| How to Get Pet Hair Out of Laundry Posted: 05 Dec 2018 04:00 PM PST You love your pet, but you do not love the hair they leave all over everything, including your clothes and blankets. Before you toss the fur-covered laundry in the washer and dryer, brush off the loose strands so you don't clog your machines. Then add either fabric softener or vinegar to the wash to help remove the hair. Don't forget to clean your washing machine and dryer when you're done! EditGetting Rid of Loose Pet Hair Before Washing - Brush a dry sponge over the fabric to remove hair from the surface. Take a kitchen sponge that you don't plan on using for washing dishes anymore. Run the abrasive scrubbing side against the clothing or blanket to swipe off pet hair.[1]
- Do this outside or over a trash bag so you don't get hair all over your floors.
- For hair that's tough to get off, you can use a damp sponge. Wet the sponge, then wring out any excess water before brushing the fabric.
- Lift stubborn hair from fabric with a lint roller. Start with a clean adhesive sheet on your roller. Then roll it over the item, using smooth strokes in one direction. Pay special attention to any areas with a lot of hair.[2]
- Rip off the sheets as they become covered in hair to expose fresh sheets. Otherwise, the roller won't be as effective at pulling up the hair.
- You can also loosen the hair before using the lint roller by spraying static guard on the fabric.
- Use a clothes steamer if the hair is caught on delicate fabric. The warmth and moisture of the steam also releases trapped hair so it will be easier to remove in the wash. Fill the tank of the steamer with water, then lightly run the steamer over the fabric in downward strokes.[3]
- Steamers are safe to use on delicate materials, like wool or velvet. Check the care instructions on the label of the item if you aren't sure.
- It's easier to steam items when they're hanging up.
- If you're on a budget, you can buy a handheld steamer, which typically costs around $30 to $40, instead of a standing steamer, which can cost over $100.
EditRemoving Hair from Clothes in the Washer and Dryer - Toss the laundry in the dryer for 10 minutes before washing the clothes. Put the hair-covered items in the dryer and turn it on a low-heat cycle, like permanent press. After 10 minutes, check the laundry. If there's still a lot of hair on the pieces, run them in the dryer for another 5 to 10 minutes.[4]
- Clean the lint trap after tossing the clothes to clear all of the hair from it.
- Use fabric softener to loosen up hair from the fabric. Check the back of the bottle to find instructions on how much softener to use per load. Then, before turning on the washing machine, measure the right amount of fabric softener and pour it into the dispenser.[5]
- Most fabric softener bottles have measuring caps that you can use to portion out the liquid. The dispenser in the machine itself may also have a fill line that you can use as a guide.
- The fabric softener dispenser will either look like a tall cylinder in the center of your machine or a small compartment towards the top of the machine, depending on your model.
- Never pour fabric softener directly into the drum of the washing machine.
- For older washing machines, read the manual to find out if you need to wait and manually add the softener immediately before the last rinse cycle. Newer models do this automatically.
- Add white vinegar to the rinse cycle for a natural hair remover. The acetic acid in vinegar softens fabric, which frees up the pet hair that's stuck in the material. Measure out of vinegar, then pour it into the fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine before turning it on.[6]
- You can use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar if you'd like.
- If you have an older washing machine, you may need to manually add the vinegar before the final rinse cycle. On newer models, you can put it in at the beginning and the machine will automatically dispense it when it's rinsing.
- Check the manual for your washing machine first to make sure it's okay to use vinegar with your model.
- Put 1 to 2 dryer sheets in the dryer as a scented static remover. Dryer sheets eliminate static, which can keep hair stuck to the fabric. Place them in the dryer along with the wet clothes before you turn on the machine. If you have a light load of laundry, 1 sheet will work. For medium to heavy loads, use 2 sheets.
- For fabric with a lot of static, like flannel, use an extra dryer sheet.
- Toss 3 to 6 wool dryer balls into the dryer for an eco-friendly alternative. Dryer balls remove static and stray hair just like dryer sheets, but the balls are biodegradable and reusable. They're also free of artificial ingredients, so they don't have a scent. Set the balls, which are about the size of tennis balls, in the dryer with the wet laundry before drying.[7]
- You can find wool dryer balls in the laundry aisle of big-box stores, or you can buy them from an online retailer.
