| How to Carry Luggage on Top of Your Car Posted: 21 Nov 2021 04:00 PM PST It can be a little frustrating when you don't have the space in your vehicle for all of your bags. Luckily, you can haul your luggage with the extra space you have on your roof. As long as you secure your things properly, you can take them on any long drive! We'll walk you through all the different options you can use on your roof and how to make sure you and your things stay safe while you're on the road. [Edit]Choosing a Storage Option - Loop straps through your vehicle doors for a cheap but less secure alternative. Tying your things directly to your vehicle can help you save money if you're in a hurry. You can use ratchet straps for the most security or rope with a trucker's hitch knot. Open your car doors and feed the strap through a driver's-side door and out the passenger-side door. Loop the strap over the luggage at least 2 or 3 times length- and width-wise before tying it down.[1]
- Ratchet straps usually cost around $20 USD and you can buy them from most hardware stores.
- Putting your luggage directly on your vehicle could scratch or dent it, so place a towel or blanket down first. Your luggage will also be exposed to the elements and potential thieves.
- Avoid using bungee cords to hold your luggage in place since it's the least secure.
- Raise your luggage off the roof with a rack or basket. Roof racks and baskets prevent you from scratching or denting your vehicle if your luggage moves around. The most secure racks and baskets install directly on roof rails or cross bars, but you may be able to find some that attach or clip into your door jamb. You can get a variety of sizes, but look for one that's made to fit the make and model of your vehicle. You'll also need ratchet straps in addition to your rack to tie your items down.[2]
- Roof racks tend to cost around $50–75 USD, but higher-end models can be pricier. Ratchet straps are available at most hardware stores and only cost $20 USD.
- Roof racks and baskets still leave your luggage exposed to weather. They could also attract potential thieves since your items will be out in the open.
- You can also cover your roof rack with a cargo net to keep your things in place so they're less likely to move around or fall off.[3]
- Choose a cargo bag to keep your luggage dry. Cargo bags have a soft outer shell that zips over your cargo so it doesn't get damaged with the weather. You can clip cargo bags directly to your vehicle in the door jambs or you can tie them onto rails or rack on your roof.[4]
- Cargo bags typically cost around $50–100 USD.
- Most cargo bags also come with a lock so you can protect your belongings.
- Items may shift around in a cargo bag, but it may contain straps inside to help you secure your items down.
- Pick a hard-shell cargo box for the most secure protection. Cargo boxes have a sturdier plastic design that you can lock closed so your items stay dry and safe even if they're unattended. Since your luggage isn't visible, you're less likely to deal with any thieves. Most cargo boxes have to attach to a roof rack or rails with crossbars, so you may need some additional hardware and installation.[5]
- Cargo boxes are the most expensive and usually cost anywhere from $300–500 USD, but they may get pricier for larger models.
- Cargo boxes are also the heaviest, so you may not be able to carry as much on your roof.
[Edit]Loading Your Luggage - Check your vehicle's load weight limit so you don't exceed it. You can find the load limit for your vehicle in the owner's manual or by searching your make and model online. The load limit determines how much weight you can safely carry without it affecting your driving. If you go over the load limit, it could affect the balance of your vehicle and make it unsafe to travel.[6]
- Many vehicles have a load limit around but it varies.
- Layer heavier luggage on top of lighter items to keep them in place. Lighter items are more likely to fly off of your vehicle when you're driving at top speed. Distribute the lightest items evenly across your roof and then set your heavier bags on top to weigh them down.[7]
- Even if you have lighter soft duffel bags and heavier suitcases, always start with your lighter luggage so you don't risk losing anything.
- Distribute the weight evenly across your roof. If you put all your heavier items on one side, it will affect how well your vehicle controls. Spread the weight out across the roof of your vehicle so it stays balanced. If you only have one large bag, then put it in the center of your roof for the best performance.[8]
- Lie your luggage on its side for better aerodynamics. When you put things on your roof, the wind resistance impacts your vehicle's efficiency. Rather than standing your luggage up, lay it down as flat as you can against the roof. If you need to stack your items, store the bulkier items near the back of your vehicle instead of near the front.[9]
- Avoid letting anything hang over the sides of your vehicle since it's illegal in most areas. It's okay if things extend off the front or back as long as it doesn't affect your visibility.
