| How to Clean Reusable Straws Posted: 09 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT If you're looking for ways to make your lifestyle more sustainable, try using reusable straws instead of disposable ones – the create much less waste, so they are much better for the environment. They are also a great option if you just like using straws and want to have one available wherever you go. While their narrow opening might make them seem tricky to clean, cleaning out reusable straws is actually a simple process. The best way to clean a reusable straw is by using a pipe cleaner or cleaning brush. But don't fret – if you don't have either on hand, there are other ways to clean out reusable straws that work just as well. EditCleaning Reusable Straws with a Brush or Pipe Cleaner - Choose a pipe cleaner or brush that fits into your straw. Many reusable straws come with little brushes that are specifically designed to clean them out. If you have one of those, great! If not, you can easily use pipe cleaners to get the job done. Make sure the brush or pipe cleaner is long enough to clean out the entire straw.[1]
- If you are using a pipe cleaner that isn't long enough, try twisting 2 or 3 together to get the desired length. Make sure to twist them tightly, so they don't fall off inside the straw.[2]
- Always use clean pipe cleaners.
- Add dish soap to your pipe cleaner or cleaning brush. Squirt a few drops of dish soap onto the pipe cleaner or cleaning brush. You can use whatever dish soap you have on hand, or buy any brand you prefer.[3]
- Try a dish soap that contains natural ingredients if you are worried about ingesting soap residue.
- Insert the pipe cleaner or brush into the straw and scrub vigorously. If you're using a pipe cleaner, insert the pipe cleaner entirely through the straw until it comes out the other end. Pull it back and forth a few times to clean out any hidden material in the straw. When using a brush, insert it into the straw and vigorously scrub the brush against the inside of the straw to remove buildup.
- You may have to work on each end individually, especially if you're cleaning a twisty straw or an L-shaped metal straw. If this is the case, do your best to scrub each section of the straw, working on one end at a time.[4]
- Scrub the outside of the straw with a sponge. While the main reason you want to clean out your straw is to deal with hidden residue inside the straw, don't forget to give the outside a quick scrub as well.[5] Use dish soap and a sponge to scrub the outside of the straw.
- If you don't have a sponge available, just soap up your hands and scrub the outside of the straw with your fingers.
- Rinse the inside of the straw under warm water to remove the soap. Once you've scrubbed the inside and outside of your straw thoroughly, rinse it under warm water until you have removed all the soap residue – you wouldn't want to accidentally drink soap the next time you use the straw![6]
- Place the straw in an upright position so it can dry completely. Standing your straw in an upright position will allow excess water to drain out, letting the straw dry completely. Avoid mildew by letting your straw dry before putting it away.
- Use a drying rack to help your straw stay upright by leaning it against the metal frame.
EditCleaning Reusable Straws without a Pipe Cleaner - Run hot water through the straw as soon as you are done using it. If you don't have a pipe cleaner or brush, it is best to rinse out your reusable straw immediately after use. If the straw sits for too long, the liquid you were drinking will dry and cake onto the inside of the straw, making it much harder to clean. Rushing hot water through the straw immediately after use will clean it out nicely.
- If you can't immediately rinse your straw, stick it into a water bottle and take a few sips of water. While this is not as effective as hot water, it is better than nothing.[7]
- Soak the straw in warm soapy water, then rinse it completely. Soaking your straw in warm soapy water will break up any material stuck inside the straw. You can soak the straw for anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Once you're done, run hot water through and over the outside of the straw to rinse our any loosened residue that might still be stuck in the straw.
- Try filling a large mason jar with warm soapy water and add the straw. Cap the jar and shake it thoroughly to help dislodge material. Then, rinse out the straw until all of the soap is removed. When cleaning bamboo straws, this is the best method to use.[8]
- Run the straw through the dishwasher. Most straws are dishwasher safe, but it is best to check the manufacturer instruction for the straw you are trying to clean. Once you're confident your straw is dishwasher safe, place the straw in the bulk utensil section and run the dishwasher.[9] When clean, make sure the straw stands upright long enough for it to dry out completely.
