| How to Clean a Rusty Necklace Posted: 02 Nov 2020 04:00 PM PST Rusty or tarnished jewelry can look dull and not quite as pretty as new jewelry. Rust looks reddish and flaky and usually shows up on costume jewelry, while tarnish appears dull and usually affects silver jewelry. You can clean your rusty or tarnished necklace with a few items that you probably already have in your home to clean up your jewelry and look dazzling all night long. [Edit]Cleaning with Vinegar - Fill a bowl with of white vinegar. White vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that is mildly acidic, but not so much that it will hurt your necklace. Pour some into a bowl or a shallow dish that is large enough to hold your necklace.[1]
- You can find white vinegar at most home goods or grocery stores.
- Vinegar won't harm costume jewelry, but it may hurt any precious metals or stones.
- Vinegar is great at removing rust, but won't work as well on tarnish.
- Submerge your necklace in the vinegar completely. Make sure all parts of your necklace are dunked underneath the vinegar, especially the areas with rust on them. If you need to, add more vinegar so that your necklace is entirely covered.[2]
- Let your necklace sit for about 8 hours. Vinegar takes time to loosen the rust attached to your necklace. Set your bowl in an area where it won't be disturbed overnight and check on it in the morning.[3]
- Scrub off the rust with a toothbrush. Pick your necklace out of the vinegar and set it down on a towel. Use a toothbrush to gently rub the rust off your necklace until it's clean again. If there's a lot of rust on your necklace, you can let it sit for another 1 to 2 hours to soak.[4]
- A toothbrush has soft bristles that won't scratch your necklace.
- Rinse off your necklace with cool water. Make sure all of the vinegar is gone so that it doesn't break down parts of your necklace. Focus the water on any areas that were especially rusty to clean them.[5]
- Cool water is more gentle on your jewelry than warm water is.
- Pat your necklace dry with a clean cloth. Make sure your necklace is completely dry before you wear it or store it again. If your necklace is wet, it could get rusty again. Use a clean cloth so you don't scratch your jewelry.[6]
[Edit]Using Dish Soap - Mix 2 drops of dish soap with of warm water. Use a small bowl to combine warm water from the sink with some mild dish soap. Try to use unscented, dye-free dish soap if you can to protect the surface of your necklace.[7]
- Rub your necklace in the soap and water with your fingers. Dunk your necklace and chain into the water and make sure it's fully submerged. Gently rub the surface of the pendant and the chain to get rid of any rust or tarnish.[8]
- Using your fingers is more gentle than a cloth or a sponge, which can scratch delicate jewelry.
- Rinse your necklace under warm water. Make sure there is no soap residue left on your necklace so that it doesn't leave any dark spots. Use warm water to clean off any extra tarnished areas.[9]
- Dry dish soap can discolor your necklace and make it look spotty.
- Pat your necklace dry with a clean cloth. Make sure your cloth is completely free from dirt and debris before you use it. Gently pat your necklace and make sure it is fully dry before you put it away.[10]
- Storing your necklace while it's wet can lead to more rust or tarnish.
- If your necklace is silver, buff some silver polish into its surface to keep it shiny.
[Edit]Mixing Baking Soda and Salt - Line a small bowl with aluminum foil. Keep the shiny side of the foil up. Choose a bowl that can hold about of liquid.[11]
- Aluminum foil creates an electrolytic reaction to remove tarnish and rust without harming the metal of the necklace.
- Mix 1 tbsp (14 g) of baking soda and 1 tbsp (14 g) of table salt with warm water. Heat up of warm water in the microwave until it is hot but not boiling. Pour the water in the bowl with the foil and then stir in the baking soda and table salt until they have dissolved completely.[12]
- Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that is mildly corrosive. It can remove tarnish from gold and silver, and rust from steel or costume jewelry.
- Submerge your necklace in the mixture and make sure it touches the foil. Use caution as you place your necklace in the bowl since the water will still be hot. Make sure the necklace touches the bottom of the bowl so it's in contact with the foil.[13]
- Let the necklace sit for 2 to 10 minutes. Depending on how tarnished or rusty your necklace is, you may need to let it sit for the full 10 minutes. You may notice some small bubbles on your necklace, which is just the chemical reaction removing the rust.[14]
- If your necklace wasn't super rusty, you can take it out after 2 or 3 minutes.
