| How to Kill Mold With Vinegar Posted: 09 Apr 2017 01:00 AM PDT Black mold, or Stachybotrys Chartarum, can be unsightly and can also pose a health hazard in your home. Large mold problems should be handled professionally using the necessary cleansers to rid your home of mold. Smaller mold removal projects may be able to be tackled organically using plain distilled white vinegar. EditRemoving the Mold - Determine to get rid of the mold. Mold growing in your home can cause serious health problems. People who are sensitive to mold can suffer from irritation in their throat, their eyes, on their skin and in their lungs. Remove the mold to create a healthier, cleaner, safer home.[1]
- Mold can aggravate existing allergies.
- Mold has been linked to respiratory tract infections and lung disease.
- Mold can cause coughing, wheezing and increased effects of asthma.
- Wear non-porous gloves when cleaning with vinegar. Vinegar is a natural and organic material, but extended exposure to vinegar can cause irritation to your skin. Protect your skin by wearing gloves when you are working with vinegar.
- Fill a spray bottle with plain white vinegar. Do not dilute the vinegar with water. Make sure that you have enough vinegar to cover the surface you would like to clean.[2]
- Spray the vinegar on the trouble area. Cover the area thoroughly with the vinegar. Be generous in how much you use to be sure that there is enough vinegar to attempt to break up the mold.[3]
- If you do not have a spray bottle handy, you can also use a disposable cloth. Thoroughly wet the cloth with vinegar and wipe the area of mold to soak it in vinegar.
- Allow the vinegar to sit for one hour. It takes a little time for the vinegar to work into the mold and break it. Give it at least an hour before you return to scrub the mold away.
- Scrub the mold away with warm water and a scrub brush. Using a brush, scrub at the area of mold which has been sitting in the vinegar. Continue to clean your brush off in warm water as you work through the moldy area.[4]
- Using a scrub brush will make it easier to break up the mold, as well as keeping your skin further removed from the vinegar while you are cleaning.
- Find a brush that is the appropriate size for the job. You may want a larger brush to cover more surface area, or a smaller brush to reach into cracks and corners.
- Wipe the the surface clean. Once you have dislodged the mold from the surface, wipe the space clean using warm water and allow the area to dry. If the mold persists, repeat this entire process until all the mold has been removed.[5]
- Vinegar will likely leave an odor, which will fade within a few hours.
- Mix vinegar with other products to enhance its killing power. Vinegar is thought to kill 82% of species of mold. If this is true, that still leaves you with the possibility of 18% of persistent species. If vinegar does not seem to be cutting through your mold problem, try mixing it with borax, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda or salt.[6]
- Only mix the vinegar with one of these products at a time. If it is still not working, try mixing it with another.
- Never mix vinegar with bleach. This creates dangerous, toxic fumes.
- If these combinations are not working, or you have a larger mold problem, you may need to hire a professional to remove the mold from your home.
- Wear an N95 mask when you are dealing with large amounts of mold. You can find an N95 mask at your local hardware store. Follow the instructions on the packaging to fit the mask tightly to your face if you are cleaning a large mold infestation.[7]
- This mask is not necessary for small projects and everyday cleaning.
EditPreventing Mold from Returning - Spray vinegar and leave it to help prevent future mold growth. You do not have to wash the vinegar away. Once the surface is clean, you can spray it with vinegar and leave the vinegar on the surface to keep the mold from returning.[8]
- Keep a spray bottle of vinegar in your shower and spray the surface every few days.
- Mop your floors with vinegar to prevent mold growth in damp areas.
- Fix leaks in your home. Leaks can occur in your roof, your plumbing and seep in through your window. Clean any spills and address these problems to keep you home dry and free of mold.[9]
- Check your roof for leaks and replace the roof or fix an area which may be allowing the damp weather into your home.
- Fix any plumbing issues as soon as they happen to prevent water from dripping and spilling.
- Check the seals of your windows and replace any which are allowing dampness to get through.
