| How to Clean a Coffee Maker Posted: 20 Jul 2017 05:00 PM PDT Coffee makers are convenient household appliances that can provide you with a fresh cup of java first thing in the morning. However, due to the high levels of moisture, they can easily harbor mold and bacteria. Drip filter coffee makers require cleaning after each use. They also need to be deep cleaned monthly to remove hard water deposits, leftover coffee oils, and other impurities. With a little elbow grease, you can keep your coffee maker nice and clean. EditCleaning Your Coffee Maker After Each Use - Disassemble the coffee maker. Remove any parts that come off, such as the pot, the brew basket, and any other removable parts. These part should be cleaned separately from the rest of the coffee maker.[1]
- Wash the removable parts. Submerge the removable parts in warm, soapy water, and wash them using a dish rag. You can wash removable parts of your coffee maker the same way you would wash dishes.[2]
- Glass pots can be very breakable. When washing your coffee maker's pot, treat the glass gingerly.
- Some coffee makers may have parts that can be washed in a dishwasher. Check the instructions manual, if you still have it. If you're unsure if your coffee maker can be washed in the dishwasher, err on the side of caution and hand wash it.
- Wipe down the outside of the machine. Take a wet, soapy rag and give the outside of the machine a good wipe down. Wipe down the sides and remove any coffee grinds from the warming plate. When you're down, wipe off any soap suds with a clean, damp rag.[3]
- Reassemble your machine. After all the parts are dry, you can put your coffee machine back together. It is ready to use again. Make a habit of cleaning your coffee maker like this after each use.
EditDeep Cleaning Your Coffee Maker - Add a vinegar and water solution to your coffee maker. Make a mixture using half white vinegar and half water. The precise amounts will vary depending on the size of your coffee maker, but make roughly enough to fill the reservoir. Pour the mixture into the reservoir like you normally would with water when making coffee.[4]
- Let the coffee machine run half a brew cycle. Turn the coffee machine on. Keep an eye on it as it brews. Once about half the pot is full with the filtered vinegar/water mixture, turn the pot off.[5]
- Let the coffee maker sit for an hour. Set a timer for an hour. Let the coffee pot sit for this time frame.[6] This will give the vinegar time to sit in the machine and clean out any mold.
- Complete the brew cycle. After letting the coffee maker sit for an hour, turn the machine back on. Let it run the rest of the brew cycle. When done, all the vinegar/water mixture should be filtered into the pot. You can pour this mixture down the sink.[7]
- Run two brew cycles with plain water. Fill your coffee pot with clean water. Pour this into the reservoir and run a complete brew cycle. When it's done, pour the water out and run one more brew cycle with clean water. This should clean any vinegar out of your coffee maker.[8]
- Wipe down the coffee maker. After disinfecting the coffee maker, take a clean, damp rag. Wipe down the exterior of the machine to remove any dirt and debris. You should also make sure to remove coffee grinds from the warming plate.[9]
EditAvoiding Common Mistakes - Read your instruction's manual. If you still have the instructions manual, read it before cleaning your coffee maker. Most coffee makers can safely be cleaned with a vinegar/water mixture, but it's always a good idea to check first.[10]
- If you don't have the instructions manual, try looking up your model online. You may be able to find an instructions manual on the Internet.
- Leave the reservoir lid open. Many people keep the reservoir lid closed. However, it's a good idea to leave it open when not in use. This will help dry out the machine, preventing mold and bacteria from growing in a moist environment.[11]
- Rinse the brew basket in the sink regularly. The brew basket is very susceptible to mold as it gets wet during the brewing process. Make sure you rinse out the brew basket after each use and make a habit of cleaning it each time you do dishes. This will keep your coffee maker mold and germ free.[12]
- Never use the coffee pot to pour water into the reservoir. This will transfer oils and impurities from the pot, and eventually give the coffee a nasty taste. Instead, use a pitcher that is reserved for water only.
- A microfiber towel will clean better than paper towels.
- Put a glass marble in the water chamber to attract mineral deposits from hard water. Wash it once a week. [13]
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| How to Treat a Bee Sting Posted: 20 Jul 2017 09:00 AM PDT Spending time in your garden or a park is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Of course, you may be subject to a bee sting – a common but painful experience! Treating a bee sting quickly can help alleviate the discomfort. Remove the stinger right away, watch out for signs of an allergic reaction, and then try home remedies or over-the-counter medication to improve the pain and swelling. EditTaking Immediate Steps - Remove the stinger as quickly as possible. As soon as you get stung, get the stinger out of your skin. This is the most important thing you can do! Some people suggest that scraping the stinger out with a credit card is better than pinching it out, but this is more likely to slow down the removal. Some scientists don't think this is even true, and that removing the stinger as quickly as possible is the best thing you can do.[1]
- Get it out with your fingernails, if possible. Otherwise grab tweezers or whatever else you have handy.[2]
- Wash the area with soap and cold water. The cold water will be soothing and the soap can help wash away any residual dirt or venom. Lather up well and rinse the area thoroughly.[3]
- Watch out for symptoms of an allergic reaction. Even if you've been stung by a bee before without any problem, be on the alert for signs that you're having an allergic reaction. Allergies can develop or worsen over time. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can by life-threatening. Watch out for any of the following signs of anaphylaxis:[4]
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat
- Dizziness, fainting, or a drop in blood pressure
- Skin reaction like hives, flushing, itching, or paleness
- A fast, weak pulse
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Call emergency services if you're having an allergic reaction. If any of the above symptoms are present, call for emergency help right away. While you're waiting for help to arrive (or on your way to the hospital), take Benadryl or another antihistamine. If you have an EpiPen, use it.
- After you've been treated, see your doctor for a prescription for an EpiPen – a shot of epinephrine that you keep on hand in case of another reaction.
EditTrying Home Remedies - Apply cold to the area. Run the sting under cold water, or place ice or an ice pack on the area. Wrap the ice in a towel first instead of putting it directly on your skin. Keep this on for 20 minutes.
- Reapply the ice later if the area gets sore again.
- Elevate your arm or leg. If you were stung on the arm or leg, elevate it. Prop your foot up on pillows to be above the level of your heart. Rest your arm on something above your heart. This can improve pain and swelling.[5]
- Make a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water, apply the paste, and let it dry. This may pull out the venom if applied quickly and help relieve pain and swelling. Put a tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl and add enough water to turn it into a thick paste.
- You can also try making a paste out of baking soda, vinegar, and meat tenderizer and applying it to the sting.[6] Add enough vinegar to a tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste, and add in a pinch of meat tenderizer.
- Apply honey to the sting. Dab some honey onto the sting with your fingers or a cotton ball. Honey has traditionally been used for its antiseptic qualities.[7] Use honey that is as pure as possible, preferably 100% honey without preservatives, for the best effect.
- Put toothpaste on the sting. Apply a dab of toothpaste to the sore area. It may feel like tingling, which can improve the itchiness of the sting. Apply it as often as you want to.[8]
- Natural toothpaste may work better than regular toothpaste, but give either a try.[9]
- Dab on apple cider vinegar. Wet a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and hold it against the sting. It may burn momentarily, but then may provide some pain relief.[10]
EditUsing Medications - Take over-the-counter pain medicine. Alleviate pain with OTC pain medicine from your local pharmacy or drug store, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).[11] Ask your doctor or pharmacist which is the best medicine for you if you have any medical issues, especially if you have liver or kidney problems. Take the medicine as indicated on the bottle or by your doctor.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream. Apply hydrocortisone cream or other corticosteroid cream to the red, swollen area. This can decrease the pain and inflammation in the area. Use it as directed on the label.[12]
- Reapply it after four hours if you need to.
- Dab on calamine lotion. Calamine lotion can help bee stings as much as it helps poison ivy rashes. Dab some onto your sting with a cotton ball. Use it as indicated on the label.[13] Calamine lotion with analgesic (e.g. Caladryl), may be especially effective.
- Reapply it after four hours if you need to.
- Take antihistamine pills if your sting is itchy. Take oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorphenamine (Chlor-Trimeton). Use it as directed on the label or by your doctor or pharmacist. This can help relieve itching.
- Antihistamine pills might make you very drowsy. Be sure you know how they affect you before taking them when driving or going to work.
- Your sting may be itchy, but DON'T scratch it. This will make the itching and swelling worse and will increase the chance you'll get an infection.[14]
- Put antibiotic ointment on the sting after you clean off your home remedy or medicated lotion. This will help to prevent infection.[15]
- Keep any blisters you get intact; don't pop them. Popping blisters can cause infection.
- You may become allergic to bee stings even if you have not had reactions to stings in the past. It's also possible to be allergic to one kind of sting and not others; for instance, to be allergic to honey bees but not wasps. Previous stings without incident does not mean you will never have an anaphylactic reaction, so keep an eye out any time you get stung.
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| How to Brush Your Teeth if You're Blind or Visually Impaired Posted: 20 Jul 2017 01:00 AM PDT Brushing your teeth is a regular part of dental hygiene that all dentists recommend you should do at least twice a day.[1] For someone who is sighted, brushing your teeth is considered an easy task and can simply be done independently. For someone who is blind or visually impaired, this type of personal hygiene brings up some challenges. This article will provide a few tips to make brushing your teeth a little easier. EditChoosing the Supplies - Choose a brush with soft bristles. A brush with hard or rough bristles can have a negative effect on your mouth because it applies a lot of force on your gums. [2] Your toothbrush's bristles should be soft but slightly firm so it can clean plaque and remove bacteria from your teeth. When shopping for your toothbrush, pick out toothbrushes that have a ADA Seal of Acceptance. This means that the brush has undergone a large amount of quality control testing, and has been approved for effectiveness and safety. [3]
- Consider asking your dentist if they recommend a certain brand of toothbrush that would work well for your teeth. Your dentist may prefer you to either to have a toothbrush with firm bristles, soft bristles, or very soft bristles depending on your mouth and gums. [4]
- Pick out striped or brightly colored brushes. If you are visually impaired, picking out a striped toothbrush will make it easier to see, and will make brushing as a whole much simpler! You may also wish to consider picking out a red, lime green, or orange toothbrush since these colors are bright and easy to see. [5]
- Consider buying an electric toothbrush. It can be quite difficult trying to see the areas where you brush and it can be a challenge to brush each spot. To make plaque easier to remove, you may find an electric toothbrush better to use than a manual one. Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes provide a better job at cleaning your mouth and are good at removing plaque and gingivitis. [6] They're also easy to use, they only require you to push the button on, place the toothbrush at a 45° angle, and move the brush all around to clean your teeth. [7] Altogether, they're much easier to use to brush your teeth than a manual brush!
- As useful as an electric toothbrush is, it also has its cons. Electric toothbrushes cost more than a manual toothbrush, are easy to break, require you to charge them daily or replace the batteries, and are not quite as easy to travel with. [8]
- Consider the toothpaste you want to buy. Consider picking out toothpastes that contain abrasive agents such as calcium carbonate to remove bacteria from your teeth. [9] You may want to pick a toothpaste that also has added flavoring such as saccharin for better taste. You should also pick out a toothpaste that has fluoride, which is a mineral that prevents tooth decay and makes tooth enamel stronger. [10]
- The most common toothpaste flavors you will see are mint, cinnamon, citrus, and bubblegum. [11]
- Consider getting a toothpaste with natural flavoring if you would like to avoid artificial additives.[12]
- If you have stained teeth, you might want to consider buying a whitening toothpaste. This type of toothpaste has extra abrasive ingredients and chemicals that bind into stains and remove them. [13]
- Find brushing accessories that make brushing easier for you. To make brushing easier, try looking for certain products that can make the process less complicated. You may want to get a small handheld dental mirror so you can see more vividly while you brush. [14] You may also find it helpful to get a mouth rest which is a tool that helps to hold the mouth open while you brush. [15]
- Instead of a regular toothbrush, you might want to consider getting a Surround® toothbrush. This brush has three rows of bristles that surround the teeth to clean the front, back, and biting surfaces at the same time.The bristles are soft and have a heart-shaped, compact head that makes brushing safe and comfortable for you. [16]
- Contact your dentist to discuss more about tooth brushing. Ask your dentist for recommendations for your dental hygiene. Your dentist should be familiar with your dental needs and may encourage you to use a specific type of toothpaste or toothbrush. They may also provide a routine or set-plan for your tooth brushing so you can know when to brush, for how long, and when tooth brushing is needed. [17]
- Your dentist may also know different dental products that suit your visual disability, and may also recommend certain brands and methods to provide you with easier brushing.
- Place the brush under a contrasting cloth. If you are visually impaired, it may help to apply toothpaste on the brush by placing it underneath a contrasting washcloth. This makes the brush easier to see since the bristles are white and your eyes will be able to visualize that. [18]
- Know where to place the toothpaste cap. The toothpaste cap is easy to lose, especially since it's so small and rolls around, making it harder to find. Consider leaving the toothpaste cap standing to prevent it from moving. [19] You may also find it helpful to hold the cap in your hand while you brush, or place it in your pocket for safekeeping. [20] It's important to leave the cap in a memorable location so you can avoid losing it.
- If it helps, consider buying toothpaste with a hinged cap so you can open the toothpaste easily without taking off the cap. [21]
- Add the toothpaste. If you're the only using the toothpaste, you can squirt a pea-sized amount of toothpaste straight out from the dispenser.[22] Put the toothpaste on the end of your tongue. Use your tongue to cover your teeth with the paste before brushing. If others use the toothpaste, here are other methods to get the toothpaste.
- Squeeze the toothpaste into your palm and scoop it out using the toothbrush bristles. [23]
- Place the toothbrush bristles between your index finger and use your thumb to serve as a guide when adding the toothpaste. [24]
- Squeeze the toothpaste onto your finger and place it in your mouth. [25]
- Squeeze the toothpaste into a one-ounce medicine cup. Scoop it out using the toothbrush's bristles. [26]
- Brush and rinse. Brush your teeth using the toothbrush. It may help to have a small flashlight or handheld dental mirror so you can more easily while you brush. [27] Ensure you brush all around to remove all the plaque and bacteria from your teeth. Most dentists recommend you brush for about 2-3 minutes. [28] It may help to place a timer on for this amount of time so you can know when to stop brushing. When you are done brushing, spit and rinse using a spit cup.
EditHelping Your Child Brush For a blind or visually impaired child, a simple dental habit such as brushing your teeth can be quite frightening for them, and can also be quite difficult to do independently. Here are some tips to get your child brushing with ease. - Explain to your child why brushing your teeth is important. Talk to your child about what tooth brushing is and why it's so important. It may help to read stories or poems for children that explain the purpose of brushing their teeth. [29]
- Have your child pick out their own toothbrush. Go out shopping so they can pick a toothbrush for themselves. They may want to pick out striped or brightly colored brushes. If you are visually impaired, picking out a striped toothbrush or brightly colored one will make it more easier to see, and will make the toothbrush show up more. You may also wish to consider picking out a red, lime green, or orange toothbrush since these colors are bright and easy to see[30][31]
- Find toothbrushes that glow up or make music. Children may prefer these toothbrushes as they are fun and are timed so they know exactly how long to brush for. They may also prefer them because they are easier to see from the glow-up lights. [32]
- Have them choose an electric toothbrush. Children find electric brushes easier to use since it does the brushing for you. They also vibrate which some children find exciting and quite fun. [33]
- Have your child pick out the toothpaste flavor they prefer. Children like added flavoring into their toothpaste so it tastes better. Most children prefer flavors such as cinnamon, citrus, strawberry, banana, and bubblegum,[34] but allow your child to pick out the flavor they like best. It may help to buy multiple flavors and allow them to try and choose the one they prefer.
- Find a toothbrush that your child can hold comfortably. You can encourage independent brushing by getting a toothbrush that your child can hold comfortably. It should also fit in their mouth so brushing is made easier. [35]
- Make the process fun and simple. Figure out ways to make brushing their teeth simple and not complicated. You may need to find specific toothbrushes and use certain methods so brushing can be a breeze. It's also important to make brushing fun. Singing songs, making up rhymes about teeth, and telling stories while they brush can encourage them to clean their teeth and enjoy the process. [36]
- Address any fears your child has when brushing. If your child is worried when it comes to tooth brushing ask them what bothers them ("I see you feel worried when it's time to rinse, do you find it difficult to hold the spit cup?") and find a way to make the process less scary or a less of a hassle ("Would it help if I hold the spit cup while you turn the sink on?"). [37]
- Understand that it takes time. Your child will not be able to independently brush by the end of the day. It could take weeks, months, or even a year for them to take care of their dental hygiene. It may take them them some time to fully brush on their own without facing any of the fears of challenges they have. Understand that this is okay and that one day they will eventually learn how to brush on their own. [38]
- Provide plenty of praise and encouragement. It may help to give out small prizes to encourage your child to keep brushing daily. A sticker chart may be useful and most kids find it a honoring and fun way to earn a small and simple prize. [39] Verbal praise and encouragement works as well, a simple "Good job brushing your teeth this morning, you did great!" will encourage your child to always keep up the habit.[40]
- Ask their dentist or visual therapist for more assistance on their dental hygiene. Contact your child's dentist or visual therapist to talk more about your child's dental needs and how they can cope with them with their visual disability. Your dentist may choose certain products or brands that will suit your child, and will help form a plan so your child will understand more about their tooth brushing routine. [41] A visual therapist can help your child cope with any of their fears when it comes to brushing, and can provide methods and products to make brushing easier.[42]
- If you need more help with brushing your teeth and need more methods, consider contacting a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist for needed support. [43]
- If you encounter tooth pain when eating or drinking things that are hot or cold, you may want consider getting a toothpaste that is formulated for sensitive teeth. This type of toothpaste usually contains compounds that reduce the sensitivity of your teeth. [44]
- When applying toothpaste, it may help to have a goose-neck lamp next to you so you can see more clearly.
- If you leave behind bacteria on the teeth after brushing, it can lead to serious problems such as gingivitis or periodontitis. [45][46][47]
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