| How to Clean Cheese Cloth Posted: 05 Feb 2019 04:00 PM PST Cheesecloth was once only used to separate curds from whey in cheesemaking. Today, you can use it to make nut milk, prepare greek yogurt, or extract ginger juice, too. With all its various applications, it can be nice to save and reuse cheesecloth instead of buying new sheets every time. If the label on your cheesecloth says one-time use only, you may be able to wash it by hand once or twice, but it will start to break down very soon. If you invest in high-quality cheesecloth, however, you can hand wash it or launder it in the washing machine with your kitchen towels and reuse it nearly indefinitely. EditWashing by Hand - Rinse your cheesecloth in hot water immediately after use. Try to remove as many bits of food as you can. The faster you get to rinsing the cheesecloth, the easier it will be to get food and stains out of it. If you don't have time to rinse it thoroughly right away, put it in a bowl of hot water to soak until you can wash it.[1]
- Soak the cheesecloth in a baking soda solution to remove tough debris. If your cheesecloth has bits of food or stains that are difficult to get out with just hot water, add baking soda to a hot water soak. Use ½ cup (90 g) baking soda per 1 gallon (3.75 L) of water. Leave the cheesecloth in the solution for 10-30 minutes, depending on how severe the stains are. Rinse the cheesecloth thoroughly after you soak it.[2]
- Add white vinegar or lemon juice to the soak water to fade stains and debris. If you have extra stubborn debris or stains on the cheesecloth, add a stain fighting ingredient to your baking soda soak solution. Simply add of white vinegar or lemon juice per 1 gallon (3.75 L) of hot water along with the baking soda before you soak the cheesecloth.[3]
- You can also spot-treat a stain by dipping a toothbrush into the vinegar or lemon juice and rubbing it against the stain before you soak it.
- Be sure to rinse the cheesecloth very thoroughly after to wash out all the vinegar and lemon juice. They can attract fruit flies if not completely rinsed out of the cheesecloth.
- Boil the cheesecloth for 5 minutes for extra sterilization. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Place your cheesecloth inside and let it boil for at least 5 minutes. This will kill any lingering bacteria that may be left in the cheesecloth.[4]
- It's a good idea to boil the cheesecloth every time after you use it, whether you've just rinsed it or if you've soaked it to get rid of stubborn debris.
EditLaundering in the Washing Machine - Rinse the cheesecloth before you launder it to get rid of food debris. Run the cheesecloth under hot water immediately after you use it so the food stains don't set into the cloth. Hang it to dry until you are ready to put it in the washing machine.
- It's best not to put wet cheesecloth pieces in the laundry basket because it can encourage mold growth.
- Wash high-quality cheesecloth in the washing machine. If you have a cheesecloth that's designed for reuse and made from a high-quality knit material (like cotton), you can wash it with other kitchen cloths. Use a detergent meant for delicate fabrics. It should be free of dyes or perfumes, which could damage the cheesecloth or leach out into your food. Use warm or hot water in the wash and a cold water rinse with bleach.[5]
- Avoid using a fabric softener when cleaning your cheesecloth. The extra fragrance and softening agents will leave a coating on your cheesecloth and can leach into your food the next time you use it.[6]
- Cheesecloth that's labeled single-use cannot be washed in the washing machine. You may be able to hand wash it and reuse once or twice, but it's better to buy cheesecloth meant for reuse.
- Launder muslin with other towels in the washing machine. If you use muslin as an extra-sturdy cheesecloth alternative, you can easily wash it in your washing machine. Add it in the same load with your kitchen or bath towels. Check the label on your detergent to make sure it doesn't contain dyes or fragrances that could contaminate your food the next time you use the muslin.
- Avoid using fabric softener for your muslin, as it could cause buildup on the cloth that can leach into your food.
- The muslin will shrink after you wash it the first time.[7]
- Pick a lightweight unbleached muslin as an easy to clean cheesecloth alternative. Unbleached muslin will have a natural cream color.[8]
- Find muslin at your local fabric store. Tell them you are looking for muslin to use as cheesecloth for straining or squeezing.
