| How to Steam a Shirt Posted: 02 Jun 2019 05:00 PM PDT Using a handheld or standing garment steamer is a great way to gently smooth out wrinkles and creases from your shirt. You won't get the crispness of an iron, but you won't risk singeing the shirt fabric, either. Fill up the steamer with distilled water and hang up your shirt. Start with the stiffer, more structural elements of the shirt, including the button placket, collar, and sleeve cuffs. Then move onto the body and sleeves of the shirt, relaxing the fibers with the steam and gentle pressure against the fabric. With a few simple techniques, you'll be able to freshen up cotton button-downs and de-wrinkle delicate silk chiffon blouses like a professional. EditPreparing the Shirt and Steamer - Place the shirt on a clothes hanger. You can use a flocked hanger to prevent the shirt from sliding around, but a plastic hanger will work fine as well. Close up the top button of the shirt to prevent it from slipping off the hanger.[1]
- If you're steaming a blouse or shirt without buttons, just pop it on a hanger.
- If there are any closures on the garment, such as a button at the center-back of a blouse neckline, close these up to keep the garment in place.
- Hang the shirt up on a hook. If you're using a standing steamer, hook the clothes hanger onto the built-in stand. If you don't have a stand, you can suspend the hanger from an over-the-door hook, a rolling garment rack, or a shower curtain ring. The goal is to keep the shirt upright and off of the floor.[2]
- Note that the steam may affect the surface behind it. Only hang your shirt against surfaces that can withstand high heat and moisture.[3]
- For instance, if you don't want to expose your wood door to moisture and eat, pick a different location like your glass shower door.
- Fill the steamer with distilled or purified water up to the fill line. Tap water contains minerals that will clog up the steamer and get deposited onto your clothes.[4] Instead, boil a pot of tap water and allow it to cool down before adding it to the steamer. You can also choose to fill your steamer with pre-bottled distilled water. Pour the water into the base of a standing steamer, or the water canister on a handheld steamer.
- Don't fill the steamer beyond the fill line as you may cause an explosion of hot, steamy water.[5]
- You can always add more water once you use up the supply.
- Plug in and turn on the steamer to heat it up completely. Some steamers will begin heating up immediately, but others will need to be turned on once plugged in.[6] Make sure the steam head is upright when you turn it on, so that moisture doesn't pour out. For a standing steamer, you can hook the steam head onto the garment stand while it heats up. If you're using a handheld steamer, make sure it's standing upright on its base.
- If you're using a clasp attachment or a brush, clip on the steam head attachment prior to turning on the steamer.
- Allow the steamer to heat up completely before using it. Wait until you see steam emerging from the steamer. Or, if the steamer has a trigger, you might watch for a light that indicates when it's ready to use.
EditSteaming the Placket, Collar, and Cuffs - Hold the base of the button placket and pull the fabric taut. For the best results, you'll start with the stiff, structural parts of the shirt. First will be the button placket (the left and right sides of the shirt where the buttons and corresponding buttonholes are located). With the mostly-unbuttoned shirt secured on the hanger, tug on the bottom or hem of one side of the placket to pull it taut.[7]
- Place the steam head on the inside of the button placket. With the steam holes facing towards you, bring the steam head into contact with the fabric on one side of the placket. Continue holding the bottom of the placket taut.[8]
- If you're using a clasp attachment, use it to grip the placket flat against the steam head.
- Run the steamer along the inside of the placket in up and down strokes. While still holding the placket taut and pressing the steam head gently against the inside of the fabric, engage the trigger so that the steam comes out (if your steamer has this type of control). Move the steam head slowly up and down along the full length of the placket until the creases relax.[9]
- Depending on the fabric and how wrinkled it is, you'll probably need to run the steamer up and down each part of the garment about 2 to 8 times to completely smooth out the fabric.
- Repeat this process for the other side of the placket.
