| How to Get Mud Out of Clothes Posted: 02 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT Getting mud on your clothes can be a bummer, especially if the clothing is delicate or made of a light colored fabric. To remove the mud effectively, start by shaking or scraping off the mud on the surface of the clothing. Then, pretreat the mud with detergent or stain remover and wash the clothing correctly so the mud goes away. Caked-on mud can seem impossible to get out of clothing, but with the right approach, you can remove it in no time. EditRemoving Surface Mud - Allow the mud to dry on a flat surface. Do not try to clean off wet mud, as this will only make the stain worse and potentially spread it to other areas. Lay the clothing flat on the floor or a countertop and allow it to dry out. It may take several hours or overnight for the mud to dry, depending on how thick it is.[1]
- Shake or brush off as much dry mud as you can. Hold the clothing up and shake it out a few times outside to get rid of surface mud. You can also use your hand or a dry cloth to lightly brush off the dry mud. This can make it easier to get rid of the mud when you wash the clothing.[2]
- Scrape off caked on mud with a spatula or a soft brush. If the mud is caked onto the clothing and appears very thick, you can try scraping off layers of it with a spatula, a soft brush, or a knife. Run the spatula over the dried mud to scrape it off, or rub the mud off with the brush until you see the surface of the fabric on the clothing.[3]
- Be careful not to scrape the clothing itself, as this can damage it. Scrape off as much surface mud as you can before washing the clothing.
- Bring the clothes to the dry cleaner if they are not machine washable. If the clothing is made of fabric that is not safe to clean in the washing machine or by hand, take it to the nearest dry cleaner. This will ensure you do not damage the clothing further by washing it at home.[4]
EditPretreating the Clothes - Apply liquid laundry detergent to the mud and let it sit for 15 minutes. Dab a small amount of liquid laundry detergent to the mud stains with clean fingers or a damp cloth. If you have powdered detergent on hand, mix the detergent with some water to create a paste that you can apply to the mud.[5]
- The laundry detergent helps to break up the mud and makes it easier for it to come out in the wash.
- Use stain remover for stubborn mud stains. Look for a stain remover made for use on mud and dirt stains at your local supermarket or online. Apply the stain remover directly to the mud with clean fingers or a damp cloth and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.[6]
- Stain remover is a good option if the mud is really caked on and is very thick.
- Soak the clothes in a detergent solution if they are very muddy. If the clothes are covered all over in mud and it is difficult for you to spot remove the stains, place the clothes in a clean plastic bin or the tub. Then, put 2-4 drops of detergent in the tub with warm water. Let the clothes soak for 30 minutes, or overnight, depending on how muddy they are.[7]
- If the clothing is made of fabric in light colors like white, you may not want to soak them, as this can expose the fabric to the brown pigment in the mud. Pretreat the clothing with detergent or a stain remover instead.
EditWashing the Clothes - Clean the clothes in the washing machine in warm or hot water. Use the hottest water setting recommended for the muddy article(s) of clothing. Do not put the muddy clothing in with other items in the washing machine, as this can cause the mud to transfer onto the other items.
- Use chlorine bleach if the clothes are white. If the clothing is made of white fabric, use chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach to wash them in the washing machine. Only use the recommended amount of bleach on the clothing, following the instructions on the label.[8]
- Wash the clothes with laundry detergent if they are dark colored. If the clothes are any other colors besides white, use laundry detergent in the washing machine to clean them. Bleach can damage colored clothing and leave marks or stains.
- Inspect the clothing after one washing cycle to confirm the mud is gone. You may need to wash the clothes more than once to get the mud out. Do as many cycles as needed until the clothes come out clean and free of mud.
- Hand wash delicate clothes in hot water. If the fabric is delicate, you should hand wash the clothing instead in a plastic bin or the bathtub. Fill the bin with hot water and laundry detergent. Then, rub the fabric with the watery solution to remove the mud.[9]
- You can also try using a toothbrush or a scrub brush to remove the mud as you hand wash the clothing.
- Dry the clothes. Once you have removed the mud on the clothes, you can put them in the dryer on a low heat setting to dry them. If the clothes are delicate, air dry them on a clothesline or drying rack.[10]
- Make sure all the mud and staining is gone before using the dryer, or the stain will be permanently set in the clothes.
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| How to Apply Witch Hazel to Your Face Posted: 02 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT If you're looking for a natural way to care for your skin, use witch hazel in your skincare routine. Because witch hazel has astringent and antibacterial properties, it can soothe irritated or inflamed skin. Spritz witch hazel toner on your face or brush it directly onto blemishes. Mix witch hazel into aloe vera gel and spread it on sunburned skin. You can even make your own herb-infused witch hazel to use in a facial mask or as an aftershave. EditUsing Witch Hazel on Your Face - Wash your face thoroughly. Splash your face with warm water and gently rub on your favorite facial cleanser. Use cool water to rinse the cleanser off of your face. Pat your skin dry using a soft, clean cloth.
- Avoid scrubbing your skin or using a harsh cleanser because these can damage your skin.
- Do a spot test first to see how your skin reacts. If you think your skin is sensitive, dab a little witch hazel on 1 side of your jaw line. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to see if your skin reacts. Witch hazel usually works best for oily skin because witch hazel is an astringent.[1]
- If your skin reacts, you may notice red, irritated skin or a rash develop. Avoid using witch hazel if you have a reaction to the spot test.
- Since research is needed to determine if witch hazel is safe to use while pregnant, you should avoid using it if you are pregnant.
- Soak a cotton ball or pad in witch hazel. Buy high-quality witch hazel from a natural grocer or pharmacy. If you have sensitive skin, look for witch hazel with a low alcohol content to prevent it from drying out your skin. Dip a cotton ball or pad in the witch hazel until the cotton is soaked.[2]
- Swipe the pad all over your face to tone your skin. Brush the soaked cotton ball or pad over your clean face. Your skin should feel wet for a few seconds, but the witch hazel will dry quickly.[3]
- Concentrate on specific areas to soothe irritation and acne. Because witch hazel can cleanse and calm irritated skin, brush it over oily or acne-prone areas. For example, swipe a soaked cotton pad over your T-zone (the center of your forehead and nose) if it's oily.[4]
- Use witch hazel on your skin 1 to 2 times per day. If you're just starting to use witch hazel on your face, brush it on your skin 1 time a day. This will give your skin a chance to get used to it and will prevent your skin from drying out too quickly. Once you've used it for several days, you can use the witch hazel up to 2 times a day.[5]
EditTreating Skin Issues with Witch Hazel - Use witch hazel after cleansing to tone your skin and shrink pores. Get out a clean 1-ounce (30-ml) spray bottle and pour 1/2 ounce (15 ml) of rosewater and 1/2 ounce (15 ml) of witch hazel into it. Add 9 drops of your favorite essential oil (such as tea tree, lavender, or geranium) and screw the lid on. Shake the bottle to combine the toner. Spray it on your skin or spray it onto a cotton pad that you can brush over your face.[6]
- You can use a combination of different essential oils. For example, try 4 drops of geranium and 5 drops of tea tree oil.
- To remove makeup or dirt left after washing your face, apply a sparing amount of essential oil to a cotton ball and wipe it gently over your face and throat.
- Reduce eye puffiness and undereye bags. Take 2 clean cotton rounds and dip them in witch hazel or your infused witch hazel. Close your eyes and lay them on the puffy skin under your eyes. Let the rounds sit on your skin for 3 to 5 minutes and remove them.[7]
- The witch hazel should tighten your skin and reduce the puffiness.
- Relieve the discomfort from a sunburn. Squirt a quarter-sized amount of aloe vera gel into the palm of your hand. Add a 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) of witch hazel or infused witch hazel and stir it together using your fingertip. Spread the witch hazel aloe vera gel over the sunburned skin on your face and let it dry. Reapply the gel as often as you need to.[8]
- Spread a thin layer so the gel can dry. You should feel a cooling sensation on your face once the witch hazel aloe vera gel begins to work.
- Witch hazel can dry out your skin, so avoid applying it alone to a sunburn.
- Soothe irritated skin and fight acne. If your skin is breaking out in pimples and zits, dip a cotton ball in witch hazel. Place the cotton ball directly on the blemished area of your skin and hold it there for a few minutes. You can do this 1 to 2 times a day until your acne clears up.[9]
- Research shows that because it's an astringent and has antibacterial properties, witch hazel can reduce inflammation from acne and eczema.
- Heal cuts and fade bruises. Dip a cotton ball or pad into witch hazel and press it onto any cuts or bruises on your face. Hold the cotton in place for 2 to 3 minutes. The witch hazel will improve drainage in your face, which will speed up healing.[10]
- Apply the witch hazel to the bruises or cuts 2 to 3 times a day.
- Remove stubborn or waterproof makeup gently. Wet a cotton ball with witch hazel, and wipe it gently over your face and throat. This is an effective way to remove stubborn traces of makeup without vigorous rubbing that might irritate your skin.
EditUsing Products with Witch Hazel - Apply an anti-inflammatory face mask with witch hazel. If the skin on your face is red or irritated, make a calming mask. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of witch hazel or infused witch hazel with 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of honey, if you have dry skin. If you have oily skin, mix the witch hazel with 1 egg white. Spread the witch hazel mask over your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off with cool water and pat your face dry.[11]
- Avoid scrubbing your skin when you remove the mask since this can damage your sensitive skin.
- Apply lotion with witch hazel to moisturize your skin and tighten pores. Buy facial lotion that contains witch hazel and use it after you've cleansed your face. The witch hazel lotion will lock in the moisture and will soothe irritated skin. Use the witch hazel lotion once a day.
- Apply a witch hazel cream to treat eczema flare ups. Buy a skin cream that contains 10 to 20% witch hazel and phosphatidylcholine. Rub this over itchy, irritated skin on your face 2 to 3 times a day. Studies have shown that the combination of witch hazel and phosphatidylcholine is as effective as 1% hydrocortisone.[12]
EditMaking Herb-Infused Witch Hazel - Buy high quality witch hazel. Go to a natural grocers, pharmacy, or grocery store and look for witch hazel that contains at least 86% witch hazel extract. It shouldn't have an alcohol content above 14% or it may irritate or dry your skin.
- Choose dried herbs to infuse the witch hazel. Use your favorite dried herb or combine several to infuse in the witch hazel. Select herbs that will work well together. Consider using:[13]
- Basil
- Calendula
- Chamomile
- Green sencha leaf tea
- Lavender flowers
- Lemon balm or peel
- Lemongrass
- Orange peel
- Peppermint
- Rose petals
- Rosemary
- Vanilla beans
- Place your herbs in a jar and pour the witch hazel over them. Decide how strong you want the infusion to be. For a mild infusion, place a few spoonfuls of dried herbs in the bottom of a mason jar. For a strong infusion, you could fill the jar almost to the top. Pour enough of the witch hazel over the herbs so they're covered by at least 2-inches (5-cm).[14]
- The herbs need a little room to expand and swell as they infuse in the witch hazel.
- Set the jar in a cool, dark place. Screw the lid onto the jar and put it somewhere cool and dry. Keep the jar away from light. Store the jar in a place where the temperature will not change dramatically.[15]
- Consider storing the jar in a cabinet or closet. Avoid storing it in a cabinet in the garage or attic, because the temperatures can shift too much.
- Shake the jar every day for 2 weeks. To ensure that the herbs swell and infuse the witch hazel, shake the jar at least once a day while the witch hazel infuses. Infuse the witch oil for at least 2 weeks before you use it.[16]
- If the herbs swell so much that they're not covered by the witch hazel, pour more witch hazel into the jar.
- Strain the witch hazel into a new jar. Set a clean mason jar in the sink and set a fine mesh strainer over it. Open the jar with the herb infused witch hazel and slowly pour it through the strainer into the new jar. Label the jar with the date you strained it and the herbs you used.[17]
- Use the herb infused witch hazel. Dip a cotton ball in the infused witch hazel and brush it over your face for a quick moisturizer. Or dab a little along your jawline as a simple aftershave. To use the infused witch hazel as a makeup remover, rub a little over your face. Rinse your face to completely remove the makeup and witch hazel.[18]
- Store the infused witch hazel at room temperature for up to 6 months.
EditThings You'll Need EditUsing Witch Hazel on Your Face - Facial cleanser
- Witch hazel or infused witch hazel
- Cotton rounds or balls
- Clean cloths
EditTreating Skin Issues with Witch Hazel - Witch hazel
- Aloe vera gel
- 1-ounce (30-ml) spray bottle
EditUsing Products with Witch Hazel - Bowl
- Spoon
- Honey or egg white
- Witch hazel lotion
- Medicated witch hazel lotion with phosphatidylcholine
EditMaking Herb-Infused Witch Hazel - Witch hazel
- Dried herbs
- 2 mason jars with lids
- Fine mesh strainer
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Test the Air Quality in Your Home Posted: 02 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT Air quality is an often overlooked aspect of home safety, but it is still very important. Harmful chemicals and toxic agents can spread throughout the air in your home and begin to impact your health over time. There are quite a few at-home kits and tests you can purchase at most home improvement stores. But it's always a good idea to hire a professional to help you check your home for good air quality. EditDoing Air Quality Tests Yourself - Purchase an air quality monitor. There are currently quite a few air quality monitors on the market that can effectively detect (and log over time) the quality of air inside your home. These devices typically check PM2.5 levels (tiny dust particles and other allergens in the air that you inhale), VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds – like chemical pollutants), temperature, and humidity (for mold).[1]
- Some of the most reliable air quality monitors on the market are the Foobot, Awair, Speck, and Air Mentor 6 in 1.
- These devices typically cost between $150-250 US.
- Check for signs and symptoms of mold. You can typically tell if there is a mold infestation in your home by using your eyes and your nose. If you smell a musty odor coming from certain parts of your home, and cleaning doesn't remove the smell, you might want to consider hiring a professional for a mold test.[2]
- You should also look around for visible signs of mold – like growing black spots, water spots, or particularly damp areas in your home.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can be a byproduct of many appliances found in your home (like stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, hot water heaters, and grills). It can be deadly if inhaled, so it's important to always have carbon monoxide detectors installed on every floor of your home to alert you if there are high levels of CO in your home. [3]
- Place the carbon monoxide detectors close to your bedrooms so that you'll be more likely to hear the alarm when you are sleeping.
- Make sure you change the detector batteries regularly. A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries once every 6 months or so, though the duration will vary depending on the model.
- Perform an at-home radon test. Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally as uranium breaks down. It can be found in the soil and in well water, and sometimes it can infiltrate people's homes. The only way to prevent radon contamination is to test for it. You can purchase at-home radon tests from most home improvement stores.[4]
- Most tests involve a charcoal reading that is done by leaving the sensor material in your home, then collecting it after a given amount of time and mailing the testing materials to a lab for analysis.
- Additionally, the National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers discounted test kits that you can purchase online at http://sosradon.org/test-kits.
- Use an air purifier. These machines can be very useful in improving the air quality in your home, especially for those who suffer from allergy problems. Electronic air purifiers/air cleaners are typically the most effective, as they can remove dust particles and other allergens from the air more efficiently than filtered purifiers.[5]
- Place the air purifier in your bedroom for best results. This will most likely give you a longer period of exposure to the benefits of the machine (while you're sleeping) than in any other location in your house.
- Change the air filters every few months. When in doubt, it's always a good idea to change your air filters. You should change the air filters once every 90 days for the average family home, but if you suspect the air quality in your house is poor, you can change them more frequently.[6]
- If you have a dog or cat in the house, change the air filters every 60 days.
- If you (or others in your home) have allergies, you should change the air filters every 20-45 days.
EditGetting Professional Help - Pay a professional to test the air quality in your home. If you suspect that the air quality in your home is poor, you should hire a professional who can test the air quality and give you an informed recommendation. Ask friends, realtors, or construction companies for referrals to a qualified specialist in your area. A professional will be able to test for degraded air due to:[7]
- Indoor mold
- Lead-based paint
- Dust particles and other allergens
- Smoke-related air pollution
- Air fresheners, candles, and incense
- Household cleaners
- Combustion particles or gases
- Hire a radon specialist to test for radon in your home. If you suspect that you have significant levels of radon in your home, you'll need to hire a professional to resolve the issue. You can contact your state or local health department for a list of recommended professionals who can help clear the radon out of your home.[8]
- Use a professional test if you need an official test result. If you are buying or selling a home, often testing the air for pollutants is a contingency of the loan you will be applying for. This is especially true in regions that have high levels of air pollution due to industry or even natural causes (like the common occurrence of forest fires). In these cases, at-home tests that you complete yourself will not be sufficient.[9]
- Hire a professional that has experience testing air quality in homes, preferably one that is recommended by your realtor, lender, or home inspector.
- If you don't have a recommendation for a professional, try to do some online research by reading online reviews from actual customers of various professionals in your areas.
- You can also check a prospective professional for certifications in the field – such as membership in the Indoor Air Quality Association or the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants.[10]
EditWatching for Signs of Poor Air Quality - Notice an increase in allergy symptoms. It's easy to attribute allergy sensitivities to the weather or season changes, but it can often be caused by irritants in the air in your home. If you notice a significant rise in your allergy symptoms, it might be time to test the air quality in your house. Some common allergy symptoms include:[11]
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Nasal decongestion
- Headaches
- Bloody noses
- Pay attention to any unusual or new health symptoms. You might think that getting sick is unrelated to the air quality in your home. Often, this is true, but certain contaminants (like asbestos, toxic mold, and other chemicals) can negatively impact your health. This is especially true if you seem to suffer from frequent bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis. Get your home's air quality tested if you notice any of the following symptoms:[12]
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Monitor any construction in your home and neighborhood. Home construction can really impact the quality of air in your home. Whenever there is a renovation or new construction project, the air can be exposed to dust particles, chemicals, and other harmful materials that can collect in your HVAC system and then begin to circulate throughout the entire house.[13]
- Even construction done by neighbors can negatively impact the air quality of your home, so be sure to keep an eye out for that too.
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