| How to Clean Melted Plastic Out of an Oven Posted: 27 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT Plastic dishware and ovens don't mix, but everyone makes mistakes. If you accidentally forgot a plastic cutting board or bowl in the oven and switched it on, you're likely left with a melted plastic nightmare. Don't fret, you can clean the oven yourself with materials you likely already have at home. If you have a gas or electric oven, cooling the oven is the best method. Heating works better for electric and self-cleaning ovens. Either way, you'll have your oven back in commission in no time. EditCooling the Plastic - Remove the oven rack and put it into the freezer. You can leave it in there for a few hours to ensure that it is adequately cooled. This will make the hardened plastic more brittle and it will be easier to scrape off.
- Alternatively, you can fill a bag with ice to cool the plastic. This works for the rack, the coils, and the bottom of the oven.[1] Leave the ice on the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Scrape the brittle plastic. Once you remove the rack from the freezer or have cooled it thoroughly with the ice, you can begin to scrape the plastic. Using a razor blade or scraping tool, gently scrape at the melted plastic.[2] You may have to apply some pressure to peel it away from the metal. Continue scraping until you have removed the plastic from the rack, coils, and bottom of the oven entirely.
- The plastic may be sharp, so take care to wear gloves and use caution to avoid cuts.
- Sweep the plastic remnants into the trash. You'll be left with plastic shavings and pieces on the bottom of the oven. Carefully sweep these out using gloves or a brush.
- You may also choose to put a bowl or pot under the rack when scraping to catch the plastic as it falls.
- Clean the oven as usual. Before you use the oven again, be sure to wipe it with your usual oven cleaner to ensure the plastic residue is completely removed.
EditUsing Heat to Remove the Plastic - Heat your oven. Be sure to use the lowest setting, usually no hotter than . Stay nearby to turn it off before it starts to smoke. Plastic fumes are not only unpleasant, but they're also toxic.[3] Once you can smell the plastic melting, turn off the oven.
- Use a heating gun or hair dryer to heat the plastic. This is a great alternative to using the oven's heating element. Warming the plastic directly with these tools may take longer but will make it easier to avoid burns or overheating.
- Scrape the warm plastic on the rack. Using a wooden spoon to scrape the now malleable plastic will avoid scratching the surface of the oven and racks. If the plastic hardens again as you're working, simply shut the oven and warm it again.[4]
- To avoid burns, wear long sleeves and don gloves or oven mitts while you work.
- If possible, remove the rack entirely using oven mitts and scrape over your sink.
- Be sure to cover the drain to avoid plastic clogging your pipes and causing a whole new problem.
- If you cannot remove the rack, consider putting an oven-safe pot under the rack to catch the scrapings as you work.
- Remove the warm plastic from the heating element. Using the same process as above, scrape the warm plastic off the bottom of the oven and from the heating element.
- Be sure to use a scraper that will not melt while touching the warm coils, so avoid plastic or wood for this step. Instead, opt for a razor blade or scraping tool.[5]
- Remove the plastic scrapings. Ensure the oven and heating element are completely cool before you start this step.
- Use gloves or a brush to avoid cutting yourself on the potentially sharp plastic.
- Wipe the oven clean. Using your regular oven cleaner, wipe out any of the remaining residue before using it to cook.
- Open the windows when cleaning the oven to avoid inhalation of fumes.
- Wear gloves and/or oven mitts to protect from burns or cuts.
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| How to Plant Orchids in a Pot Posted: 27 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT Orchids are beautiful plants with bright, colorful flowers. Planting and caring for orchids can be tricky though because they are very different from most other houseplants. However, with a bit of knowledge about your specific orchid and some patience, you will be able to see the flowers bloom! Choose a small, snug pot for the orchid and then pick the right growing medium for your particular type. Keep the orchid happy by providing it with plenty of sunlight, high humidity, and water once per week. EditPotting Orchids - Pick a cattleya, moth orchid, or venus slipper orchid if you're a beginner. Orchids can be finicky plants and are difficult to keep alive. The cattleya, moth orchid, and venus slipper varieties are all relatively common and are great for learning how to grow these special plants. Ask at the gardening center or nursery what type of beginner orchid is suitable for the climate in your location.[1]
- Try to pick a plant that is blooming so that you know what the flowers look like.