- Stainless steel straws and glass straws do well in the dishwasher. Bamboo straws, on the other hand, should just be soaked and rinsed.
EditThings You'll Need - A cleaning brush or pipe cleaner (optional)
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Dishwasher (optional)
- Mason jar (optional)
EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Play Hacky Sack Posted: 09 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT Footbag, more commonly known as hacky sack, is a sport that can be played individually or with a group of people by kicking a bag with your feet. It's a pretty simple concept, but if you've never played it before, you may be a little intimidated about trying it for the first time. But don't worry! Once you've mastered the basic kicks, it can be very easy (and fun) to play hacky sack with other people. EditPerforming Basic Kicks - Kick the sack with the inside of your foot to perform an inside kick. Gently drop the sack in front of you. Use the inside of the foot, almost directly in the center of your shoe where the arch of your foot is, to kick the bag directly straight up. Be sure to angle your ankle so that the inside of your foot is parallel to the ceiling in order to kick the sack straight up.[1]
- After the first kick, catch the sack in your hand. Then, practice dropping, kicking, and catching the sack until you can consistently kick the bag straight up.
- If you're having trouble kicking straight up, try slightly bending your other leg while you're standing.
- Once you feel comfortable performing an inside kick with 1 foot, be sure to practice this kick with your other foot.
- Use the outside of your foot to perform an outside kick. Gently drop the sack with your arm outstretched to the side and use the middle of the outside of your foot to kick the bag upwards. Just like with an inside kick, angle your ankle to keep your foot parallel to the ceiling in order to kick the hacky sack straight up.[2]
- You may have a little bit of trouble at first bending your leg "outward" instead of toward the center of your body. This is ok! It will get easier with practice.
- Drop the sack and kick it with your toes to do a toe kick. Make sure to drop the sack a little bit further in front of you than you would when performing an inside kick. Use your toes to kick the bag straight up in the air. Be sure to kick your toes up instead of toward your head to avoid getting hit with the hacky sack![3]
- This kick is very similar to the one that people usually use to juggle a soccer ball.
- You may hear this kick be referred to as "the whip" among some hacky sack players.
- Be sure to keep your feet low and kick with the center of your foot. Unless you're performing a toe kick, you should always try to hit the hacky sack with the center of your foot to maintain the most control. You'll also have better control over the hacky sack's speed and direction by keeping your feet low when you kick.[4]
- Practice performing stalls if you want to be able to perform tricks. A stall is when you drop the hacky sack and catch it with your foot instead of kicking it. To perform a stall, catch the sack with your foot by gently lowering your foot in a cradling motion when the hacky sack hits it. This will help absorb the impact of the bag on the foot and keep it from bouncing off the side.[5]
- Stalls won't actually help you much in a game of hacky sack where the goal is to pass the sack to another player. However, they're a neat trick you can use to impress your friends!
- Just like with kicks, you can perform inside stalls, outside stalls, and toe stalls by changing the location on your foot where you catch the sack.
- Do various combinations of kicks and stalls to perform advanced tricks. Try doing patterns, such as outside left, inside left, inside right, outside right, or whatever you want to make up. This will also help you learn to control where you want the bag to go, which is good for both performing tricks and for playing actual games.[6]
- For example, to perform the Helicopter, do an inside kick, a toe kick, an outside kick, a toe kick, and another inside kick, moving the hacky sack back and forth from the front of your body to the outside.
- To do the Rainbow, use outside kicks to move the hacky sack from 1 side of your body to the other over your head.
EditPlaying with a Group - Start by gathering at least 2 people in a circle. You can technically play a hacky sack game with only 2 people, but the game will be a lot more fun if you have 3 or more players. Keep the circle about across.[7]
- You can have more than 3 players too, but be aware that if you have too many people playing at once, it may be hard to move the hacky sack around the circle.
- Have 1 person use their hands to serve the sack to someone else. Serving the sack just involves that person throwing it to another player so that the second player can kick it to another player. This is the only time in the game that a person is allowed to use their hands.[8]
- Make sure the person serving the hacky sack tosses it about waist high for the person kicking it.