- Rinse your necklace with cold water. Use tongs to pick your necklace out of the hot water and then clean it off in the sink with cool water. Make sure there is no residue of the salt or baking soda so they don't sit on your necklace long term.[15]
- Pat the necklace dry with a clean cloth. Set your necklace on a cloth laid flat and gently fold it over to pat the necklace dry. Leave the necklace out to air dry for 1 hour before you store it again to prevent rust, or put your necklace on right away to enjoy its new, shiny look.[16]
- Rust builds up on necklaces when they are left in a moist or wet environment.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Cleaning with Vinegar - Bowl
- Distilled white vinegar
- Soft-bristled brush or toothbrush
- Soft cloth
[Edit]Using Dish Soap - Small bowl
- Dish soap
- Soft cloth
[Edit]Mixing Baking Soda and Salt - Aluminum foil
- Baking soda
- Table salt
- Microwave
- Soft cloth
[Edit]Warnings - Never clean jewelry with precious gemstones or pearls in it. The cleaning solution can damage gemstones and pearls.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Smoked Paprika Posted: 02 Nov 2020 08:00 AM PST Smoked paprika provides a big smoky flavor that is an essential component of many dishes that call for it. However, it can also be harder to find in stores than other types of paprika. If you're cooking something like a Spanish paella that calls for smoked paprika, but you don't have any on hand, don't worry! You can probably find an acceptable substitute in your spice cupboard to save the day. On the other hand, if you find yourself cooking with smoked paprika all the time, you can try smoking, dehydrating, and grinding fresh peppers to make your very own homemade batch to have handy. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Homemade Smoked Paprika Makes 3/4 of a cup (86 g) of smoked paprika powder [Edit]Creating Your Own Smoked Paprika - Wash and dry red peppers that you want to make smoked paprika with. Use red bell peppers if you want a milder, sweeter paprika or red chili peppers if you want spicy smoked paprika. Rinse your chosen peppers thoroughly under cool running water, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels or let them air dry completely.[1]
- Paprika can be made from any capsicum pepper, but the traditional paprika is made from pimiento peppers (small, sweet, red peppers with thin walls)
- You don't have to only use red peppers, although this is what gives paprika its rich red color. Feel free to mix some orange or yellow peppers in with some red peppers to create your own unique blend of flavors.
- Note that of fresh peppers will give you about 3/4 of a cup (86 g) of smoked paprika powder.
- Deseed and chop the peppers. Place your peppers one at a time on a cutting board and use a sharp kitchen knife to cut off the top with the stem, then cut out and remove the center and the seeds. Slice each pepper in half, cut out any white ribs, and scrape out any remaining seeds. Cut larger peppers, such as bell peppers, into 4-8 thinner slices.[2]
- If you're making your paprika with hot peppers, wear latex gloves while you cut and prepare them to avoid getting the spicy capsicum on your hands.
- Be very careful not to touch your face, especially your eyes, while you're preparing your peppers or you might transfer capsicum and experience an unpleasant burning sensation.
- Use a smoker filled with oak wood chips to smoke the peppers. Soak the oak wood chips in water for at least 15 minutes, then load them into an electric or charcoal smoker. Put all your prepared peppers in a basket on the smoker's grill and smoke them for at least 3 hours.[3]
- Traditional smoked paprika is made by smoking the peppers very slowly over a period of days or weeks until they are totally dry. However, this isn't really practical if you're making it at home. You can just smoke them for a few hours to impart the smokey flavor, then finish drying them out using a dehydrator or your oven.
- If you don't have a smoker, you can also use a regular charcoal grill as a smoker.
- Dry the peppers out in a food dehydrator or in your oven. Lay the peppers out in an even layer on a food dehydrator tray or a baking tray. Set the dehydrator or oven to , then put the peppers inside and dehydrate them for at least 5 hours, or until they're completely dry.[4]
- If you're using an oven and it doesn't go down to , just use the lowest temperature it has and check on the peppers every hour or so. If you dry them out at , for example, they might be done after 3 hours.
- If you're using a dehydrator and it has a different recommended temperature for dehydrating vegetables, use that instead. Keep in mind that 5 hours is the minimum time your peppers will need in a dehydrator, but you can leave them overnight or for up to 12 hours.
- Keep in mind that very spicy peppers can give off an intense odor while they're dehydrating, so open up windows and use a fan for ventilation if you're drying out hot peppers. If you're using a portable dehydrator, you can even put it outside if you have room.
- Grind the peppers into a powder using an electric blade-style coffee grinder. Transfer the peppers in small batches to the grinder. Put the lid on, turn the grinder on, and blend the peppers up until they turn into a fine, uniform powder. Pour the powder out into a bowl and repeat the process until you grind all the peppers.[5]
- Blade-style coffee grinders are also often marketed as herb or spice grinders. They're the same thing.
- If your grinder has multiple settings, choose the finest grinding setting.
- Sift the powder through a fine mesh strainer to make sure there are no chunks. Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour all your paprika powder through it. Stir it around with a spoon to break up chunks and help it fall through the strainer until all the powder is in the bowl below. Discard any large pieces, such as bits of skin, that are left in the strainer.[6]
- If you have a lot of bigger pieces left in the strainer, you can try grinding them up again. If you just have a few bits of skin and things like that, go ahead and just throw those pieces away.