- Unbutton the cuffs and hold them open vertically to steam. Since the steam moves directly upwards, you'll want to position the cuffs vertically so they catch as much steam as possible. Undo the cuff buttons and flatten out the cuffs. Hold each one vertically from the top. Drag the steam head up and down over the cuffs from the front and back until the fabric smooths out.[10]
- Hold the shirt by one of the collar points to steam the collar. Take the shirt off of the hanger for this step. Flatten out the collar and pinch one of the collar points. Hold up the shirt in this way, letting gravity keep the shirt collar vertical. Then, as you did for the button placket and cuffs, run the steamer up and down the collar fabric in a few passes to de-wrinkle it.[11]
EditRemoving Creases from the Shirt Body and Sleeves - Button up the shirt completely on the hanger. Once you've steamed out the stiffer elements, you can move onto the body of the shirt. Place the shirt back on the hanger and do up all of the buttons. Hang it back onto the hook with the front of the shirt facing you.[12]
- Slip the steamer head inside the garment with the steam holes facing you. With the steamer inside, gravity will keep your shirt in place and the steamer will stay in contact with the fabric as you move the steamer. Bring the steam head in contact with the inside of the front of the shirt, since you'll be smoothing out the front first.
- If you're steaming from the outside, sometimes the force of the steam will push the garment away, even if you're trying to hold it taut. This is a trick used by professionals to quickly and effectively steam clothes.[13]
- Drag the steamer head up and down along the inside of the shirt. With the steam head in contact with the fabric, slowly but firmly move the steamer up and down in vertical passes on the inside of the shirt panels. Hold the hem of the shirt to keep the fabric taut and reposition your hand as you work across the width of the shirt.[14]
- Engage the trigger to release the steam if your handheld steamer has one.
- You can go back over certain parts if you didn't get all the creases out in the first few passes. It could take around 2 to 8 passes for the fabric to relax.
- Even if you're trying to steam out a certain spot on the shirt, keep the steam head moving above and below that spot so that the steam can penetrate the fabric.
- Flip the garment around on the hook to steam the back of the shirt. You'll follow the same process as you did when steaming the front of the shirt. Slip the steam head back into the shirt with the holes facing you and pressing gently against the back of the shirt. Then draw it along the fabric in vertical motions, gradually working from one side to the other.
- To smooth out the yoke (the top panel going across the back of the shirt), try steaming first from the inside. If there are still some wrinkles remaining, guide the steam head along the outside of the yoke in short up and down motions, passing across the full width of the yoke to release creases from the seamed areas.[15]
- Hold each of the sleeves out taut to steam them from the outside. Grasp the sleeve from the cuff to prevent it from moving around as you steam it.[16] First draw the steamer slowly up and down along the back side of the sleeve, with the steam holes touching the fabric and facing towards you. Then bring the steamer to the front with the holes facing away from you as you work along the front side of the sleeve.[17]
- Hold the sleeve at a 45-degree downward angle rather than straight out.
- Make sure there's no wrinkling in the armhole area since you could risk setting these creases into the sleeve.[18]
- Let the shirt cool off and dry completely on the hanger. Before throwing on your shirt or returning it to the closet, allow it to cool and dry for at least 5 minutes. Make sure it feels cool and dry to the touch. If there's any moisture or heat remaining when you wear or store it, you could risk setting wrinkles into the fabric.[19]
EditSelecting a Garment Steamer - Choose a handheld steamer for occasional home use. Some handheld steamers have a handle like a kettle, and others are held at the center. Many come with a trigger so you can control the release of steam. A decent one will cost between 30 to 60 USD.[20] Like an everyday iron, a handheld garment steamer can be tucked neatly away when it's not in use.
- Look for one with an extra-long power cord (or a cordless steamer) so you can easily use it around the house.
- The downside is that handheld steamers can be pretty bulky and heavy, especially when they're filled up with water. You might wear your arm out if you're steaming a lot of shirts in a row.
- Select a portable handheld steamer for steaming clothes during your travels. Portable steamers are smaller and don't come with many bells and whistles, as larger handheld steamers, but they help you get the job done while you're on the go. Look for one that heats up quickly and holds enough water to completely steam a single shirt.[21]
- An extra-long cord would be advantageous on a portable steamer. This way, you won't worry too much about not being able to plug it next to where you've hung up the shirt in a hotel room.
- Opt for a standing garment steamer for high-volume steaming. If you're doing a lot of steaming, a standing garment steamer is the most professional and convenient choice. A good one may cost 100 USD or more and will come with a rod and hook for hanging your clothes on. It will also have a lightweight, heavy-duty metal steam head.[22]
- Unlike a handheld steamer, a standing steamer holds more water in a canister at the base. This means you don't have to carry the weight of the water as you steam the garment.
- Standing steamers don't typically have triggers for controlling the rate of steam. But that's actually very useful for high-volume steaming since you don't need to keep your finger down on the trigger while you work.
- Consider getting a clasp attachment for crisper shirt steaming. If you're using a standing steamer, try adding on a specialized clasp attachment that's designed for use on dress shirts. This type of clasp can be used to hold parts of the shirt taut across the steamer, so you can smooth out the fabric quicker and with more precision.[23]
- Like a big clothespin or chip clip, you can use the attachment to pinch the shirt between the clasp and the steam head.
- Handheld and standing steamers can come with a variety of steam head attachments, such as brushes that will help grip the fabric as you steam it.[24]
- Steaming works well on clothing made of natural fibers and blends. Try steaming silk, wool, linen, cotton, and any fabric made with a blend of natural fibers. For example, a polyester-cotton blend shirt would respond well to steaming.[25]
- Avoid steaming garments made of fabrics that might melt, such as plastic or vinyl. If you're not sure, do a spot-test and steam a small inconspicuous corner to see how the garment responds to the steam.[26]
- Some fabrics will deepen in color when you steam them, or you might notice little wet spots once you're finished. Don't panic! This usually just signifies that the fibers are warm or damp. They'll go back to their original color within a few minutes.
- While some fabrics will start to ease out after just 1 or 2 passes of the steam head, some fabrics and garments will require more patience. You might need to pass the steamer over some parts 10 or 12 times if they're heavily creased. Since the steamer releases heat and moisture, you won't risk burning or scorching the fabric as you would with the hot metal plate of an iron.
- When you're steaming from the outside of the garment, touch the steam head to the shirt at a 45-degree downward angle. This will prevent the steam from escaping and will make sure that most of it hits the fabric.[27]
- Follow up with an iron to press crisp creases into the shirt pleats.[28]
- When holding out parts of the garment to keep them taut, be careful not to run the steam head past your fingers or hands as you could accidentally burn yourself. Also, some metal steam heads can get hot so be careful not to grab or touch this part of the steamer.
- Never steam clothes while they're on your body. Not only will this be ineffective, but you'll risk getting serious burns.[29]
EditReferences
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| How to Channel Anger With Exercise Posted: 02 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT Whether someone made you angry, you're upset with yourself, or you're just having a bad day, one of the best ways to direct your angry energy in a healthy way is through exercise. That angry energy can build inside of you and working it out is an effective way to channel your rage into movement that will work up a sweat, release endorphins, and leave you feeling (and looking) better. If you're looking to channel your anger through exercise, there are exercises that are especially good for it. EditExercising to Release Anger - Use cardiovascular or aerobic exercise to release endorphins. Cardiovascular exercises get your heart rate up and aerobic exercises promote greater oxygen intake. They often go hand in hand, and together they tell your body to release endorphins, which are chemicals that react with your brain to create a positive mental feeling and reduce your perception of pain. If you're feeling angry, a great way to direct that energy is to harness it to help you get through a difficult cardio/aerobic workout.[1]
- Always check with your doctor before trying exercises that will put a strain on your heart and lungs.
- Monitor your heart rate during hard workouts. Because you're angry, your heart rate may already be increased, so when you add cardio to the mix, you need to monitor yourself for safety. Working out can be really demanding on your cardiovascular system. During your periods of rest, check your pulse to make sure you are not exceeding your maximum heart rate.[2]
- To determine your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220.
- Avoid weightlifting when you're angry. If you're really angry, you may think that picking up some heavy weights and pumping out some reps would be a great way to vent that frustration. But lifting weights while you're angry and not thinking clearly can be dangerous. Your anger may distract you from focusing on what you're doing, and you could seriously injure yourself.[3]
- If you're already angry going into the gym, any minor frustration could potentially balloon into an altercation.
- If you injure yourself, you will probably be even angrier!
- Try out new exercises to channel your anger. If you need to let off some steam with exercise, it may be a good push to get you to try that workout or take that class you've been meaning to try but haven't gotten around to. Use your frustration to drive you to try something new. You can get a great workout, and who knows, you may just discover something new that you really enjoy doing.
- Direct your rage at conquering the workout, not the people in the class or in the gym.[4]
- Listen to music that you enjoy to release your anger. Music increases concentration and lowers your perception of effort, which makes you feel like a workout is easier and more enjoyable.[5] The distraction it provides and the extra energy you expend because you can exercise longer can provide a great relief if you're feeling angry. You can listen to calming music if that helps you let go of your frustrations, or you can choose to rock out to heavy-energy music to vent your anger.
- Stretch before strenuous exercise, especially when you're angry. You may feel like jumping right into a workout and skipping the warm-up and not stretching beforehand. Your anger may make you impatient and frustrated with taking the time to get your muscles warm and ready for a difficult workout. But if you exercise without stretching and warming up, you can seriously injure yourself, which could mean you won't be able to exercise for a fair amount of time while you recover from your injury, which could make you even angrier![6]
- Use the time it takes to warm-up and stretch to focus on your anger and channel it into the workout you are about to do.
EditTrying Different Exercises - Try harnessing your anger with running. Running is a very effective technique you can use to channel your anger and frustrations. The focus it takes to run and the endorphins your body releases as a result of the exercise will take your mind off of whatever is frustrating you and will make you feel better. Be sure to adequately warm-up and stretch before you run![7]
- Find a scenic route to run. You can enhance the benefits that running gives you by running in an area that is calming and free of distractions like around a lake or through a peaceful part of the city.
- Use a treadmill to run out your anger. A treadmill allows you to go for a run without having to travel to an outdoor location and can be used no matter what the weather conditions are outside.
- Be careful of any oncoming traffic or hazards that may exist along your planned route. Watch out for any moving cars or people while you're running.
- Use interval training to focus your anger on a healthy outlet. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an excellent way to channel your frustration because it involves short intervals all-out work. During the intervals, you go 100% as hard as you can, and then take a brief period of rest. That means you can harness all of your rage and direct it into the moments of hard work in the workout.[8]
- Try a tabata workout to focus your frustration. Tabatas involve periods of hyper-focused work, followed by a period of rest before another period of intense work.
- Practice yoga to release your anger. A challenging yoga practice is a great way to harness your anger to help you get through it. You may be so angry and frustrated that getting started in a yoga practice may seem impossible. Joining a class can help take the thinking out of it, so you can focus on directing your angry energy into each of the movements. It may also help you to have the support of the group to help you direct your angry energy.[9]
- Try deep breathing to release your anger. Deep breathing is a large part of practicing yoga and can help you channel your anger.
- Do a warrior series to challenge your anger. Warrior poses will challenge your body physically and give you a great target to channel your anger towards.
- Take a hot yoga class to sweat out your anger.
- If you don't want to participate in a group class, many yoga studios will allow you to use the space when a class is not in session.
- Take a boxing conditioning class. Boxing and kickboxing are great ways to channel your anger, and conditioning classes are a great opportunity to focus your angry energy into hitting a heavy punching bag while also burning a lot of calories. These classes are often challenging, so you can use your anger to help you get through the difficulty of the workout. Focus on your breathing, your technique, and harnessing your anger to deliver strong punches.[10]
- Look for a boxing gym near you that offers classes for beginners if you're new to boxing.
- Use a sizing chart that uses your weight and the circumference of your dominant hand to find the boxing right gloves for you.
- Use your anger to add power and strength behind your punches by visualizing the punching bag as the source of your frustration.
- If you don't want to take a group class, many boxing gyms also offer private training sessions.
- Go cycling to relieve your frustration. Cycling is a serious cardiovascular workout and you can use your anger to help you push through the difficulty of it. You can go for a ride outside or take a spin class. If you go outdoors, the extra focus it takes to navigate the outside world can help to take your mind off of your frustration. The advantage of a spin class is that it is led by an instructor who can guide your ride so you can focus on getting through it.[11]
- If you do go for a ride outdoors, be sure to obey traffic laws and wear a helmet.
- Always check with your doctor before trying any strenuous physical activity.
EditReferences
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| How to Deal Blackjack Posted: 02 Jun 2019 01:00 AM PDT Blackjack is a gambling game where you try to get a hand totaling closer to 21 than the dealer. If you go over 21, then you automatically lose, or bust. Playing as the dealer in blackjack is similar to how you would play regularly, but with a few added responsibilities, like handing out cards and chips. As long as you have a solid understanding of how to play, you can easily deal blackjack and have fun doing it! EditStarting a Hand of Blackjack - Shuffle and cut the cards. Take the deck of cards out from the box and thoroughly mix them together. Use multiple techniques, such as riffle or overhand shuffles, to ensure the cards are randomized. Then, ask another player to place a red cut card anywhere in the middle of the deck. Once they place it, split the deck so the red cut card is on the bottom of one of the stacks. Place the other stack on top to finish the shuffle.[1]
- The cut card is a solid red card placed in the deck that marks where the cards should be separated during the cut. It's not totally necessary, but it can be helpful when cutting the deck.
- If you're playing with a large group, you can combine up to 6 or 8 decks to change the odds of the game.
- Have the players place their bets for their hands. If you're on a blackjack table, then have the players set their bets in the small circle in front of them. Wait until each player has either placed their chips for the bet or until they decide to leave the table. Make sure not to deal any cards before they place their bets.[2]
- You do not place bets on your hand as a dealer.
- Deal 1 card face-up to all the players from left to right. Pull a single card from the top of the deck and slide it across the table to the first person to your left. Flip the card face-up while you're sliding it and set it in the box in front of the player. Keep giving 1 card to each player from left to right across the table.[3]
- Try to place the card in the box without having to readjust it. Practice sliding the cards across the table if you can.
- Don't let the players touch the cards, especially if you're dealing in a professional setting.
- Set 1 card face-down in front of you. Take the next card from the deck and slide it face-down in front of you. Make sure you keep the card pressed flat on the table so the players don't see what card's value is. Don't look at the card after you deal it.[4]
- Deal 1 more face-up card to the players and yourself. Start with the player on your left and deal them another card from the deck. Flip the card face-up and set it on top of the first card so you can still read the numbers in the corner. Keep dealing cards to the players around the table, and then set 1 card face-up in front of you. You can then start your round of blackjack.[5]
- If you deal yourself an ace, then you need to ask the players for "insurance."
EditDealing the Players' Cards - Deal 1 card if the player wants to hit. Ask the player directly to your left what they want to do with their hand. If they want to get closer to 21, they'll ask to hit. Take the top card from the deck and slide it over to their hand, and flip it over to set it on top. Total the card values and tell the player the new total. If the player wants to hit again, give them another card.[6]
- Take the player's cards and bets if they total more than 21. If the player hits and the cards total 22 or higher, then the player busts and loses the round. Collect that player's cards and set them aside as a discard pile. Then, take the busted player's chips they placed as a bet and put them along with the rest of the chips in the chip holder.[7]
- Players who bust automatically lose the round and lose their entire bet.
- You win the bet as the dealer, but the chips go to the bank rather than paid out to you.
- Move on to the next player when the player you're dealing to wants to stand. If the player is close to 21 and doesn't want to press their luck, they'll ask to stand. When a player stands, stop dealing them cards and move on to the next player. Keep working across the table from left to right, dealing cards to each player one at a time.[8]
- Players can hit as few or as many times as they want before they stand.
EditFinishing a Round - Flip over your face-down card and total your cards. Once all the players have taken their turn, then take your turn as the dealer. Reveal the card you dealt yourself at the beginning of the round and total the value of your cards.[9]
- If you had a 10 or face card and reveal an ace, then you got a blackjack and automatically win against players with a smaller hand.
- Take another card if the count is under 17. If the total of your cards is 16 or lower, then draw a card from the top of the deck and set it face-up next to the other cards in your hand. If the total is still under 17, then draw cards until your hand is over 17. If you draw a card that puts your total over 21, then you bust, and the other players who are still in win the hand.[10]
- If the total is over 17, then you cannot keep hitting to get closer to 21.
- Compare your hand to those of the players. Look at the total values of the players' hands to see if they are greater or lesser than your hand. If players have a hand closer to 21 than you without going over, then they win. If they have a worse hand than you, then they lose and you collect their bets.[11]
- If a player has the same total as you, then the hand is considered a "push."
- Pay out the players' bets. If players were closer to 21 than you, then they receive a 1:1 payout that's twice the amount they bet. If the player won with a blackjack, showing a 10 and an ace, then they are usually paid 3:2 on their bet, meaning they get 2.5 times the amount they bet. If you have a "push" where you have the same total as another player, neither you nor the player wins. The player then gets their bet back.[12]
- For example, if a player bets 10 chips and won, they would win 20 chips from the bank. If they won with a blackjack, then they would win 25 chips.
- Discard and shuffle all of the cards that were played. Collect all the cards from each of the players and set them face-down in your discard pile. If you're only playing with a single deck of cards, shuffle the discard pile with the rest of the deck after each hand.[13]
- If you're using multiple decks, then you don't need to shuffle until you're about halfway through the cards.
EditAddressing Special Hands - Ask the players if they want "insurance" if your face-up card is an ace. If you deal your hand and the face-up card is an ace, you need to ask the players for insurance. Let the players pay up to half of their initial bet as their insurance. Look at your face-down card and reveal it if it's a 10. If it is, take the initial bets from any players who lost against your hand. Then pay any players with insurance double the amount they paid.[14]
- For example, if a player paid 3 chips for insurance, then they would get 6 chips from the bank if you have a blackjack.
- If a player pays insurance, they won't lose as many chips if you have a blackjack right when you begin dealing.
- If you don't have a blackjack, then take the chips the players paid for insurance and put them in the bank.
- See if players want to "double down" to bet more chips. A player can choose to double their bet if they're confident with their hand. If they want to double down, wait for them to place their additional bet on the table before dealing them 1 more card. Lay the card horizontally across the top of their hand to show they cannot hit on that hand anymore.[15]
- If the player that doubled down wins against your hand, then they win double the amount of money. For example, if the player bet 5 chips initially and then won after doubling down, they would win 20 chips from the bank.
- Give players the option to "split" if they were dealt cards with the same value. When players are dealt the same card, they can choose to separate them into 2 hands. Move the top card on their hand over and ask them to place another bet equal to the first one on the table. Deal 1 more face-up card for each hand and play them from left to right.[16]
- If a player gets a blackjack on a split hand, they win 1:1 payout rather than 3:2.
- Only bet money if you're comfortable gambling it. Otherwise, use chips or other score trackers to keep track of your winnings.
EditThings You'll Need - Playing cards
- Poker chips
EditReferences
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