EditDrying and Storing - Dry the cheesecloth in the dryer or outside in the sun. After you've washed your cheesecloth by hand or in the washing machine, put it through a hot cycle in the dryer. You can also dry it outside in the sun if it's hot outside and it can dry quickly. Hang it on a clothesline or drape it over a clean chair in direct sunlight.[9]
- Fold and store the cheesecloth in a plastic bag. When the cheesecloth is completely dry, fold it 2 or 3 times until it forms a small square or rectangle. Store it in a cool, dry place in an airtight plastic bag until you are ready to use it again.
- Reuse sterilized cheesecloth even if it's stained. It's natural that cheesecloth will get stained sooner or later. If the stain doesn't wash out in the laundry, it won't leach out into your food, either. Be sure to sterilize the cheesecloth by boiling it after you hand wash it or launder it in the washing machine. Dry the cheesecloth before you store it.
- If the stains really bother you, add bleach to your soak water the next time you wash the cheesecloth. Use bleach per 1 gallon (1.75 L) water.
EditThings You'll Need EditWashing by Hand - Baking soda
- White vinegar or lemon juice
- Pot
- Hot water
EditLaundering in the Washing Machine EditDrying and Storing EditSources and Citations
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| How to Do a Handstand Push Up Posted: 05 Feb 2019 08:00 AM PST Handstand pushups, also known as vertical pushups or commandos, are a great way to strengthen your upper body and core. They can also be very difficult and aren't something to just dive into! After you're comfortable with standard pushups and you increase your core and shoulder strength, you should start by doing your handstand pushups from a wall. Once you're comfortable, you can go right into a freestanding handstand pushup. EditKicking into a Handstand from a Wall - Place your hands from the wall. Get on your hands and knees so that you're facing the wall with your hands in front of you. Keep your palms either facing forward or turned out 5 to 10 degrees at most. Be sure to keep your hands a bit wider than shoulder width.[1]
- Always work on a matted surface whenever possible.
- Kick up into a handstand against the wall. Start by rocking forward and backward to generate momentum. Afterward—as you rock forward—kick one of your legs straight behind you, followed by your other leg. Press down on the ground to lift yourself up and rest your toes or the soles of your feet against the wall. Keep your back slightly arched. If you're having trouble holding yourself up, bring your legs back to the ground and keep practicing your kick ups before proceeding to the next step.[2]
- If it feels more comfortable, bend your first leg slightly after kicking it up.
- Make sure your head lines up between your arms instead of leaning it back against the wall so you keep your spine straight.
- Walk your feet up the wall if you aren't comfortable kicking up. If you've done all of the preparation for handstand pushups but find it scary to kick up against the wall, you can walk your feet up instead. Get on your hands and knees with your back to the wall and make sure your feet are from the wall. Now, place one foot against the wall, followed by the other, and walk your way up the wall.
- If you're walking your feet up the wall because you can't physically kick up against the wall, you should do preparation before continuing, as a pushup will likely be difficult.
EditMastering the Basic Form - Maintain tension in your core. After you're in a handstand position, it's important to establish and maintain tension in your core. Tighten your lower back and abs while continuing to breathe steadily. Focus on ensuring that your midline—the middle line through your body—is straight and stable so that you don't fall.[3]
- Never hold your breath while maintaining tension in your core.
- Lower the top of your head to the ground. Maintain the tightness in your back and abs and slowly lower yourself gradually. Start by only going a short distance and work towards eventually touching your head to the floor. Always try to keep your elbows bent as you lower yourself.[4]
- Make sure your fingers are spread apart and pointing straight ahead. When pointing your fingers, use your middle or index finger as a guide.
- Press upward from the floor after your head touches it. Once you've lowered yourself to a point you're comfortable with, press upward while maintaining the same tightness in your core. Keep your middle straight and continue raising yourself up until your elbows are fully extended.[5]
- Keep your neck in a neutral position looking ahead.