- Give the load a strong shake before you leave to check that it's secure. Grab the side of your items and give them a good shake or push. If you see anything moving around, tie it down or reposition it so you don't risk losing it while you drive. Make sure that every strap feels secure and taut when you're about to head out.[10]
- Remember that you'll probably be driving at highway speeds so if shaking your things makes them move around, then it will easily bounce around during the trip.
[Edit]Driving with Your Luggage - Drive slower so you don't risk losing your items. Since you have some added weight on your vehicle, it can be a little harder to turn and stay in control. Try to stay at or slightly under the speed limit wherever you're driving. If you come to a rough road, slow down even more to ensure your luggage doesn't bounce around or fall off.[11]
- Take turns cautiously since taking a sharp turn with heavy items on your roof could put your vehicle off-balance.
- It's illegal in most areas to have something fall off your car while you're driving. You could end up with a fine or even jail time.
- Give yourself more stopping time if you have a full load. The extra weight of your items makes it take longer for you to stop. Plus, coming to sudden stops could make items fall off the front or back of your vehicle if they come loose. Leave an additional car length between you and other vehicles and watch out for any hazards coming up on the road so you can stay safe.[12]
- Stop and check if your luggage is secure every 15–30 minutes. After you go at your top travel speed for a little while, pull off of the road and check your straps and ties. Make sure everything still feels tight and that nothing shifted around during the trip. If everything looks okay, you're fine to keep going. However, if something did move or feels loose, secure it again tightly.[13]
- Account for the extra travel time so you can check on your luggage frequently.
- Remove any aftermarket racks or bags when you aren't using them since they can affect your car's aerodynamics.[14]
- Use a step ladder when you load your roof rack so you're less likely to scratch or damage your vehicle as you lift your luggage up.
[Edit]Warnings - It's illegal in most areas for items to fall off your vehicle while you're driving. Always check the road debris laws for the areas you're driving through so you know the risk.[15]
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Stylus for iPad Posted: 21 Nov 2021 08:00 AM PST If you have an iPad, a stylus is an incredibly useful tool. It lets you draw masterpieces, eat without getting food fingerprints on your screen, easily scroll through articles on the web, and more. These styluses can be a little expensive, but if you are looking to save money, or just looking for a fun DIY project, there are ways you can make your own. In this wikiHow article, we will show you how you can create a stylus for your iPad. [Edit]Creating a Stylus with Household Supplies - Gather a pen, aluminum foil, a q-tip, scissors, and some tape. Lay these items out on your workspace. With just these supplies (and a few drops of water), you can make a stylus for your iPad.[1]
- When you get your foil, be sure you have enough to wrap it around the pen a few times.
- Unscrew the pen cap, remove the ink chamber, then reattach the cap. Unscrew the cap at the tip of your pen, then remove the ink cartridge to make space for other components of the stylus.
- Cut your q-tip. Use your scissors to cut the q-tip in half. You should be left with two pieces that are roughly the same size, each with a fuzzy tip and shorter stem.
- Insert one piece of the q-tip into the pen. Push the stick end of a q-tip half into the tip of the pen cap, leaving the head of the q-tip exposed. This will be the "point" of your stylus.
- Tape the q-tip to the pen. Wrap tape around the point where the q-tip and the pen meet to secure it in place.
- Wrap the pen in aluminum foil. Encircle the pen several times with your aluminum foil, making sure the q-tip is in contact with the foil. Otherwise, your stylus will not work!
- In this case, the foil acts as a conductor for that electricity to and from your finger, sending it through the head of the q-tip. This means that if you are not touching the foil, or the foil is not touching the q-tip, your stylus will not work.
- Tape the aluminum foil down. To prevent your foil from uncurling, tape the edge down.
- Wet the end of the q-tip. Sometimes, your iPad might have some trouble recognizing your stylus. In that case, simply wet the end of the q-tip, and your stylus is ready to go.
- Wetting the end of the q-tip will increase its conductivity, making your stylus more easily recognizable by your iPad.
- Draw away! When testing out your new stylus, be sure you're holding the aluminum foil. Also, don't be afraid to apply some pressure when you're using it.
[Edit]Creating a Stylus that Doesn't Need Water - Grab a plastic highlighter, 3 feet of bare wire, a small piece of conductive foam, some electrical tape, pliers, and scissors. While some of these items are less common than those used in the other method, they are still quite inexpensive, and the stylus will be recognizable without using water.[2]
- Before you begin, make sure you are not using insulated wire. To act as a proper conductor, the wire must be stripped.