- Store your smoked paprika in a sealed container at room temperature. Transfer the powder to a sealable container, such as a jar with a screw-on lid, and put the lid on tightly. Put the jar somewhere where it will stay at room temperature, like in a cupboard, away from heat sources like the stove and sunlight.[7]
- Paprika doesn't go bad, but it can lose potency over time, especially when exposed to heat. In general, it will be most potent within 6-8 months of making it.
[Edit]Using Smoked Paprika Substitutes - Utilize other types of paprika to get the paprika flavor without the smokiness. Try equal amounts of Hungarian, sweet, or hot paprika powder in your recipes instead of smoked paprika. These paprikas don't have the smoky flavor, but at least you'll get the pepper taste and red color of paprika.[8]
- This would probably be best for recipes that only call for small amounts of smoked paprika, in which the difference won't be super noticeable.
- If you're making a recipe that relies heavily on smoked paprika for the seasoning, try a different alternative that recreates the smokiness of it.
- Try chipotle powder for a very similar store-bought substitute. Store-bought chipotle powder is widely considered to be the best substitute for smoked paprika. Use the same amount of chipotle powder as the amount of smoked paprika that your recipe calls for.[9]
- Chipotle powder is made out of smoked, dried jalapeño peppers, which have a similar flavor profile to the smoked peppers used to make smoked paprika.
- Some chipotle powders can be spicier than smoked paprika, depending on how hot the jalapeños used to make them were. If you don't like the heat, reduce the amount of chipotle powder you use by 1/4 or so or just add it a little at a time to taste.
- Use liquid smoke instead of smoked paprika to replicate the smokey flavor. Use half as much liquid smoke as you would smoked paprika in your recipe. Measure out liquid smoke in 1/2 the amount of the smoked paprika that your recipe calls for and pour it in. This will infuse a smoky flavor into the food to provide the essential component that smoked paprika contains.[10]
- For example, if your recipe calls for 1 tsp (2.3 g) of smoked paprika, use of liquid smoke instead.
- You can add 1/2 tsp (1.65 g) of a different kind of paprika for each of liquid smoke to add some paprika flavor and color as well.
- Liquid smoke is usually available in the spice aisle of your local supermarket, alongside BBQ seasoning mixes and similar things. Alternatively, you can order it online.
- Mix 2 parts sweet paprika with 1 part cumin for a passable substitute. Combine sweet paprika and cumin in a 2-1 ratio in a small bowl and mix them together thoroughly. Add this mix to your recipe in the same amount as the smoked paprika that the recipe calls for.[11]
- The sweet paprika will give you the color and flavor of paprika, while the cumin adds a bit of smokiness.
- Cumin also naturally pairs well with the flavors in many dishes that call for smoked paprika, so it won't harm your recipe at all.
- Choose cayenne, guajillo, or ancho pepper powders for smoky alternatives. These are 3 types of peppers that all have natural smoky, spicy flavors to certain degrees. Use these in recipes instead of smoked paprika in equal amounts or to taste.[12]
- Cayenne is the spiciest of these options, so use it if you want to add extra heat to your dishes.
- You can also mix these into other types of paprika or into paprika combined with cumin to make your own kind of spice blend that is similar to smoked paprika.
- Store-bought smoked paprika is made by smoking capsicum peppers for days on end. You can cheat to achieve similar results at home by using a smoker and a food dehydrator or an oven.[13]
- Smoked paprika is a key ingredient in many Spanish dishes and foods, such as paella, chorizo, and salami.[14]
[Edit]Warnings - If you're sensitive to spiciness, be careful what substitutes you use instead of smoked paprika. Other chili powders, such as cayenne or chipotle, are hotter than paprika, so you might want to add less or use a different substitute if you're worried about the heat.[15]
- Be careful when you're cutting hot peppers if you choose to make homemade paprika out of chili peppers. Wear gloves to protect your hands and don't touch your face or eyes.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Creating Your Own Smoked Paprika - Red peppers
- Kitchen towel or paper towels
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Gloves (optional)
- Oak wood chips
- Smoker
- Dehydrator or oven
- Dehydrator tray or baking tray
- Spice or coffee grinder
- Bowl
- Fine mesh strainer
- Sealable container
[Edit]References |
| How to Write a Credit Card Dispute Letter Posted: 02 Nov 2020 12:00 AM PST Occasionally, a charge will show up on your credit card that you did not charge or authorize. Maybe a store accidentally ran your card twice, or maybe someone stole your credit card number. Either way, sometimes you must dispute a charge on your card in writing, and you may need to write both the business that charged and your credit card company to dispute it. [Edit]Writing a Letter to the Business - Begin with the date at the top. Like any business letter, you include the date at the top in the left-hand corner. The form really doesn't matter, but if you want to be more formal, include the full name of the month, the date, and then the year.[1]
- Add the addresses. Next, add a line break and your name and address. Underneath that, add the address of the company. If it's a large company, send it to their billing center, which you can find on the company's website. If it's a small company, you can send it to the owner or the business manager.[2]
- Address the letter. If you are sending it to a small business, address the manager or owner by name if possible, with "Dear Mrs. Isabel Withers:" Use a colon at the end of the salutation. If you don't have a name, "Dear Sir or Madam:" is fine.[3]
- Detail the dispute. Tell the company exactly why you are writing the letter, including the date and the amount of the dispute. Also explain why you think it is wrong.[4]
- For instance, you could say, "I'm writing to dispute an amount charged on my credit card by your store. On January 27, 2015, your store charged my credit card twice for $122.14. I did make ONE purchase of $122.14, but my credit card was run twice. I request that you remove the second charge."