- Do 5 sets of 5 reps. Continue pressing yourself upward from the floor and lowering yourself to the ground. Each time your head touches the ground, 1 rep is complete. Do 5 consecutive reps to complete 1 set, and take a 5-minute break in between each set.[6]
- Don't push yourself too hard! If you're having trouble, decrease the number of sets or reps.
- Use a smaller range of motion at first. Slowly work your way to lowering your head all the way to the ground.
EditDoing a Freestanding Handstand - Place a folded panel mat in front of you. Lay out the mat in front of you where you plan on doing the handstand. That way, you'll have some padding if you fall over or lose your balance.[7]
- Purchase folded panel mats from fitness and athletics stores.
- Kick 1 leg up into your handstand at a time. Extend your arms out on each side of your head. Step with 1 foot forward into a lunge position and bend forward at the hips. Place your hands down on the padded mat so they're shoulder-width apart. Kick 1 of your legs up above you and then lift your second leg off the ground.[8]
- Keep your front knee above your ankle as opposed to your toes.
- Push upward using the heel of your front foot.
- Grab a plyo box and kick up to the ceiling if you want a greater challenge. Plyo boxes are used mostly in Crossfit and add extra support. Check that your biceps are parallel to your ears and extend one foot with your toes pointed to the floor. Start rocking backward and forward to create momentum. After gaining momentum for 2 to 3 seconds, kick yourself up with your feet, making sure that your back foot leaves the ground before your bent foot.[9]
- You may have to kick harder rather than softer—it's easier to decrease your speed to balance compared to increasing your speed to compensate for too little balance.
- If you over kick, turn sideways and cartwheel yourself to your feet.
- Be careful! Don't do anything you aren't comfortable with.
- Falling onto your neck could leave you seriously injured, paralyzed, or cause death.
- Never try a freestanding handstand pushup without mastering it from a wall first.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Make a Bow Tie Posted: 05 Feb 2019 12:00 AM PST A bow tie is an easy project that you can make with or without sewing. You can make a no-sew bow tie in a hurry for a costume, a traditional fabric bow tie to wear with a suit, or a cute little bow tie for a baby to wear. Choose your fabric and the option that best suits your needs, and create your bow tie! EditMaking a Quick No-Sew Bow Tie - Cut out a rectangle of stiff fabric. Choose a stiff fabric, such a felt, wool, linen, faux leather, or quilted cotton. This will create a bow tie that is about . Measure and mark the fabric with a ruler and some chalk or a pen. Then, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut your fabric.[1]
- If you want a larger bow tie, cut a larger rectangle of fabric. Use a 3 to 1 ratio for length and width and make the length twice the desired length of the finished bow tie. For example, if you want your bow tie to be , then cut out a fabric rectangle that is .
- Cut a strip of fabric for the center of the bow. This length will work for most size bow ties because you only need to wrap it around the center of the bow tie. For a bow tie that is larger than , start with these dimensions as a base. Then, add to the length and to the width.[2]
- For example, if you are making a bow tie that is , then you might cut a strip of fabric that is .
- Remember that you can always trim the strip down to suit your tie, but you cannot add fabric back on.
- Fold the rectangle in half so that the short edges are lined up. Lay the rectangle out on a flat surface, and then fold 1 end of the rectangle over to the opposite end. Line up the edges of the rectangle and hold it in this position with 1 hand.[3]
- You can also place a weight on the tie to keep it folded if you need to do something else before continuing. However, do not use pins. They may damage the fabric and you will not be able to complete the bow tie with a pin in place.
- Squeeze in the bow at the center. With your other hand, pick up the rectangle at the center and squeeze it in to create 3 even folds. The center should look like an accordion when you do this. There should be 3 distinct, even folds in the center of the tie.[4]
- Keep holding the tie at the center with 1 hand to keep it folded.
- Glue the bow between the folds with a hot glue gun. Heat up the hot glue gun about 15 minutes before you plan to use it. When the glue gun is warmed up, loosen your grip on the center of the tie slightly to expose the area between the folds. Then, apply a dot of hot glue between the folds.[5]
- Continue to apply dots of hot glue into the areas between the folds to secure the center of the bow tie.
