| How to Become a More Social Person Posted: 18 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT While socializing is generally considered a pleasant, leisurely activity, various commitments and anxieties can drain the enjoyment out of your social life and make it harder to interact with others. Tackling issues with self-esteem, rejection, and other reservations can help increase your desire to socialize while improving the way you communicate with others and taking advantage of mutual friends or similar social opportunities can help you become a more social person overall. [Edit]Tackling Your Reservations - Pay attention to your insecurities. Everybody feels shy or insecure from time to time, but if you feel inhibited by your shyness, it is probably because you have been telling yourself you are somehow inadequate. These feelings of inadequacy are reinforced on a daily basis by the negative things you constantly tell yourself. Learn to pay attention to negative thoughts and distinguish the rational thoughts from the irrational ones.[1]
- Do you constantly tell yourself you're unattractive? Do you tell yourself you're boring? That you're weird? Irresponsible? Negative thoughts like these are what keep you from feeling confident enough to be a social person. More importantly, they keep you from living a fulfilling life.
- Until you've addressed your insecurities and told yourself you're a worthy person, you won't be able to truly socialize.
- Sometimes we get so accustomed to these negative thoughts that we no longer notice them. Start paying to attention to the kinds of thoughts you are having.
- Learn to cope with your negative thoughts. Once you have learned to recognize when you are having a negative thought, you can slowly train yourself to silence these thoughts so that they no longer inhibit your life.[2] When you catch yourself having a negative thought, try one of the following exercises:
- First, acknowledge that the thought is there. Now, close your eyes, and visualize the thought in your mind's eye. Label it as a "negative" thought, and then let it slowly dissolve until it disappears completely.
- Turn a negative thought into a constructive one. Let's say you're overweight, for example. Instead of constantly telling yourself "I'm fat," tell yourself "I'd like to lose weight and get healthy so that I'll have more energy and feel more attractive." This way, you can turn a negative thought into a positive goal for the future.[3]
- For every negative thought, think of three positive thoughts.
- Being a positive person will also make it much easier for you to socialize and make friends. Nobody wants to be friends with a Negative Nancy.
- Make a list of your positive qualities. Unfortunately, we spend so much time trying to improve ourselves that we forget to acknowledge our accomplishments, our talents, and our good nature. Talk to people you trust to find out what they think your most positive traits are. Then, ask yourself the following questions to help get your list started:
- What have you done in the past year that you are proud of?
- What is your proudest accomplishment of all time?
- What unique talents do you have?
- What do people tend to compliment you on?
- What positive impact have you made on other peoples' lives?
- Stop comparing yourself to others. Part of the reason why people struggle with insecurity is that they compare their own "low" points with other peoples' "high" points. In other words, they compare the negative qualities of their own lives with the positive qualities of other peoples' lives.
- Keep in mind that behind closed doors, everybody experiences pain or suffering from time to time. If you find yourself wondering why certain people seem happier than you, remind yourself that happiness has little to do with external circumstances, and everything to do with attitude.
- Consider turning off or taking a break from social media. Social media sites can inhibit your will to go out and be social in-person. They also encourage you to compare your day-to-day life with the filtered and edited high points of others, which may lead to depression.[4]
- Remember that you're not the center of the universe. Ironically, people who feel invisible and insecure also tend to feel like they are constantly being watched, criticized, and laughed at. While you are certainly not invisible, it is irrational to think that strangers are constantly staring at you and waiting for you to mess up. People are so involved with their own lives that they have little time to notice if you do or say something embarrassing. Even if they do notice, they will likely forget the incident within an hour or two, while you may hold on to it for years.
- Letting go of the feeling that you are constantly being watched and judged will help you learn to ease up and relax around other people, making socializing much more pleasant.
- Get over the fact that everyone is always staring at you or judging you. Like you, they are more concerned about themselves than the people around them.
- Get over your fear of rejection. So, the worst thing that can happen is...you meet someone, and that person doesn't want to hang out with you again. Is that unpleasant? Sure. The end of the world? Absolutely not. Most of the time, this definitely will not happen. If you think that most people will reject you and are afraid of socializing because of it, then you'll be missing out on meeting a lot of amazing people.[5]
- Know that you're not going to hit it off with everybody, or even most people. But think about all of the amazing relationships you can form if you just put yourself out there more.
- Practice saying, "So what?" when you're afraid. Then, really think about what would happen if your fear came true. This will help you question the reality of the scenarios that overcome you.
