| How to Clean Out a Mascara Tube Posted: 14 Jun 2020 05:00 PM PDT If you recently purchased a lash or eyebrow serum and it didn't come with an applicator brush, you may be wondering how you can apply it without going and buying a completely new product. Since mascara comes with a tube and an applicator wand, they are the perfect storage places for growth serums, as long as they are completely clean. You can spend a single afternoon cleaning out your mascara tube to repurpose it for a fresh new product you can use every day. [Edit]Soaking the Mascara Tube in Makeup Remover - Pull out and clean the mascara wand with warm water and soap. Soak your mascara wand in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash the wand with dish soap and warm water and pat it dry with a paper towel.[1]
- Pour a water-based makeup remover into the mascara tube. Makeup remover will help to break down all the mascara that is left inside of the tube. Use an eye makeup remover to fill up the tube all the way.[2]
- Oil based removers won't mix well with water and may leave a residue in your mascara tube.
- If you don't have any eye makeup remover, you can also use rubbing alcohol.
- Pump the mascara wand in the tube to loosen the mascara. Put the mascara wand back into the tube and swirl it around a few times. Use the mascara wand to pull some of the loose mascara up and out of the tube if you can.[3]
- This will also help to clean off the mascara wand in case you want to reuse it.
- Recap the tube and let the makeup remove soak the interior for 3 hours. Close the lid of the mascara tube with the wand inside and let it sit with the makeup remover for at least 3 hours. If you are cleaning out a waterproof mascara tube, let it sit overnight.[4]
- Letting the tube sit allows the makeup remover to break down more of the mascara inside and makes it easier to clean.
- Pour the makeup remover out of the tube onto a paper towel. Unscrew the wand from the top of the mascara tube and dump out as much makeup remover as you can onto a paper towel. Don't be worried if only a little bit comes out, since it could just be stuck at the bottom of the tube.[5]
- Try not to pour your makeup remover and mascara down the drain, as it could clog your sink over time.
- Check for and remove the rubber insert if your mascara tube has one. Some mascara tubes have a rubber topper on the inside of the tube. Use the tines of a fork to pry the rubber part out of the tube so you can clean it out.[6]
- The rubber may have mascara stuck underneath it which is why it is important to take it out.
[Edit]Cleaning out the Residue with Soap and Water - Submerge your mascara tube and wand in warm water and dish soap. Fill your sink or a small bowl with warm water and add 1 to 2 drops of dish soap. Swirl the dish soap and water around so they mix together. Then, put your mascara tube and wand into the water and submerge them fully so that your mascara tube fills up with water.[7]
- If you took out the rubber insert, clean that off in the soapy water as well.
- Use the mascara wand to loosen the mascara inside of the tube. Insert the mascara wand into the tube again and swirl it around. Use the wand to bring chunks of mascara up and out of the tube if you can.[8]
- If you are pulling out a lot of mascara with your wand still, pour 1 drop of dish soap directly inside the tube and swirl it around with your mascara wand.
- Dunk the mascara tube into fresh water to get rid of the soap. Drain the soapy water out of your sink or bowl. Refill it with warm, clean water and submerge your mascara tube and wand into it. Do this a few times until there are no more soap bubbles coming out of your mascara tube.[9]
- If you got any mascara on your hands, use some dish soap to wash it off.
- Rinse out the tube and wand with rubbing alcohol. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into your mascara tube. Close the lid of the tube with the wand inside and shake it back and forth a few times. Drain the rubbing alcohol out of the tube.[10]
- Rubbing alcohol sterilizes the mascara tube and wand, which is important if you are repurposing it for a new product.
- Let the tube and wand air-dry in the sun. Leave the mascara tube uncapped and set it with the wand in a sunny area for about 6 hours. Make sure your mascara tube is completely dry before you fill it with a new product.[11]
- Check that the tube is really clean by putting the wand in it and then rubbing the wand over your hand. If any mascara comes off onto your hand, you need to clean out your mascara tube again.
- Add new products to your mascara tube, if desired. Insert the rubber piece back into the top of your mascara tube. Pour your new products into the mascara tube and use the wand as an applicator.[12]
- Most lash eyebrow serums have natural vitamins and minerals that encourage the growth of follicles on your face.
