| How to Harvest Mint Posted: 10 Dec 2021 08:00 AM PST Having fresh mint on hand to use in your favorite dishes is a real treat! If you're growing this perennial herb at home, you're probably wondering when to harvest mint. We'll explain that as well as how to harvest mint, how to store mint, and how to use mint. Whether you're cultivating English garden mint, peppermint, spearmint, or chocolate mint, it'll only take a few minutes to get this sweet herb from garden to table. [Edit]Harvesting Mint - Harvest just before the mint flowers for the best flavor. The oils are most concentrated in the plant leaves at this stage, so your mint will be the most delicious just before it flowers. However, you can harvest any time from late spring to early fall.[1]
- The mint will flower in the summertime. If you notice flower buds, just pluck them off so the plant uses its energy to grow more leaves instead of to produce flowers.[2]
- Pick the mint in the morning. The best time to harvest your mint is after the dew has dried but before it gets too hot. Head out to your garden in the morning to collect the stems.[3]
- Wait until the dew dries so the excess moisture doesn't rot the leaves after you pluck them.
- Cut off individual stems if you only need a few leaves. There's not much to it—just use your pruners to trim off a few stems that look good. Wherever you clip the stems, the mint will grow new stems that branch off, leading to more mint.[4] Then, simply pluck the leaves from the stems.[5]
- The smallest, youngest stems usually have the most flavor.[6]
- Trim the plant down to the first set of leaves for a larger harvest. Get out your clippers and cut the mint down to , or between the first and second set of leaves. The plant will grow back and produce more mint, so don't worry.[7]
- You can do this once or twice per season to harvest lots of mint leaves at once.
- Keep harvesting mint throughout the growing season. Even after you pluck off stems or cut down the plant, your mint will just keep growing! From spring to fall, you'll have fresh mint any time you want it.[8]
- Mint will spread and could take over your garden if you don't harvest it continually.
- Rinse and dry the leaves just before you use them. Once you're ready to use the mint, wash the leaves and stems gently with warm water to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure you dry the mint really well, as excess moisture causes them to go bad more quickly.[9]
- Mint has the best flavor when it's fresh, so only harvest as much as you'll use within a day or two whenever possible.
[Edit]Storing Mint - Stick the stems in water if you'll use them within a week. Fill up a glass or jar with a little bit of water and drop your mint stems into it. Keep the container in the fridge and your mint will be good for around 7 days.[10]
- Change out the water every few days.[11]
- Store the mint in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to 7 days. To keep the mint from drying out, wrap it in a damp paper towel.[12] Then, wrap it in plastic or pop it into a plastic bag. Stick it in the fridge and use it within a week.[13]
- Freeze extra mint so it lasts longer. Lay out your mint leaves on a tray in a single layer and pop it in the freezer. Once the leaves are frozen (at least 30 minutes), take the tray out and dump the leaves into a plastic bag. Squeeze out all of the air and stick the bag back in the freezer.[14] They'll last for 1 year.[15]
- Some herbs need to be blanched before freezing, but you're in luck because mint isn't one of them![16]
- Create mint ice cubes to pop into drinks and dishes. Chop up your mint leaves and pack them into an ice cube tray. Carefully fill the rest of the tray with water and freeze it. You can either toss these minty ice cubes in drinks or add them right to your pan![17]
- Dry your mint so you can use it for years to come. Cut a bunch of mint stems and tie them together near the cut end. Hang them upside down in a dark, dry room with a temperature between for about 2 weeks. When all of the leaves are crispy, pluck them from the stems. Crumble them up if desired, then store them in an airtight glass container.[18]
- Keep your glass container out of the sun and the mint should last 1 to 3 years.[19]
[Edit]Using Mint - Toss fresh leaves into your favorite recipes. Once you've harvested your mint, it's easy to pop a few leaves or sprigs into any dish. Mint goes especially well with peas.[20] It also pairs perfectly with pork and lamb.[21] You can even add chopped mint to sorbet or fruit salad for a tangy treat![22]
- Make mint tea with your freshly harvested leaves. You can have a warm cuppa anytime you want if you've got mint in your garden! Just put a couple of leaves in a cup and pour boiling water over top. Steep for up to 5 minutes, then sweeten your tea to your liking.[23]
- Freshen up your drinks with mint ice cubes or garnishes. Mint is a staple in many delectable cocktails from a mojito to a mint julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Toss some mint ice cubes into water, lemonade, or your favorite cocktail. You can even muddle the mint or use it as a garnish to add a sweet, herbaceous flavor to any beverage.
- You can even toss mint ice cubes right into your pan as you're cooking![24]
- Add frozen leaves to your dishes without defrosting them. Thawing herbs makes them limp, so skip that step! Just toss the frozen mint right into your recipe as you're cooking.[25]
- Sprinkle dried mint into your recipes for a fresh taste year-round. Add dried herbs to your dishes when you first start cooking so they have plenty of time to impart their flavor. For your reference, 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped herbs is equal to 1 teaspoon of dried whole or crumbled herbs and ¼ teaspoon of dried powdered herbs.[26]
- Mint is a creeping plant that can easily take over a garden. Try planting it in a large container to give the roots room to grow. Place your container in an area that gets lots of sunlight and keep the soil moist.[27]
[Edit]Warnings - Discard any leaves that have rusty spots on them, as that's a sign of fungus.[28]
[Edit]References |
| How to Get Rid of Household Pests Without Chemicals Posted: 10 Dec 2021 12:00 AM PST Finding pests in your home is never fun, and getting rid of pesky insects or rodents is no easy feat. If you want to stay away from harsh chemicals that could harm you or your family, look no further! In this article, we've detailed some ways you can get rid of pests without using any pesticides or insecticides. Keep in mind that natural methods work well for small infestations, but larger groups of pests might require a professional exterminator.