[Edit]Interacting with Others - Smile. Everybody wants to be around people who are happy and excited about life. Even if you don't feel happy all the time, force yourself to put a smile on your face from time to time. Not only will it instantly make you feel better, it will make other people want to be around you, talk to you, and get to know you.
- Smiling is especially important if you are trying to attract a person because it shows that you are a positive person who is worth meeting.
- Smiling may also encourage your body to release dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, all of which can help lift your mood and make it easier for you to interact with others.[6]
- Have welcoming body language. If you are at a party or other social gathering, make sure your body language says that you want to be approached. Make eye contact with people, give them a small wave or a nod, and look in front of you instead of at your feet or at the floor. Look happy and ready to talk to other people so that they are more likely to come up to you.
- Avoid crossing your arms, frowning, or standing in the corner. These gestures send the message that you want to be left alone, and guess what? People will leave you alone.
- Put your phone away. If you look busy, people won't want to interrupt you. Your body language should say that you are ready to mingle.
- Be genuine. Whether you are talking to an old friend or somebody you have just you met for the first time, you should always show genuine interest in the conversation. Being fully engaged not only shows that you are compassionate, it makes for more stimulating and fulfilling interactions with others.
- Don't try to tell people what they want to hear or what you think will make them like you more. Just be yourself.
- Avoid texting or talking on the phone when you are in the middle of a conversation, especially if the subject matter is important.
- Keep conversations balanced. Don't constantly talk about yourself, because this comes across as narcissistic. At the same time, being too quiet shows that you are uninterested in the conversation.
- Ask people questions about themselves. Let's face it. People love talking about themselves. And if you want to be more social and to start talking to people more, then you should show a genuine interest in people by asking how their day is going, how they're feeling, and what they have coming up. This doesn't mean you should pry or be really nosy about what they're doing and ask super personal questions. Just show that you care by asking them to open up a bit and wait for them to get you talking in turn.
- As people respond, practice active listening with them. Give them your full attention, and practice repeating back key points. Showing others you are paying attention when they speak is just as important as asking questions.
- Be more open-minded. One of the reasons you may not be an extra social person is because you're convinced that any person you meet has nothing in common with you. Maybe you think the person is too stupid, or way too cool, or too shy to really be your friend, but if you're more open-minded and give people time to open up to you, you'll see that you may have more in common than you think.
- Don't just give up on a person as a potential friend after one okay conversation. Talk to the person a few more times to get a better read on his or her personality.
[Edit]Expanding Your Social Circle - Offer invitations. If you're the type of person who always waits around for your friends to call without reciprocating, then you are not doing your part. Remember that your friends don't always know when you are expecting them to call, and they may take your shyness as disinterest in the friendship. If you'd like to see somebody, then reach out to them.
- Call old friends that you haven't seen in awhile and set up a time to get together.
- Throw a dinner party or other gathering and invite all of your friends, coworkers, and acquaintances.
- Invite a friend to the movies, a baseball game, a concert, or other activity.
- Accept more invitations too. If people are always asking you to hang out, or even if the occasional unlikely person asks you to hang out, you should start taking their invitations seriously instead of turning them down. Don't say that you can't hang out just because you're feeling too shy or don't think you'll click with the other person; instead, think of all the other cool people you can meet at the event you've been invited to, whether it's a party, a sleepover, or a book club.
- Make a habit of saying yes three times for every one time you say no. This doesn't mean you have to say yes to something that sounds absolutely horrible, but accepting more invitations to spend time with your friend shows a genuine interest in the friendship and makes you a friendlier and more outgoing person. If you reject every invitation, your friend will likely think you are ditching him or her and not interested in spending time together.
- Join a club or group with like-minded individuals. If you want to make new friends, you will have to look beyond the people you see on a daily basis at work or school. If you have a hobby or special interest, then join a local club or group in your area devoted to that activity.
- Consider joining a local sports league, book club, hiking group, or cycling team.
- If you don't have a hobby, then pick up a new one. Be sure to choose something that you can do with groups of people. Look at sites like Meetup.com to help you connect with groups of people who share your interests.
- Meet mutual friends. Meeting friends of friends is one of the easiest ways to meet new people. Try to view each and every person you meet in your life as a "doorway" or "portal" into a new social circle.
- Consider throwing a party and telling all of your friends to bring guests. As a plus, you already know that you have some things in common with these people since you share a mutual friend.
- If a friend of yours invites you to a party or a big gathering where you don't know anybody, accept the invitation. Though it might seem intimidating, it is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people.