- Remove the inner parts of the highlighter. Unscrew the end of the highlighter to remove the ink well, then use your pliers to remove the tip, making space for the components of the stylus.
- Pull your wire through the highlighter. Insert your wire into the highlighter, leaving some extra wire out the tip and the end for later use.
- Wind your wire around the foam. Wrap your wire around one end of your conductive foam. This wire is responsible for providing conductivity to and from the foam and keeping it secure, so make sure you wrap it tightly.
- Pull the wire at the back of the highlighter to secure the foam. Use the wire hanging out the back of the highlighter to bring the conductive foam to the tip of the marker. Pull in enough foam that about ¼ inch is still exposed for the tip of the stylus.
- Wrap the remaining wire around the highlighter. Cover the outside of your highlighter with the rest of the wire. Be sure to wind it down the entire marker, otherwise the stylus won't work.
- As mentioned in the previous method, the wire serves as a conductor between the iPad, the foam, and your hand, so you have to be touching the wire when using the stylus.
- Trim the foam tip. Use your scissors to shape the tip of your stylus however you please.
- Try out your brand new stylus! If it does not work, make sure your wire is properly attached to the conductive foam tip, and that you are touching the wire while using it. Also, do not be afraid to apply pressure with the stylus to help the iPad sense it.
- In the first method, you can also replace the q-tip with a bit of sponge. Just remember to remove any abrasive backing, and to wet it for optimal use.[3]
- iPads have what are known as capacitive touch screens. This means they need an object with an electrical charge (usually, your finger, which is naturally charged) to detect "touch".[4]
- You can also make styluses in different shapes. Any object you can attach foil and a q-tip/sponge or wire and some conductive foam to will work. If pens and highlighters are not comfortable for you to use, try experimenting with differently-shaped objects to see what you prefer.
[Edit]References [5] [6] |
| How to Exercise with Arthritis in Your Feet Posted: 21 Nov 2021 12:00 AM PST Arthritis in your feet can lead to soreness, aching, and pain. Exercising the muscles around your feet is a great way to strengthen the joints and relieve some of your discomfort.[1] Starting an exercise program with arthritis can seem overwhelming, so it's important to go slowly and ease into your new routine. In this article, we've compiled some tips to help relieve discomfort and pain as well as a few feet and ankle exercises you can do every week. [Edit]Try low-impact activities. - Biking and swimming won't put a ton of pressure on your feet. When you're picking what kind of exercises you want to do, stay away from any high impact activities, like running or jumping.[2] Go for lower impact ones, like swimming or cycling, so you don't stress out your feet and ankles.[3]
- You can also modify any of your exercises to fit your specific needs. For instance, if you're doing yoga, you can tell the instructor that you have arthritis in your feet, so you may need to rest or sit down in between poses.
[Edit]Apply heat to your feet before you start. - A warm towel or shower can relax your joints and muscles. As you gear up to start exercising, apply a warm washcloth or stand in a warm shower and let the water run over your feet. Try to do this for about 20 minutes to soothe your joints and prepare them for some exercises. Make sure the heat treatment you pick is warm, not scalding hot, to avoid any injuries.[4]
- When you warm up your joints, you open up the blood vessels to allow more blood flow to the area. This brings in oxygen and nutrients to the tissue surrounding your feet, which can make them feel better and less irritated.
[Edit]Warm up gently before exercising. - Try a few range-of-motion exercises for 5 to 10 minutes first. If you jump straight into exercising, your muscles might not be ready, and you could injure yourself.[5] You can warm up by rolling your ankles, stretching your toes, or using a resistance band on your feet.
- It's always a good idea to warm up before exercising, even if you're not doing anything with your feet.
[Edit]Start with 20 minutes of exercise at a time. - Experts recommend starting with 20 minutes of exercise 3 times per week. Easing yourself into an exercise program sets you up for success, and you're much more likely to stick with it long-term. Plus, going for 20 minutes at a time will help you learn your limits, and you can rest your feet and ankles if you need to.[6]
- If you're new to exercising with arthritis, you may want to work with a physical therapist at first. They can tell you how to do the right exercises for your body without injuring yourself.