- Waterproof mascara tubes are much harder to clean out than non-waterproof ones.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Eye makeup remover
- Dish soap
- Small bowl
- Paper towels
- Rubbing alcohol
[Edit]References |
| How to Cook Fresh Cauliflower Posted: 14 Jun 2020 09:00 AM PDT If your only experience with cauliflower is soggy overcooked florets, it's time to try a new cooking method. Since cauliflower is naturally mild, roasting it in a hot oven brings out a rich flavor. For a fast, low-fat cooking method, boil florets just until they're tender or steam them in the microwave. If you'd like to make cauliflower the highlight of your meal, cut it into thick steaks and toss them on the grill until they're tender and charred. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Boiled Cauliflower Florets - 1 head of cauliflower, rinsed
- of water or more to cover the florets
- Salt and pepper to taste
Makes 4 servings [Edit]Steamed Cauliflower in the Microwave - 1 head of cauliflower, rinsed
- of water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Makes 6 servings [Edit]Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan - 1 head of cauliflower, rinsed
- of lemon juice
- of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup (50 g) of grated parmesan cheese
- Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of garlic powder
Makes 6 servings [Edit]Grilled Cauliflower Steaks - 2 heads of cauliflower, rinsed
- 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of smoked paprika
- of olive oil
Makes 4 servings [Edit]Making Boiled Cauliflower Florets - Cut 1 head of cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Set a rinsed cauliflower on your cutting board and slice it in 1/2 lengthwise. Lay the halves flat and cut them in 1/2 again. Then, turn a piece on its side and cut the core out at an angle. Hold the cauliflower over a bowl and break it up so the florets fall into the bowl.[1]
- Bring a pot of water to boil over high heat. Set a medium pot on the stove and fill it 3/4 full with water. Then, place a lid on the pot and turn the burner on so the water begins to boil vigorously.[2]
- To flavor the cauliflower as it cooks, use chicken or vegetable stock instead of water.
- Add the cauliflower to the pot and boil it for 5 to 7 minutes. Wear oven mitts to take the hot lid off of the pot and slowly add the florets to the boiling water. Keep the lid off of the pot and cook the florets until they're as tender as you like.[3]
- If you're planning on mashing the cauliflower, cook them until they're completely soft when you poke them with a fork.
- Drain the cauliflower in a colander. Set a colander or fine-mesh strainer in the sink and slowly pour the cauliflower into the colander so the water drains into the sink. Be careful as you're pouring because the steam from the water is hot.[4]
- Season the florets with salt and pepper. Transfer the cauliflower to a serving dish and season it with salt, pepper, or a little butter. Refrigerate leftover cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 5 days.[5]
[Edit]Making Steamed Cauliflower in the Microwave - Cut 1 head of cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Take a chef's knife and cut the rinsed cauliflower in 1/2 lengthwise. Lay each half flat and cut them in 1/2 lengthwise again. Then, turn your knife at an angle and cut the core away from each quarter. Hold the cauliflower over a bowl and crumble it into florets.[6]
- Since you cut away the core, the cauliflower easily breaks into florets on its own.
- Use a microwave-safe bowl.
- Pour of water into the bowl and cover it loosely. Add enough water to the bowl of cauliflower to cover the bottom. Lay a piece of plastic wrap, waxed paper, or a wet towel over the bowl, which will trap steam as the cauliflower cooks.[7]
- You could also cover the bowl with a small microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave the cauliflower for 3 to 4 minutes. If you like your cauliflower to have a little bite, cook it for 3 minutes. If you know you like cauliflower to be completely soft, microwave it for 4 minutes.[8]
- Microwave the cauliflower on full power.
- Leave the cauliflower in the microwave for 1 minute before you take it out. The cauliflower will continue to cook as it rests. After 1 minute, wear oven mitts to remove the hot bowl and carefully lift the lid or covering off. Insert a fork into a floret to see if it's as tender as you want.[9]
- The steam in the bowl is very hot, so lift the lid away from your face.
- If the cauliflower isn't as soft as you want, cover the bowl and return it to the microwave. Heat the cauliflower for 1 minute and check it again.
