| How to Remove Odors from Your Car Posted: 15 Dec 2018 04:00 PM PST Nobody likes a smelly car. It's unpleasant to sit in your car and smell a bad aroma, and you may feel embarrassed if you're giving friends a ride. Fortunately, in most cases, it's relatively simple to remove a bad smell from your car. Start with taking out trash from the car, then vacuuming the interior and wiping away any stains. If the smells linger, you may need to shampoo the interior surfaces or reach out to professional car cleaners. EditCleaning Your Car to Eliminate Smells - Clean trash and other garbage out of your car. Start with the basics by clearing everything out of the car and removing all trash. There may be an old piece of food or other garbage stinking up your car.[1] Check under the seats and remove all rotting food, trash, and junk items. Check back pockets and remove all trash items.
- Be careful if you have children as there may be sticky candies, or unidentified blobs of food stuck within the pocket. Don't forget to clean the back or trunk of the car as well.
- Wipe the interior surfaces to remove stains that may produce odors. Use a soft cleaning cloth and an all-purpose cleaning spray to wipe down every plastic, wood, glass, and metallic surface inside the car.[2] Look for any spills or stains that could be causing the odor. For example, a child may have spilled pudding on the seat.
- For leather seats, use an appropriate leather cleaner. Alternatively, you can ask for a suitable interior car cleaner at your automotive store.
- If your upholstery is not leather, remove stains by vacuuming or shampooing the surfaces.
- Remove and clean the floor mats or rugs. In most cars, the floor mats (where the driver's and passengers' feet rest) can be removed. Pull these out, and use a few rags and hot, soapy water to clean them. Stains may have accumulated over time, which may be producing the foul smell in your car.[3]
- Use clean water when you're cleaning off the floor mats. Wipe off all excess water from the mats so no water pools up in the car once you put the mats back in.
- Vacuum the car to clear out any grime worked into the carpet. Vacuum the carpet and the seats to remove excess dirt. Besides dirt, food crumbs or leftover bits of trash may have been worked into the carpet. Vacuuming these out should improve the smell of your car. Run the vacuum nozzle over all seat and floor surfaces.[4]
- If you're sure that the car's carpet is the problem, you could sprinkle carpet deodorizer over the carpet. Leave it to sit for the time recommended on the package instructions (usually about 5-10 minutes) before vacuuming it up.
- Shampoo the inside of the car if vacuuming didn't remove the smell. If vacuuming failed to remove the smell, you'll need to take a more aggressive approach towards cleaning the carpet. Purchase a car shampoo from your local car store and use a clean sponge for scrubbing. Mix the car shampoo with water as the package directions suggest. Scrub the shampoo deep into the car upholstery and carpet to release the dirt trapped inside the fabric folds.[5]
- Work the shampoo deep into any existing carpet or seat stains. Stains may be a source of odor, so removing them is crucial.
- Once you've finished scrubbing the car's interior, you'll need to rinse out the shampoo and let the interior carpets and seats dry.
- When purchasing a car shampoo, select one that is designed to treat the type of materials used in your car.
- Sprinkle baking soda over odorous stains to remove the smell. Baking soda absorbs unpleasant odors. Buy a box at your local grocery store, and use your fingers to sprinkle a pinch of the powder over a smelly stain in your car. Let it sit for 4-5 hours and use a regular household vacuum cleaner to vacuum up the baking soda.[6]
- Only sprinkle baking soda onto dry surfaces. If you sprinkle it onto a wet stain, the powder will form a tough-to-remove paste.
EditRemoving Smells with Specific Causes - Wipe interior surfaces with water and vinegar to remove cigarette smell. Mix a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water in a large bowl. Wet a clean rag in the mixture, and use the rag to wipe residue from smoke and tar off of the car's interior surfaces.[7] Since smoke tends to work its way into every surface of a vehicle, you may also need to spray a deodorizing spray into the car's vents and air intake.
- If you or somebody else regularly smokes in the car, though, the odor will always be present, so the best thing to do is to stop smoking in the car.