This article is based off an interview with our certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator pest control specialist, Chris Parker. Check out the full interview here. [Edit]Seal off any entry points in your home. - This is the best way to keep pests out of your home in the first place. If you notice any gaps in your walls, around your windows, or around your doorways, seal them up with caulk and let them dry. Take a look at your crawlspace and attic, too—pests love to crawl into dark, secluded spots without a lot of human activity.[1]
- This method works well for almost all pests, except squirrels. Squirrels are smart enough to chew through new caulk, so you may need a professional to come in and remove them.
[Edit]Replace any water-damaged wood. - Rotting wood attracts pests like ants and termites. If you had a leak or water damage in your home, cut the damaged wood out with a saw and replace it. If the water-damaged wood is part of the structure of your home, call in a professional to make sure you replace it correctly.[2]
- If you still have a leak in your home, fix that first before you replace the damaged wood.
[Edit]Put screens on your windows, doors, and vents. - Mesh screens can keep out larger pests, like mice and rats. Get rid of their entry points by attaching fitted screens to doorways and windows. That way, even if you leave a door or a window open, they won't be able to get in.[3]
- Putting screens on your windows can also help eliminate flying bugs from getting into your home.
[Edit]Trim your trees and bushes. - Make sure they're at least away from your home. Bushy trees and shrubs attract a lot of pests, and if they're close to your home, they might just hop on over. Use loppers or pruners to cut back your foliage, and try to make sure everything is at least from your home.[4]
- This will help keep out a lot of pests, including mice, rats, ants, spiders, cockroaches, and termites.
[Edit]Get rid of standing water. - Pests tend to flock to water sources. If you have any standing water in your home, wipe it up, and make sure there aren't any leaks in your house. It might also help to wipe out your sink at night, just to make sure insects don't try to crawl in and take a sip. The drier you can keep your home, the better.[5]
- Watch out for drips or small puddles of water on your countertops, too. Insects are tiny, so they don't need a huge water source to come running.
[Edit]Put curtains on your windows. - Light from your windows attracts insects, which can bring spiders. Although it might sound silly, covering your windows with blinds or curtains at night can dissuade insects and the things that eat them. If you don't have them already, install curtains and make sure you close them at night to keep insects away from your home.[6]
- Spiders tend to hunt for insects at night because it's dark and quiet.
[Edit]Switch your outdoor lights to low-frequency light bulbs. - Low-frequency LED bulbs don't attract as many insects. If you have any outdoor lights that you keep on at night, consider switching them out to avoid attracting as many bugs. This will not only keep insects away from your home, but it will also dissuade the things that eat them, like spiders.[7]
- You can find low-frequency bulbs at most hardware and home goods stores.
- Yellow sodium bulbs also work well.
[Edit]Clean your kitchen daily. - Remove any traces of food so pests are less likely to be interested. Before you go to sleep for the night, wipe off your countertops, wash your dishes, and sweep up any crumbs. The cleaner you can get your kitchen, the less attracted insects and rodents will be. This method works well if you're dealing with ants, roaches, or rodents.[8]
- Try to remove any clutter from your home, too. Lots of pests are attracted to warm, cozy piles of clutter, like newspapers or clothing.
[Edit]Seal your food in airtight containers. - If you deal with pests in the kitchen, this is the way to go. Grab anything that isn't already sealed and put it into an airtight container with a lid. That way, the pests won't be able to get in to grab the food, and they'll eventually head somewhere else. You can find airtight containers at most home goods stores.[9]
- Cover your garbage with a tight-fitting lid, too. Many pests will head to the trash if they can't find food in your kitchen.[10]
[Edit]Put away your pet's food and water at night. - Dishes left out in the open are ripe for the picking. If your pet doesn't eat all of its food before going to bed, seal it in an airtight container. Dump the water bowl out to discourage pests from coming in for a drink, and refill the water bowl in the morning. The less food and water you can leave out, the better![11]
[Edit]Give your pets regular flea baths. - If you have cats or dogs, you may have noticed fleas on them. If you don't want to use a flea treatment from the vet, you can give them a flea bath with a medicated flea shampoo. Let the shampoo sit for around 5 minutes, then wash away dead fleas and their eggs to avoid an infestation. After that, use a flea comb to brush out any fleas that might still be lingering.[12]
- You should also wash your pets' bedding in hot water to kill any fleas and their eggs.
- Flea baths and combs work great for smaller infestations, but they aren't super effective against larger ones. If your pets constantly have a lot of fleas on them, talk to your vet about treatment options.
[Edit]Use traps for rodents and insects. - You can find traps made for pests that don't use harsh chemicals. If you're dealing with rodents, put out sticky traps or snap traps to kill mice and rats. If you're dealing with wasps or hornets, you can hang traps outside with honey in the bottom to trap and kill them. For flies, hang up sticky paper to catch them as they fly around and kill them.[13]
- You can find most of these traps at your local hardware store. You can also make your own wasp trap out of a 2-liter soda bottle and some honey.