- Pass the sack between each other for as long as possible. The goal of the game is to use your feet, legs, and forehead to avoid letting the sack hit the ground. Whenever the sack is kicked toward you, kick it back to a different player to keep the game going.[9]
- This is the most common variation of hacky sack and is often referred to as "Circle kicking."
- You can incorporate more specific rules and goals into your game to make it interesting. For example, try requiring each player to kick the sack to themselves a certain number of times before they can pass it to someone else.
- Restart the game whenever someone lets the sack hit the ground. This person now has to serve the hacky sack to another player. You should also restart the sack if someone hits the hacky sack with their arm or hands.[10]
EditPlaying Hacky Sack Variations - Make eliminating other players the main objective to play Knockout. You can have players be eliminated by either failing to hit the hacky sack or by being "pegged" by other players. In most Knockout variations, any player can catch the sack after a set number of kicks. Then, that player has the chance to throw the sack at another player and thereby eliminate that player.[11]
- In many of these same variations, if the person who caught the sack fails to hit another player, the thrower is then eliminated.
- Be sure to throw the hacky sack gently if you add pegging to your game. Being hit with a hacky sack can hurt!
- Kick the hacky sack across a net to play Footbag Net. This game variation is very similar to other games played over a net, such as badminton or tennis. In Footbag Net, players arrange themselves on different sides of a short net and kick the hacky sack back and forth. If a player or team on 1 side of the net fails to kick the sack back over, the team on the opposite side gets a point.[12]
- To win the game, a team has to score a certain number of points. This number can be as high or low as you want.
- For best results, don't play this game with a net higher than .
- Play 21 if you're only playing with 1 other person. In 21, 2 players take turns trying to kick the hacky sack 21 consecutive times. When you get to 21 kicks, stop the hacky sack by stalling it in order to get a point. The first player to get to a certain number of points wins.[13]
- This is a good, low-pressure game for beginners to play. It also helps you to improve your ability to keep the hacky sack in the air for as long as possible.
- If you want to make the game even more challenging, try having each player pass the sack to the other player after they get to 21 instead of stalling it.
- When hacking with a group, you may need to learn some special etiquette. For example, you shouldn't serve to yourself.
- Be patient. It can take a lot of practice to learn the fundamentals, but once you have these down, you'll probably get much better very quickly.
- Although many people may be familiar with the term "Hacky Sack," "Footbag" is the true name of the sport; "Hacky Sack" comes from the brand name given to one type of footbag.
- Wear lightweight shoes with a thickly cushioned sole. Tennis shoes and skate shoes are common choices for people who play Hacky Sack regularly.
- Buy a hacky sack made with sand or plastic beads if you're a beginner. Sacks made of these materials tend to be softer and easier to control. The larger the beads, the harder it will be to stall the sack.
- Stay relaxed and keep your breathing steady while kicking. This will increase the length of your kicking sessions and cause less strain on your muscles.
- Playing Hacky Sack involves a lot of repetitive leg movements, so be sure to stretch out your legs before you begin to play. This will make it less likely for you to suffer a strained or pulled muscle.
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Store a Leather Jacket Posted: 09 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT When the weather gets warmer, you'll have to find a way to store your leather jacket so that it stays usable for years. Taking good care of your leather jacket can keep the material supple and healthy for a long time. There are a couple of ways to store your leather jacket, but it's important to clean it up before doing so! EditCleaning The Jacket - Wipe off the leather with cold water and cloth. Only use enough water to get the cloth damp, as too much water can damage the leather. Gently rub the wash cloth in a circular motion on the jacket, making sure to clean all parts evenly.[1]
- Never machine wash your leather jacket. It is an organic fabric, meaning too much moisture can crack, stain, or warp the material.
- Apply leather conditioner with a cotton swab to keep the material soft. Conditioner keeps the leather moisturized and prevents it from drying out and cracking. Use a small amount of the conditioner and evenly coat your jacket using the cotton swab. If you put too much conditioner or use it more than once every few months, it will damage the integrity of the fabric.[2]
- A good rule of thumb is to apply the conditioner once every 2-3 months.
