| How to Make Velcro Stick Again Posted: 12 Feb 2019 04:00 PM PST The same stickiness that makes Velcro such a useful invention also means that it easily accumulates lint and other debris that will cause it to lose its grabbing power. Use common household objects to clean out Velcro and restore its stickiness. Make sure to protect your Velcro from lint and other junk as much as you can to keep it clean and sticky. EditCleaning Velcro - Pull out loose lint and other matter caught in the Velcro with your fingers. Pinch any large pieces of matter that are caught in the Velcro between your fingernails and pull them out. Think of how you would clean out hair from a hairbrush, and do the same for the lint, hair, and other things that are caught in the Velcro.[1]
- Velcro tabs consist of two parts called a hook and loop fastener system. The rougher side is called the hook, and the softer side is called the loop. The hook is generally the part that collects the debris because this is the part of the Velcro that grabs and sticks.
- Pick out lint and debris that you can't reach with your fingers with tweezers. Hold the Velcro steady with a hand. Use a pair of tweezers with your other hand to pluck out pieces of matter that are caught further down in the hooks of the Velcro.[2]
- Be careful not to grab and pull on the hooks with the tweezers. You might damage them and cause your Velcro to be less sticky.
- Use a pin or needle if you don't have tweezers to pull out matter. Slide the pointy end between the rows of hooks and underneath debris, then gently lift up to pull out the matter. Work in the same direction as the rows of hooks are facing on the Velcro.[3]
- You can use any small, thin, and needle-like object for this method. Just make sure that it is sturdy enough to pull out debris that might be really stuck in the Velcro without bending.
- Scrape debris out of the Velcro with a fine-toothed comb instead of a needle. Hold the Velcro flat and securely in place. Slide a plastic, metal, or wooden comb along the rows of hooks to scrape out stubborn lint and other debris that you can't pluck or lift out.[4]
- Make sure the teeth of the comb are not so fine and delicate that they could break as you scrape out debris.
- Brush the Velcro with a dry toothbrush after you pull out as much as you can. Use an old toothbrush that you don't need for your teeth anymore. Brush the Velcro in 1 direction parallel to the rows of hooks to get out any remaining pieces of lint and other matter.[5]
- A stiff-bristled toothbrush works best, or you can use another kind of stiff brush like a dish brush or a pet brush.
- Be careful not to scrub too hard or you might damage the hooks on the Velcro. This is why it's important to work parallel to the hooks so that they keep their form as you brush out debris.
EditPreventing Velcro from Getting Dirty - Keep Velcro tabs closed as much as possible so they don't collect debris. Close the hook and loop fasteners on Velcro whenever you are not using it. This will protect the hooks from picking up stray matter like lint, hair, and other debris.[6]
- Velcro is designed to be sticky and will easily grab onto things like blankets or clothes from which it will pick up lint.
- Always close Velcro tabs on garments before washing them. When you wash Velcro it will pick up lint, hair, and anything else floating around in the washing machine. Keep the hook and loop fasteners closed when you wash Velcro to keep this from happening.[7]
- Wash garments that contain Velcro separately from other items when possible. Let them air dry instead of putting them in the dryer. This will decrease the likelihood that the Velcro picks up lint from other clothing and fabric items. Washers and dryers are full of lint that Velcro attracts.
- Clean out Velcro whenever it starts to work less effectively. Velcro is bound to pick up a certain amount of junk, no matter how much you try to prevent it. Clean it out whenever you notice that it is not sticking as well to prevent accumulation of lint, hair, and other debris.[8]
- It is possible that over time your Velcro will stop being sticky because the hooks get damaged. In this case, cleaning will only do so much and you may have to replace the Velcro if cleaning it out does not restore its grabbing power.