- Secure the strip of fabric around the center of the bow with hot glue. Take the strip of fabric and wrap it so that the short ends overlap on the back side of the bow tie. Then, apply a couple of dots of hot glue to the fabric to secure the 2 ends to the back of the bow tie and to each other.[6]
- If needed, you can cut off some of the excess material to get a better fit.
- This completes your bow tie! Attach it to your shirt collar with a safety pin through the backside of the bow tie.
EditSewing an Adult Bow Tie - Choose a flexible print or color fabric for your bow tie. Cotton works well for making a bow tie, but you can use any fabric you like as long as it is flexible enough to shape into a bow tie. Choose something in the color, texture, and weight of your choice.[7]
- You will need about ¼ of a yard of fabric and ¼ of a yard of iron-on interfacing.
- Purchase fabric from an online fabric store or a local craft store. You can also upcycle unwanted clothing from your own closet, such as an old, cotton dress shirt or skirt.
- Find and print a simple bow tie pattern. You can purchase a pattern from a craft store or download and print a free pattern from the internet.[8] Read reviews of the pattern to assess its quality. Also, make sure the pattern is equal to your skill level.
- The pattern you use will look like a long strip with a couple of wider, rounded spots after you cut it out. This will allow you to create a bow tie that you can actually tie, rather than a clip-on tie.[9]
- If you cannot find a tie pattern you want to use, then you can also use an existing tie to create a pattern. Place the untied fabric on a sheet of construction paper. Then, use a pen or pencil to trace the outline of the tie onto the paper. Trace around the edges of the tie leaving of extra space all around the edges of the tie. This will be your seam allowance.
- Cut the fabric and interfacing for your bow tie shape. Place the pattern piece on your folded fabric and insert a few pins through the pattern and fabric layers to secure them. Cut the fabric right along the outer edges of the pattern. Do not cut through the pattern or too far outside of the edges. Then, repeat this with the pattern piece on the folded interfacing.[10]
- You should end up with 4 pieces of fabric that are the same size and shape.
- Iron the interfacing onto the fabric. Lay out 1 of your fabric bow tie pieces so that the wrong (back) side of the fabric is facing up. Then, place 1 of the interfacing pieces over the fabric piece. Line up the edges of the interfacing and fabric so that they are even. Run the heated iron over the interfacing to secure it to the fabric.[11]
- Repeat this for the other fabric and interfacing pieces.
- Sew the long edges of the 2 interfaced fabric pieces together. Line up the 2 pieces so that the right sides are facing each other and the edges are aligned. Sew a straight stitch about from the raw edges on both of the long sides of the tie, but leave a opening in 1 side near the center part of the tie. Sew around the short end on 1 side of the tie as well.[12]
- You will invert the pieces after sewing them together.
- Snip the excess fabric at the corners of the tie and along the curved edges. Before you turn the tie inside out, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the excess fabric at the corners of the bow tie. Then, snip notches into the fabric along the curved part of the tie. This will make it easier to push the fabric out on the inside of the tie.[13]
- Make sure that you do not cut through the stitches you have made.
- Flip the inside of the bow tie out. This can take a little patience, as it can be difficult to pull the whole tie through the small opening you have left in the tie. Use your fingers to push the material through the opening in the center of the tie.[14]
- To make it easier, try using the eraser end of a pencil to help you push 1 end of the tie through the opening in the tie and out the other side.
- Sew the remaining short edge of the tie. On the remaining open part of the tie, flip the raw edges inward by about . Sew a straight stitch about from the folded edge, or use a needle and thread to hand sew the opening closed. This will secure the open end of the bow tie.[15]
- If desired, you may also sew a straight stitch across the other short end of the tie so that the ends of the tie match each other.