- Drain water from the bowl. There might be a little water left in the bottom of the bowl. If there is, carefully pour the cauliflower into a fine-mesh strainer over a sink so the water drains.[10]
- Season the cauliflower. Return the cauliflower to the bowl and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. To add extra flavor, stir in a little butter or olive oil. For a more filling topping, pour warm cheese sauce over the cauliflower florets.[11]
- Refrigerate leftover cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
[Edit]Making Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan - Preheat the oven to and grease a baking sheet. Spray the rimmed sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line it with a piece of aluminum foil. If you don't have a baking sheet, use a large roasting pan.[12]
- Cut 1 head of cauliflower into florets. Slice the rinsed cauliflower in 1/2 from the top through the stem. Lay both pieces flat on your cutting board and cut them in 1/2 lengthwise. Turn 1 of the quarters on its side and cut at an angle to remove the core. Then, hold the cauliflower piece over a bowl and break it up so the florets fall into the bowl.[13]
- Repeat this with each cauliflower quarter.
- Toss the florets with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pour of lemon juice and of extra-virgin olive oil over the cauliflower in the bowl. Then, stir in 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of garlic powder along with salt and pepper according to your taste.[14]
- Although you could use fresh garlic, it might burn as the cauliflower roasts.
- Spread the cauliflower on the sheet and bake it for 20 to 25 minutes. Arrange the florets so they're in a single layer and put the sheet in the oven. Roast the cauliflower until it's tender when you poke a piece with a fork.[15]
- As the cauliflower cooks, the tops brown slightly.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup (50 g) of parmesan over the florets. Wear oven mitts to take the baking sheet out of the oven. Carefully sprinkle the grated cheese over the cauliflower. If you don't want to add parmesan to your cauliflower, skip this step.[16]
- Cook the florets for 3 to 5 minutes. Return the sheet of cauliflower to the oven and roast the cauliflower until the parmesan melts. Remove the florets and serve them while they're hot.[17]
- Store leftover cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
[Edit]Making Grilled Cauliflower Steaks - Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-low. If you're using a gas grill, leave 1/2 of the burners turned off and turn the others to medium-low. If you're using a charcoal grill, fill a chimney with briquettes and light them. When the coals are hot and lightly covered with ash, dump the coals on 1 side of the grill.[18]
- Dumping the coals on 1/2 of the grill grate creates a 2-zone fire. This allows you to control the temperature as you grill the cauliflower steaks.
- Cut each cauliflower into 2 or 3 thick steaks. Rinse 2 heads of cauliflower and put them on a cutting board. Pull off all of the outer leaves and use a chef's knife to trim the stem so you can stand the cauliflower on a flat base. Hold the cauliflower in place with 1 hand and carefully cut the cauliflower into 4 slabs that are about thick. Then, lay the steaks on a sheet.[19]
- Keep in mind that florets will crumble away as you cut the steaks. Set these aside to use in other recipes.
- Brush both sides of the steaks with of olive oil. Pour the oil into a small bowl and dip a barbecue or pastry brush into it. Then, brush the oil completely over the surface of each steak. Flip the steaks over and brush the other side as well.[20]
- The olive oil flavors the steaks and prevents them from sticking to the grill.
- Mix the salt, pepper, garlic, powder, and paprika and season the steaks. Put 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of sea salt into a small bowl and add 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground black pepper. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of smoked paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning mix over each cauliflower steak.[21]
- Place the steaks over direct heat and grill them for 14 to 16 minutes. Lay the steaks on the grill so there's at least of space between each steak. Cover the grill and cook the steaks until they're charred on both sides. Use tongs to flip the steaks over halfway through the cooking time.[22]
- If you're using a charcoal grill, put the steaks on the side of the grill that has the hot coals underneath it.
- Move the steaks to indirect heat. Wear oven mitts to lift up the lid of the grill. Then, use the tongs to move the steaks to the cool side of the grill. Put the lid back down to trap the heat in the grill.[23]
- Grill the cauliflower for another 15 to 20 minutes. Cook the steaks until they're as tender as you like. Then, transfer the steaks to a serving platter and enjoy them with other grilled vegetables.[24]
- To test how tender the steaks are, stick a paring knife into the center of a steak. If you like the steaks soft, the knife should come out easily.