- Choose a small plastic or clay pot for the orchid. Check that there are slats or holes in the pot so that the growing medium will be well-drained. The roots should fit snugly into the pot without needing to bend or twist, and they shouldn't have too much excess space.[2]
- Tolumnias and dendrobiums prefer clay pots, while cattleyas, moth orchids, and venus slipper orchids all prefer either clay or plastic pots.
- Choose the right growing medium for your type of orchid. There are over 30,000 types of orchids and a huge variety of growing mediums. Common types include fir bark, tree fern, peat moss, and perlite. Ask your local gardening center or orchid growing society about the best medium for your type of orchid. You can also look it up online.[3]
- Cattleya orchids prefer coarse fir bark.[4]
- Medium fir bark is best for moth orchids.[5]
- Bark or a fluffy moss is ideal for venus slipper orchids.[6]
- Fill the bottom of the pot with of foam peanuts. One of the most important aspects of planting the orchid in a pot is ensuring it has good drainage. Use foam packaging peanuts to help drain excess water away from the roots and the growing medium. This prevents the roots from rotting.[7]
- Remove the orchid from the original container. Hold the orchid stalk firmly and gently wiggle the container to loosen it. When the container is loose, carefully pull the orchid out without breaking any of the roots. If the container feels stubborn, don't force it off as this could harm the orchid. Instead, use scissors to carefully cut the container off the plant.[8]
- Some orchids are sold bare-rooted, which means that the roots are free. There is no container to remove in this instance.
- Orchids are most commonly sold in plastic pots.
- Hold the orchid in the pot. Grasp the orchid gently around the stalk and suspend it inside the container. Make sure that none of the roots need to bend or break to fit inside the pot.[9]
- Always support the orchid as you are planting it to prevent root damage.
- Fill the pot with the growing medium. Gently pack the pot with the growing medium, being careful not to crush or damage the roots. Stop filling the pot when the crown of the orchid is just below the growing medium.[10]
- The crown is where the roots meet the stalk.
EditCaring for Potted Orchids - Let the orchid get 12-14 hours of light per day. Wild, tropical orchids often grow high up in trees, which means that they thrive with plenty of sunlight. Pick a sunny spot for your orchid such as a south or east-facing windowsill. North-facing windows tend to be too dark for orchids and west-facing windows tend to be too warm. Check the specific sunlight requirements for your type of orchid to find the ideal number of sunlight hours.[11]
- If your home doesn't have suitable natural light, use artificial lights instead. Place the orchid away from a fluorescent bulb and keep the light on for the specified number of hours.[12]
- Orchids with leathery or few leaves like cattleyas and the dancing lady type tend to do best in high-light environments such as a south-facing windowsill.
- Orchids with limp or soft leaves like the moth and lady slipper types tend to grow best under more sensitive light conditions. Try an east-facing windowsill.
- Water the orchid approximately once per week. Less water is definitely more where orchids are concerned. Orchid roots can easily rot if there is too much water in the growing medium, as the roots need good air flow to function properly. Simply hold the pot under running water for a few seconds and let the water drench the growing medium. Make sure that the growing medium has dried out fully before you water it again.[13]
- Orchids cope much better with drought than overwatering.
- Maintain a humidity level of 60-80% to keep tropical orchids happy. Most homes have humidity levels that are too low to sustain orchids, especially in winter. Keep the orchid in a place away from cold drafts and heating vents, as the plant needs warm, moist air to survive. Orchids tend to grow well in bathrooms where the humidity is high or near humidifier devices.[14]
- If you don't want to place the orchid in the bathroom or use a humidifier, you can use a dry well instead. To make a dry well, get a plastic tray and either fill it with pebbles or place a plastic lattice on top. Fill the tray with water to the top of the pebbles or the lattice, and keep the orchid pot on top. This helps to boost the humidity.[15]
- Give the orchid liquid fertilizer each summer. Orchids bloom especially well using a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Visit your local gardening center and purchase a liquid fertilizer that is suitable for orchids. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully and dilute the specified amount of liquid fertilizer in the water. Then pour the water over the orchid as you normally would.[16]
- Try to get a liquid fertilizer that is specifically for orchids. If you get a general fertilizer, use only half the amount that is recommended.