- Don't compartmentalize your life. Try not to view your "work life" as being separate from your "social life" as being separate from your "family life," and so on. While each of these different areas of your life certainly calls for different behavior and codes of conduct, the best way to be more social by nature is to live your life as a social creature, regardless of the environment. In other words, don't save all your socializing for parties on the weekends.
- Look for unique opportunities to be social. It can be as simple as asking the bank teller how he or she is doing rather than just staring at your phone and avoiding contact. Remember, socializing is a skill and every opportunity is a chance to practice.[7]
- Get to know your coworkers or peers if you haven't already.
- Attend social events with family members. Though this might not sound like fun, you'd be surprised to learn that you can make new friends wherever you go, as long as you have the right attitude.
- Make your social life a priority. No matter how much you have going on, if you want to be more social, you have to set a goal of hanging out with others at least a few times a week. Though everyone needs some alone time or goes through a very stressful week, or even a stressful month, now and again, nobody should go two weeks without socializing except in extreme circumstances.
- Tell yourself that no matter how tired or anti-social you may feel, that you should put yourself out there no matter what.
[Edit]Sample Activities, Ways to Introduce Yourself, and Conversation Topics - If you feel like you constantly need to have your guard up around others, it could be the result of some deeper emotions that you haven't fully worked through. Don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for help navigating these.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Transition from Dating to Relationship Posted: 18 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT If you're really clicking with the person you've been seeing and you feel like it might be time to make things more official, you might be wondering how exactly to go about doing it. Don't worry—every couple goes through this transitional period at some point, and we're here to help you navigate it! Below you'll find tips on how to turn your casual romance into a more serious relationship, without it feeling forced. Plus we've included some advice on how to tell if you and your partner are ready. [Edit]Making the Transition - Spend more time together. When you are in a relationship, you will be spending more time together than you did when you were just dating. This means you need to make time for each other in your weekly schedule so you can enjoy your new relationship. Your time together doesn't need to be elaborate or extremely thought out. A relationship means you can do everyday things together as well, like making dinner in and watching a movie on your couch.[1]
- This doesn't mean you should be at your partner's beck and call. Keep a little mystery in your relationship. Don't agree to every date your partner sets. Instead, switch it up and keep your partner wanting more.[2]
- Call just to talk. When you are in a relationship, you want hear from your partner more often. This means that you may call your partner just to talk. When you are dating, you likely only called if you were trying to set up a date and time to meet. When you transition over to a relationship, you will likely talk much more.
- This doesn't mean you have to be on the phone all the time. It just means that there are times when you want to hear your partner's voice.
- You may also text or message each other more as well.[3]
- Focus more attention on your partner. In your fast paced world of cell phones, social media, and busy schedules, you may be distracted a lot. When you start a relationship, try to focus more of your attention on your partner. This means you should put your cell phone down and stop texting while you are with your partner.
- This will let your partner know that you are in the moment and want to be as present as possible. This will help make your relationship stronger and last longer. [4]
- Do new things together. When you enter into a relationship, try new and exciting things together. Go for a long hike in the forest. Take up mountain biking together. Go out dancing in the city. Take a trip across the country together. The great thing about changing to a relationship is that you have another person to do exciting things with.
- Compromise on what your activities will be. Relationships are a two way street, where each of your opinions matter equal amounts.[5][6]
- Meet each other's family. When you enter into a relationship, you may want to introduce your partner to your family. If you are close with your family, consider having them over for dinner and introduce your partner to them. This will let your partner know that you care about them enough to meet your family and will also allow your family to get to know who you are in a relationship with.
- Your partner may also want to introduce you to your partner's family. Just be yourself and you'll be fine.
- If you are not close to your family, you don't have to worry about this step. It only matters if your family is important to you.
- Tell your friends. When you are changing over to a relationship, you will want to tell those closest to you. Once you and your partner are an official couple, you should tell your friends. Go to group hang outs as an official couple and tell people that you are in a relationship.
- This doesn't have to be a formal thing, just make it obvious that you and your partner are together.[7]
- Keep your own interests. Being in a relationship does not mean that you have to like all the same things. You can do things with your partner you might not necessarily want to do as a compromise, you remember you are your own person too. Foster your own interests and let your partner do the same. This will make you both happier and give you something new to talk about when you are together.
- For example. if you don't want to watch football with your partner and instead want to go to the gym, go to the gym. Your partner will be there when you get back.[8]
[Edit]Knowing if You're Ready - Be ready for a commitment. When you enter into a relationship, your dating life will become exclusive to that person. This means you will stop dating other people and only see the person you are in the relationship with. Before you decide to be in a relationship, you need to make sure you are at this point.