[Edit]Use a peppermint-based insect repellent. - You can avoid harsh chemicals while still repelling insects. Head to your local hardware store and look for an insect repellent that contains peppermint oil as the main ingredient. Then, spray it around windows, doorways, and baseboards once a day to get rid of ants, spiders, roaches, and termites. Experts note that while there are some recipes for making peppermint insect repellent out there, making it yourself isn't as effective as buying it in-store.[14]
- Experts also note that using peppermint works against small infestations, but it might not be super effective against a lot of pests.
- If you've tried a few natural methods and you're still finding pests in your home, it might be worth calling in a professional.
[Edit]References |
| How to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from Grey Hair Posted: 09 Dec 2021 04:00 PM PST Permanent hair dye is great when you don't want your color to fade, but becomes a bit of a pain when you want to get rid of it. The darker the dye is, and the fresher it is, the harder it will be to remove, and most color-removal strategies damage your hair. Your best option is to work with a professional hair stylist, as they'll be able to remove the color with the least amount of damage to your hair. If you're determined to try this at home, though, we're here to help! Check out this list of DIY ways to ditch the dye and get back to gorgeous gray. [Edit]Shampoo - Choose a clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoo for this job. Shampoos with a lot of sulfates will do a better job of removing the color. Hop in the shower and wash your hair 3 or 4 times with a clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoo. Then, lather up your locks once more and let the shampoo sit for 15-20 minutes underneath a shower cap. Rinse it out and replenish some moisture with a deep-conditioning treatment.[1]
- Use hot water, as it opens up the hair cuticle and will allow more color to be removed.[2]
[Edit]Baking Soda and Shampoo - Try this if you've recently colored your hair. Baking soda will be more effective if your hair color is relatively new. Mix equal parts baking soda and anti-dandruff shampoo. Get your hair wet, work the mixture in to evenly coat each strand, and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse out the shampoo and repeat daily as needed.[3]
- Follow up with conditioner, as your hair is likely to be pretty dry after trying this.
- The abrasiveness of the baking soda helps scrub out the color.
[Edit]Dish Soap - Use this option for 2 or 3 days to fade out the dye. Regular dish soap is full of detergents that will help strip the dye from your hair. The sooner you try this after coloring your hair, the better! Just use dish soap in place of shampoo. Be sure to moisturize your hair after.[4]
[Edit]Vitamin C - Even the experts try this hack. Vitamin C powder can lift the color from your tresses.[5] Crush about 12 or so pure vitamin C tablets up and mix the powder into a clarifying shampoo. After wetting your hair, apply the vitamin C mixture, cover your tresses with a shower cap, and wait 30-60 minutes. Rinse it out for lighter, brighter locks.[6]
[Edit]Hot Oil - This works best on purple, red, and similar colors. Warm up of olive oil in the microwave for 30 seconds or so—don't get it so hot that it will burn you. Fully saturate your hair with warm water, then work the olive oil through your hair, making sure it coats each strand. Stuff your slick tresses into a shower cap and let the oil work its magic for half an hour. Then, wash your hair with warm water and a thickening shampoo to open up the cuticle and help remove more color. Finish with conditioner as usual.[7]
- As a bonus, this option moisturizes your hair!
[Edit]Vinegar - Use white vinegar rather than another variety. The acid in the vinegar helps loosen the dye molecules, removing it from your hair strands. Simply mix together vinegar and water and saturate your hair with it. Let the mixture soak in for 15-20 minutes under a shower cap, then wash it out.[8]
[Edit]Lemon Juice - Give this a go if you bleached your hair, then applied color. The citric acid in lemon juice can help lighten your hair dye. Just wet your hair and coat it in lemon juice. Slip on a shower cap and wait 20-30 minutes before rinsing your hair with lukewarm water. Deep condition when you're done![9]
[Edit]Hydrogen Peroxide - This is a good option if the dye is really dark. Mix together equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Fully and evenly saturate all of your colored hair with the mixture (you could use a spray bottle so long as you apply the liquid evenly). Wait about a half hour, then rinse the hydrogen peroxide out thoroughly.[10]
- Hydrogen peroxide opens the hair cuticle, so you've got to make sure you close it when you're done or your hair can get really damaged. Rinse with cold water and apply conditioner or apple cider vinegar to close up the cuticles.[11]
[Edit]Color Stripper - If your hair is healthy and a natural shade, try a commercial color stripper. Follow the directions on the package to mix the chemicals together, then immediately apply the mixture to clean hair using gloved hands or a hair color brush. Make sure each strand is evenly coated, then cover your hair with a shower cap. Wrap the cap in a towel or aim a hairdryer at your strands to keep them warm and accelerate the process. After 20 minutes, rinse your hair with warm water and shampoo it. Rinse and repeat the washing process a couple of times to get rid of as much color as possible. Finish with a deep conditioner.[12]
- Unfortunately, this usually doesn't work on neon colors like blue, purple, green, or pink. However, it's pretty effective for natural colors.