[Edit]Do a seated foot and heel raise. - This exercise gently rotates your ankles and strengthens your feet. Sit down in a chair and place your feet flat on the ground. Keep your toes on the ground and gently lift your heels off the floor, then hold the pose for 2 seconds. Return your heels to the ground, then lift your toes off the floor and hold for 2 seconds. This counts as 1 repetition.[7]
- Start by doing 5 reps of this exercise per day. As you get stronger, you can add 1 to 2 reps each time you try it.[8]
- Doing exercises to strengthen your feet and ankles will help reduce pain and inflammation, which will make other kinds of exercise easier.
[Edit]Stretch your feet with a toe bend. - Strengthen and stretch the arches of your feet with this exercise. Sit down in a chair and place your feet flat. With your toes straight out in front of you, curl your toes underneath your foot so they're pointing downward, then hold this pose for 2 seconds. Place your feet flat on the ground again, then bend your toes upward toward the ceiling. Hold that for 2 seconds, then place your feet flat on the ground again.[9]
- You can do this exercise up to 5 times.
[Edit]Do the ankle alphabet. - Rotate your ankles to strengthen and stretch them. Sit in a chair with your feet flat, or lie on your back with your feet propped on a pillow. Lift one foot off the floor, then gently go through each letter of the alphabet, tracing it in the air with your toes. When you're done, switch feet and repeat on the other side.[10]
- This exercise can be tough on your ankles, so stop if you feel any sudden pain. However, a slight soreness in your ankle is normal.
[Edit]Strengthen your ankles with a standing heel raise. - Strengthening your ankles will help support your arthritic feet. To do this exercise, stand behind a chair and grab the back with both hands for support. Raise yourself up to stand tall on your tip-toes, then hold the position for 5 seconds. Then, relax so you're standing flat on the ground again.[11]
- Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times.
[Edit]Ice your feet after exercising. - A cold compress can help reduce swelling and inflammation. When you're done exercising, sit down with an ice pack or a bag of ice cubes wrapped in a towel. Hold it against your feet and ankles for up to 20 minutes to soothe your aching joints.[12]
- Always wrap a towel around any cold compress you use. Bare ice is a little too cold to hold against your skin, and it can cause injury.
[Edit]Take an anti-inflammatory to reduce irritation. - If you feel pain or irritation after exercising, OTC medicine can help. Head to a pharmacy and pick up a bottle of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle to relieve inflammation and help alleviate pain.[13]
- Don't take these medications if you are on blood thinners, have high blood pressure, have kidney problems, or if you have a history of stomach ulcers.
[Edit]Try an over the counter cream to soothe your pain. - Use capsaicin cream, Aspercream with lidocaine, or diclofenac gel. You can find these creams and gels at most pharmacies and drug stores. Use these on your feet and your ankles to soothe your aching joints and reduce irritation after exercising.[14]
- Creams and gels are a great option if you want to avoid taking oral medication.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your arthritis, check in with your doctor.[15]
- Decreasing your stress levels can really help reduce discomfort caused by arthritis.[16]
[Edit]References |
| How to Preserve Flowers with Hairspray Posted: 20 Nov 2021 04:00 PM PST Using hairspray is an effective and easy way to preserve flowers. Select fresh, blooming flowers, and tie them to a hanger so they can dry. Leave them in a well-ventilated, dark room for 2-3 weeks. When the flowers are completely dry, spray 3 even layers of aerosol hairspray over all of the flowers. Then, create an attractive, timeless floral display. [Edit]Choosing Your Flowers - Cut blooming flowers in your garden during the summer. Choose flowers in full bloom so you can preserve the rich color of the petals or blossoms. For best results, pick your flowers in the morning, and move the fresh-cut flowers from the sunlight as quickly as possible.[1]
- In particular, hairspray works well with flowers with robust blooms such as roses. It also works great with flowers with smaller blooms like lavender.
- You can also use flowers that bloom in the winter, such as Hellebore, Winter Jasmine, and Algerian Iris.
- Select healthy flowers that are free of insects and disease. Avoid choosing flowers with brown spots or uneven sections. These flowers are less-than-ideal, and they won't look as nice once they are dried and preserved. Instead, choose flowers will full blooms rather than budding blossoms.
- These flowers will likely turn brown and rot rather than staying true to their colors after preservation.
- Exposure to sunlight can cause the flowers to turn brown or start to wilt.
- Use flowers from a sentimental bouquet to preserve your memories. If you aren't using flowers from your garden, you can also use cut flowers from your favorite bouquet. This is a good idea if you want to keep your Valentine's Day or Graduation flowers for long-term display.