- Include what you've already done. For instance, if you talked to someone over the phone, include that information with the name of the person and the date, if possible. If you've talked to your credit card company already, include that in the letter as well.[5]
- Note what evidence you are including. To support your cause, you should include evidence. For instance, you could include a copy of your credit card statement (with secure information marked out), as well as a copy of the receipt for the day in question if you have it.[6] Of course, when you say you are including something, make sure you are including it.
- For instance, in the second paragraph, you could say "I am including a copy of my credit card statement that shows both charges, as well as a copy of the receipt from that day. These documents support my claim."
- End by saying exactly what you want the business to do. Do not leave the business confused about what you want. Make sure you are absolutely clear.[7]
- As an example, you could end by saying, "I would appreciate it if you would look into this error and then remove the charge from my credit card."
- Close the letter. Under the letter, place the word "Sincerely," with a comma after it. Under that, leave a space (for you to sign your name) and then type your name below it.[8]
- Print and sign the letter. Print out the letter from your computer. Sign it between "Sincerely," and your printed name.
- Keep a copy of the letter. Always keep a copy for yourself, so you have a record. You can keep a copy on your computer, but it's better to keep a copy of the one you sign and send.[9]
- Send it by certified mail. Certified mail is best because it guarantees that the company receives it. That way, you have evidence that someone there signed for it.[10]
[Edit]Writing a Letter to Your Credit Card Company - Write the letter within 2 months. The law backs you up when you are making a dispute, but it does state that you must do it within 2 months of getting your bill. Therefore, make sure you write and send the letter in a timely manner.[11]
- Begin with the date and addresses at the top. Have the date in the top left-hand corner. Put your name and address underneath the date with a line break between them. You should include your account number with your address. Add another line break, and then put the credit card company's address. You should send it to your credit card company's billing inquiries' address, including "Billing Inquiries" under the name of the company.[12] You can find the address on the company's website.
- Include a salutation. You will have a harder time finding someone to address this letter to than your business letter. Therefore, just address it "Dear Sir or Madam:" with a colon after it.[13]
- Detail the dispute. Start by saying exactly why you are writing. State the amount of the dispute, the date it was charged, the date it came out (stopped pending), and the company that charged it.[14]
- For instance, you could write, "I am writing this letter because two instances of $122.14 was charged to my account by The Boots and Such Store in Podunk, Texas on January 27, 2015, which officially came out of my account on January 29, 2015. Only one of those charges should be on my bill, and I want to dispute the second charge."
- Include a description of the charge. If you can, provide a detailed description of what was bought. You may not be able to do this step if the charge was completely fraudulent (someone stole your card), but provide as much information as you can.[15]
- As an example, you could write, "On the date in question, I did purchase a single pair of boots for the stated amount. However, my card was charged twice."
- Discuss what you've already done. Note that you've sent a letter to the business. Also talk about in detail what conversations you've had, both with the business in question and the credit card company.[16]
- Add evidence. You should include the same information you did in the first letter, such as a copy of your credit card billing statement and a copy of your receipt. You should also include a copy of the letter you sent to the business. Don't forget to state what you're including in the letter you're writing.[17]
- End with exactly what the company should do. Once again, you need to address what the company should do with the information you are providing. You don't want to leave them confused about what you want.[18]
- As an example, you could say, "I would like this charge looked into, and I expect it to be removed from my credit card bill."
- Add a closing. At the bottom, write the word "Sincerely," with a comma. Place a line break (for your signature). Add your name in print.[19] Print the letter out and sign it.
- Make a copy of the letter. You want to have evidence of when you sent this letter, as well as what exactly went into it. Keep a copy for your records.[20]
- Send it certified mail. It's important to send it this way because it guarantees someone must sign for it on the other hand. That way, they can't say they didn't get your letter.[21]
[Edit]Warnings - Make sure you keep paying your bill while you're making the dispute. Your credit card company can report you to the credit score companies if you are late on your charges, even if you are disputing a claim.[22]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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