- Clean the lint trap halfway through drying. If the lint trap gets clogged while your laundry is drying, the hair can get spit back onto your clothes. Stop your dryer when it reaches the midpoint of its drying cycle and pull out the lint trap. Brush off any hair or lint that has accumulated, then replace the trap and resume the cycle.[8]
- Depending on your dryer model, the lint trap is usually either on top of the dryer or just inside the door.
EditCleaning Pet Hair from Your Washer and Dryer - Run an empty wash cycle after you remove the laundry. This will rinse out any extra hair that's still inside the machine. Simply set the washing machine on a regular wash cycle and let it run without anything inside.[9]
- For the deepest clean, choose the hottest setting and longest cycle on your washing machine.
- Settings that are labeled "white" or "stains" tend to use the highest heat.
- Choose "extra rinse" if you have that option on your machine.
- Wipe the drums of the washing machine and dryer if there's still hair. Otherwise, the next time you go to do laundry, the pet hair will just get tossed in with the clothes. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to pick up any strands that were left behind in the drums of either machine.[10]
- If you want to sanitize your machine while you wipe it down, squeeze a few drops of laundry detergent onto your cloth or towel first.
- Make sure you get in all the nooks and crannies, including the door and door seal, too.
- Vacuum out any excess hair from the washing machine or dryer. Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to suck up any hair that was left behind in both machines. Do a sweep around the entire drums, including the tops and sides. If you're vacuuming the washing machine, make sure it's completely dry first.[11]
- To dry the drum of the washing machine, leave the door open so it can air out, or wipe it down with a dry cloth.
- You can buy different brush attachments for your vacuum cleaner from a houseware store, hardware store, or online retailer.
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Age Paper Using Tea Posted: 05 Dec 2018 08:00 AM PST Aging paper with tea is a fun craft that's perfect if you're working on a vintage project. Whether you want to put your paper in a scrapbook, age a whole book, or make a prop for a play, it's easy to make your paper look like it's been around for years. For a more subtle look, you can drip tea onto the paper from tea bags, or you can soak the paper for a darker effect. Once you apply the tea, you can then either air-dry the paper or bake it in the oven for an even more vintage look. EditBrewing Your Tea - Place 1-2 tea bags into a mug used for hot beverages. The amount of tea you use depends on whether you want to dye your paper a lot or a little. For most projects, 1 tea bag per sheet of paper should be plenty, but if you're just going to do a few splotches of tea, you might be able to use one bag for several sheets of paper. However, if you're planning to fully saturate the paper and you want a very dark finish, you might need 2 tea bags for each sheet.[1]
- If you use a cup that isn't intended for hot beverages, you could end up with a nasty burn. Stick to a coffee or tea cup, and avoid cups made from plastic or metal, as they aren't meant to hold boiling water.
- Any type of tea will work, but black tea is a common option for this project. However, you might want to avoid using green tea or tea infused with red herbs, as this will produce a different color effect and the paper might not look aged.
- Fill a tea kettle or a small pot with water. You only need enough water to fill up a mug, or about , but since water evaporates as it boils, it's better to start with more than you'll need. If you'll be brewing multiple mugs of tea at the same time, make sure you have enough water for each mug.[2]
- Bring the water to a boil on the stove. In order to extract the tea from the bag, the water needs to be as hot as possible. If you're using a pot, you'll see bubbles on the surface of the water when it's boiling. If you're using a tea kettle, you'll hear a high-pitched whistle when the water is ready.[3]
- Be very careful when you're working with boiling water. If the pot you're using has a metal handle, use a pot holder to move it so you don't burn yourself, and be very careful not to spill any on your skin.
- If you're a kid, ask an adult to help you boil the water for this step.
- You can also boil the water in the microwave if you like, but be sure to use a microwave-safe dish and place a non-metallic object like a popsicle stick into the dish so the water doesn't become super-heated and explode.
- Pour the hot water over the tea and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes. Carefully pour the hot water into the mug to start brewing your tea. Don't get the mug too full, or you might accidentally spill boiling water on yourself. Wait about 5 minutes for the tea to brew, or until the water turns the color you want.[4]
- Try to leave about of space at the top of the mug.
- If you're trying to get a very dark color, use 2 tea bags in the mug at the same time. If you want a lighter color, 1 bag will be fine.
EditApplying the Tea to the Paper - Print or write whatever you want on the paper first. Once you stain the paper, it won't accept ink evenly, so anything you try to write or print on it will look messy. It's best to write, print, or draw whatever you'd like on the paper before you do anything else. Let the ink dry completely so it doesn't run.[5]
- Any paper will work for this, from plain white copy paper to heavier paper used for painting. Thicker papers might produce a lighter result that takes longer to dry.
