| How to Dispose of Cooking Oil Posted: 17 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT Some of the best foods are made with cooking oil, but cooking oil can be a mess to clean up. Once the oil has cooled, decide if you want to throw it away, reuse it, or donate it. Store the cooking oil in a sealable container before you toss it in the trash, set it out for curbside pick up, or drop it at a local restaurant for recycling. For proper disposal, remember to keep the oil out of your sink. EditPutting Oil in the Trash - Cool the cooking oil before you handle it. To reduce the risk of accidentally burning yourself, let the cooking oil cool completely before you dispose of it. Never lift heavy pots full of hot oil or pour the hot oil into the trash. Depending on how much hot oil you have, you may need to wait a few hours for it to cool.[1]
- If you have to, you can leave the oil out overnight so it comes to room temperature.
- If you only have a small amount of cooking oil left in your pan, let it cool and then wipe it up with a paper towel.
- Choose a non-breakable container with a resealable lid. If you want to reuse the oil, ensure that the container is clean. While you can use a glass container, it could shatter if you drop it. Plastic containers with screw tops such as peanut butter jars are great cooking oil containers. Remember to label the container to prevent someone from accidentally using the oil.[2]
- If you are not planning on donating your oil or reusing it, you can also cut the top off of a soda can and pour the oil into that.
- Toss the container of used oil in the trash. Seal the container with the used oil and place it in your trash can. Avoid simply pouring the oil into the trash can because this can make a mess and attract rodents.[3]
- Freeze and scoop the oil into the trash. If you don't have a resealable container, you can set the container with the oil in the freezer. For example, put an old can full of oil in the freezer for a few hours. Once the oil is hard, use a spoon to scoop the oil directly into the trash can.[4]
- You can also do this with a mug. Just wash the mug out with soapy water once you've disposed of the cooking oil.
- Pour the cooled oil into a plastic trash bag. Take a plastic bag that already has some waste. For example, you can use a bag that has old paper towels, veggie scraps, or tissues. Pour the cool oil directly into the bag so the trash and scraps soak up some of the grease. Tie the bag and place it in your trash can.[5]
- Do not pour the oil down your sink. Never pour any cooking grease down your kitchen sink because it will eventually block the pipes. Diluting the grease with soap or water will not prevent the oil from coating the pipes.[6]
- Seriously clogged pipes can cause flooding and sewage backups, so it's important to never dispose of the oil in the sink.
- Keep cooking oil out of your compost. Don't put cooking oil that was used to fry animal products into your curbside or backyard compost. If you put cooking oil in the compost, it can attract rodents, reduce air flow in the pile, and slow down the composting.[7]
EditReusing the Oil - Store the oil at room temperature in an airtight container. If you'd like to accumulate a full container of oil before you reuse it, pour the oil into an airtight container. You can store the oil in your pantry at room temperature until you're ready to use it again.
- Filter the oil through a coffee filter before using it again. Place a coffee filter over the top of the container holding the oil. Secure the filter with a rubber band and slowly pour the oil through the filter. This will trap any solids so you're left with clearer oil.[8]
- Food particles in the oil can make it rancid or encourage mold to grow.
- Reuse the oil to fry more food. You can fry another batch of food as long as you fry a similar food since the cooking oil has already taken on the flavor of the food you fried in it. For example, if you fried chicken in the oil, avoid frying cider donuts in it. If you fried foods that were coated or breaded, you may have a harder time removing the fried bits and flavor from the oil.[9]
- Frying vegetables usually helps the oil keep a neutral flavor, so it's easiest to reuse this cooking oil.
- Avoid using the oil more than 2 times. If you've filtered the oil and stored it properly, you can reuse cooking oil a few times. Check the oil before you use it and discard any oil that's cloudy, foamy, or smells bad. Never mix different types of cooking oil and dispose of the oil after 1 or 2 uses.[10]
- Reusing the oil more than 2 times can reduce the oil's smoke point, so it burns easier. It can also cause the fat to release damaging free-radicals and trans-unsaturated fatty acids.