- Wipe off any excess conditioner with a dry cloth.
- Treat minor stains with lukewarm water and detergent. Take a wash cloth and dampen it with lukewarm water. Then, add a pinch of detergent to the stain itself and gently wash it out with the cloth. Make sure to wipe away all detergent and water so the jacket is dry and clean.[3]
- If you add more than a small amount of detergent, it could damage the jacket.
- Take your jacket to a professional to remove big stains. There are professional cleaners who specialize in leather and suede garments and can get rid of large stains and strong odors. Check with your local dry cleaner to see if they can take care of your jacket before contacting a specialist.[4]
- Stains and spills that go untreated will oxidize and become impossible to remove. This is why it's so vital to clean your jacket entirely before storing it.
EditProtecting the Jacket from Damage - Stuff the insides of your jacket with acid-free paper. This protects your clothing from dirt and dust. Put paper in the sleeves and pockets of your jacket and close all buttons and zippers after doing so. Not only does acid-free paper create a barrier between your jacket and dirt, dust, and moisture, it helps the jacket keep its shape for the next time you want to wear it.[5]
- You can pick up acid-free paper at your local office supplies store. You can also order some online.
- Wrap your jacket in a breathable fabric to keep it supple. One way to do this is putting it in an old white bed sheet around your jacket. You can also use a cloth garment bag, or a bag made with netting. Do not use a plastic bag to store your jacket because the fabric will dry out.[6]
- Make sure to wash the bed sheet before wrapping the jacket in it.
- Never fold your jacket to fit it in a bed sheet. This will crease the material and make it nearly impossible to return the jacket to its original shape.
- Hang your jacket on a wide hanger that is wooden or padded. A wide hanger can properly support the shoulders of your jacket so it doesn't droop and keeps its shape. Use a cedar wooden hanger or a padded hanger because they are strong enough to hold the jacket's weight.[7]
- A thin hanger made of wire or plastic is too light to properly hold a leather jacket.
- Cedar wooden hangers can remove light odors that reside in the lining of your leather jacket.
- Put your jacket in a non-plastic storage container. If you don't want to hang your jacket up, or don't have enough closet space to properly store the clothing, simply place your jacket in a wooden trunk or a suitcase. Lay your jacket flat in the storage container so it doesn't crease. If you're using a wooden trunk, make sure there is a gap between the lid and the base of the trunk to let air flow in and out. When it comes to a suitcase, keep it unzipped to allow air to come in and out.[8]
- Never store your jacket in a plastic container. The leather will not be able to breathe and won't last nearly as long as you'd like.
EditPutting the Jacket into Storage - Keep your jacket in a dark are away from direct sunlight. Leather jackets expand when exposed to heat. Once this happens, you cannot shrink the jacket or restore it to its former shape. Heat can also cause the leather to dry out and crack. Keep the jacket away from exposed light bulbs and warm areas of the home.[9]
- Exposing it to direct sunlight fades the leather and leads to discoloration.
- Store your jacket in a dry, cool area. Moisture on the jacket can cause mildew and mold to grow, so make sure the jacket is protected from wetness. If you live in a humid climate, you can put a dehumidifier in the closet to remove the water from the air.[10]
- You won't be able to put a dehumidifier in a storage container, so if you want to put your jacket in a non-plastic container, you have to make sure your home isn't humid.
- Take your jacket out of storage for a couple of hours every few weeks. This will extend the life of your jacket. While leather can be stores for months at a time without deteriorating, it still needs to be aired out every once in a while. Take the leather out of its storage place and breathable fabric and let it sit on your bed for a few hours to give it some air.[11]
- You do not need to remove the acid-free paper on the inside when you air out your jacket.
EditThings You'll Need - Wash cloth
- Leather conditioner
- Wooden or padded hangers
- Acid-free paper
- Breathable fabric
- Non-plastic storage container
- Detergent
- Dehumidifier
EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment