| How to Paint an Ombre Canvas Posted: 13 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT If DIY wall art seems intimidating, try out an ombre canvas painting instead! This project is quick and easy, and lets you tap into your creative side without too much pressure. Prepare your space and supplies, then apply paint to your canvas in even, straight strokes that gradually grows lighter or darker. You can either blend while you paint or afterward with a wet brush. Let your paint dry and then add some spray varnish to seal your masterpiece! EditGathering Supplies - Lay down a drop cloth or piece of cardboard to keep the area clean. This project can easily get messy, so make sure to protect the area around you. You can use a sheet of plastic, a canvas drop cloth, a piece of cardboard, or even an old sheet to catch any spills.[1] Some good areas to paint include outdoors, on cement or blacktop, or on a flat surface indoors, such as a table or hardwood floor.
- Choose a canvas size and some flat paint brushes. For your base, choose a stretched canvas in whatever size you would like. To achieve the smooth, blended look of an ombre painting, you'll also need some flat, wide-bristle brushes. Though you can adjust your brush sizes based on the size of your canvas, or brushes often work well with most sizes.
- For example, you could start by experimenting on small canvases, which include or .
- Medium-sized canvases are perfect for hanging and displaying. They can range from to .
- Large canvases make for eye-catching statement pieces. They often range in size from to .
- Squeeze out a large amount of each acrylic paint color onto your palette. Make sure to use acrylic paint that you can paint with straight out of the tube. Once you've chosen the 2 paint colors you'll be using, pour them next to each other onto your palette. Leave some space for mixing the 2 colors together.[2] Adjust the amounts of paint depending on the size of canvas you'll be using.
- For example, if you're painting an canvas, you'll likely need to squeeze out a circle of each paint color on your palette.[3]
- For a simple, authentic ombre effect, only use 2 colors. Adding in extra colors makes the mixing complicated, and the result won't have a true ombre effect.
- You can use a cheap plastic palette, paper plate, square of glass, or ceramic plate for a palette. Keep in mind that a disposable palette can make the clean-up process a lot easier!
- Mix a few drops of retarder into the paint to slow the drying process. A retarder is an agent that you can add to the paint to slow its drying time and make it easier to blend.[4] Acrylic paint dries very quickly, so a retarder can take some of the pressure off while you figure out the ombre process. Once your paint is on your palette, use clean brushes or popsicle sticks to mix in a few drops of retarder with each different paint color.[5]
- You can find retarder at art supply stores or online.
EditApplying Paint - Apply paint to the canvas in even, straight strokes. Flip the canvas on its side, landscape style, and paint in vertical strokes from one side to other. This technique will help keep your strokes regular and even, all going the same direction. Your finished piece will look much smoother and blend out more easily if your brushstrokes match.[6]
- If you want a wrap-around effect, make sure to paint all the way to the edges and over the sides as well.[7]
- Keep the paint thick and wet so it doesn't dry out before you can blend. Always load up your brush with plenty of paint before applying it to the canvas. This will give you enough paint on the canvas to blend together, and it will also slow down the drying process.
- The retarder will also help slow down the drying process and make the paint more blending. Keeping the paint thick will add to this effect, giving you lots of time to perfect your ombre effect!
- Start with white paint and mix in more color if you want a light gradient. Load your brush with white paint and use it to cover the bottom of the canvas. On your palette, dip your brush into the colored paint and mix it into the white paint. Apply this light shade as the next horizontal stripe to the canvas.[8]
- Keep repeating this step and incorporating more color into the paint until you reach the bottom of the canvas. Use pure color for the last stripe
- You could pick a color combination like cerulean blue and titanium white for an ocean or sky effect. You could also try a bright, lively combination of fuschia and white.
- Start with a lighter color and add black paint for a dark gradient. It's easier to transition a paint color from light to dark than it is to lighten a dark paint color. Apply of your pure light color to the end of the canvas.[9] In your palette, mix some black into the paint color until you have a slightly darker shade of the same color. Add another stripe directly beside the first, then repeat this process until you fill up the canvas.
- Paint the darkest shade or pure black at the end of the canvas to complete the gradient.