- Remove mildew or mold by vacuuming out any moisture. Use a wet-dry vac to vacuum out any moisture from your car's upholstery or carpets. Once you're done, leave the windows open for 8-10 hours to allow the car's interior to fully dry out. If you cleaned removable rugs or mats, let them dry in the sun to kill mold and mildew. Once the interior is dry, the mildew smell should be gone.[8]
- Prevent future mildew in your vehicle by checking for any leaks in your car. You can check for leaks by parking your car over a sheet of clean cardboard overnight. If you find that your car has leaks, take it to a mechanic for repair.
- If leaks aren't an issue, the mildew or mold may have occurred because of a spilled drink or wet gear being placed in the car and left there. Remove any contaminants such as rotting food and clean the area of the car with an all-purpose cleaner or shampoo.
- Clean out vomit by scrubbing stains with a water and vinegar solution. Vomit is an odor source that should be cleaned up immediately, because the stomach acids in vomit cling to the fiber and can damage it. Mix vinegar and water at a 1:1 ratio in a large bucket. Then, dip a rag into the mixture and scrub at the vomit stain. Keep working over the stain until you've removed it from the surface it's on.[9]
- Once you've scrubbed all of the residual vomit out of the carpet, use a wet-dry vac to pull all of the remaining water and vinegar out of the carpet.
- Remove urine stains by scrubbing with a stain remover. Urine has a strong odor and should be removed from the car as soon as possible. Visit an auto shop and buy a stain remover that is suitable for car upholstery or carpet. Blot the stain remover onto the car upholstery or carpet rather than rubbing it in. Let the stain remover sit for the time suggested by the packaging.
- Allow the wet patch to air-dry. If you use a hot dryer source (like a hair dryer), the urine may adhere to the carpet and start to smell very bad.
- If this doesn't work, you could try using a pet urine odor removing spray. You can purchase this product at most pet stores.
- Seek professional help if the odor continues to linger. There are professionals who focus specifically on removing odors, either through professional detailing outlets, or through specialist cleaning. These agencies will have plenty of experience removing stubborn odors and deeply-ingrained stains from cars.[10]
- Search online for a specialist car cleaner near you, or call a local car dealership for their recommendation.
- While you can hang a scented air freshener over your rearview mirror, these only mask bad smells rather than actually removing them. However, if you'd like to try an air freshener, you can purchase them at most gas stations and grocery stores.[11]
- You can rent or purchase a wet-dry vacuum at most local hardware stores or home-improvement stores.
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| How to Choose a Dress for New Year's Eve Posted: 15 Dec 2018 08:00 AM PST Whether you're planning on going out on the town, attending a ball, or throwing a party at your house, you want the dress you wear on New Year's Eve to be the perfect choice. It's the start of a new year, and that deserves a new dress, but picking a dress can be a stressful process. By looking at specifics such as dress style, color, and fabric, you'll be choosing your New Year's Eve dress in no time at all. EditChoosing a Dress Style and Length - Pick a cocktail dress if you'll be attending a semi-formal party or event. Cocktail dresses are a great option for many New Year's Eve events - they're short yet elegant. There are tons of different cocktail dress styles - from long sleeve to strapless, off-the-shoulder to cap-sleeved - to fit any type of party.[1]
- Strapless and off-the-shoulder dresses are perfect for people with a pear-shaped body, while cocktail dresses with ruffles or pleating look best on ruler-shaped forms.[2]
- Choose a long gown if you'll be attending a ball or black tie event. If you're going to be attending a very formal event, a floor-length gown is the perfect choice. Just be sure to try it on plenty of time beforehand so that you can fix the length and buy proper shoes if needed.[3]
- Decide on a mini dress if you'll be going to parties, clubs, or bars. A mini dress is easy to dress up or dress down, depending on the exact event you're going to, and they come in almost every color or style.[4]
- Mini dresses (such as body cons) are usually fitted, so if you have an hourglass figure, this is your best option.
- If you're going to be doing a lot of dancing or moving around, make sure the dress isn't too short or uncomfortable.