- Iron your bow tie. Ironing will make the tie look neat and crisp after it is tied. Place the bow tie on a flat surface, such as an ironing board or over a towel on a table or counter. Then, run the heated iron over the fabric to flatten it out, especially along the seams. Make sure that the tie is free of bumps, creases, and wrinkles when you are finished.[16]
- If your tie is made from a delicate fabric, then you may want to place a t-shirt or thin towel over the tie before you iron it. Place your iron on its lowest setting as well.
EditMaking an Easy Baby Bow Tie - Cut a square and a rectangle out of a piece of lightweight fabric. Make the square and the rectangle . Cotton works best, but you can use any lightweight fabric you want. Use your ruler to measure the fabric and mark where you need to cut it with a piece of chalk. Then, cut along the chalk lines to get the 2 pieces.[17]
- Make sure to cut the fabric carefully to avoid jagged edges.
- Fold the square piece in half with the wrong sides facing out. Then, add a line of hot glue along the raw edge on the right (print) side of the fabric. Press the edges together to create a seam.[18]
- If desired, you may also sew a straight stitch about from the raw edge of the fabric to secure the edges together.
- Be careful not to touch the hot glue with your bare fingers. You may want to wear gloves or use the ruler to press down on the edges of the fabric.
- Invert the tube of fabric so that the right sides are exposed. Once the glue is cool and the edges are secured, turn the tube of fabric so that the right sides are facing out and the raw edges of the seam are hidden. Then, flatten the tube and position the glued seam so that it is in the center of 1 side of the rectangle, not on the edge.[19]
- Fold the ends in by to hide the raw edges. Make sure that the ends are even. Then, add a line of hot glue along the fold on the inside of the tube. Press the edges together using your gloved fingers or a ruler.[20]
- If desired, you may also use an iron to press the tube and the folded ends before you add the glue. This may help to keep the tube flat.
- Fold the small strip so the edges overlap and secure them with glue. Lay the small strip so that the right side is facing down and apply a line of hot glue down the center of the strip. Then, fold 1 of the long sides over to the center of the strip and apply another line of hot glue over the edge of the strip. Fold the other side over that 1 and press it down to secure it.[21]
- If desired, you may iron the folded strip before you glue it. This may help to keep it flat.
- Pinch and fold the middle of the fabric into the shape of an accordion. Loosen your grip on the center slightly to expose the area between the folds. Then, apply a few dabs of hot glue to the areas between the folds and press the folds back together. Repeat this on both sides of the bow to secure the folds in the center.[22]
- You can experiment with folds in the center of the bow to find the arrangement that looks best to you.
- Wrap the smaller fabric piece around the center of the bow. Take the strip of fabric and wrap it around the center of the bow. Then, apply a few drops of hot glue to the back of the bow and wrap 1 end of the fabric strip over it. Then apply another dab of glue onto the strip at the back of the bow, and press the other end into the glue.[23]
- If there is excess fabric left after gluing the ends, you can cut it to avoid having it visible on the front of the bow tie.
- Attach a clip to the back of the bow tie using hot glue. Add a line of glue onto the back of the clip and press it onto the back of the bow tie. Hold them together tightly for a minute to allow the glue to cool and bond with the fabric and clip. This will allow you to clip the bow onto the baby's shirt, or use it as a cute hair clip.[24]
- You may also sew the bow onto a baby onesie or shirt with a needle and thread.
- Avoid using a safety pin to attach the bow as this may poke the baby if it comes undone. The baby may also try to put it into their mouth and this could result in injury.
- Always use caution when putting anything around an individual's neck. Strangulation may occur if the fabric is too tight or if children try to use a bow tie unattended.
- Be careful when using a hot glue gun! Do not get any hot glue on your skin or it will burn you.
EditThings You'll Need EditMaking a Quick No-Sew Bow Tie - of fabric
- Ruler
- Chalk
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Safety pin
- Ribbon (optional)
- Needle and thread (optional)
EditSewing an Adult Bow Tie - of fabric
- Bow tie pattern
- Ruler
- Chalk
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
EditMaking an Easy Baby Bow Tie - of lightweight fabric
- Ruler
- Chalk
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Clip or needle and thread
EditSources and Citations
EditQuick Summary
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