- You could use a blue-to-black gradient for a moody night-sky effect.
- You could also opt for a white-to-black color scheme for a neutral, minimalist piece.
- Pick 2 colors to transition from one color to another. Start with a stripe of the lightest color, then add in a bit of the darker color stripe by stripe. Continue darkening the paint stripes until you reach the last stripe, which should be a pure of stripe of the darker color.
- For example, you could create an ombre effect from pink to blue or from yellow to forest green.
- Practice blending the two paints before you begin your project. For example, red and green can create a muddy brown color, which may not be the look you're going for.
EditCreating an Ombre Effect - Work the stripes into each other as you paint for a smooth effect. If you want an ultra-smooth gradient, create the ombre effect as you paint. When you add a new stripe, drag your brush back and forth between the new stripe and the previous stripe until they blend together. This will create a seamless transition between each shade.[10]
- Add a bit of water to your brush for blending if the paint starts to dry out. If you paint your stripes quickly or add retarder, you can wait until you've filled up the canvas to blend. Dip the brush in water before running it over the stripes of paint. Brush up and down in the same direction as your painted brush strokes, blending each stripe into the next.[11]
- Be careful not to add too much water, since it alters the opacity of the paint.
- Leave the stripes unblended for a blocky, modern piece of wall art. If you like the look of each defined stripe, you can skip the blending step. For a more abstract-art effect, drag the brush down the canvas until the brush naturally runs out of paint and creates rough edge.[12]
- Let the paint dry overnight. Depending on how thick your paint is, your painting may feel dry to the touch within 20-30 minutes. However, there may still be moisture trapped beneath the outer dried layer, which will need more time to dry. Let the painting sit overnight to dry more fully.[13]
- Add 2-3 coats of varnish spray to give the paint a quick, polished finish. Once your paint is dry, spray on 2 or 3 coats of varnish finishing spray. Let the varnish coat dry overnight before hanging or displaying your new piece artwork.[14]
- You can find varnish spray at craft or art supply stores.
EditThings You'll Need - A stretched canvas
- Acrylic paint
- Wide bristle paint brush
- Jar of water
- Paint palette or a paper plate
- Drop cloth or piece of cardboard
- Varnish spray
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Recycle Perfume Bottles Posted: 13 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT Many perfume bottles have pretty designs, making them perfect for reuse. By disassembling and washing your perfume bottles, you can ready them for regular recycling or your favorite crafts. If you're not the crafty sort, there are even ways to pass them along to collectors and crafters online to give your perfume bottles new life. EditDisassembling and Washing Perfume Bottles - Take the exterior cap off the perfume bottle and pull off the nozzle. Use your fingers to pull straight up on the nozzle while holding the perfume bottle on a level surface. Set the nozzle aside when it pops off.[1]
- Discard the cap and nozzle if you don't want them for decorative purposes.
- This step applies for standard spritzer tops. Plug-style perfume tops do not have a nozzle, as you typically dab the perfume on yourself. You can skip right to cleaning the bottle.
- Cut off the plastic valve and loosen the metal around the perfume bottle's neck. Inspect the top of the perfume, and cut away any plastic encasing the metal that connects the top to the bottle with a knife or sharp scissors. Discard the plastic. Gently, use the edge of a knife to go around the base of the exposed metal connector.[2]
- Pry up the metal all the way around the top of the bottle until it begins to loosen.
- Take care not to apply too much pressure against the thin glass neck of the bottle, as this can cause it to chip.
- Use needle nose pliers to remove the metal around the neck. Hold your perfume bottle securely with one hand, while using the other to grip the loosened metal with a pair of pliers. Applying gentle pressure, pull the metal straight up until it comes off the perfume bottle.[3]
- Take care not to spill any remaining perfume in the bottle as you pull the metal connector off.
- Discard the metal connector in the trash.
- Discard or reserve any remaining perfume. Pour your perfume into another glass vessel if you intend to save it. Screw on the top securely. Pour any perfume you don't want to save down the sink and rinse the drain with hot water.[4]
- You can discard the remaining perfume in the trash if you like, but your garbage will have a strong scent until you take it out.