- Control the level of humidity in the area of mold growth. You may need to invest in a dehumidifier if you live in a humid area or have a part of your home which lacks ventilation and tends to be damp and attract mold.[10]
- Ventilate areas which can become damp. Mold thrives in damp, dark places. Allow air and sunlight into damp spaces as much as possible in order to control mold. Turn on fans when you are cooking, showering, or doing laundry.[11]
- The kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room should be equipped with ventilation systems.
- Clean your air conditioner regularly. Air conditioners contain drip pans, which gather excess water. Empty and clean this pan regularly to keep mold from forming and blowing into your home.[12]
- Cut power to the air conditioner before you clean the drain pan.
- It is easiest to remove the water with a wet/dry vacuum to avoid spilling.
- Once you have removed the water, scrub away any debris or mold which may have formed in the pan before you return it.
- Label the spray bottle so that you remember its purpose when cleaning in the future. It is best to empty vinegar and use a fresh batch each time, unless you plan to use it again soon.
- If you have a larger mold problem, you may need to use 1 cup of bleach diluted in a gallon of water to clear the area of mold.[13]
EditThings You'll Need - Rubber gloves
- Naturally distilled white vinegar (don't use artificial vinegar)*Spray bottle (mixture of 80% vinegar and 20% water)
- Water
- A bucket with clean water to wash your brush in.
- Microfibre cloth and/or a stiff brush
- Protective glasses and a dust mask should be used if you think you are affected by mould and the brush might raise spore laden dust or flick moldy material into your face.
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| How to Clean Bok Choy Posted: 08 Apr 2017 09:00 PM PDT Bok choy is an Asian cabbage that's high in vitamins K, C, A, potassium, calcium, and other nutrients. With a subtle, sweet taste and a tender texture, it makes an ideal addition to a stir fry or salad. But despite being part of the cabbage family, bok choy doesn't look like other cabbages, so it may be difficult to figure out how to clean it before you cook with it. Whether you're washing a mature or baby bok choy, the key is making sure that you get all of the dirt and sediment that's hidden between the leaves out. It's also important to remember that you should store bok choy in the refrigerator unwashed and only clean it just before you plan to use it. EditWashing Mature Bok Choy - Chop off the base of the bok choy. To ready the bok choy for cleaning, you must to break it down into individual pieces. Use a sharp knife to cut off the approximately 2- to 3-inches (5- to 7.5-cm) at the base of the vegetable.[1]
- Because the bok choy's base is tough and has dirt trapped inside, you should discard it.
- Separate the stalks. Once you've removed the bottom of the base, you need to separate the stalks. Use clean hands to gently pull off each stalk at the base of bok choy and place them in a bowl.[2]
- When you cook the bok choy or mix it into a dish, you may need to cut the leaves and stalks into separate pieces. Do that after you've cleaned it.
- Cover the bok choy with water. After you've separated the bok choy stalks, add enough water to the bowl to cover it. Make sure to use cold water to avoid wilting the leaves.[3]
- If you're cleaning a large number of bok choy, you may want to place the stalks in a clean sink and cover them with water so they aren't all overlapping too much.
- Swish the water around and let the bok choy sit for several minutes. Once you've covered the bok choy with water, use your hands to gently swish the stalks around to loosen any dirt. Next, let the bok choy sit in the water for about 10 minutes so all of the dirt and sediment has time to settle at the bottom.[4]
- Lift the bok choy out of the water and place in a strainer. After the bok choy stalks have sat in the water for several minutes, use your hands to lift them out. Transfer them to a strainer or colander and shake well to remove an excess moisture.[5]
- Don't pour the boy choy into the strainer. That will mix the dirt and sediment back in with them.
- If you have a salad spinner, you can use it to get rid of the excess moisture from the bok choy.
- Check the water after you've removed the bok choy. If it is extremely dirty or cloudy, dump it out and repeat the process of soaking the boy choy until the water is mostly clear when you remove it.
- Dry the bok choy with towel paper. Even after you've strained the bok choy, it may still be slightly damp. Use paper towel to gently pat them dry before cooking or mixing the bok choy into a dish.[6]
- You can use a clean kitchen towel to pat the bok choy dry.
EditRemoving Dirty from Baby Bok Choy - Cut the bok choy into quarters. Because baby bok choy is smaller, you can leave the base intact. Instead, use a sharp knife to cut it into quarters lengthwise.[7]
- If you prefer, you can cut the baby bok choy in half lengthwise.
- Run the quarters under water to rinse. To clean the bok choy quarters, turn the cold water on in your sink. Place the pieces under the running water one at a time, running your fingers along the entire length to loosen any dirt.[8]
- If the baby bok choy quarters are very dirty, you may want to run a vegetable scrub brush along them.
- If you prefer, you can also use the same method for cleaning full size bok choy for the baby variety. Place the quarters in a bowl, cover them with cold water, and allow them to sit for 10 minutes.
- Dry the bok choy with paper towels. When you're finished rinsing the baby bok choy quarters under the water, place them on piece of paper towel. Set another piece of paper towel on top, and gently press down to dry them.[9]
- You can run the baby bok choy quarters through a salad spinner to dry them if you prefer.
EditStoring Bok Choy - Secure the bok choy in a plastic bag. When you purchase bok choy from the grocery store or farmer's market, it likely comes in a plastic bag. Keep it in the bag when you store it to keep it as fresh as possible.[10]
- Ideally, the plastic bag that you store the bok choy in should be perforated. If the bag isn't, you may want to poke a few holes around the bag with a knife.
- Keep the bok choy in the refrigerator. To ensure that the bok choy stays fresh as long as possible, you should store it in your refrigerator. In particular, the crisper drawer is an ideal spot to keep the vegetable.[11]
- You can freeze bok choy, but you must blanch it first, drain it well, and place it in freezer bags beforehand. Frozen bok choy will keep for 10 to 12 months.[12]
- Leave the bok choy unwashed until you're ready to use. While you may think it's a good idea to clean the bok choy before you store, you should actually leave it unwashed until you're ready to use it. If the bok choy isn't completely dry when you store it in the refrigerator, the leaves can become slimy and wilted.[13]
- If you don't wash the bok choy before you store it, it can last for 3 days in the refrigerator.
EditThings You'll Need - Knife
- Bowl
- Cold water
- Paper towel
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| How to File a Corrected 1099 Div Posted: 08 Apr 2017 05:00 PM PDT |
| How to Clean Your Cat's Feet Posted: 08 Apr 2017 01:00 PM PDT Since cats naturally clean themselves on a constant basis, humans don't have to spend too much time attending to their overall hygiene. However, some parts of your cat – like their feet – require some care to ensure your feline friend's basic health. To make sure your cat is generally healthy, you should provide regular foot cleaning care, make sure their nails are clean and intact, and be a proactive troubleshooter if you do encounter any problems while cleaning their feet. EditProviding Regular Care - Examine their feet. Before cleaning your cat's feet, you should take a quick look at them. This will provide you with information about the general health of your cat's feet. When examining their feet:
- Look for redness or sores. This could indicate allergies or infections.
- See if there is any green or black pus. This could indicate a virus or infection.
- If your cat has infection between their pads, your veterinarian may recommend an antifungal soak using such medicines as captan, chlorhexidine, or povidone iodine.[1]
- Rinse their feet. By rinsing their feet, you'll remove dirt and grime and make it easier for you to wipe down and clean your cat's feet. You'll also aid in their self-cleaning process by removing debris before they lick their own feet.
- Pour warm water (99 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) into a medium size bowl or similar container.
- Quickly dip your cat's feet (one at a time) into the water.
- Skip this step if your cat doesn't want their feet dipped.[2]
- Wipe their feet gently. After dipping, you should gently wipe your cat's feet in order to remove any excess dirt that remained after dipping. Wiping their feet down is important, as you'll be able to get dirt that wasn't removed when you rinsed their feet.
- Wet a clean microfiber cloth in warm water (99 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius).
- Dab or wipe their feet thoroughly.
- If their feet are particularly dirty, use a little bit more water.
- If your cat resists your attempts to clean their feet, let them go. Don't get yourself hurt or hurt your cat holding them down.
- If for some reason you need to use a shampoo or similar product, make sure it is formulated for cats. In addition, follow manufacturer directions regarding proper dilution.[3]
- Get in between their toes. In order to clean your cat's feet properly, you need to make sure that you clean between their toes. This is important, as dirt and grime may accumulate in hard-to-reach areas of your cat's foot.
- Gently separate their toes.
- Use your cloth or rag to wipe away dirt.
- Rinse your rag after you've cleaned a crevice between toes.[4]
- Avoid using chemicals not intended for cats. Since cats regularly lick their own feet to clean them, you should avoid using soaps or other chemicals not intended for cats. By using these products, you'll potentially introduce chemicals that your cat will wind up licking and digesting. Stay away from:
- Artificial dyes
- Parabens
- Sodium laurel sulphate
- Petrochemicals
- Human cleaning products
- Cleaning products formulated for other animals[5]
EditCleaning Cat Claws - Inspect their nails. When inspecting your cat's nails, look for any signs of damage, infection, or other problems. Nail health is important to overall hygiene, as an infection of the nail can quickly spread to other parts of your cat's body.
- Look to see if the nails are intact.
- Observe to see if their claws are jagged, have been torn, or are missing pieces.
- See if there is any fungus present – you may spot green, black, or yellow growth around the claws or pads.[6]
- Clean their claws. After inspecting their nails, you may need to systemically clean them. This is especially true if you notice fungus, other growth, or any sort of damage to their nails.
- Dip their feet in warm water.
- Gently dislodge all dirt, fungus, or other debris on the claws.
- If your cat has claw fungus, you should consult your vet. Your vet will likely advise you to continue to wash their feet in warm water. In addition, they may prescribe a topical antifungal or another cleaning agent.
- Trim your cat's nails. Trimming your cat's claws is a key part of maintaining proper hygiene for indoor cats. This is important, as many indoor cats don't have the ability to wear their claws down as they would outside. Thus, their claws may grow long and may accumulate bacteria. However, when trimming your cat's claws, make sure to use a proper cat claw trimmer.
- Position your trimmer perpendicular to the claw and along the transparent part of it.
- Make sure to avoid blood vessels.
- Quickly cut the transparent part of the claw.
- If you're afraid you'll hurt your cat, trim just the tip of the claw. After you trim the tip, you can move up higher and take more of the nail off.
- If your cat does not respond well to nail trimming, you may need to have your vet do it.
- Clip one or two claws at a time. Trying to get a whole foot or even all your cat's feet might be too much to expect.[7]
- Avoid the quick. A cat's quick is the portion of its claw where there is tissue and blood vessels. If you cut their quick, you'll cause them pain and may expose them to the dangers of infection. Thus, you need to be very careful not to cut their quick.
- Always cut less nail than you need.
- If you cut the quick, consider using a silver nitrate applicator to stop blood loss. You'll take the applicator and apply it to the area that is bleeding.
- Regardless of whether you use silver nitrate or not, the wound should stop bleeding in 5 minutes or so.[8]
- Remove foreign objects. Your cat may at some point step on an object that could become lodged in their foot. When this happens, you should remove the object and clean the foot properly.
- Use antibacterial soap and warm water to clean the area.
- Take tweezers and pull the object out.
- Apply an antiseptic like betadine to the wound.
- Cover your cat's foot in a bootie or sock for a day or so.[9]
- Care for their foot pads. While a cat's foot pads don't require regular cleaning or attention, they may need to be cleaned if they are scraped or injured. This is important, as an injured foot pad may lead to serious infection or other problems. If you identify an injured foot pad:
- Dip the affected foot into warm clean water two to three times a day.
- Consider protecting the foot with a sock or cat bootie.
- Talk to your veterinarian. In some circumstances, your cat may need topical antibiotic or a course of oral antibiotics.[10]
- Consult your vet. There might come an instance when your cat's feet exhibit symptoms or problems you're not familiar with. In this case, you should talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian is trained to identify a wide variety of cat foot problems.
- Schedule a meeting with your vet. Make sure to tell the receptionist the details of your cat's foot problem. For instance, if you notice black or green pus built up between your cat's toes, tell them.
- If your cat has had foot problems before, let the vet know about them. While they may have your cat's medical records, they may not have had time to read them thoroughly.
- Inquire whether you should clean your cat's feet before bringing them to the vet.
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| How to Restore Old Photographs Posted: 08 Apr 2017 09:00 AM PDT Printed photographs are delicate items that capture valuable memories and moments in history. Oftentimes, older images are one-of-a-kind, so it can be particularly heartbreaking to discover that they have been damaged. Photographs can incur a lot of damage through years of exposure to humidity, water, sunlight, and dirt. Sometimes even storing new photographs incorrectly can result in damage. Knowing your options for restoring photographs, learning how to repair them at home, and properly storing photos afterwards can help ensure the longevity of your photographs for generations to come. EditFixing Minor Photo Damage Digitally - Get the right equipment for digital restoration. Purchasing a high-quality scanner and photo editing software for your home computer can help make digital restoration at home possible. Invest in a photo editing program like Photoshop and a high-quality scanner that can scan images at a high dpi, or dots per square inch. The greater the dpi, the more detail the scanner will be able to capture. A dpi of 300 is recommended for most photographs.
- Scan the photograph. Gently place the photograph in the scanner, and select to scan the image at a high-resolution to capture as much detail as possible. When prompted, save the image as a TIFF instead of a JPEG. A TIFF is a larger file, but it will retain the detail and quality of the photograph.[1] Once you have saved the image, open it in your photo editing software.
- Crop the image. Use the cropping tool to remove any evidence of damage around the edges of the photograph. Edges of old photographs often curl when exposed to water or humidity. If your photograph has damage around the perimeter, cropping the image will quickly correct this problem.
- Correct the photograph's tone. Repair the color, brightness, and contrast issues before attempting to change any other imperfections or signs of damage. These can be adjusted by opening editing tools in Photoshop or another photo editing software. These levels can be altered by sliding your cursor along a scale until you produce your desired effects.
- Increasing the brightness level can help brighten up a dark photo, or intensifying the contrast can bring out a washed-out, faded photo.
- Play with the color sliders to help remove unwanted tints.
- Save each version you create under a different file name so you can compare each version later and select the best restoration.
- Fix scratches and dust marks. Using the Dust and Scratches filter or the Spot Healing Brush in Photoshop or a similar tool in other photo editing programs makes removing imperfections straightforward and simple.[2] Magnify the photograph, and use the cursor to touch up the damaged marks. Work slowly and be sure to zoom out to check your progress as you work. This filter works by removing some of the details, so you will want to be sure that you are not overusing this feature.
- Keep a window open of the whole photo so you can observe the changes as you make them.
- Fill in tears or missing portions. If there are tears, rips, or missing sections of the photograph, you can use the Clone Stamp tool to recreate a portion of the image and fill in the damaged sections. After opening the tool, select the potion of the photo that you would like to clone or recreate and click it once. Move the cursor to the area you would like to repair with the material you just copied.
- Print the image. After you have restored the photograph, use an inkjet printer or a special photo printer with glossy paper to print out your restored photograph.
EditManually Restoring Old Photographs - Clean your photographs. If your old photograph has dirt, sand, or residue on it, you may be able to clean the image by hand. Wear rubber gloves, and gently remove the dirt with a soft brush or soft-bristled toothbrush. If there is a large amount of dirt, the photograph can be gently rinsed under lukewarm running water. Use your finger to softly wipe away dirt, but take care not scratch the photo. Let the photograph dry in a dark place where it will not be disturbed. You can clip the image on a wire with a clothespin to dry, or you can place the image face-up on a newspaper or towel.[3]
- If the photo turns red, yellow, or white while cleaning, this could be an indication that professional care is needed. The image may be too badly damaged to fix at home.
- Use water to separate photographs that are stuck together. If you find a stack of photographs that have stuck together, do not pull them apart. Instead, soak them in distilled water. Photographs are coated with gelatin. When they are placed in water, the gelatin softens and the photographs can be separated more easily.[4]
- Purchase a bottle of distilled water from your local grocery store or pharmacy. Keep the water at room temperature, and pour it into a container that is large enough to submerge your photos. Place them with the image facing upward and let them soak in the water for 20 to 30 minutes. Use your fingers to gently slide the photographs apart, or use a rubber spatula to separate the images. Let them dry on a towel image-side up. Place a book or magazine along the edges so they do not curl as they dry.[5]
- Remove photos that are stuck to glass with heat. Before trying to remove the glass, be sure you make a copy of the image. You can remove the glass by heating up the image. Hold a hair dryer 4 to 5 inches away from the back of a print. After a few minutes, try to lift up one of the corners of the image, and slowly peel back the image.[6]
- Fix a tear with acid-free tape. You can secure a tear or fix a torn photograph by using an acid-free tape. Regular tape with an acidic adhesive can damage the photograph over time. Look for an archival tape or tape with an acrylic adhesive at an office supply or stationary store to repair and protect your photographs. Cut small pieces of tape and secure the tear on the back of the photograph.[7]
- Use a mending strip to fix a torn photograph. A torn photograph can also be repaired by using a strip of acid-free paper that is secured with acid-free glue. These can be purchased at an arts and crafts store or an office supply shop. Apply a small amount of the glue to the strip of paper, and press the strip over the tear on the back of the photograph. Remove any excessive glue with a cotton swab. Let the image dry face down on a towel, and place a weight, like a small book, on top of the image to prevent the edges from curling.[8]
- Create a humidification chamber for photographs with curled edges. If you have an old photograph that was rolled up or if the edges are curling, you can release the curls by placing the photo in a homemade humidification chamber. This chamber will reintroduce water into the dry, brittle photograph which will allow the curled edges to relax and release.
- Fill a plastic storage bin with a couple of inches of room temperature water. Place a wire rack in the container, making sure that the top is not submerged. Place the photo on top of the rack, and close the chamber with the lid. Let it sit for several hours. Check on the photograph periodically and wipe away any beads of water on the photo. After a few hours, if the curls have relaxed, remove the photograph and let it dry face-up on a towel. Cover the image with blotting paper or parchment paper, and weigh the photograph down with a book as it dries.
- Seek the help of a professional. If the photograph is heavily damaged, very old, or extremely delicate, consider having the photo professionally restored. Professionals can not only restore photographs that have been ripped, stained, or damaged by water or sunlight, but they can also digitally enhance the photo's overall quality and color. Many services are available online. A professional will assess your photo and offer you a quote depending on the damage and the amount of work required.[9]
- Most professional services will work from a digital copy of the photograph, leaving the original untouched and safe. The restored photo and the original image will be returned to you.
EditStoring Your Photographs - Store photos in a climate-controlled environment. Photographs can be damaged from exposure to water, sunlight, heat, and moisture in the air. Humidity can cause photographs to stick together, while high temperatures cause photographs to become very brittle. Store your photographs in an environment that has low humidity, is not exposed to direct sunlight, and does not experience extreme temperature fluctuations. Ideally, the temperature should be below 75° Fahrenheit.[10]
- Do not store photos in a hot attic or in a garage or basement where the images may come into contact with water. Keep your photographs in a temperature-controlled section of the house, like a bedroom or hallway closet.
- Keep photos in archival boxes and albums. Archival boxes and albums provide a safe environment for your photographs that keep out humidity, pests, and dust. You can find these items from online vendors and from a stationery or office supply shop. When browsing for archival boxes or albums, be sure that they are intended for photo storage and are free from acid and PVC, or polyvinyl chloride.[11]
- Place a silica gel packet in the box to help offset any excess moisture.
- Properly store the photographs in a bin or album. If an album or storage box is packed to the brim with photos, it may not close properly, leaving the photos susceptible to environmental damage. A box that is not filled enough may also cause damage to the photographs. When there are only a few items in the container, the images may slide around, causing damage to the edges. Be sure that the photographs are secure and that the storage bin can properly close.[12]
- Even if the photograph is in black and white, scan the image as a color image to capture the nuances of the black and white.
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