- Some inks are more likely to run when they're wet, especially if you write with a washable marker or you print your design on an inkjet printer. If you can, use a laser printer or some sort of waterproof ink. If you can't, just try not to rub the paper when you add the tea. Hopefully this will minimize the smudging.
- If you like, you can also lightly crumple the paper, then smooth it out. This will make the paper look like it's been shuffled around for a number of years.
- To make the paper look even more worn, like for an old treasure map, tear off the edges of the paper.
- Lay the paper on a baking sheet. A baking sheet with a raised rim will keep the tea from spilling over the sides as you're working. The baking sheet should be a little bigger than the paper you use. For instance, if you're using an sheet of paper, a baking sheet would be perfect.[6]
- Tea can stain your countertop or table, so it's important to protect your work surface.
- If you don't have a baking sheet that you can use, you can lay trash bags flat on your work surface instead.
- Dab one of the tea bags over the paper. Holding the tea bag by the top, blot it down onto the paper. Continue doing this until you've covered as much of the paper as you want. If the tea bag starts to dry out, dip it in the mug of tea to wet it again.[7]
- It's up to you whether you want to cover the whole page or just a few areas. Either way, don't worry about getting a perfect application. The paper will look more authentic if the yellowing is a little uneven.
- Experiment with ways to get the tea on the paper. If you like, you can use a paintbrush, a straw, or even your fingers to create different effects.
- Flip the paper over and stain the other side. Even if you only plan on showing one side of the paper, the aging effect will look more authentic if you apply the tea to both sides of the paper. This will also make your page look darker once it's finished.[8]
- Sprinkle the page with turmeric if you want the paper to be more yellow. While this step isn't strictly necessary, adding a light coat of the spice turmeric will help yellow the effect of the tea. Use your fingers to rub the turmeric into the tea[9]
- Mix in a few coffee grounds to make the paper more brown. If you want your aged paper to look like it's been exposed to the elements, you can sprinkle a few coffee grounds over the wet tea to help add more brown to the page. Rub the coffee grounds into the tea to help them stick to the paper.[10]
- Loose tea leaves may work for this as well, but the effect will not be as dramatic. You can even break open one of the tea bags if you want.
- You'll remove the excess coffee grounds after the paper is dry.
- Dab away excess tea with paper towels. Make sure there isn't any water pooled on the page itself or on the baking sheet. This will ensure the page dries evenly, which will help prevent the paper from curling too much in the oven.[11]
EditDrying the Paper - Allow the paper to air-dry for 24 hours if you're not in a hurry. While baking the paper is the fastest way to dry it, you can let it air-dry if you prefer. Just place your baking sheet in an area with plenty of air circulation.[12]
- Don't dry the paper in direct sunlight, as it may become too brittle to use.
- Give the paper about 24 hours to air-dry.
- Heat your oven to the lowest setting if you want to dry the paper quickly. Baking the paper will dry it quickly, allowing you to finish your project the same day you started it. If you bake the paper too quickly, however, it will become brittle, and it may even scorch, so it's important to use the lowest heat possible.[13]
- On most ovens, this is about . If you have a "Warm" setting, use that.
- Bake the paper for about 5 minutes. On the lowest setting, this should be enough time to evaporate the layer of tea on your paper. Keep a close eye on the paper while it's in the oven, however, since paper is highly flammable.[14]
- If you used too much liquid, or if the paper is very thick, you might need to leave it in for a little longer.
- You can tell the paper is dry when the edges start to curl up.
- Use oven mitts to protect your hands when you take the baking sheet out of the oven.
- Brush away any residue with a soft paintbrush. You don't have to do this if you only used tea to color your paper. However, if you added turmeric or coffee grounds to affect the final shade, you should brush away anything the paper didn't absorb. A soft paint brush will remove the residue without roughing up the paper.
- If you don't have a paintbrush, you could use a soft, dry cloth, like a microfiber cloth, instead.
- Rough up the paper if it doesn't look old enough. Depending on your project, just yellowing the paper might not give it the authentic look you're going for. If you need it to look like it's been damaged, try crumpling the paper, singing it with a flame, or adding more stains or tears.[15]
- For instance, if you're making an old treasure map, you might want to crumple it up and carefully burn the edges so it will look old and worn.