- Water the orchid regularly each week whenever you don't use the liquid fertilizer.
- Prune the orchid when the flowers fall off to encourage healthy growth. Trim the flowering stem away from main stalk. You may even get a second bloom! If you notice any yellowing or browning on the stems or leaves, remove these with a sterile knife to allow the orchid to grow back healthy shoots.[17]
- Only moth orchids can rebloom without being trimmed.
- Repot the orchid if the roots are exposed beyond the pot. Although orchids don't do well with repotting, sometimes it is necessary to keep the plant alive. If you spot the roots creeping out of the pot or if the growing medium has broken down too much and is preventing aeration, then it's time to repot the orchid.[18]
- Some orchids need to be repotted each year and others can stay in the same pot for several years.
- Don't repot the plant until it has stopped blooming for the year.
- Orchids don't grow in soil like most other plants. Instead, they are epiphytes which means that they grow in the air on substrates that provide plenty of circulation around the roots.[19]
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| How to Do a Hanging Leg Raise Posted: 27 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT You have to use a lot of different muscles to complete a hanging leg raise, which makes it a great move to add to your exercise routine. Find somewhere to exercise that has a pull-up bar, whether that's at a gym or in the comfort of your own home, and get warmed up before starting your workout. Use your core muscles to bring your legs parallel to the ground while you're hanging from the bar. Once you can do a single hanging leg raise. Keep practicing to add more repetitions to each workout. EditSetting Up - Use a pull-up bar at your gym if you have a membership. If you aren't sure where to go, ask someone who works there for some help. Most gyms have sections for weight machines and pull-up bars. Find out if your gym has the right equipment for you to start working on your hanging leg raise.[1]
- Working out at the gym has some great benefits—it's easier to focus on your exercise because there are no external distractions, and you can pull inspiration from the other people who are there working out.
- Install a pull-up bar if you prefer exercising at home. If you're going to buy and install a pull-up bar on your own, make sure to check the fine print. Pick a bar that can support your weight, and look for one that has good customer reviews. When you install it, follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure it is installed safely.[2]
- Working out at home can be great if you like the convenience of not having to travel to a secondary location. Plus, it's free, minus the cost of whatever equipment you need.
- Warm up by doing 5 to 10 minutes of light cardio activity. Before doing any kind of physical activity, it's really important to get your body warmed up to help prevent injuries. Do something like riding a stationary bike or completing several sets of jumping jacks. Whatever activity you choose, make sure to get your heart rate up and loosen up your limbs.[3]
- Most adults have a resting heart rate between 60 to 100 beats per minute. When you exercise, your heart rate can increase anywhere from 100 to 180 beats per minute, depending on your age and fitness level.
- Adjust the pull-up bar so it is slightly higher than your extended arms. Some exercise machines have adjustable bars, whereas others don't. If you can, move the pull-up bar so that your feet will be off the ground by at least when you're hanging from the bar with your arms fully extended.[4]
- If the bar isn't adjustable and is too high up for you to grab, use a sturdy stool or bench to safely reach it.
- Grip the bar so your hands are slightly wider than your shoulders. Use an overhand grip with your palms facing forward to give yourself a bit more flexibility for the leg raises. Avoid using a backward grip, where your palms face backward, which might strain your arms and shoulders.[5]
- Try using fingerless exercise gloves if your hands get sweaty while you're working out—you don't want to accidentally slip off the pull-up bar!
