same position for longer, fidget or shift your weight so that your joints stay active.[20]
- Continually correct your posture as you sit or stand so that you don't put too much stress on your joints.
- It isn't uncommon to be hypermobile on one side of your body but not the other or to have hypermobility in some joints but not in others.
- Women are often more likely to be hypermobile than men.
- When attempting the Beighton test yourself, be careful not to cause an injury. If you feel pain when trying to flex or extend your joints, stop.
- A high score on the Beighton test indicates hypermobility. However, it doesn't mean you automatically have hypermobility syndrome. Other symptoms must be present to reach a diagnosis of hypermobility syndrome.[21]
- If you are hyper-flexible, don't overextend your joints just because you can, whether to show off or as a party trick. You not only risk injury but also can further destabilize your joints.[22]
- Rarely, hypermobility is a symptom of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic disorder that affects your connective tissues, such as your joints and ligaments.[23]
EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment