Tuesday, June 25, 2019

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Close a Chip Bag

Posted: 25 Jun 2019 05:00 PM PDT

Chips are some of the the most popular, tasty snacks out there, but they taste best when kept fresh and crunchy. While traditional methods, such as using a bag clip, clothespin, or rubber band work well, there are other ways to seal up your bag of chips to maintain its flavor and crispiness. You can even seal the bag of chips air-tight without using anything but the bag itself!

EditSteps

EditSealing the Chip Bag with Clips

  1. Attach a bag clip to the top of the chip bag. Fold the top of the bag of chips once and place the bag clip on the center of the fold. The clip should be far enough down the bag that the underside of it is touching the top of the bag of chips.[1]

    • You can pick up these bag clips at your local grocery store or order them online.
  2. Wrap a rubber band around the entire bag to close it up. Roll up the top of the bag make the entire bag small enough for the rubber band to fit around. Then, stretch the rubber band around the bag vertically, so it's wrapped snugly around the whole thing.

    • The rubber band should fit pretty tightly, so wrap it around the bag twice if needed. However, you should make sure it's not way too tight – in that case, it could crush the bag's contents and ruin your chips. Ideally, you should be able to fit your finger in between the rubber band and the bag.[2]
    • Make sure the rubber band isn't stretched too thin when you wrap it around the bag, or it could break!
  3. Clip 2 clothespins on either side of the chip bag's opening. If you don't have a bag clip or rubber band lying around, take a pair of clothespins and attach them to either end of the top of your bag of chips. Make sure to fold the opening down once before you put the clothespins on it. As with the bag clip, the clothespins should be far enough down the bag that the underside of them is touching the bag.[3]

    • There are some bag clips that are similar in size and shape to a clothespin. If you have that kind of bag clip, use 2 of them to seal up the bag.

EditFolding the Bag to Seal up the Chips

  1. Flatten the top of the bag of chips to get rid of excess air. Lay the bag down on a flat surface and run both of your hands along the empty part of the bag to push out any extra air. Move any stray chips to the bottom of the bag.[4]

    • To really ensure there's no extra air in the bag, use a rolling pin to squeeze it out.
  2. Fold the top of the bag down 2-3 times. Have the empty end facing you and make sure the bag is upside down, with the nutrition facts label facing up. Make each fold long to ensure that the folds are the same size and crease them well to keep them in place. Place your hands on opposite ends of the bag to fold evenly.[5]

    • You don't need to do this more than 3 times.
  3. Fold the top left and right sides of the bag towards the middle. Pick up the sides of the part of the bag that's flattened and not currently filled with chips. The nutrition facts and the original folds should be facing away from you. Fold the top 2 corners away from the nutrition facts and towards the middle of the bag.[6]

    • For a bigger bag, the sides will meet in the middle. For a smaller bag, the sides will overlap a tiny bit.
  4. Turn the top fold inside out so that it covers the front flaps. Press your thumbs on the folds from the left and right sides of the bag that you folded towards the middle of the bag. You should press your thumbs firmly on the part of the flaps that are closest to the middle of the chip bag. Then, take your index fingers and hook them under the original folds on the other side of the bag. Push the left and right side flaps into the bag and invert the original folds over top of them.[7]

    • When you're finished, the original folds should be covering the flaps from the right and left side of the bag.
  5. Flip the bag upside down to test if the fold holds. Do this over a clean table just to be safe. Hold the bag upside for about 5 seconds and shake it slightly to make sure the seal is secure.[8]

    • If the bag passes this test, that means the seal is not only secure, but air-tight as well. You'll have fresh chips for days to come!

EditUsing Bendy Straws to Seal up the Bag

  1. Cut one straw length-wise to open it up. Use scissors to cut just under the circular hinges of a bendy straw. You can throw out the top part of the straw once you do this. Then, take that same pair of scissors and slice open that same straw from end to end by making a vertical cut through it. Have 1 of the scissor blades inside the straw and the other blade outside the straw to cut through 1 side of the straw.[9]

    • For more control and to avoid damaging the straw, use the smallest pair of scissors you can find.
    • If you don't have bendy straws, simply cut the top off the straw.
  2. Roll the top of the bag over the uncut straw. Place the second straw so that it's parallel to the top of the bag. Next, roll the bag tightly over the straw until it is completely wrapped in the bag.[10]

    • You should only have to roll the bag over the straw once.
  3. Slide the cut straw over the folded package to clamp down the bag. Take the open side of the first straw and place it over the top of the bag. This way, the 2 straws will sandwich the top of the bag and create an air-tight seal.[11]

    • To open the bag, simply slide the cut straw off the top of the bag and unroll the bag itself to start snacking! Save the straws for once you're done eating, as they're still useful sealants.

EditReferences


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How to Tie a Perfection Loop

Posted: 25 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT

A perfection loop is a type of knot that is known for being hard to untie. It is commonly referred to as an angler's loop, since it is one of the most frequently used methods for tying a fly-fishing line. It is also one of the few knots that holds well in a bungee cord. You create a perfection loop by layering two smaller loops on top of one another and relying on their tension to form the knot. You can make a perfection loop easily without using any tools.

EditSteps

EditStarting Your First Loop

  1. Determine the necessary length needed for your knot. If you're fishing and plan on attaching a fly line to your perfection loop, you probably only need a few inches.[1] If you're making a larger knot, you'll want to start out with a larger piece of rope, twine, or bungee cord depending on what your needs are.[2]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 1.jpg
  2. Grab the working end with your right hand and standing part with your left. The working end refers to the end of the material where you're making the knot, and the standing part refers to the portion of the line that leads up the knot.[3] The area near the end of the rope on your working end is called a tag end.[4]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 2.jpg
    • You cannot put a perfection loop in the middle of a rope or fishing line. This means that you have to start on the working end of whatever your material is.
  3. Start your first loop by curling the working end underneath the standing part. Take the tag end of your working end and curl it into a small circle by wrapping it perpendicularly around the left side of the standing part. Make sure that the tag end is now underneath the standing part. The open space inside of your loop shouldn't be more than a few inches, but it should be big enough that you could fit another loop of the same size through it.[5]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 3.jpg
    • A loop where the standing part is on top of the working end is called an underhand loop.[6]
    • If your loop looks like an upside-down teardrop, you've done it correctly!
  4. Pinch the junction where the working end and standing part meet. Use the thumb and forefinger on your left hand to pinch the junction where the two parts meet. The tag end should be sticking out underneath the standing part.[7]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 4.jpg
    • You should have enough material left on your working end to repeat this process. If you don't, start over. You have to make a near-identical loop after making your first one and you don't want to run out of space.

EditAdding Your Second Loop

  1. Begin your second loop by folding the working end over the standing part. With your first loop done, you'll want to take the remaining section of the working end and fold it across the same junction where your first loop meets. With the first loop's junction pinched in your left hand, pull the working end over the junction with your right hand in a circular motion.[8]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 5.jpg
    • While the working end went underneath the standing part for your first loop, your second loop requires the working end to be on top of the standing part. This is called an overhand loop.[9]
  2. Pinch the second loop in the same spot where you're holding your first loop. This can be tricky. You need to loosen your grip on the junction where your first loop rests in order to fit your second loop into the same location.[10]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 6.jpg
    • You should now have two loops pinched between your thumb and forefinger on your left hand.
    • While they should be roughly the same size, it's okay if your second loop is a little smaller than your first loop.
  3. Move the remainder of the working end between the two loops. You should now have at least a little material left on your working end. Pull it in between the two loops by resting it across the junction where the two loops meet so that it's resting between them.[11]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 7.jpg
    • Don't worry if you have a lot of material left on your tag end. You're going to cut it off at the end anyway.

EditTightening Your Perfection Loop

  1. Pull the second loop through the inside of your first loop. Your second loop should be resting between you and your first loop at this point. Pinch it together and pass it through your first loop so that it is on the other side.[12]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 8.jpg
  2. Double-check your second loop to ensure that it is the right size. Before you fully tighten your knot, make sure that the remaining portion of the second loop is the desired length. Perfection loops are notoriously difficult to untie, and you may be stuck with an improperly-sized loop if you don't check it before tightening it.[13]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 9.jpg
  3. Pull the second loop away from the standing part to tighten the knot. While holding the standing part tightly, pull the second loop in the opposite direction. The knot will tighten around the junction where your two loops meet.[14]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 10.jpg
    • You may need to steady the remaining portion of the working end between your thumb and forefinger while gripping the standing part with the same hand. This will prevent the two loops from shaking free.
  4. Cut the remaining portion of the tag end off. Once tightened, this portion is no longer needed.[15]
    Tie a Perfection Loop Step 11.jpg

EditReferences


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How to Clean Plant Leaves

Posted: 25 Jun 2019 01:00 AM PDT

Clean plants are a beautiful addition to your home and garden, and do a wonderful job of purifying the air. Choose a cleaning method that is safe for your plant, especially if your plant is sensitive to water. Experiment with different shine agents to add a beautiful glow to your plant leaves. Each of these strategies will leave your plants looking clean and shiny.

EditSteps

EditRemoving Dust and Grime

  1. Wipe large, shiny leaves with a damp cloth. This is the best way to clean large plants, such as rubber plants, that are difficult to move. Dunk your cloth in water and then squeeze out any excess liquid. Gently wipe both sides of all of the leaves to remove any dust and grime.[1]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 1.jpg
    • Microfiber cloths or cheesecloths work well for cleaning plants.
    • Clean the leaves each time that you notice dust or dirt building up. This works well for both indoor and outdoor plants such as Gunnera, Plantain Lillies, and Elephant Ears.
    • Place a drop of dishwashing liquid on the cloth if you notice insects eating or landing on your plant.[2]
  2. Use a soft paintbrush to remove dust from plants with fuzzy leaves. Plants with fluffy leaves, such as African Violets, are quite delicate and shouldn't be wiped. Instead, gently brush any dust or insects off the leaves with a clean, soft paintbrush.[3]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 2.jpg
    • If you don't have a soft paintbrush on-hand, use a pipe cleaner or soft toothbrush instead.
    • Avoid wetting the leaves of fuzzy plants, as this can cause water spots to appear.[4]
  3. Rinse indoor plant leaves with warm water to remove insects and dust. Place your indoor plant in the sink or shower and use the pressure of the water stream to remove any dust and dirt from the plant. The mist from the shower will also help to hydrate the plant's leaves. Leave the plants to drip-dry and then take them outside to dry in the sunshine.[5]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 3.jpg
    • Always use warm water, as cold water can leave spots on the leaves.[6]
    • Don't wash plants, such as cacti and African Violets, that are sensitive to water. This method works well for Peace Lilies, Sword Ferns, and Devils Ivy.
  4. Dunk small plants into water to quickly get rid of dust. Place your hand over the soil to keep it in place and then turn the plant upside down and submerge the plant in room temperature water. This is a great option for small houseplants and outdoor plants.[7]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 4.jpg
    • Allow the plants to drip-dry out of direct light.
  5. Spray compressed air onto cacti to avoid getting them wet. Cacti are used to desert conditions and will often wilt and die if they are over-watered. Spray air from an air compressor can over the spikes to dislodge any dust or dirt from the cacti. Hold the can away from the cacti to avoid damaging the spikes.[8]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 5.jpg
    • Purchase an air-compressor can from a hardware store or a plant nursery.
    • This works well for both spiky and smooth cacti.

EditAdding Shine

  1. Rub a thin coat of mayonnaise over the leaves to keep them shiny. Squeeze a little mayonnaise onto a paper towel and wipe it over the leaves. Cover the entire leave with a light enough coat that it cannot be seen.[9]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 6.jpg
    • Remove any excess mayonnaise with a clean paper towel.
    • This shiny coating will last for approximately 2 weeks. Simply reapply the mayonnaise to restore the shine of the leaves.
    • This method works for all types of plants.
  2. Cover the leaves in a thin layer of mineral oil for a long-lasting glow. Mineral oil provides a shiny coating for the leaves and helps to prevent dust from accumulating quickly. Simply place a drop of mineral oil onto each leaf and use your fingers to evenly spread it over the top side of the leaf. Use this method on any type of plant.[10]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 7.jpg
    • Avoid using coconut or olive oil on the leaves, as this can block the pores of the plant.
    • Keep plants with mineral oil on them out of the direct sun to avoid the leaves from getting burnt.
    • Reapply the mineral oil once or twice per year.
  3. Spray a commercial plant shining product onto the leaves to add sheen. These sprays are specially formulated to keep your plant leaves looking shiny. Liberally spray the product over all the leaves on your plants. If you are spraying outdoor plants, choose a product that is designed for outdoor plants.[11]
    Clean Plant Leaves Step 8.jpg
    • Purchase a plant shining spray from a plant store.
    • Follow the application instructions on the packet.
    • This is a great option for cacti, as you don't have to touch the plant.

EditTips

  • Always take a minute to care for your plants when you clean them, too. Water them and remove any dry or dead leaves from the pot. This will help to prevent pests and diseases.

EditReferences


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