- To refrigerate leftover cauliflower steaks, put them in an airtight container and store them for up to 5 days.
- For something different, try cooking a purple or orange cauliflower!
- Replace steamed rice with homemade cauliflower rice for a low-carb side dish.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Boiled Cauliflower Florets - Pot
- Knife and cutting board
- Colander or fine-mesh strainer
- Serving bowl
[Edit]Steamed Cauliflower in the Microwave - Microwave-safe bowl
- Knife and cutting board
- Plastic wrap, waxed paper, towel, or plate
- Fine-mesh strainer
[Edit]Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan - Measuring cups and spoons
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Knife and cutting board
[Edit]Grilled Cauliflower Steaks - Gas or charcoal grill
- Tongs
- Serving platter
- Baking sheet
- Measuring spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Barbecue brush
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Hang Curtains with Wire Posted: 14 Jun 2020 01:00 AM PDT Curtains offer much-needed shade for doors and windows that receive lots of direct sunlight, while also lending an endlessly-customizable decorative touch. The trouble is, putting them up usually requires a lot of measuring, drilling, and messing with complicated bits of hardware—unless you do away with the rod, that is. DIY wire curtain hangers make it possible to hang curtains in any part of your home where you don't have the space, or desire, to install a regular curtain rod. [Edit]Installing the Screw Hooks - Choose a location for your curtains. The beauty of hanging curtains with wire as opposed to a fixed rod is that you can put them anywhere. They can surround a window or door like normal, or you might string them between two walls to serve as an attractive partition. You could even stick them in the middle of a wall to highlight or cover a piece of prized artwork. You're only limited by your imagination![1]
- Make sure your designated hanging site is big enough to extend your curtain or curtains to their full length.
- If your curtains are for ornamental purposes only (to frame a recessed window or set of French doors, for example), you may be able to get by with only of wall space.
- Make two level marks on the wall for your mounting hooks. This will be a piece of cake if you're hanging your curtains over a window or doorway—just draw a small dot or 'X' on either end of the opening, using a tape measure and carpenter's level to align the distant marks. If you plan on putting them somewhere out of the ordinary, you'll first need to measure them from end to end to determine how much room they'll take up width-wise.[2]
- You'll also find the exact dimensions of your curtains listed on their original packaging, if you happened to save it.
- Drill pilot holes for the screw hooks. Fit a power drill with a bit that matches the diameter of the threaded body of the hooks (this number should be specified on the product package). Hold the tip of the drill bit against the wall at a perpendicular angle, then squeeze the trigger, push the bit into the wall about deep, and pull it straight out again.[3]
- Assuming you don't have a drill handy, you can also open up a small pilot hole using a good old hammer and nail.[4]
- If your curtains are on the heavy side, it's a good idea to confirm that each of your screw hooks is going into a wall stud, which will provide a much stronger anchor than thin, brittle drywall.
- Work the screw hooks into the wall by turning them clockwise. The easiest way to do this is to screw them in by hand. If you're having trouble getting them to go in, grab a screwdriver or a pair of pliers to give yourself some extra leverage. Keep twisting the hooks until their threads are no longer visible, and make sure that the curved ends are pointed upwards.[5]
- You can also use a drill to drive your wall screws for effortless installation. Just fit your drill with a round hook or eye bit.[6]
- Do your best to screw the hooks straight into the wall. If you move them around too much, you'll end up with a larger hole than you need, which could cause the hooks to come loose more easily.
[Edit]Rigging the Wire - Extend a spool of flexible metal wire to the desired length. Unravel the loose end of the spool until it's as long as the distance between your screw hooks, then feed out an additional . This will leave you enough excess to loop the ends and suspend the wire between the hooks.[7]
- Any type of lightweight, durable wire or cable will work just fine for this project, but galvanized steel aircraft cable is your best bet if you want your rig-up to withstand weight, friction, and time. You can buy a small bundle of aircraft cable at your local hardware store or home improvement center for around $30-40.