- If you are still interested in dating other people, you are not ready for a committed relationship to one person.[9]
- Assess how you feel around him. When you are thinking about being more serious with your dating partner, you need to make sure he is the right one for you and that it is something that you want. You want to make sure your partner is making your life better and that you will thrive in a new relationship. Ask yourself:
- Do I feel better when I'm around my partner?
- Do I enjoy our time together?
- Do I leave our dates feeling better about myself?
- Do I feel respected?[10]
- Look at your own life. Even though you may really want to be in a relationship, you need to make sure that you are at a good point in your own life to start a relationship.[11] Relationships take up much more time than just casually dating. You will have to make more time to be around your partner and be available when you are needed. This may be difficult in certain circumstances.
- Decide if you have extra time in your week to spend with your partner. If you work 50 to 60 hours a week and barely have time to go on the dates you do, moving forward into a relationship may not be the right move.
- If you really want to get into a relationship but you are busy, you may need to make time for a relationship if it is important to you.[12]
- Figure out how you feel around your partner. You need to make sure you actually enjoy spending time with your partner before you move from dating to a relationship. Do you feel comfortable around your partner and feel you can be yourself? If you don't, then you may not be ready for a relationship.
- Many of the best relationships feel as if you are with your best friend in addition to being with your partner.
- If you find yourself wanting to be alone or away from him for long periods of time, you may not be ready to go to the next step.[13]
[Edit]Determining if Your Relationship is Ready - Assess the state of your relationship. You need to make sure your relationship is in the right place before you go from dating to a committed relationship. You need to decide if the two of you are ready to go to this next step. There are some criteria that you can look at to see if you are ready for the next step. Questions you can ask yourself are:
- Do we hang out on a frequent basis (more than once a week)?
- Do we talk to one another outside of our dates?
- Do you both initiate conversations and dates?
- Do we enjoy being around each other when we are together?
- Have you met one another's friends?[14]
- Talk to your partner. Communication is key to any relationship. Before you make the transition between dating to a relationship, you need to discuss some things with your partner about where the dating is going, if your partner wants to change the status of your interactions as well, and if your partner is ready for the next step.
- Try to avoid having a ''talk'', meaning you should try to bring it up lightly or at a comfortable moment. Don't bombard your partner with a "Where are we going?" speech.
- You should also ask what your partner expects out of a relationship so you know if you fulfill the requirements.[15]
- Look for signs you are already in a relationship. Sometimes, being in a relationship can sneak up on you without realizing it. This is common if you are comfortable with your partner and just haven't verbalized it yet. If this is the case, you just need to tell your partner that you want to make things official. Some signs that you are already in a relationship are:
- You date each other exclusively
- You spend every weekend together without having to ask
- Your partner has seen you at your best and worst
- You've fought and made it through to the other side
- You've talked honestly about your exes
- You're really good friends with each other's friends
- You stay in more often than you go out on dates[16]
- Do it for the right reasons. There are many reasons to want to start being in an official relationship with your partner. Feeling ready for the next step, wanting to be with the other person more, and wanting to connect with the other person are common reasons people being a relationship.
- You should not begin a relationship, however, if you are feeling pressured into by your partner or because all your friends are doing it.
- Also never enter into a relationship to save things between you and your partner.
- If you move to this step too early, you may end up ruining your relationship.[17]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Clean an Iron Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT A dirty iron can cause a lot of problems, especially if you have a big load of laundry to take care of. Over time, water can leave behind mineral deposits. If you use a spray on starch or other product, this can leave gunk behind on the plate of the iron. Fortunately, though, irons are relatively easy to clean, especially if you do it on a regular basis. [Edit]Cleaning with Vinegar and Salt - Mix two parts white vinegar and one part salt. You will heat this mixture on the stove over medium heat. Heat until the salt is dissolved, but avoid letting the vinegar come to a boil.[1]
- Unfortunately, the smell will probably be strong, but it will be a good cleaner for the iron.
- Allow the mixture to cool. Leave the hot vinegar to cool down some. You want it to be warm, but not scalding hot.
- Wear dish gloves to protect your hands from the smell of the vinegar.
- Dip a clean rag into the vinegar mixture. You will use the mixture to clean the plate of the iron by rubbing the cooled mixture on the bottom of the iron.[2]
- You can also use a soft brush to do this, unless you have a teflon coated iron as the brush may scratch the coating. Avoid using a wire brush as this will ruin the iron's plate.
- This is a great way to get rid of scorch marks on the iron.
- Rinse the iron. After you are finished cleaning, you should remove any of the residue that might be leftover from the mixture. You can do this by dipping a clean rag into some white vinegar and gently cleaning the plate of the iron again.
- After that, you can turn the iron on and run it over a piece of old, but clean cloth. This will help burn off any residue that might be left.
[Edit]Cleaning with Baking Soda - Make a paste. Mix together a paste of 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water and 2 tablespoons (6 g) of baking soda. The paste should be a bit runny, but still thick enough so that it can stick to the plate of your iron.[3]
- Use filtered or distilled water, if you can.
- Spread the paste on the iron's plate after it has cooled. If you have recently used the iron, ensure that the plate is completely cool before you do this! You can apply the paste directly to the plate. If your iron is only dirty in one place, you don't have to spread the mixture all over. If you are just doing a general cleaning, it is also OK to spread the paste over the entire plate.[4]
- You can use your fingers to apply the paste or you can use a spatula.
- You can leave this paste sitting on the iron for a few minutes if there is a lot of buildup on the iron.
- Spread the paste on generously, especially if your iron is very dirty.
- Get a clean cloth wet. You will use this to remove the paste, so make sure it is clean. Get the cloth wet. Wring out any excess water, and then wipe off the paste that you have spread onto the iron.
- Use a cotton swab to clean the steam holes. Dip the cotton swab (the kind that people use to clean their ears) into some fresh distilled water. Clean out each of the steam holes using the cotton swab.[5]
- You may need to use more than one cotton swab if there is a lot of gunk coming out of the holes. Use a new cotton swab if there is a lot of buildup stuck on the swab.
- Fill the reservoir. If there is any old water leftover in the iron, be sure to empty it out first. You can do this by opening the hatch to the reservoir and turning it upside down. After it is empty, use distilled or filtered water, and fill the reservoir about 1/3 of the way.
- You can also fill the reservoir with a mixture of 3/4 cup (180 mL) of water and 1/4 cup (60 mL) of white vinegar for a stronger cleaning solution. However, you should read your iron's instruction manual to make sure that it will tolerate vinegar.
- Turn on the iron. Turn the iron to its highest setting, and make sure the steam setting is on. In this step, the steam and heat will clean out gunk and mineral deposits caught deep in the steam holes.
- Be careful when working with a hot iron. Don't get burned by the steam that will be released by the iron.
- Iron a clean cloth for a few minutes. Choose a clean cloth that you don't mind getting dirty. If there is dirt caught inside the iron it may leave brown streaks on your cloth. All you need to do now is iron the cloth to help clean out the iron. If you have a manual steam button, press the button often to help release even more steam.[6]
- A kitchen towel will probably work well for this.
- Turn off the iron and let it cool. Make sure that you place the iron on a protected surface (e.g. a kitchen counter covered with a towel). As the iron cools, more old sediment might drip out of the iron.
- If there is any leftover water in the reservoir, be sure to remove it.
[Edit]Other Ways to Clean Your Iron - Rub a new dryer sheet on the plate of the iron. Turn your iron on the lowest setting. Take a fresh dryer sheet, and gently rub the plate of the iron until all of the dirt and gunk is gone.
- When you are finished, turn the heat of the iron up and iron a clean rag to get rid of any residue left behind by the dryer sheet.
- Fill the iron's reservoir. You should use white vinegar and distilled or filtered water, if it is available to you. Turn the iron on steam and iron a thick piece of cotton cloth for five minutes. Dump the vinegar solution from the reservoir and clean off the soleplate with a clean towel.
- Be sure to check your owner's manual to be sure that your iron can tolerate vinegar in the reservoir.
- Use toothpaste to clean off the soleplate. Buff a bit of toothpaste directly onto a cool soleplate, being sure to hit trouble areas. Rub the toothpaste off with a clean cloth, then set the iron on steam and steam a cloth for five minutes.[7]
- You can also mix together 1 tbsp (3 g) of toothpaste, 2 tbsp (6 g) of baking soda, and 3 tbsp (45 mL) of vinegar and use this mixture to clean the soleplate.
- Clean a sticky iron with newspaper. If there is something sticky on the bottom of your iron, turn the heat on the iron all the way up and turn the steam off. Run the hot iron over a piece of newspaper until it is clean.[8]
- If it is still sticky after this, you can sprinkle a bit of salt on the newspaper and repeat the process. This should take care of any sticky substances.
- There are also commercial iron cleaners available, if you want to go that route. Follow the instructions carefully if you use this method.
- If you want to clean the other parts of the iron (besides the plate), use a damp clean cloth to gently wipe the iron down. Remember that this is an electrical appliance, so too much water could damage the iron.
- If you are using a steam iron you should always empty out any excess water that is in the iron. This will help keep mineral deposits from building up on your iron.[9]
- In general, it is best to use filtered water in your iron instead of distilled or tap water.[10]
[Edit]Warnings - Read the owner's manual that came with your iron carefully. The owner's manual may have specific instructions on how to clean the iron without damaging it.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References
[Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Sharpen Tweezers Posted: 17 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Dull tweezers can make hair removal an extremely painful process. They'll often slip right off the hair you're trying to pluck, leading to a painful pull. Sometimes they'll even break the hair in half, making it harder to grasp. However, you don't necessarily have to replace your tweezers just because they're dull. Luckily, there's an easy way to sharpen your tweezers yourself, and you can even bend them back into shape if the tips aren't meeting securely! [Edit]Using a Nail File or Sandpaper - Get a double-sided nail file. In order to sharpen your tweezers, all you need is a regular nail file. You can use an emery board, a metal nail file, or anything else you have on hand. However, to ensure you sharpen both sides of the tweezers evenly, make sure you choose a nail file with 2 textured sides.[1]
- You can find nail files anywhere that sells beauty supplies, including drug stores and many grocery and dollar stores.
- Most knife sharpeners are too wide for your tweezers to fit around. Using a nail file will prevent you from having to stretch out your tweezers in order to sharpen them.
- Close the tips of the tweezers around the nail file or sandpaper. Hold the tweezers in your dominant hand and the nail file in the other. Move the open tweezers so the tips are on either side of the file. Then, pinch the tweezers so the tips are pressed tightly against the nail file.[2]
- Hold the nail file and tweezers securely so they don't slip.
- Pull the tweezers in a short, sharp motion across the file several times. While still pinching the tweezers closed, twist your wrist so the tweezers slide down the nail file. Release the pressure slightly and return the tweezers to their starting point, then repeat until the tweezers are as sharp as you want them to be.[3]
- You'll probably need to do this about 3-4 times in order to get the tweezers sharp again.
- Rinse the tweezers under running water before you use them. To avoid transferring any grit or fine metal shavings to your face, make sure to give the tweezers a thorough rinse after you sharpen them. While you're holding the tweezers under the water, run your fingers along the outside and inside to ensure they're completely clean.[4]
- It's also a good idea to sanitize your tweezers each time you use them to prevent the spread of infection. A simple way to do this is to wipe them down with alcohol.
[Edit]Sharpening Angled Tweezer Tips - Pinch the tweezers closed so the tip forms one line along the slant. After you've sharpened the grabbing surface of the tweezers, you can also use the nail file to smooth and sharpen the slant tip, if you'd like. Start by holding the tweezers in your dominant hand, squeezing the sides to keep the tweezer blades together.[5]
- This will help buff out any rough edges left by the sharpening process.
- Hold the tweezers so the slant is parallel to the file. Depending on the angle of the slant, this will probably involve holding the tweezers at about a 45° angle to the file. You want the entire surface of the slanted blade tip to come into contact with the nail file.[6]
- If you hold the tweezers so only the sharp point is touching the nail file, you'll just file away the tip.
- Swipe the tips of the tweezers across the nail file about 3-4 times. Press the slant tip down into the nail file, then flick your wrist to drag the blades quickly across the file. The motion you'll use here is very similar to sharpening a knife on a whetstone. Repeat this motion several times.[7]
- Only do this lightly. If you file too much on the edge of the tweezers, you'll actually make them duller.
- If your tweezers still seem dull after you do this, you probably need to sharpen the grabbing surface inside the blades again.[8]
- You can also do this to sharpen a flat edge on tweezers. Just hold the tweezers flat instead of at an angle.
[Edit]Bending Your Tweezers into Shape - Hold your tweezers so they're open. If your tweezers have flattened out or gotten bent, the tips might not meet securely anymore, making it difficult or even impossible to grasp fine hairs. Luckily, this is an easy fix. Hold the tweezers securely in one hand, but leave your fingers relaxed so the tweezers are open, rather than pinching them closed.[9]
- To keep from accidentally closing the tweezers, it may help to hold them near the bottom.