- Cut the stem so it is at least and remove extra foliage. Using pruning shears, make a cut at a 45-degree angle along the main stem of your flower. Then, use your fingers to pick off some of the extra leaves and greenery. You can leave 2-4 leaves to add some color to your bouquet.[2]
- If you cut your flower stem less than long, it may be too small to display in a vase.
- You can use 1 single flower or many flowers, based on your desired look.
[Edit]Drying Your Flowers - Tie a piece of dental floss to the ends of each flower or bouquet. Cut a piece of dental floss about long. Secure the piece of dental floss to the stem of an individual flower. Additionally, you can wrap a rubber band around a small bouquet of 3-6 flowers, and then tie the dental floss to the ends of the bouquet.[3]
- If you don't have dental floss, you can use twine instead.
- Make 2-3 knots so the floss stays in place.
- Hang up your flowers by tying the dental floss to a hanger. Once your floss is tied around your flower or bouquet, tie the other end around the bottom, vertical bar of the hanger. Tie 2-3 basic knots so the dental floss stays put. Hang each of your flowers along the bottom of the same hanger until you run out of space.[4]
- For instance, secure 3 bouquets of 4 flowers to the bottom of 1 hanger.
- Hang your flowers on a door hook in your basement for 2-3 weeks. Put the hanger on a hook hanging from your door so they can dry completely. You can store your flowers in any clean, dry, well-ventilated space that gets particularly dark. If your flowers are exposed to sunlight, they will not dry entirely.
- Remove the dried flowers when they feel hard and crispy. After several weeks, your flowers will dry up completely, which is necessary when preserving with hairspray. They will lose pigment and shrink up a little once they're dry. The petals will be crispy and break off easily, so handle them carefully![5]
[Edit]Applying the Hairspray - Use a can of any ordinary aerosol hairspray. Any type of hairspray will work fine to preserve your flowers. It is helpful to shake up your hairspray for 20 seconds or so before you use it.[6]
- You can use a cheap can found at your local drug store, for instance.
- Spray an even coat of hairspray over the entirety of your flowers. Hold the hanger upwards in 1 hand and spray the hairspray with your dominant hand. Position the can about away from the flowers, and press down on the spray nozzle. Slowly move the can around the entirety of your flowers. Cover the blossoms, leaves, and stem.[7]
- You can also place a piece of newspaper behind your flowers and let the hanger stay on the hook as you spray them.
- Let the flowers dry upside down for about 10 minutes. After you apply your a coat of hairspray, set the hanger back onto a door hook. Set a timer for about 10 minutes, and then you can apply the next coat. You want each coat to completely dry in order to properly preserve the flowers.[8]
- To check if the flowers are dry, touch 1 of your fingertips to the end of the stem.
- Apply another 2 even coats of hairspray to cover your flowers. One coat of hairspray is likely not enough to fully preserve the flowers. After the first coat dries, spray another complete, even layer across the blossoms, leaves, and stems. Then, let each coat dry for 10 minutes.
- Display your preserved flowers in a decorative vase. You can use your preserved flowers to make a decorative display. Cut the flowers off of the hanger, and remove the dental floss from the ends. Put a bouquet of preserved flowers into a decorative vase, and place the vase on a tabletop to make an attractive centerpiece.[9]
- You can do this to make seasonal decorations, for instance.
- Tie a ribbon to the outside of the vase for extra embellishment. You can secure the ribbon by using a small dab of hot glue.
- Touch up your flowers once every 3-7 days to keep them preserved. About 1-2 times a week, you can spray another 1-2 coat on your flowers to keep them hard and intact. Do this if the flower buds start to look droopy or if you notice any petals start to fall off. Continue doing this as needed to preserve your flowers long-term.[10]
- If applying multiple coats, wait about 10 minutes in between each one.
- You can take out the flowers and lay them on newspaper, then spray a light even layer on each side. In addition, you can spray a light layer over the blooms and stems while the flowers are still in the vase.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Fresh flowers
- Pruning shears
- Hanger(s)
- Dental floss
- Rubber bands (optional)
- Dark, warm, well-ventilated area
- Aerosol hairspray
- Vase
- To create an interesting bouquet, use several different flowers in a variety of colors. This adds texture and color to your preserved flower display.
- You can preserve single flowers or a full display. Consider preserving your wedding bouquet with this method, for example.
[Edit]Warnings - Once your flowers are preserved, keep them out of sunny spots. The sunlight can eat away at the hairspray and cause the flowers to wilt.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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