- If you want to create holes in the paper, crumple the sheet and spritz it with a little water, then use your fingernails to make small tears. Allow the paper to air dry.
- Tea bags will work best for this project. However, if all you have is loose-leaf tea, you can brew it the same way you would a tea bag, then use a sponge or a paintbrush to apply the tea to the paper. Since you're not drinking the tea, there's no need to strain out the loose tea leaves.
- If the dried paper curls too much, place it between two large, heavy books overnight.
- Don't leave your paper unattended in the oven or it could catch fire.
EditThings You'll Need EditBrewing the Tea - 1-2 tea bags per sheet, any kind
- Tea kettle or pot
- Mug
EditApplying the Tea - Paper
- Turmeric (optional)
- Coffee grounds (optional)
- Baking sheet or tray
- Paintbrush or sponge (optional)
- Baking sheet or tray
EditDrying the Paper EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Apply for Scholarships Posted: 05 Dec 2018 12:00 AM PST Unlike most financial aid, scholarships allow you to earn money for college without the worry of needing to pay it back. In order to win a game-changing scholarship, you'll need to start by finding scholarships that fit your needs. By crafting interesting essays, finding the right recommenders, and preparing your materials in a careful and timely manner, you can apply for and potentially win a scholarship! EditFinding Scholarships that Fit Your Needs - Search online for scholarships based on your background. Scholarships are often offered to specific groups of people, and your background can open up scholarship opportunities. Search for specific categories using keywords that describe your background, family situation, or ethnic group (for example, "low-income," "student-athlete" "Asian-American," or "military").[1]
- Search for scholarships based on academic merit. Academic merit is determined by your grade point average, but it may also be affected by SAT or ACT scores. If you've been doing well in your academics, colleges might just pay for you to come study there. If you know what colleges you plan to apply to or are already enrolled in college, look for merit scholarships offered by these specific schools. You can find this info on their website or through the financial aid office.
- Institutional academic scholarships are often divided into multiple levels, giving out different amounts for higher and lower GPAs.
- The GPA requirements for private academic scholarships vary depending on the organization.
- Search online for service-based scholarships. Some colleges and private organizations offer service-based scholarships, which you can qualify for as an active, service-oriented community member. If you have been particularly engaged in serving one specific cause, see if there are scholarships which specifically offer money to students who have served that cause.
- For example, AXA Achievement Scholarships are $10,000 awards given to students who lead projects that benefit others.[2]
- Talk to your school's guidance or college counselor about local scholarships. Many high schools assemble a list of local scholarship opportunities for their graduating seniors to apply for. Ask your counselor about community organizations, churches, and businesses who offer college scholarships.
- Sit down and talk to your counselor about your interests and activities in high school. They might have specific tips based on your background.
EditPreparing the Basics of the Application - Review the requirements and deadlines of each scholarship carefully. If you're applying to multiple scholarships, you can easily get confused about which are due at what times. Set calendar notifications for 10 and then 5 days before each deadline to stay on track.[3]
- Most scholarships are competitive and will not make exceptions for late applications.
- Applying to many scholarships is a good idea, as it will increase your chances of getting one.
- Gather the preliminary materials. For many scholarships you will need to provide high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and your parents' financial information, for starters.[4]
- Ask your school counselor for help accessing your high school transcripts.
- Schedule a time with your parents to sit down and look over financial information forms.
- Create a resume if the scholarship application requires one. Some scholarship applications will ask for a resume, in which case you will need to craft a resume which details your extracurriculars, leadership, work experience, and outside activities. Resumes should show what you care about, your work ethic, and the ways you've spent your time in high school.[5]
- If you don't have a lot of outside activities because you had to work to support yourself, don't worry, just include all of your work experience on the resume. Scholarships will want to see evidence of your work ethic and this is a great example of that.
EditWriting Scholarship Essays - Determine the mission of the organization awarding the scholarship. Do some research on the organization offering the scholarship and write down what they care about in one sentence. This will help you to better understand your audience and consider ways to tailor your application to their mission.[6]
- For example, let's say the organization wants to invest in leaders who will promote sustainability. In your essay, you should focus on ways you have promoted sustainability in your community or personal life, and include stories that demonstrate your capacities as a leader (in big or small settings).
- Keeping your audience in mind doesn't mean you should lie about your interests to match what you think they want to hear. Just be aware of what they care about, and focus on aspects of your character that match this.