- Slide a pencil halfway down the tweezers. In order to open and close easily, your tweezers should have a slight bend in the middle of the blades. Take a regular pencil and hold it so it's perpendicular to the tweezers, then slide it between the blades so it's about halfway between the tip and where the blades meet at the bottom, called the hinge.[10]
- An ink pen will work as well, but be careful not to accidentally break the pen, or ink could get everywhere! around, which is the size of a standard pencil.}}
- Press the tips of the tweezers closed to restore the bend. Pinch the tweezers closed to hold the pencil in place, then squeeze the tips of the tweezers with your thumb and forefinger. Use the hand that's holding the tweezers to help steady the pencil so it doesn't slip out of place. When the tips touch, hold them in place for a few seconds, then release the tweezers and remove the pencil.[11]
- If the tweezers have gotten bent, you may need to also squeeze the bottom, near the hinge.
- Some tweezer manufacturers offer a free lifetime sharpening service for their products. When you purchase your tweezers, check the packaging to see if this service is included.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Using a Nail File or Sandpaper - Tweezers
- Double-sided nail file or sandpaper
[Edit]Sharpening Angled Tweezer Tips - Tweezers
- Double-sided nail file or sandpaper
[Edit]Bending Your Tweezers into Shape - Tweezers
- Pencil, pen, or stick
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Bouquet Posted: 17 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT A bouquet of flowers can be just the thing to show someone you care, to say "I love you," or to commemorate a joyous occasion. Going to the extra effort to assemble the bouquet yourself can also save you money while allowing you to personalize the gift. Whatever the event, whoever it is for, with a few tips and some healthy blooms, you'll soon create a bouquet that no one will want to throw away. [Edit]Planning Your Bouquet - Determine your bouquet's color scheme. The focal point of most bouquets is a distinct centerpiece flower. The colors in the bouquet are generally coordinated with the color of this centerpiece, either to compliment that color or bring out contrast between the different colors of your blooms.
- Deciding on the color scheme of your bouquet before choosing your flower can help you narrow down which flowers you will use in your bouquet.
- Choose complimentary colors by selecting ones close to each other on the color spectrum.
- Contrasting colors are those that are on opposite sides of the color spectrum.
- Remember the order of the color spectrum with the acronym Roy G Biv, which stands for:
Red orange yellow Green Blue indigo violet[1]
- Take into account your bouquet placement. The lighting and environment your bouquet will be in will influence how well your colors work together. Bright lit rooms will highlight subtler shades, while darker rooms might require bolder color choices.
- A bulky bouquet might not be the ideal choice to give to your significant other at the start of a date, as it might be cumbersome during the date.
- Save money with flowers in season. Buying flowers that are out of season for your bouquet can add a significant cost to your bouquet making. Seasonal flowers, in addition to being more affordable, will also look more natural in your arrangement. Some popular seasonal flowers include:
- Spring: daffodil, hyacinth, lilac, narcissus, peony, stargazer lily, sweetpea, tulip.
- Summer: chrysanthemum, lavender, forget-me-not, daisy, hydrangea, iris, Asiatic lily, Oriental lily, aster, queen Anne's lace, snapdragon, sunflower, zinnia.
- Fall: aster, chrysanthemum, dahlia, marigold, zinnia.
- Winter: camellia, Casa Blanca lily, daffodil, forget-me-not, holly, jasmine, narcissus, poinsettia, stargazer lily, star of Bethlehem, sweetpea, tulip.
- Year-round: baby's breath, calla lily, carnations, eucalyptus, gardenia, gladiolus, heather, lily of the valley, orchid, rose.[2]
- Use odd numbered blooms in your bouquet. It is an old European tradition to arrange flowers in odd numbers, and in many cultures, an odd number of flowers indicates joy.[3][4] Beyond this, an odd number of flowers creates uniformity between your centerpiece and the flowers around it.
- Avoid the number 13 when arranging your flowers, as in some cultures this number is considered unlucky.
- Gather or purchase your flowers and bouquet making supplies. Now that you've figured out your color scheme and chosen some suitable flowers, you'll need to go to your local florist or the floral section of your grocery store to buy some flowers. Including these, you'll also need:
- Floral or stem wrapping tape
- Floral wire
- Fresh flowers
- Household bleach (optional)
- Rubber bands (optional)
- Scissors or a vegetable knife
- Vase
[Edit]Evaluating and Pruning Your Flowers - Prioritize tight buds. These will bloom as the existing flowers wilt, creating better balance in your bouquet over a longer period of time. Buds that are just breaking open and with a glimpse of color are a good indication the flowers will be suitable for your bouquet.