- Don't forget to subtract the length of your turnbuckle (the tightening device you'll be using to add tension to the wire). Standard turnbuckles are usually somewhere between in their normal state and when expanded.
- Cut the wire with a pair of wire rope cutters. Clamp the jaws of your cutters onto the appropriate spot along the wire. Squeeze the handles together forcefully to snip the section free. You may need to use both hands here.[8]
- A pair of high-tensile wire cutters will easily slice through cables that are especially strong or thick.[9]
- You can also use bolt cutters, a hacksaw, or a rotary tool equipped with a steel cutting wheel if you don't own a pair of specialized wire rope cutters.
- Double the ends of the wire over on themselves to form small loops. Try to make each loop as small as possible, but not so small that it won't fit over the curved ends of your screw hooks. When you're satisfied with the size of your first loop, use one hand to keep it pinched together tightly.[10]
- For the sake of precision, it can be helpful to use strips of tape to mark the points where the wire will connect to the screw hooks. This will tell you exactly how much spare length you have to work with at a glance.
- You'll be slipping these loops over your screw hooks when it comes time to actually hang your curtains.
- Secure the loops with wire rope clips. Clamp the two pieces of your first clip over the open end of one loop, making sure that the U-shaped top half is positioned over the "dead" (cut) end of the wire and that the lower half (also known as the "saddle") is sitting on the "live" end. Using a socket wrench of a suitable size, turn the two nuts on the saddle clockwise to tighten the clip. Repeat the process with the opposite loop.[11]
- The wire rope clips will ensure that the two sections of wire forming the loop stay cinched together.
- You should only need a single clip for the kind of small gauge wire this project calls for. If you decide to make use of more than one, be sure to separate them by at least a full saddle's length.[12]
[Edit]Attaching and Adjusting the Curtains - Pass the wire through the holes in your curtain or curtains. Snake the wire in an alternating fashion through the front side of one hole and the back of the next. That way, the curtain will bunch properly when it's drawn open completely. If your curtains have rings attached to the top for ease of installation, simply pull the wire straight through.[13]
- It may help to lay the curtains out on the floor while you do this rather than trying to hold them upright.
- Once you've threaded the curtains successfully, gather them near the middle section of the wire so they won't get in your way while you finish hanging them.
- Loop a turnbuckle over one of the screw hooks on your wall. A turnbuckle is a small device used to manually add tension to ropes and wires. Turn the shaft connecting the eye and hook ends counterclockwise to expand the turnbuckle to its full length. Doing so will allow you to gradually stretch the wire once it's in place and guarantee that it won't sag or droop under the weight of your curtains.[14]
- Most turnbuckles are designed to expand beyond their starting length, so you'll have quite a bit of wiggle room.[15]
- You can pick up a turnbuckle at the hardware store or home improvement center when you go to purchase the rest of your supplies.
- Drape the looped ends of the wire over the screw hooks. Place one loop over the hooked end of the turnbuckle. Then, pull the slack out of the wire and slip the other loop over the opposing screw hook. Your curtains are now officially hung. Just one last step to take care of![16]
- If necessary, have an assistant hold the curtains from below while you concentrate on attaching the ends of the wire or vice versa.
- Twist the shaft of the turnbuckle clockwise to tighten it until the wire is taut. As you rotate the shaft, it will shift further down the threads on the eye end, creating more tension on the wire. A few quick turns should be all it takes to get your curtains hanging nice and straight.[17]
- If you discover that your curtains are still sagging after you've tightened the turnbuckle all the way, you may have no choice but to unclamp one end of the wire and move the loop closer to the middle to shorten it.
- If you're looking for a way to hang your curtains without putting any holes in your walls, try using press-on adhesive hooks in place of screw hooks. Just be aware that these sorts of solutions typically can't support more than about .
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Tape measure
- Carpenter's level
- Pencil
- Power drill w/ hook or eye bit
- Screw hooks
- Lightweight, flexible metal wire
- Wire rope cutters
- Tape measure
- Wire rope clips
- Turnbuckle
- Hammer and nail (optional)
- Plastic wall anchors (optional)
- Metal thimbles (optional—for reinforcing loops)
- Adjustable wrench or screwdriver (optional)
[Edit]References |
No comments:
Post a Comment