- Write in your own voice and use specific anecdotes. The last thing a scholarship committee wants to read is an essay lacking real personal information or flavor. Write in a voice that is true to who you are. Tell stories to illustrate your points. Reflect on yourself, your life, and who you want to be in the future.[7]
- Avoid vague phrases like "I'm a hard-worker" and instead tell a detailed story that shows the reader you have a strong work ethic.
- Many scholarships want to invest in the impact you want to make on the world; think about stories which communicate your desire to make an impact.
- Avoid speaking in generalizations about the world. If you are specifically asked to reflect on a problem that is facing society, aim for specificity. Use anecdotes from the news or your local community and then reflect on how that connects to a broader issue.
- Follow prescribed word limits and proofread for grammatical errors. Don't be disqualified for silly reasons like word limits and spell check. These scholarships have many applicants and will first check if candidates followed simple guidelines and formatting standards.[8]
- Try reading your essay aloud to catch errors that your eye might glaze over while reading.
- Ask a friend, parent, or mentor to edit the essay. As long as the scholarship doesn't prohibit outside people reading your essays, it is usually ok to get another pair of eyes on your essay. A friend or parent can help you catch errors and give you suggestions for parts that sound awkward or need rephrasing.[9]
- Ultimately, you have to trust your gut and cannot let your parents write your essay. The application is about you, but taking thoughtful critiques will improve your eye for the piece.
EditGetting Letters of Recommendation - Choose a teacher, coach, or employer who knows you well. Think about adults you respect and interact with regularly, considering who might be passionate about writing your letter of recommendation. Academic references should come from teachers and school administrators, while character references can come from employers, pastors, or unrelated adults who you interact with regularly.[10]
- It is especially good to find someone who has seen you in multiple contexts (someone who is your teacher and the coach of your debate team, for example).
- Avoid relatives and friends. Sponsors naturally assume that these sources are biased toward you and may not take them seriously as a result.
- Ask your recommender if they will write you a letter of recommendation. It is ideal if you can schedule a time to meet with your chosen recommender in person. Explain the scholarship you're applying for, why you think they would be good to write the letter, and when the deadline for the letter is. If they agree to write the letter, tell them you will send them the materials they need for the letter in a follow up email.
- Be respectful and thank them, and don't be offended if they say no.
- Provide them with the materials to help them write the letter. Give your chosen recommender a folder (or send them an email) with the scholarship and deadline information, your resume, and any exemplary work you have completed in their class. Communicate if there are aspects of your resume you wish for them to focus on based on the mission of the scholarship. [11]
- In your materials, remind them of work you're proud of or specific challenges you've overcome.
- Give them a sense of your future plans and why this scholarship is meaningful to you.
- Follow up about deadlines with your recommender. Send an email a few days before the letter is due to respectfully remind them about the deadline and see if they have sent the letter in. If they still haven't gotten back to you in a few days, try dropping by their office and asking them about it.[12]
- Avoid sending multiple emails if you can, as it might bother them.
- Write your recommender a hand-written thank you note. Handwritten notes go a long way for showing gratitude and make recommenders more willing to help you out again in the future. If you do get a scholarship they recommended you for, make sure to share the good news![13]
EditSubmitting your Application - Double-check the required materials and proofread the entire application. Go through the list of things you need for the application and check them off one by one. Once that is finished, read back over your essays and forms carefully, out loud if possible.[14]
- Typos or grammatical errors can make an application look careless, and you don't want to ruin all of your hard work by not proofreading.
- If you're reusing a cover letter or any other material from another application, double-check that you put the name of the right organization.
- Send in your application as soon as it's ready. Some scholarships will want you to print and mail your materials all together, while others are fine with you sending materials in by email. If submitting your application through an online form, reread it after copying and pasting it to make sure the formatting didn't change.[15]
- Sign and date your application once it is finished.
- At this point, you can also send your recommenders an email letting them know you have turned in the application and will keep them updated.
- Apply to many scholarships to have the best chance at winning one. Some scholarships offer a lot of money and are more competitive, while others are smaller dollar amounts but give you a higher chance of winning them. Prioritize your applications based on how good of a fit you are for the scholarship, the amount of money they are offering, and whether the deadline is feasible. Apply to many.[16]
- The more scholarships you win, the less student loans you will have to take out, and the more affordable your college education will be.
- However, if you don't win any scholarships, don't fret. There are other ways to finance your education, typically through grants and loans.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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