EditCompleting a Hanging Leg Raise - Keep your legs straight and your feet together. While you're hanging from the bar, take a moment to make sure the rest of your body is in the right position. Place your feet together so they're touching and don't bend your legs. You'll maintain this position for the entire leg raise.[6]
- Try to keep your torso as still as possible. If you're swinging back and forth, wait a few moments before you begin the leg raises.
- Flex your abs and thighs and begin raising your legs up. Keep your legs straight and your feet together. When you're just starting out, you may not be able to raise your legs very high, and that is okay! Focus on bringing your legs as high as you can with slow, steady movements.[7]
- If you need to, bend your knees and focus on raising just your upper thighs—this modifies the move and makes it a little easier to complete.
- Don't swing your body to gain momentum. All the movement should come through your core and your legs.
- Stop raising your legs when your thighs and feet are above your hips. Once you raise your legs as high as you can, pause for 3 to 5 seconds. This holding time really works your abs. Ideally, you'll be lifting your legs so that the tops of your thighs are raised above your hips. If you aren't there yet, keep working on it—you'll get there![8]
- You may be tempted to tense your shoulders so they're near your head, but try to keep them down.
- Lower your legs back to the starting position slowly. After you've held the leg raise for a few seconds, slowly bring your legs back down so they're hanging straight again. Continue using your core muscles to control the movements, and avoid just dropping your legs down. That could really hurt your back or arms.[9]
- As is true of a lot of exercises, slow and controlled movements are better for your muscles. Focus on the quality of each leg raise rather than the quantity when you're first starting out.
- Practice the leg raises until you can do 3 sets of 15 reps. Maybe when you first start out you can only do 1 leg raise, or maybe you can only lift your legs a little bit. Focus on getting incrementally better each time you work out. If you can't get your legs high, try to move them up another each day. If you can only do a few repetitions, work on adding an additional rep every week.[10]
- Remember, everyone starts at the beginning with fitness. You may not be able to do many reps right now, but if you're persistent, you could be able to do a full set in several weeks or months.
EditVarying the Exercise - Complete lying leg raises to strengthen your core. Lying leg raises are a great way to exercise those muscles you need to use for a hanging leg raise. Lay on the floor on an exercise mat or on a bench and place your hands beneath your lower buttocks to help support your pelvis. Keep your spine neutral so that it is not arched or pressed flat against the mat or bench. Flex your core and lift your legs up while keeping your feet together and your legs extended straight. Lift your legs to a 60 to 70-degree angle, hold the position for 3 to 5 seconds, and then lower your legs back down. Repeat the movement until you can do 3 sets of 15 repetitions.[11]
- Try doing knee raises for an easier variation that still uses your core. This move is very similar to the hanging leg raise, and it can be really helpful to work on if you're struggling to bring your legs up far enough. Start in the same beginning position, but bend your legs at the knees as you raise them up. Bring your thighs toward your chest as far as you can. Hold the position for 3 to 5 seconds, then lower and straighten your legs back out. Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions each.[12]
- Extend your lower legs forward gradually so that you can see your feet. This is a good way to work towards the straight-leg position. Once you've mastered this move, you should find it easier to complete the hanging leg raise.
- Add weights to your ankles to make the move more difficult. Once you've got the basics down, you can start adding some more weight to your body to provide more resistance. Add ankle weights to each leg, or try gripping a dumbbell between your ankles as you do your sets.[13]
- Don't attempt to add more weight unless you can already complete a hanging leg raise on its own—otherwise, the excess weight could strain your muscles, including the ones in your lower back, and cause an injury.
- Do a hanging crunch to work out your abdominal muscles even more. When your legs are parallel to the ground, bend your knees and bring them up toward your shoulders. Imagine you are "crunching" your knees toward your head with the goal of touching your shoulders with them.[14]
- Be careful to not swing your body during the movement, as that could strain your neck and back muscles. Keep your torso as still as you can and focus on using your core and leg muscles.
- Remember to stretch well after your workout to increase your flexibility and prevent injury and muscle strain.
- Check with your doctor before beginning a new workout regimen if you aren't already exercising regularly.
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