- Look for a color stripper with nourishing ingredients, like natural oils, keratin, aloe vera, or soy protein.[13]
[Edit]Pro Treatment - Make an appointment with a stylist who specializes in hair color. DIY color-removal methods are risky, and often end up damaging your hair. A pro will be able to use the best technique for your hair color, texture, and type.[14]
[Edit]Hair Cut - If all else fails, chop off your colored hair. From sleek bobs to stylish pixie cuts, there are short haircuts that flatter all features. The easiest way to get rid of permanent hair dye is to cut if off and let your gray grow in naturally.[15]
- Color-treated hair tends to be more damaged anyway, so as a bonus, you'll end up with healthier hair.
- Stripping the color from your hair strips the moisture, too. Use oil or other deep-conditioning treatments after trying any of these methods.
[Edit]Warnings - DIY color removers can damage your hair and/or leave it an unappealing shade. Try these options at your own risk!
- Using developer or a bleach bath to remove the dye can fry your hair. Don't try it at home!
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Retirement Budget Posted: 09 Dec 2021 08:00 AM PST One of the biggest questions people have about retirement is, "How much money do I need to retire comfortably?" We can help you figure that out with our tips on creating a personalized retirement budget. Just compare how much money you'll have coming in to what you can expect to spend. Let's get to planning so you can enjoy your golden years worry-free! [Edit]Calculating Your Retirement Expenses - Current expenses: Look over your bank or credit card statements for the last 6-12 months and write down everything you spent money on. Break down each expense into categories so you can really understand how you're spending your money—and whether you expect those expenses to change when you retire. We have examples of these categories in the following step.[1]
- Some of your expenses will go down once you retire, like work-related travel or professional clothing.[2]
- Also, if you pay off your mortgage before you retire, you can eliminate that monthly expense.[3]
- On the other hand, some of your costs will likely go up, like the money you spend on travel, hobbies, or entertainment.
- In general, retirees spend about 70-90% of their pre-retirement earnings each month to maintain their standard of living.[4]
- Utilities and Mortgage or Rent: Include things like your water, gas, garbage pickup, and electric bills in this category. If you're paying rent or a mortgage, include that as well. For the most part, expect these basic household bills to cost about the same as they do now—costs like your insurance, car payment, and water bills aren't likely to change much.[5]
- Of course, there are exceptions. Your power bill might go up a little if you'll be home more often, for instance, or your car-related expenses might go down if you're not driving as far each day.
- Your rent or mortgage and utilities can vary a lot depending on things like where you live and the size of your home. That's why it's helpful to look at what you're currently spending for those bills.
- Living costs: In this category, write down what you spend on the things you need for day-to-day living. This includes your groceries, gas and transportation costs, car and home maintenance, and clothing.[6]
- If you find yourself needing to cut spending, this is sometimes an area where you can scale back a little. For instance, you might save on groceries by buying meat in bulk and freezing it for later.
- On average, retirees spend just around $480 on food and about $560 on transportation.[7]
- Be realistic about your needs. Things like shoes, clothing, and food are essential, and if you budget too conservatively, you could find yourself overspending.
- Medical care: It's estimated that the average retired person will spend nearly $150,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses over the course of their retirement. That doesn't even include long-term care. That number might seem daunting, but if you build it into your budget from the start, you'll feel more confident about being able to afford the healthcare you need.[8]
- If you retire before you turn 65, plan to pay for health insurance until you're old enough for Medicare.[9]
- Even once you do have Medicare, things like dental and vision care will likely still be out-of-pocket.
- Hobbies, travel, & entertainment: Now comes the fun part! Look at what you're already spending on things like your cable bill, movies and plays, dining out, and going on trips. If you have more time on your hands, it's likely that you'll want to do these things at least as often as you do now, so be sure to make room for them in your budget.[10]
- Remember to include things like memberships and subscriptions. If you plan to take up a hobby like golf, factor the costs for that into your budget as well.
- Retirees usually spend around $200 a month on entertainment.[11]
- This is an area you can cut back on if you're struggling to make ends meet, but try to include at least a little discretionary spending—you've worked hard and you deserve to enjoy your retirement!
- Quarterly, bi-annual, and annual expenses: As you're looking over your current expenses, keep an eye out for any expenses that you only pay every so often, like once a quarter or twice a year. This could include things like your auto registration, property or state taxes, home and car insurance, or a home warranty.[12]
- Also, plan ahead for one-time expenses you might have, like wedding or graduation gifts or buying a new car.
- Inflation: Plan for inflation to add about 3% to all of your expenses every year. That might not be a very big change from one year to the next, but over the course of a couple of decades, it could be a big jump.[13]
- Social Security payments rise a little each year to account for inflation, but they're not guaranteed to keep up with actual inflation costs.
- Emergency fund: Have about 6 months' worth of living expenses set aside just in case of a costly emergency. It's best if this is in a separate account so you can draw from it without affecting the rest of your budget.[14]
- For instance, if you have unexpected medical costs or you need home or auto repairs, you'll have the peace of mind that you can pay for that.
- Some financial experts say to budget about $200-$300 a month for unexpected big-ticket costs.[15]
- If you have to use your emergency fund, plan to cut back on some of your planned monthly spending until it's replenished.
[Edit]Estimating Your Retirement Income - Savings and investments: If you've been planning for retirement, you've probably saved money in a savings or investment account, like an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b).[16] Financial experts recommend using about 3-4% of your total investment portfolio during the first year of your retirement. If you stick to that amount, you'll be able to draw that same amount of money out each year for 25 years.[17]
- For instance, if you have $1 million in your retirement account, you can draw out $40,000 a year for 25 years.
- If you find that 4% a year doesn't cover your living expenses, you can always adjust your withdrawal rate later on. Just keep in mind that if you draw out more money now, you won't have as much for the later years of your retirement.
- Social Security: Social Security provides you with a regular monthly income. The amount you'll receive depends on a lot of factors, including how much you earned while you were working, how long you worked, and the age you are when you retire.[18]
- Although you can start drawing your retirement when you turn 62, you'll get more money each month if you wait until your full retirement age, or 65.[19]
- If you wait to draw Social Security until you turn 70, you'll receive even more money each month.
- In 2021, the average monthly Social Security payment is around $1500.[20] For an estimate of how much you'll draw, use the Social Security Administration's online calculator: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/.
- Passive income: Add any additional sources of income when you retire, like a pension or an annuity that you might get from your employer. Also consider any other types of income, like rental properties, a return on business investments, or royalties.[21]
- Payments like pensions and annuities are often paid monthly, although they'll sometimes be paid out once a quarter, every 6 months, or annually.
- Part time work. Retirement doesn't always mean you have to leave the workforce completely. Part time work is a great way to stretch your savings by bringing in a little income—and if you're the type who gets bored easily, it can help you fill up your time once you're no longer working full time.[22]
- Try doing something you've always wanted to do, like starting your own consulting business or teaching art classes. This is your time to follow your dreams!
- Other good jobs for retirees include babysitting, tutoring, bookkeeping, retail, and office management.[23]
- To maintain your standard of living, plan to spend about 70-90% of what you live on now.[24]
- Once you make your retirement budget, try living on it for several months before you actually retire to make sure it works for you.[25]
- If your expenses will exceed your income, consider waiting a little longer before you retire so you'll have time to save more.[26]
- After you retire, evaluate your budget each year and make any changes as needed.[27]
- For detailed advice that's specific to your situation, talk to a financial advisor you trust.
[Edit]References |
| How to Remove Milk Stains from Baby Clothes Posted: 09 Dec 2021 12:00 AM PST Having a little baby at home is one of the biggest joys in life—until it comes to washing their clothes! Since breast milk and formula both have protein in them, the stains can dry a pale yellow color, making them stand out on light-colored fabrics. Fortunately, with a little time and some cleaning products, you can get rid of those stains and dress your baby in clean clothing in no time. [Edit]Blot fresh milk stains with a paper towel. - The more you can clean it now, the better! If you aren't too busy running around changing diapers or holding your little one, grab a paper towel and quickly wipe the milk off your baby's clothing. Then, change them into something else so you can work on getting the stain out quickly.[1]
- If you can't get to the stain right away, that's totally fine—having a baby in the home isn't easy, so you'll probably miss a few milk mishaps at least a few times.
[Edit]Chip off dried stains with a butter knife. - This will help remove any dried flakes. If you only just noticed the milk stain and it's already dry, lay your baby's clothing out flat on the table and grab a butter knife from the kitchen. Slowly chip away at the dried milk stain, trying to get as much flaky milk off the clothing as possible before you wash it.[2]
- Stains with protein in them (including milk) tend to dry out and flake up after about an hour or so.
[Edit]Rinse off the clothing with cool water. - Hot water can set stains into fabric, so make sure you're using cool. Bring your baby's clothing over to the sink and run it under cool or cold water for a couple of minutes. This will help get the majority of the milk out right away, especially if it was a fresh stain.[3]
- If getting up to go to the sink is too much (maybe you have a sleeping baby resting peacefully in your arms right now), try reaching for a baby wipe instead.
[Edit]Soak the clothing in a stain remover and water. - An enzymatic remover will get rid of milk stains in no time. Fill up a sink or a bucket with cool water, then mix in a few drops of stain remover. Submerge your baby's clothing in the water and stain remover mixture, then leave it there to soak for at least 1 hour.[4]
- Be sure you're using cool water, not hot—hot water can make stains harder to remove.
- Once the clothing has soaked for a little while, add a few more drops of stain remover directly onto the stained area.
- You might need to soak the clothing multiple times, especially if the stain is particularly large or old.
[Edit]Mix ammonia and dish soap if you have it on-hand. - No stain remover at home? No problem! Grab a bottle of ammonia and mix with of dish soap. Fill a bucket with warm water, then submerge your baby's clothes in the mixture. Let it soak for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour if you have the time.[5]
- Ammonia is generally safe to use in your home, but take extra caution not to mix it with bleach. This creates a harmful gas that can hurt you and your family.[6]
[Edit]Try boiling hot water on cotton fabric. - If you work quickly enough, you can push the stain out of the clothing fibers. Lay your baby's clothing out in the sink, then boil a pot of water on the stove. Once the water is boiling, take the pot over to the sink and hold it as high above the clothing as you can. Quickly pour the hot water directly onto the stain, then rinse the clothing in cool water right away.[7]
- Experts typically don't recommend this as a first option, because hot water has the potential to set stains into the fabric. However, you can use it in a pinch if you don't have any cleaning supplies on-hand.
[Edit]Wash with mild detergent and cool water. - Mild detergent is great for almost all babies. You don't need to worry about buying special products to wash your baby's clothing in—unless your baby has health problems or sensitive skin, use the same detergent you use for your own clothing.[8] Throw the clothes into the wash and put it on a cool water cycle to avoid setting the stain into the clothes.[9]
- If your baby has eczema or sensitive skin, check with their doctor to see if they need special detergent.
[Edit]Try oxygen bleach if the stain is still there. - This is like normal bleach, but without the harmful toxicity. Once you've washed your baby's clothing once, check it out to see if the stain is still there. If it is, fill a bucket with of water, and add of oxygen bleach. Soak the clothing in there overnight, then wash it like usual in the morning.[10]
[Edit]Use regular bleach on tough stains. - If you've tried everything, consider this as your last resort. Check the tag on the clothing to make sure it's safe to bleach (if the fabric is flame-resistant, then you won't be able to bleach it).[11] If the washing instructions say it's okay, follow the dilution directions on the back of your household bleach bottle, then throw the clothes into the washer again.[12]
- It can sound a little scary to use bleach on your baby's clothing, but experts note that since household bleach is already so diluted, it won't do any harm to your little one.[13]
- If you're worried about your baby coming into contact with the bleach, run the clothing through the washer a second time on a "rinse only" cycle.
[Edit]Hang the clothes to dry. - The heat of the dryer can set stains into fabric even more. Once you're sure that the stain is gone, hang up your baby's clothing on a clothesline or inside on a clothing rack. When the clothes dry, they should be clean and stain-free, ready for your baby to wear again.
- If you want everything to dry out faster, try pointing a fan at the clothes while they dry.[14]
[Edit]Turn really stained clothing into cleaning rags. - Sometimes stains just won't come out, and that's okay. Milk stains in particular are really difficult to get out of clothing, especially light-colored fabric. If you've tried everything and your baby's clothing item is still tinged yellow from breast milk or formula, consider cutting it up to use as a cleaning rag around your home.[15]
- Or, if the piece of clothing is special to you, set it aside in a keepsake box to preserve it forever.
[Edit]References |
| How to Do a Silk Wrap Posted: 08 Dec 2021 04:00 PM PST If you have natural or relaxed hair, a silk wrap can help your hair look soft, smooth, and straight. It may be surprising to put your hair up into plastic wrap, but with a little bit of moisture and heat, it can make a big difference. If you've been wanting your straightened hair to feel softer and smoother, a silk wrap may be the way to go. In no time, you'll have the skills you need to try this long-lasting technique for yourself. [Edit]Brushing Your Hair into a Wrap - Straighten your hair however works for you. Before you can begin a silk wrap, your hair has to be straight. You can use a flat iron, rollers, or even get a blow-out at a salon. There is no need to switch things up for a silk wrap, so stick to whatever is most comfortable for you.
- Work a dime-size amount of a light moisturizer into your hair. Run the moisturizer all throughout your hair, focusing on the ends and staying away from the roots. You can use your palms to squeeze the moisturizer, working it through all of your curls. The moisturizer will help make wrapping your hair much easier.
- If your hair is wet, dry it thoroughly before beginning to moisturize your hair.
- Rub your palms together to emulsify the moisturizer for a smoother feeling.
- Flip your hair over with your head down. Lean forward and comb your hair down.[1] You can use a comb to make a straight part down the middle of your hair, from your forehead to the back of your head, to make it easier to flip it down. Your hair should hang over your forehead as you brush it out.[2]
- Use a brush to wrap your hair around your head, clipping as you go. You can wrap the left side of your part clockwise and your left side counter-clockwise. Your hair should wrap all the way around your head, with clips holding the ends in place.[3][4]
- Use flat hair clips or bobby pins to keep your wrap from creasing.
[Edit]Covering Your Hair in Plastic Wrap - Fold the end of a piece of plastic wrap into a triangle. To begin the silk wrap, the end of the plastic needs to be folded down at each corner to form a triangle shape. This will allow you to start at a more precise point, rather than beginning with a thin single layer.[5]
- You don't need to cut the plastic wrap from the roll until the very end.
- You only need to do this at the very beginning, as the rest of the layers will rest on top of the first.
- Wrap the plastic around your head once. Press the plastic wrap triangle against the back of your head and pull the roll around your head, letting the plastic cover your forehead. Cover your hair tightly enough that it grips itself, but not uncomfortably tight. The tip of the triangle should be right in the middle of your head, right where it meets your neck.[6]
- The first wrap should be the lowest, so it's okay for it to cover up your forehead a bit.
- Twist the plastic wrap before beginning a second wrap.[7]
- Continue to wrap all of your hair, twisting before each wrap. Keep pulling the roll around your head, covering new areas with each loop. You'll know that you have fully wrapped your hair when none of it is exposed outside of the wrap. Be sure to feel the very top of your head to check that it's been covered
- In order to make sure you cover all of your hair, work your way up a little bit with each wrap.
- Tear the wrap from the roll, or use scissors to trim it off. Once your head has been fully covered, you can pull the roll away to break off the wrap, or take a pair of scissors to the plastic, right where the wrapped sheet meets the roll.[8]
- Just like when you cover a dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, the tear or cut should leave enough for you to press the covering back down onto itself.
[Edit]Drying and Removing the Wrap - Sit under a hooded heater set to medium heat for 10 to 20 minutes. Set the heater between medium and high and let it dry out your wrapped hair. Be careful not to sit too close to the heater, or you will risk burning the plastic or worse, your hair and scalp. Avoid sitting under the heater for more than 20 minutes.
- Don't let the heater go above , as this may cause damage to your hair.[9]
- If you don't have access to a hooded heater, you can try using a standard blow dryer on its highest setting to help set the silk wrap. Just move the blow dryer around to hit every part of your head, circling for roughly 15 minutes.
- Unwrap the plastic and remove the clips. Grab the top of the plastic wrap and unwind it around your hair, making sure you don't accidentally tear off any hair with the plastic. Then, you can snap off all of the clips you've used in your wrap and set them aside.
- Let the clips cool before removing them if they are made of metal.
- Brush out your hair. Use a thick-bristle hair brush to undo the wrap style and return your hair to a simple straightened look.[10] It may take a few brushes in each region of your hair to get it back to how it looked before the wrap. The silk wrap will have made your much softer and easier to brush without catching, so don't worry about tearing.
- Re-do the wrap after 2 weeks. A silk wrap can last up to 2 weeks, keeping your hair silky, smooth, and straight. After 2 weeks, you will need to put it up and dry it again to maintain these effects. If you notice that your hair is not responding well to the wrap, try going to a salon or waiting longer between wraps.[11]
- Your hair will revert as soon as it gets wet, so be sure to put your hair up in a wrap when working out, showering, or sleeping.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Hair moisturizer
- Hair clips
- A roll of plastic cling wrap
- Hooded heater
- Curlers (optional)
- Flat iron straightener (optional)
- Blow dryer (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Fix a Cassette Tape Posted: 08 Dec 2021 08:00 AM PST Old audio cassette tapes can run into a number of problems that call for some cassette tape surgery. For example, the tape might tear and break, requiring you to splice it back together. Another common issue is for the tape to come unraveled from one of the wheel hubs, in which case you can splice it to the end of the tape on a new wheel hub from a blank cassette tape. Either way, you can get the job done with a few simple tools and a delicate touch! [Edit]Disassembling a Cassette Tape - Unscrew the cassette case, if it has screws, using a small Phillips screwdriver. Use a tiny Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screws in the two top corners of the cassette tape. Set the screws aside somewhere where you won't lose them, such as in a small dish or cup.[1]
- If you don't see any screws, your cassette is the type that is glued together.
- Issues that you will need to take a cassette tape apart to fix include a ripped or broken tape and a tape that has come off one of the wheel hubs.
- Pry the cassette apart using a tiny flathead screwdriver, if it is glued together. Insert the edge of the flathead screwdriver into the crack where the front and back pieces of the case are glued together on one side of the cassette. Work it back and forth in a lever motion along the crack to gently break the two halves apart.[2]
- If you can't pry the cassette case apart with your hands after separating the halves on one side, repeat the process with the screwdriver for the other sides of the cassette until you can pull them apart.
- Open the cassette tape horizontally so the spools don't fall out. Place the tape horizontally on a flat surface before you open it up. Pull the top half off and try to leave the bottom half flat on your work surface.[3]
- This will keep the wheel hubs in place so you don't accidentally drop them out and cause more damage to the tape.
[Edit]Splicing a Broken Tape - Use small, sharp scissors to cut off the damaged ends of the broken tape. Put the two halves of the cassette tape flat on the cutting board with the insides facing up at you. Be careful not to uncoil the tape from the wheel hubs.[4] Carefully trim off as little of the tape as possible, so you are only removing the damaged parts of the tape where it ripped and broke. This will allow you to tape the two pieces neatly back together.[5]
- If you don't have a pair of small, sharp scissors, you can carefully cut the damaged ends off using a boxcutter or utility knife and your cutting board.
- Depending how much damaged tape you have to cut off, there could be a noticeable skip in the audio of the tape after you splice it back together.
- Tape one end of the broken tape down on the cutting board. Straighten out one of the sides of the broken tape flat against the cutting board and carefully tape it down. Leave the end you trimmed exposed.[6]
- Make sure that the broken end of the tape is completely flat and not curling at all, so that it is easy to work with when you're splicing the other broken end to it.
- Use cellophane tape to splice the two sides of the cassette's tape together. Carefully line up the end of the other side of the broken tape with the end of the side you just taped down. Press a piece of cellophane tape down over them to splice them together.[7]
- The spliced pieces will be held down on the cutting board by the cellophane tape at this point.
- Peel up the cellophane tape and flip the cassette's tape over on the cutting board. Use your fingernails to gently peel the cellophane tape up from the cutting board, being careful not to unsplice the two halves of the cassette's tape that you just stuck together. Flip over the tape so you can splice together the other side.[8]
- The sticky side of the cellophane tape and the side of the cassette's tape that has no cellophane tape on it should now be facing upwards towards you.
- Put a piece of cellophane tape on the other side of spliced tape. Double-check to make sure the ends of the broken tape are still lined up and stuck together. Carefully stick a new piece of cellophane tape over the exposed sides of the cassette's tape to finish splicing the broken ends together.[9]
- This should hold the broken tape securely together and limit the chances of it coming undone in the future.
- Trim the excess cellophane tape off using a boxcutter or utility knife. Hold the tape flat against the cutting board. Carefully trim the excess cellophane tape that is hanging off the sides of the spliced tape, right up to the edge of the tape.[10]
- You can now put the cassette tape back together.
[Edit]Putting a Tape Back on the Wheel Hub - Buy a new blank cassette tape to use for parts and open it up. Purchase a blank cassette that is held together by screws. Unscrew it using a Phillips screwdriver and take it apart, just like you did for the cassette tape you want to fix.[11]
- If you have a cassette tape that has come off one of the hubs, it is very difficult to reattach it to the same hub. Using a new wheel tape from a blank cassette that already has tape attached to it will allow you to splice the old tape to it to attach it to a new hub more easily.
- Cut the new cassette's tape from the end of the tape. The plastic, non-magnetic end of the tape that secures the magnetic tape to the wheel hub is called the leader tape. Remove the spool that has the leader tape exposed from the cassette and cut the tape from the end of the leader tape using small, sharp scissors.[12]
- This will give you a new spool with a clean-cut piece of tape to splice the tape from your old cassette to, so that it is attached to the new wheel hub.
- Remove the wheel hubs from your old cassette. Lift out the empty wheel hub and throw it away. Take out the wheel hub that has the tape spooled around it and set it down in front of you.[13]
- It's best to do this on a cutting board on a flat work surface in front of you.
- Splice the tape from the new wheel hub to the tape on the old hub. Line up the cut end of the new blank tape with the end of the tape from your old cassette. Tape them carefully together using cellophane tape.[14]
- See the above method for complete instructions on how to splice cassette tape together.
- Place the wheel hub back in the cassette case. Carefully put each wheel hub back into the old cassette so that the holes in the middles of the hubs line up with the holes in the cassette case. Use a pencil to wind the wheel hubs so the tape is not loose and all over the place.[15]
- You can now reassemble the cassette tape.
[Edit]Reassembling a Cassette Tape - Line up the tape with the rollers and pressure pad at the top of the cassette case. Make sure the tape is spooled tightly so it is straight and flat at the top. Place the tape over the rollers that are located in each of the top corners. Put the tape underneath the pressure pad, which is in the center of the top of the cassette.[16]
- Screw the cassette case together if it has screws. Snap the two halves of the cassette case back together and place the tiny screws back in the holes in the corners of the case. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to tighten them all the way.[17]
- Glue the cassette case together if it doesn't have screws. Put a small dot of superglue in each corner on the edge of one half of the cassette case. Snap the two halves of the case together and hold them together for 30 seconds.[18]
- It's best not to glue all the way around the cassette tape, just in case you have to take it apart again in the future.
- If the damaged cassette tape you want to fix is very important to you, let a professional tape repair and restoration service fix it for you to ensure the best results.
[Edit]Warnings - If you have a cassette tape with all the tape pulled out and tangled, unfortunately, you won't be able to fix it.
- Be careful not to let the tape spools drop out when you open up a cassette tape. You could end up causing more damage to the tape.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Disassembling a Cassette Tape - Phillips screwdriver or flathead screwdriver
[Edit]Splicing a Broken Tape - Cutting board
- Cellophane tape
- Small scissors
- Boxcutter or utility knife
[Edit]Putting a Tape Back on the Wheel Hub - New blank cassette tape
- Cutting board
- Cellophane tape
- Small scissors
- Boxcutter or utility knife
- Pencil
[Edit]Reassembling a Cassette Tape - Phillips screwdriver (optional)
- Super glue (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Cook Sriracha Fried Rice Posted: 08 Dec 2021 12:00 AM PST If you need to use up the leftover rice in your fridge and have a craving for something spicy and umami, try this simple recipe to make fried rice using Sriracha as a main flavor base. [Edit]Ingredients - White rice (for best results, use leftover rice that's been kept in the fridge for at least overnight instead of cooking a fresh batch)
- Frozen mixed vegetables (corn, green beans, peas, carrots)
- 2 eggs
- Chopped up cooked meat such as Chinese or breakfast sausage, bacon, chorizo, Spam (optional but adds more depth, flavor, and sustenance)
- Minced garlic (alternatively, use garlic powder)
- Chopped onion (alternatively, use onion powder)
- Sriracha
- Soy sauce
- Black pepper
- Cooking oil
- Microwave the leftover rice for one minute. Rice that's been kept in the fridge tends to dry out and clump into large chunks. By warming up the leftover rice in a microwave, you can easily break it up into manageable chunks when cooking.
- Heat oil in a skillet, wok, or frying pan on low heat.
- Sautee the garlic, onion, and mixed vegetables until they sweat and brown a little.
- Increase the heat on the burner to medium.
- Add in the already-cooked meats if you choose to incorporate them.
- Slowly add all the warmed rice. Mix with a folding motion to thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
- Cook on medium heat for roughly 5 minutes.
- Add a splash of soy sauce and mix. The soy sauce is used to bring a salty element, but avoid using too much to avoid overpowering the heat of the Sriracha.
- Clear a circle in the center of the pan and add a splash of oil. This is where you'll crack and cook the eggs.
- Crack both eggs directly into the pan and stir to break the yolks.
- Remix the whole pan to combine all ingredients once the eggs are cooked.
- Squirt Sriracha all over the rice mixture and mix thoroughly. Again, mix with a folding motion. In this recipe, you want to eyeball the amount of Sriracha according to your spiciness preferences. More Sriracha will of course make the dish more spicy.
- Add black pepper and other seasonings (garlic or onion powder) to taste.
- Remove from heat and serve. Portion and serving size generally depends on the amount of rice you have.
[Edit]Quick Summary |
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