EditRecycling the Oil - Contact your city about a recycling program. Call or check your local government's website about setting out used cooking oil for pick up. Some trash companies may even offer bins that you can set out for their collection. Your local fire department might also accept used cooking oil.[11]
- Your city may offer a grease pick up once or twice a year such as after Thanksgiving. Check with your city to learn about pick-up dates for the year.
- Store the cooking oil in a container until you're ready to recycle it. Pour the cooled cooking oil into a storage container with a sealable lid. Choose a sturdy container such as a plastic jar which won't shatter if it's dropped. Keep the oil at room temperature until you're ready to drop it off at a recycling center or place it at the curb for pick up.[12]
- Donate the cooking oil. Check with local restaurants or recycling programs in your area to see if you can give them your used cooking oil. Companies can produce biodiesel to power their cars or businesses. In order to find an oil drop off location, run an internet search with the line "cooking oil donation [Name of Your City]."[13]
- In some cases, your cooking oil donation can be tax deductible.
- Recycle any type of cooking oil. Most recycling centers can use any type of cooking oil to make biodiesel. Check with the center before dropping off your donation and avoid mixing your cooking oil with any other liquids.[14]
- Some recycling centers have bins that you can directly pour the oil into.
- If you'd like to mix used cooking oil into your pet's food, always consult the vet before adding the oil to their diet.
EditThings You'll Need - Storage container
- Coffee filter
- Rubber band
- Spoon
- Trash can
- Trash bags
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| How to Get a Toddler to Stop Drawing on Walls Posted: 17 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT Toddlers are naturally curious and are still learning boundaries. If you've caught your toddler doodling on the walls, remember not to react in anger. Instead, use simple language to stop them and redirect them to an acceptable drawing space. Remind your toddler that you enjoy their scribbles so long as they're not on the walls. EditResponding to Wall Scribbles - Use clear language to stop the toddler from drawing on the wall. As soon as you see the child writing or drawing on the wall, calmly tell them to stop. Instead of lecturing the toddler about why we don't write on walls, use short sentences to get them to stop.[1]
- For example, say, "Put the crayon down, please! Walls are not for drawing."
- Ask the toddler to help you clean the wall. Let the toddler know that they're not in trouble for scribbling, but that the wall is not the place to do it and now the wall needs to be cleaned off. Don't use cleaning as a punishment or they may associating drawing with punishment.[2]
- For example, say, "This wall has crayon on it now. Please help me clean it off. Then, we can draw on paper at the table."
- Thank your toddler when they help you clean up their scribbles. This will help reinforce the idea that you prefer clean walls, and it will make their actions seem valued.
- Redirect the toddler to an appropriate drawing space. It's important to let your toddler know that drawing and scribbling are great as long as they're in the right place. Once you've told the toddler to stop scribbling on the walls, show them where they're allowed to write.[3]
- You might say, "Let's go over to the easel and I can watch you draw a picture."
- Avoid reacting in anger to your toddler's scribbles. Never hit or yell at a toddler when you see that they've written on the walls. Reacting in anger can damage your relationship and make it more likely that the toddler will keep drawing on the walls to get a reaction.[4]
- It's fine to let your toddler know that you're sad that they wrote on the walls. Your sadness may signal to the child that they need to be more thoughtful.
EditEncouraging Appropriate Drawing - Keep messy art supplies out of reach when they're not in use. While you're training your toddler to not write on the walls, ensure that they don't have access to the art supplies without supervision. Put them on a high shelf, in a cabinet with a lock, or in the closet of a closed-off room.[5]
- Purchase washable art supplies such as non-toxic washable crayons, markers, and paints. Washable supplies will be easier to wash off of the walls if your toddler makes a mistake.
- Avoid letting your child write or draw with permanent pens and markers.