EditDeciding on the Dress Color and Fabric - Wear silver or gold for a bold, classic look. Silver and gold are popular New Year's Eve colors, and they're a great way to make you stand out. If you're going to a party or want to make an impression, choose a silver, gold, or other metallic dress color.[5]
- If you really want to stand out, choose a dress with sparkle, such as beads, glitter, or sequins.
- Wear a darker-tinted color for a holiday look. Wearing darker colors, such as maroon, purple, dark green, or navy blue, is a popular New Year's Eve choice when it comes to picking a dress. It allows you to be festive while also showing off your sophisticated evening attire, and you can choose whichever color looks best on you.
- Choose a little black dress perfect for any event. You can never go wrong with a little black dress. They come in a variety of styles, are easy to dress up or down, and can be found in almost any store. If you're unsure about the color or type of dress that would be appropriate for the event you're attending, pick out a black dress you feel confident in.[6]
- Choose a dress made of velvet for a stylish and warm look. Velvet is a very popular holiday fabric, especially during the winter. Its texture and thickness make it comfortable to wear while also keeping you warm, and it always looks festive.[7]
- Other warm fabrics you might consider are knits, leather, or wool.
- Wear satin or silk for a dressier look. While they're not the warmest fabrics, satin, silk, or any other shiny fabric is sure to create a more formal-looking dress that's party-ready.[8]
- If you want to wear satin or silk but don't want to look too formal, dress it down by adding a simple jacket.
- Choose a lace dress for a sophisticated look. Lace is another fabric that can be dressed up or down, and it's very popular in the winter. Since it's an intricate and detailed fabric, you don't need to add many accessories - choose some great shoes and let the lace be the center of attention.[9]
EditAccessorizing the Dress - Choose shoes that match the color and length of your dress. Shoes are an important piece of any outfit, so make sure you spend some time deciding which ones will look (and feel!) the best.[10]
- If you're wearing a long dress, make sure to try your dress on with your shoes to ensure that the shoe height is correct - you don't want your dress to be dragging on the ground all night.
- Whether you're wearing high heels or flats, it's typically good to choose a shoe color one shade darker than your dress, and black is always a safe choice.
- Pick out jewelry that goes with the style and color of your dress. Your jewelry should complement your dress, not overshadow it. Choose a maximum of three pieces and match your jewelry to the dress's features.
- Pay attention to your dress's neckline and choose a necklace that will frame it nicely.[11]
- Wear outerwear that matches your dress and is weather-appropriate. Since New Year's Eve is one of the chilliest holidays, you're going to need a jacket of some sort to keep warm.
- If you know you'll be spending the majority of the time inside, a shawl, sweater, or light jacket are good options.
- If you're worried about being cold while outside, opt for warmer outerwear, such as a fur coat or a leather jacket.
- Add a scarf, hat, or tights to your outfit to stay warm and stylish. If you're still worried about being cold or know you'll be ringing in the New Year outside, bundle up with additional warm accessories such as a knit scarf or fleece lined leggings.
- Comfort is key - make sure your dress isn't too long, tight, or uncomfortable so that you're sure to enjoy the night.
- If online shopping for a dress, be sure to know your dress size and shop plenty of time before New Year's Eve to account for added shipping days and possible returns.
- Dress for your body type - find out which styles of dresses look best on you and complement your form.
- Get a second opinion from a friend or family member if you're unsure of which dress to choose.
- Think about the weather if your New Year's Eve is outside- you don't want it to be short-sleeved without a pair of tights on the coldest time of the year!
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| How to Know if You Sprained Your Finger Posted: 15 Dec 2018 12:00 AM PST Sprained fingers are relatively common injuries in sports like football and basketball. Fortunately, although a sprained finger can be uncomfortable and get in the way of day-to-day activities, it's not a serious injury.[1] You can tell if your finger is sprained by seeing if it cramps or turns red and by examining whether or not it's swollen. If you're struggling to figure out if your finger is sprained or broken, make an appointment to see your doctor. EditInspecting Your Finger Visually - Look for swelling on the sides of your finger if it was bent sideways. Swelling is one of the primary signs of a sprained finger. If your finger was bent uncomfortably far to one side or the other, the ligaments connected to the finger's bones may be stretched or torn.[2]
- The tendons will swell on the side opposite the way in which the finger was bent. So, if your finger was forced too far to the left, look for swelling on the right side of the finger.