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| How to Keep a Baguette Fresh Posted: 12 Feb 2019 08:00 AM PST It's always a little sad when a perfectly good baguette goes stale before you can eat it. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your baguette fresh. If you know won't eat an entire baguette on the day you buy or make it, wrap it in aluminum foil and store it at room temperature or freeze it for up to 3 months. If you still don't get around to eating the bread and it becomes stale, there are lots of ways to use it up. EditStoring the Baguette Properly - Try to use the baguette the same day you buy or bake it. Because a French baguette is so thin and narrow, it will turn stale quickly. Plan on buying a baguette the same day you want to eat it.[1]
- If you purchase a warm baguette that has been placed in a paper or plastic bag, remove it so it doesn't trap the bread's moisture. This moisture will cause the bread to soften and become soggy.
- Wrap the baguette in aluminum foil. Tear off a large sheet of aluminum foil and lay the baguette on it lengthwise. Fold the long sides of the foil over the baguette and tuck the ends of the foil under. Crimp the aluminum foil so it's sealed shut.[2]
- If you're planning on freezing the baguette, you may need to cut the baguette in half crossways before wrapping it.
- Keep the wrapped baguette at room temperature for 1 day. Set the baguette wrapped in aluminum foil on the counter and try to use it within 1 day. Avoid refrigerating the baguette since the refrigerator will introduce moisture and cause the bread to harden faster.[3]
- Freeze a wrapped baguette for up to 3 months. If you don't plan on eating the baguette right away, wrap it in aluminum foil and stick it in the freezer. Label the baguette and remember to include the date, so you know to remove and eat the baguette within 3 months.[4]
- You can slice the baguette into individual pieces. Then wrap and freeze the slices instead of freezing the entire baguette.
EditReviving or Using a Stale Baguette - Wet the baguette and heat it in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Take the stale baguette and run tap water over the bottom of the bread. Then put the baguette directly into a oven for 10 minutes. If you're using a frozen baguette, you'll need to heat it for closer to 15 minutes.[5]
- Wetting the baguette will add moisture to the bread. This will create steam in the hot oven which will make the baguette's crust crispy again.
- Slice slightly stale baguette and make toast. You'll need a sharp serrated knife to cut the stale baguette into thin slices. Put them into a toaster and heat the bread until they're slightly crispy. If you don't have a toaster, arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and place them under a broiler until they're browned. Turn them and toast the other sides.[6]
- If you don't feel like eating toast, grate the stale baguette or put pieces of the baguette into a food processor. Pulse or grate the bread to make breadcrumbs.
- Cut the baguette into cubes and make croutons. Use a serrated knife to cut the stale baguette into cubes that are as large as you want the croutons to be. Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Then bake the croutons until they're crisp and golden brown.[7]
- Make a meal out of the croutons by tossing them with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. Coat the salad with a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing to make the classic panzanella salad.
- Cut or tear the baguette and make stuffing or dressing. Bake a delicious, savory stuffing by tossing pieces of the stale baguette with chicken stock, sautéed onions, herbs, and beaten eggs. Then stuff a turkey with the mixture or spread it in a baking pan. Cook the stuffing or dressing until it's browned and firm to the touch.[8]
- If you're cooking the stuffing inside a turkey, ensure the turkey and stuffing both reach an internal temperature of .
- Slice or tear the baguette to make bread pudding. Whisk together a simple custard using eggs, cream, and sugar. Spread the stale slices or pieces of baguette in a baking dish and pour the custard over it. Let the baguette sit for about 30 minutes, so it absorbs the custard. Then bake the bread pudding for up to 1 hour.[9]
- You can add raisins or chocolate chips to the bread pudding before baking it. Then serve the bread pudding with whipped cream or custard.
- Keep in mind that French bread will last longer than a French baguette, so if you want to store the bread for 1 to 2 days without freezing it, you may want to get the French bread.
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| How to Relieve Calf Cramps Posted: 12 Feb 2019 12:00 AM PST If your calf muscle painfully seizes up and feels tight, you're likely suffering from a calf cramp. Cramps are common during exercise, but they also plague many people at night while they sleep. Although painful, a calf cramp is typically a relatively harmless condition that will go away on its own after a few minutes. If you get calf cramps frequently, evaluate your personal habits and see what you can do to prevent them from happening in the future.[1] EditTreating Calf Cramps - Transfer your weight to your cramped leg. At the onset of a calf cramp, lift your other leg or lean to the side where you're cramping to see if your leg can hold weight. If it can, try walking for a few minutes to see if you can walk it off.[2]
- You can also alternate your weight from one leg to the other and shake your leg out. This can help loosen the muscle and release the cramp.
- Sit with your leg extended if you can't stand. If the cramped leg won't hold your weight, find a comfortable place where you can sit with your leg extended straight out from your torso. Roll your foot in circles to engage the calf muscle and try to loosen it up.[3]
- You can also lean over and grab the toes of your foot, pulling them back gently towards you. This will give the calf muscle a good stretch and hopefully encourage it to loosen up and release the cramp.
- Gently rub the affected muscle. Light massage not only relaxes the muscle to help it release, but it also soothes the tissues so your calf may not be as sore later. Even after the cramping ends, you'll likely feel sore and stiff for several hours.[4]
- Massaging the muscle also warms it. Heat can help the muscle loosen up and release.
- Place a warm towel or heating pad to the muscle. Damp heat provides hydration and helps loosen up the muscle. It may also reduce inflammation around the area of the cramp, which can help ease soreness in your calf later.[5]
- You might also find relief from soaking in a warm bath for a few minutes as you gently massage your calf.
- Apply an ice pack to a severe cramp. Severe cramps don't always respond to heat. For some people, applying heat to a cramp makes it feel even worse. If your cramp doesn't respond to heat, try placing an ice pack on your calf for a few minutes.[6]
- Place a towel between your skin and the ice pack to avoid damaging your skin. Only leave the ice pack on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Contact your doctor if your cramps are severe and persistent. You may need prescription drugs to provide relief if you suffer from repeated cramping that doesn't respond to self-treatment. Your doctor will review your medical history and diagnose the cause of your cramps, which may be symptomatic of another health condition.[7]
- Doctors may prescribe muscle relaxers or pain-relievers to help prevent calf cramps or make them a bit easier to deal with. The medications prescribed will depend on the cause of your cramps.
EditPreventing Exercise-Related Cramps - Stretch your calf muscles gently before engaging in activity. To stretch your calves, stand arm's length away from a wall. Face the wall with your feet flat against the floor, toes pointed towards the wall. Press your hands against the wall and lean forward slowly until you feel a stretch in your calves. Hold the stretch for 2 to 3 seconds, then release.[8]
- Repeat the stretch 5 times, breathing deeply through the stretch. Don't stretch so far that it hurts – just enough that you feel the stretch.
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Exercise-related cramps are more likely to occur if you are dehydrated. Men should drink at least 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water each day, while women should drink at least 11.5 cups (2.7 liters). When exercising, drink water before, during, and after your workout.[9]
- Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, can also help reduce cramping by restoring your body's balance of electrolytes.[10]
- Cool down and stretch after each workout. After you've finished any vigorous workout session, engage in slow activity to help your muscles relax again. Simply walking for 10 or 15 minutes and stretching your leg muscles can be an effective cooldown.[11]
- You can use the calf stretches you used for a warm up to cool down as well. They will keep your calves loose and less prone to cramping.
- Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds on each side.
- Build up your exercise program gradually. Exercise-related cramps often occur if you increase the duration or intensity of your exercise program rapidly before your muscles have time to adjust. Follow the 10 percent rule, in which you only increase the intensity of your exercise by 10 percent each week.[12]
- For example, suppose you currently run per week and want to build up to per week. The first week, you would run per week, an increase of 10 percent. The next week, you would run , an additional 10 percent increase, and so on until you reached your goal.