- Stay with your toddler while they're scribbling. It may take some time for your toddler to learn that the walls aren't for drawing. In the meantime, always supervise them while they're drawing, painting, or coloring. Gently correct them if they move away from their drawing space.[6]
- For example, if the toddler gets up and goes over to the wall while they have a marker in their hand, say, "You need to come over to your paper. Markers aren't for walls." Then, offer them thanks or praise when they start using their paper.
- Set up an easel or large pad of paper on a board. Some toddlers prefer to write on the walls because it's easier for them to stand and scribble instead of sitting. To make it easier for them to draw, put up an easel or prop a sturdy board up against the wall. Attach a large pad of paper to the easel or board.[7]
- If you're using the board, ensure that it won't fall or slide out from under your toddler.
- Offer whiteboards with erasable markers. If your toddler loves to take markers to the walls, give them a large whiteboard to scribble on. Set out non-toxic dry erase markers and show them how they can erase their drawings once they're done with them.[8]
- Remember to keep the markers out of reach when your child has finished drawing on the whiteboard.
- Show your child other acceptable places to write. Your child might write on the walls because they seem like a fun or unusual place to create. Take your curious doodler outside and let them use chalk or sidewalk paint on the sidewalk or patio. If it's winter time, give them colored water to paint the snow with. During playtime, give them papers in a variety of colors and textures to experiment with.[9]
- For a fun indoor space, buy bath crayons or paints and let your toddler write on the tub during bath time.
- Praise your toddler when they use a designated drawing space. Kids respond well to positive feedback, so it's important to reward good behavior every time you see it. Your toddler will be pleased that you appreciate and are interested in their drawing.[10]
- For example, watch your toddler color for a minute or two on an easel or writing pad. Then say, "I love watching you write on your nice paper!"
- Be consistent and patient with your toddler. It may be hard for them to understand the difference between drawing on one surface versus another.
- Consider keeping toddler art work for their baby book or use it as wrapping paper for grandparent gifts.
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| How to Get Rid of Bruises Posted: 17 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT Bruises, also known as contusions, are caused by broken blood vessels under the surface of your skin. Typically, bruises are caused by falling, bumping into things, or getting hit with an object like a ball. While bruises fade over time, there are a few things you can do to speed up the healing process. EditTreating Bruises - Ice the bruise. Putting an ice pack on the bruise will reduce swelling and help it heal more quickly. Wrap an ice pack, resealable plastic bag filled with ice chips, or a bag of frozen veggies in a towel and apply it to the bruise for 10-20 minutes at a time. Repeat multiple times over the first 2 days.[1]
- Flexible gel-filled ice packs, specifically designed for injuries, are available from sports shops. Athletes usually keep a few on-hand to fight bruises.
- Elevate the area. Reduce blood flow to the bruised area with a little help from gravity in order to prevent blood from pooling and reduce discoloration. Aim to elevate the bruised part of your body a few inches above your heart.[2]
- For instance, if the bruise is on your leg, settle onto the couch and rest your leg on top of a few pillows.
- If your arm is bruised, try to prop it up on an armrest or a few pillows, so that it's at heart-level or above.
- If your torso is bruised, you might be out of luck. Focus on icing the area instead.
- Wrap the bruise with a compression bandage. Compression bandages decrease the blood flow to the wrapped area, which can prevent blood from pooling at the site of the bruise. They also help reduce swelling and pain. Don't wrap the bruise too tightly, though; simply wind an elastic bandage around the area.[3]
- Only wrap the area for the first 1-2 days.
- Rest if possible. Working your muscles increases blood flow to that area, which won't help a bruise heal. Call it a day and cool your jets, both to prevent further injury and give your bruise a chance to heal.[4]
- Hang out on the couch. Watch a movie, play a game, read a book, or just do something that doesn't require much physical activity.
- Head to bed early. Your body needs sleep to repair itself, so hit the hay as soon as you feel tired.
- Take acetaminophen if necessary. If the bruise is particularly painful, take an over-the-counter painkiller for relief. Follow the dosage instructions and never take more than the recommended amount.[5]
- Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen, which act as blood-thinners and could make your bruise worse.[6]
- Apply moist heat after 24 hours. After the first 24 hours or so, applying moist heat can help get rid of a bruise. Use a reusable heat pack or a warm washcloth rather than something like an electric blanket as wet heat is better for injuries than dry heat.[7]
- Apply the heat pack for a couple of minutes at a time, on and off for 1-2 days.
- Stay away from certain foods that can prolong bruising. Some foods and supplements, including St. John's Wort, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, ginkgo, ginseng, alcohol, and garlic can all prolong bruising. Stay away from these foods while you heal.[8]
EditTrying Home Remedies - Massage the area around the bruise. Don't massage directly around the bruise. Massage around the outside of the visible bruise, as they tend to be bigger than they look. Directly massaging a bruise can irritate it and make it worse.[9]
- Do this several times a day beginning the day after the bruising occurs. This will help your body's normal lymphatic process to clear it away.
- Keep in mind that the pressure shouldn't be painful. If the bruise is too painful to touch, hold off.
- Spend 10-15 minutes in the sun each day. Ultraviolet light breaks down bilirubin, which is the product of hemoglobin breakdown that causes the yellowish color of a bruise. If possible, expose the bruise to sunlight to accelerate the isomerization of the remaining bilirubin.[10]
- Around 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight a day should be enough to help break up your bruise without leading to a sunburn. Apply sunscreen to the rest of your exposed skin when outdoors.
- Get more vitamin C. Vitamin C increases the amount of collagen around blood vessels, which can help get rid of bruising. Eat foods like oranges and dark, leafy greens to ensure you're getting vitamin C in your diet.[11]
- Use arnica ointment or gel daily. Arnica is an herb that has long been recommended for bruises. It contains a compound that reduces inflammation and swelling. Pick up an ointment that contains arnica from a drugstore, and rub it over the bruise once or twice a day.[12]
- Do not apply arnica to a cut or an open wound.
- Eat pineapple or papaya. Bromelain, a digestive enzyme found in pineapple and papaya, breaks down proteins that trap fluids in the tissues after an injury. Eat pineapple or papaya once a day to help speed up the healing process.[13]
- Spread vitamin K cream over the area. Vitamin K can help stop the bleeding as it causes your blood to clot. Visit a drugstore and pick up a vitamin K cream. Apply it as directed on the package to help get rid of the bruise.[14]
EditSeeking Medical Treatment - Call emergency services if you feel extreme pressure around the bruise. If you feel pressure, severe pain, tenderness, muscle tightness, tingling, burning, weakness, or numbness in the area around the bruise, you may have compartment syndrome. Call emergency services so you can get to a hospital immediately.[15]
- Compartment syndrome occurs when there is swelling and/or bleeding in a muscle compartment. The pressure in the muscle compartment decreases the amount of blood flow to the area, which can cause nerve and muscle damage.
- Seek medical attention if you have a lump over the bruise. If a lump forms on top of the bruise, it could be a hematoma. Visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible, as the blood may need to be drained from the area.[16]
- A hematoma forms when blood pools under the surface of the skin, causing swelling.[17]
- Visit a healthcare provider if you think you have a fever or infection. If the skin is broken and the area around the bruise is red, hot, or oozing pus, it may indicate an infection. Similarly, if you have a fever, this could also be due to an infection. If you notice these symptoms, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.[18]
- Consult a doctor before starting any new medications or stopping any current ones.
- Make sure you're not allergic to anything before trying any of the methods listed.
- When bruises appear suddenly without cause, you should seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.
- Home remedies to treat bruising aren't medically tested and, like any home remedy, carry unknown risks.[19]
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