- Rinse the perfume bottle out with hot running water. Turn the sink on so the stream of water is gentle rather than fast. Fill the perfume bottle with hot running water, and then dump it. Repeat the process at least twice.[5]
- A strong stream of water may cause splashing and disperse residual scent throughout your bathroom.
- Wash the bottle out with warm white vinegar. Heat of white vinegar in a mug in the microwave at 20-second intervals until it is warm but not hot. Over the sink, pour the vinegar into your rinsed perfume bottle until it is ¾ of the way full. Plug the opening to the bottle with your finger, and shake the bottle for 30 seconds.[6]
- Let the vinegar-filled bottle sit in the sink for at least an hour to remove some of the scent.
- After an hour, pour the used vinegar down the drain and rinse the vinegar away with water to dissipate any residual smell.
- Wash the bottle in a hot water and dish detergent bath. Fill your sink with hot water deep enough to cover your perfume bottle. While it fills, add a few drops of dish detergent. Submerse the bottle in the soapy bath for 5 minutes.[7]
- Use a bottlebrush to clean the interior of the bottle with soap. Kitchen gloves can help if the water feels warm to the touch.
- Rinse the bottle with clean water.
- Dry the bottle outside in bright sunlight. Place the bottle outside or on a sunny ledge indoors to dry. If the bottle isn't dry in 24 hours, you can speed the process using a canister of compressed air to spray the interior dry.[8]
- Follow the manufacturer's directions on the compressed air canister, including any potential safety precautions.
EditRecycling Perfume Bottles - Find out what types of glass your local recycling accepts. Call your local recycling municipality to ask if they accept perfume bottles for recycling. They can advise if they accept all sorts of glass or only certain kinds.[9]
- Note that some local recycling plants do not accept crystal bottles.
- Check the bottom of your perfume bottle for a recyclable glass symbol. Look on the bottom of your perfume bottle for a number inside a triangular arrow symbol. 70 is for mixed glass. 71 is for clear glass. 72 is for green glass, and 79 is for gold-backed glass.[10]
- Determining if your perfume bottle is recyclable can help you match up your glass to those accepted by your municipality.
- Contact the perfume manufacturer to determine the bottle's material. Look up the customer service line of your perfume's manufacturer online. Call the phone number and ask a representative if they can give you insight into your bottle's type of glass, if there's no recycling symbol.[11]
- While rare, the manufacturer may also accept their own bottles back for recycling. It doesn't hurt to ask.
- Put your perfume bottle in your recycling bin with your other glass. Follow your municipality's rules regarding sorting glass from other recyclables. Set your recycling bin out on the curb on recycling day for collection.[12]
- If your local recycling plant doesn't accept glass perfume bottles, try selling or donating your perfume bottles instead.
EditSelling and Donating Perfume Bottles - Pass your bottles on to someone else through a free online marketplace. Create a posting for your perfume bottle on Freecycle or Craigslist. You can give your empty or partially-full perfume bottle away for free to someone locally.[13]
- Avoid posting your contact information, such as your phone number or email address on these forums. Both platforms have built-in ways for interested parties to message you without seeing your personal information.
- Avoid meeting potential recyclers in a secluded place or inviting them into your home. Many local police stations are happy to serve as meeting places for online purchases or exchanges.
- List on online auction sites if you have rare perfume bottles. Connect with potential collectors on online auction platforms, such as Ebay. Create a posting with a photo of your item and describe its condition. Ornate and rare perfume bottles can sell for up to $100 USD.[14]
- You can make your starting auction price as low as you like to entice potential buyers.
- Browsing the catalog at the International Perfume Bottle Association can give you an idea of whether or not your perfume bottle is valuable.[15]
- Sell to collectors or crafters on Etsy if you have lots of bottles. Create a listing on an online handmade and vintage marketplace, such as Etsy. Buyers comb these sites to repurpose interesting perfume bottles and materials for crafts. Other buyers collect interesting bottles as home décor.[16]
- Typically to sell on Etsy, you need to create a virtual shop where potential buyers can browse your wares. This marketplace may make the most sense if you have multiple perfume bottles you want to sell.
- Donate full or partially-full perfume bottles to the Salvation Army. Drop off your perfume at a local collection center so someone else can enjoy a nice fragrance at a discount. Note that many resale shops, such as Goodwill, do not accept perfumes or fragrance bottles. The Salvation Army does.[17]
EditRepurposing Your Perfume Bottles - Use the empty bottle as a bud vase. Fill your cleaned perfume bottle with lukewarm tap water. Put a few slim buds, such as baby breath sprigs, into the bottle as a pretty decorative accent.[18]
- Place your perfume-bottle vase on a windowsill, your vanity, or the kitchen table to add some cheer to your home.
- Use the bottle to as a homemade perfume container. Create your own custom scent by blending essential oils that appeal to you most. Dilute your oil mix with vodka or another neutral alcohol, and dab it on pulse points behind your ears or on your wrists for a subtle scent.[19]
- A little essential oil goes a long way. Typically for perfume you dilute 10-12 drops of essential oil in half as many drops of water and add of alcohol.[20]
- Shake the homemade perfume before applying it to mix the oil and to dilute the solution. You can cap your bottle with a small cork from a craft shop.
- Display the bottles as centerpieces for a wedding or party. Use pretty empty perfume bottles as table décor for a wedding or baby shower. You can mix the old bottles among vases of different sizes filled with flowers for a refined, eclectic look.[21]
- Bottles for timeless scents, such as Chanel No. 5, can provide a touch of classic elegance to your event.
- Use a partially-full bottle as a glass sachet for your clothes. Place almost-empty perfume bottles in your lingerie drawer to give your clothes a subtle scent. The residual perfume in the bottle is just enough to add a delicate fragrance to your closet.[22]
- For this use, it's best to keep the nozzle on your perfume rather than removing it. Simply pop off the cap of the perfume and place the near-empty bottle of fragrance in your drawer.
- Turn your bottle into a suncatcher or ornament. Tie a decorative string around the neck of your perfume bottle in a loop to turn your vessel into a hanging ornament. You can hang it on the Christmas tree or on a hook in your window as a pretty suncatcher.[23]
- Bottles with ridges or exterior patterns in the glass refract lots of light and make great suncatchers.
- Create an elegant candleholder. Place a slim birthday candle in the open top of your perfume bottle for a small, elegant light. You can use these candles as an alternative to tea lights in a meditation room or on your dining room table for some mealtime ambiance.[24]
- Use a candle that fits securely in the open hole of your perfume bottle for the best fit. When the candle is lit, it will drip wax down the bottle.
- Replace your candle with a new one when it has burned out completely. The layers of wax on the bottle can add a romantic flair to your candleholders.
- Use your bottle as a room diffuser. Fill your perfume bottle halfway with aromatic essential oils or room spray. Place a few wooden skewers into the perfume sharp end down. The oils will creep up the skewers and slowly diffuse a pleasing scent into your room.[25]
- A powder room is a great spot for an elegant room diffuser.
- Create your own custom blend of essential oils that suits your taste. You can buy essential oils online or at your local health food store.
EditThings You'll Need EditDisassembling and Washing Your Perfume Bottle - Sharp scissors or a kitchen knife
- Needle nose pliers
- White vinegar
- Dish detergent
- A compressed air canister
EditRepurposing Your Perfume Bottle - Flowers
- Decorative string
- Essential oils
- Vodka
- Candles
- Wooden skewers
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Care for Laminate Floors Posted: 13 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT Laminate flooring is beautiful and easy to take care of. Caring for your floors may seem daunting at first, but once you figure out the right techniques and materials, it's simple! Protect your floors by cleaning them routinely, removing stains immediately, and using furniture pads to keep your laminate floors in pristine condition. EditDoing Routine Cleaning - Clean your floors with a dry microfiber mop to remove debris. A microfiber mop is ideal for cleaning laminate floors because it easily picks up dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. Whenever you notice that your floor looks dirty or dusty, run a dry microfiber mop over it to clear away the debris.[1]
- If you don't have a microfiber mop, you can also use terry cloth or cotton.
- Vacuum with a soft flooring attachment as an alternative to dry mopping. Regular vacuuming is important in order to remove dirt, dust, and debris from the floor. When vacuuming, use a soft flooring attachment in order to be as gentle on the floor as possible. Be sure to use a hardwood setting on your vacuum as well.[2]
- Use baby shampoo and water to wash laminate floors. Many commercial cleaners can leave laminate floors looking dull and streaky. Baby shampoo, however, is gentle and safe to use. Mix of baby shampoo with of water. Dip a microfiber mop in the solution, wring out the excess water, then use it to scrub the floors. When you're done, go over your floor with a dry cloth.[3]
- Excessive moisture can warp the laminate, so don't skip the drying step!
- Mop your floors with vinegar and hot water once a month to add shine. Use of vinegar per of water. Dip your microfiber mop in the vinegar and water mixture, then move it back and forth across your floors.[4]
- Only use this method once a month or less to prevent damage to the protective seal on the laminate.
EditRemoving Stains and Scuff Marks - Remove stubborn stains with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. It is important to clean up stains as soon as possible so they don't set in. Stubborn stains, such as paint, oil, tar, and marker, can be removed with an acetone-based nail polish remover. You can also use rubbing alcohol to remove these types of stains.[5]
- Just pour a small amount of nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and use it to scrub the stain. Repeat if necessary.
- Use ice and a plastic scraper to remove substances stuck to the floor. You can harden substances such as wax or gum by applying ice to them. Then, use a credit card or plastic scraper to gently remove the substance. Avoid using a metal tool to scrape the floor, as it could scratch or damage it.[6]
- Get rid of rust stains with lemon and salt. Metal items can leave rust stains on your laminate floors. To remove them, sprinkle table salt (not coarse salt) over the area. Cut a lemon in half and rub 1 half over the salt. If the stain is especially stubborn, you can saturate the area in salt and lemon juice and let it sit overnight. Then, rub a new lemon half over the stain in the morning.[7]
- Use a damp cloth or paper towel to pick up the salt and remove any remaining lemon juice.
- Remove scuff marks with WD-40. If there are scuff marks from shoes covering your laminate floor, don't fret! It's super easy to remove them. Just spray a small amount of WD-40 onto the scuff mark, then wipe it away with a cloth or paper towel.[8]
- Clean the area with baby shampoo or a mixture of vinegar and water after removing the scuff mark so the spot isn't slippery from the WD-40.
EditProtecting Laminate Floors - Put mats outside your exterior entrances. Placing a floor mat outside the entrances will prevent dirt, snow, grit, and other debris from being tracked over your floors. It's also a good idea to place mats in heavily trafficked areas of your home to prevent wear and tear.[9]
- For example, you may want to place a mat in front your sink or stove.
- Use protective pads under heavy furniture. If heavy chairs or tables get moved around, your laminate floors can get scratched up. Put protective pads under heavy furniture and under furniture that is moved often—like dining room chairs.[10]
- Put up window coverings to protect your floors from direct sunlight. Excessive heat and sunlight can cause your floors to fade. Use window coverings, like blinds or curtains, to prevent direct sunlight from hitting your floors on a daily basis.[11]
- Rearrange your rugs and furniture to prevent discoloration. Keeping your rugs and furniture in the same location for several years at a time can cause your laminate floors to age unevenly, resulting in patchy spots. Try to rearrange your rugs and furniture once a year to prevent discoloration.[12]
- There are tools available to replace damaged planks within minutes at most home improvement stores.[13]
- Check the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning your floors. Using the wrong products could void your warranty.[14]
- Do not sand, refinish, or lacquer laminate floors.[15]
EditThings You'll Need EditDoing Routine Cleaning - Microfiber mop
- Baby shampoo
- Vacuum with a soft flooring attachment
- Vinegar
- Water
EditRemoving Stains and Scuff Marks - Acetone-based nail polish remover
- Rubbing alcohol
- Ice
- Plastic scraper
- Table salt
- Lemons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- WD-40
- Cloths or paper towels
EditProtecting Laminate Floors - Floor mats
- Protective pads
- Window coverings
EditSources and Citations
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