- If you get persistent cramps, you may need to lower the intensity of your workouts, or alter the type of exercise you do until your muscles have time to rebuild and adjust. For example, if you've been running, you might try swimming until your calves get stronger.
EditPreventing Nighttime Calf Cramps - Stand and move around once an hour if you have a sedentary job. If you sit for long periods of time during the day, this can put undue pressure on your calf muscles. As a result, they may become twitchy and spasm or cramp up at night. You can prevent this by standing once an hour and moving around a little.[13]
- You can set a reminder for yourself on your computer or your smartphone to nudge you when you need to stand and move around. Take a minute to get up and go to the restroom, get some water, or hand-deliver papers to someone else rather than emailing them. Then return to your seat.
- If you do have to sit for long periods of time without a break to stand, make sure you're sitting properly. Your chair should be at a height that you can rest both feet on the floor. Sit up straight with your shoulders back and down, so that your shoulder blades fall in line along either side of your spine.
- You can do posture checks throughout the day to make sure you're sitting correctly. It may feel awkward or uncomfortable at first, particularly if you're used to slouching – but your legs and back will thank you in the long run.
- Limit your consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine consumption has been linked to nighttime leg cramps. The relationship is strongest if you consume alcohol or caffeine in excess, or immediately before going to bed.[14]
- If you have frequent calf cramps at night, stop drinking caffeine at least 4 hours before you go to bed.
- If you drink alcohol, don't have more than 2 drinks in an evening and stop drinking at least 2 hours before you go to bed.
- Stretch your calves before you go to bed each night. Stand to face a wall arm's length away with your toes pointed forward. Place your hands flat on the wall and lean forward just until you feel a stretch in your calves. Hold the stretch for 2 to 3 seconds, breathing slowly and deeply.[15]
- Return back to standing and then repeat the stretch 4 or 5 times. Afterward, you may want to walk around a bit or shake your legs out to keep them loose.
- Drink a glass of water before going to bed. Nighttime calf cramps and spasms can also be caused by dehydration. In addition to drinking water throughout the day, try a full glass of water right before bed to ensure you stay hydrated while sleeping.[16]
- You might also keep a thermos of water next to your bed. If you wake up in the middle of the night, drink some water before you go back to sleep.
- Avoid vigorous activity just before sleep. If you exercise late at night before bed, your calf muscles may react to the sudden decrease in activity by spasming or cramping. To prevent this from happening, try moving your exercise to first thing in the morning, or in the middle of the day, rather than in the evening.[17]
- Try to set aside a half hour to an hour before bed each night to relax your mind and body and prepare for sleep. Dim the lights and meditate or engage in a quiet, relaxing activity, such as reading or listening to calming music.
- A warm bath before bed can also help relax your body to prevent nighttime cramping.
- Keep your feet in a relaxed position while sleeping. As you sleep, keeping your feet at right angles from your legs may keep your calves from contracting and tensing up, which can lead to cramps. The position may vary depending on how you normally sleep. If you lie on your side, just remember to keep your feet relaxed at right angles, rather than pointing your toes.[18]
- If you lie on your back, your feet should be pointed straight up. You might want to put a pillow at the foot of your bed for the soles of your feet to rest against.
- If you're a stomach sleeper, let your toes hang off the end of the bed, with your heels pointed upward. This will keep your feet in the correct position. You can also place a pillow under your shins to give your feet room to point downward.
- Avoid binding up your legs while sleeping. If the sheets and blankets are wrapped too tightly around your legs, your calves may contract and cramp. Keep the sheets and blankets loose on top of you, and avoid tucking them around your body.[19]
- Keep the edges of the sheets and blankets loose as well, rather than tucking them under the mattress.
- If you have consistent cramping, either at night or during exercise, that does not respond to basic self-treatment, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your cramping muscles may be a symptom of another, more serious health condition.
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