- Inspect the bottom of your finger if the finger was bent backwards. Notice if the soft underside of your finger seems puffier than usual. If so, this is a sign that the finger has been sprained and that the ligaments near the base of your finger have been stretched or torn.[3]
- If you're not sure whether or not the finger is swollen, compare it with the corresponding finger on your other hand.
- See if parts of your finger have turned a shade of red. Along with swelling, the most notable sign of a sprained finger is red discoloration. Inspect the sides and bottom of your finger. If the finger is more red than the surrounding fingers, it's likely sprained.[4]
- The degree of redness will vary with the severity of the sprain. So, if your finger is lightly sprained, the skin covering the sprained tendon may be slightly pink.
- If the sprain is severe, a large portion of the finger may be notably bright red.
EditNoting Painful Symptoms of a Sprain - Try to use the finger normally after the injury. If you're concerned that your finger may be sprained, try to use it as you typically would for the next day or 2. If you notice that the finger doesn't function normally, doesn't bend, can't hold weight, or is too painful to use, it's most likely sprained.[5]
- For example, if you find yourself unable to pick up a gallon of milk using your hand with an injured finger, you're probably experiencing a sprain.
- Pay attention to cramping or spasms in your finger muscles. When a finger is sprained, its muscles are often effected. Watch your finger as you go about your daily routine, and take note of any painful or uncomfortable cramps. Cramps may cause your finger to bend itself into a twisted position. Sprains are also commonly accompanied by muscle spasms.[6]
- So, if you notice that your finger is twitching or bending on its own, it's probably sprained.
- Note how much pain you feel in the sprained finger. Any finger injury will be painful, but the degree of pain you feel will indicate how seriously the finger is sprained.[7] If the finger still hurts 48 hours after the incident, it's most likely sprained, since pain from a lesser injury should go away within 48 hours.
- If the pain is sharp and severe, you've either seriously sprained or broken your finger.
- Straighten your finger and see if the tip stays bent. If your sprained finger was impacted head-on, it may be compressed and have potential joint damage in addition to a potential sprain. This condition is known as a "mallet finger." So, if you try to straighten your finger and the tip stays bent at an angle, it will need to be professionally splinted.[8]
- Unless it's accompanied by a sprain, mallet finger is often painless.
EditSeeing a Doctor to Diagnose Your Finger - Visit a doctor if your finger is still swollen, bruised, or painful after 48 hours. If pain from a sprained finger is severe or lasts for more than a couple days, schedule an appointment with your general practitioner.[9] They'll be able to assess the damage to your finger and determine whether or not the ligaments are sprained.
- Go to a local Urgent Care center or Emergency Room if you're unable to bend your finger after the incident or if the pain from the injury prevents you from going about your daily routine.
- Describe your finger injury to the doctor. Tell the doctor when and where the finger was injured. Also describe how you sustained the injury (e.g., if you caught the ball wrong in a game of baseball). Mention what angle your finger was at when it was injured and what direction the injury came from. Tell the doctor how severe the pain is, and whether it's become more or less painful with time.[10]
- Also make an appointment if you have a mallet finger, since the condition needs to be treated by a medical professional.
- Request an imaging scan if your doctor can't visually confirm a sprain. The doctor will most likely perform an X-ray or an MRI scan. Both of these scans allow the doctor to get a clear image of the bones and ligaments in your finger. An MRI in particular will allow the doctor a clear look at the ligaments inside your injured finger. After viewing the scan results, the doctor will be able to diagnose whether or not your finger is sprained.[11]
- Neither the X-ray procedure or the MRI procedure should cause any pain or discomfort.
- The only way to tell for sure if your finger is broken or sprained is to visit your doctor for an X-ray.
- A finger sprain occurs when your finger is bent in a direction that stretches out the ligaments in the finger.
- The severity of a sprain can vary from mild to severe. In a mild sprain, a ligament will be slightly torn. In a serious sprain, the ligament may be nearly or completely torn away from the bone.[12]
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