- Inspect the stems to gauge the health of your flowers. Hold a stem by the base and see if it stands up. Weak stemmed flowers are sometimes an indication the flower is old, sick, or otherwise damaged. Verify that the stems aren't smelly or slimy, as this often indicates the blooms have been in water too long.[5]
- Examine leaves to judge the overall condition of your flowers. You'll want leaves are crisp and clean with a rich, even color green. Any spots or bleaching may indicate disease, which can lead to rot and shorten the life expectancy of your bouquet.[6]
- Cut your stems evenly. A general rule of thumb among flower arranging experts is to keep the top height of your blooms even. Use your scissors to cut your stems so that the length of each flower's stem is about the same, and be sure you cut the stems on an angle. An angled cut will allow the stem to draw up water more easily, lengthening the life of your bouquet.[7]
- Cutting your stems under running water will lengthen the life of your blooms.
- Woody stems, such as roses, should be split the bottom. This will allow water in and prolong the life of your woody stemmed blooms.
- It's best to start with longer stems, about 12 inches long should do. Then trim these to suit your purposes of your situation. A small flower girl might require shorter stem length, a bouquet/present, longer stems to accommodate a vase.[8][9][10]
- Remove thorns and unwanted leaves. Thorns can poke the recipient of your bouquet, making your bouquet less desirable. Run a knife along the stem to shuck thorns free of the stem. You can also use your scissors to snip each thorn at its base. Many of your leaves can also be removed; the central point of your bouquet are its flowers. Too many leaves and you won't be able to see the flowers for the trees.[11]
- Exercise caution while de-thorning your blooms. If you intend on using a knife, be sure to slide it along the stem away from your body to prevent accidental cuts.
- You'll likely not want to completely denude your flowers of leaves. Doing so can sometimes create a lack of fullness in your bouquet.
- Prepare your container, if applicable. If you plan on putting your bouquet into a vase or some other container, first fill it with fresh, cold water to prolong the life of your blooms. Then add a few drops of bleach to the water to kill any bacteria that might have been in your cup, in your water, or on your stems.
- Purifying your water with a few drops of bleach is a great way to prevent rot, disease, and decay, all of which can cloud water and create an unpleasant smell.[12]
[Edit]Arranging Your Flowers - Place your centerpiece. If you are using a vase or container, you should use one hand to hold the position of your flowers as you add to the arrangement with your free hand. If you are planning on making a traditional, stem-wrapped bouquet, hold your flowers with your non-dominant hand and add to your arrangement with your free hand. Organize your centerpiece so it is the middle of your bouquet.[13]
- Your centerpiece flower will usually be a specially chosen flower or accent. Around this central flower, you will build the rest of your bouquet.
- You may find it helpful, as your bouquet grows in size, to use a rubber band to hold your bouquet in place.[14]
- Add flowers around your centerpiece. Work your way around your centerpiece, adding flowers one stem at a time as you do so. Working from the inside of your bouquet to the out will prevent it from looking thin or patchy. You may want to arrange your blooms at regular intervals, or you might want to see how clusters of your accent flowers work with your centerpiece.[15]
- Remember to keep the top of your blooms evenly aligned! Extend your bouquet about an arm's length in front of you and hold it at eye level to check the height of your blooms.
- Add greenery and other accents last. Now that your central bouquet is built, you'll have a firm idea of where you should fill out the flowers with accents flowers and sprigs. Berries can add a vibrant touch to your bouquet, as can accents like peacock feathers, bouquet jewels, and bear grass, to name a few.
- If you plan on using ribbons on your bouquet, seal the ends after you cut it to prevent fray. Depending on material, sealing method can vary, but usually applying a weak flame to the frayed end for a few seconds will cause the fray to fuse.
- A thin seam of hot glue can also work well for preventing your ribbon from fraying.
- Bind the stems of your bouquet if not using a container. Take your floral wire and wrap the entire length of the stems in a spiral pattern. Cut excess wire with your scissors, and then press your floral tape onto the topmost part of the wire to fix it in place. Pull the tape tight and corkscrew it down and around your stems to block them from view and create a snug stem-bundle.[16]
- Inspect your bouquet and make any finishing touches. Be sure to double check the height and balance of your bouquet, as you may have disrupted the balance of the arrangement while binding stems and adding accents. Be sure the top of the flowers are of level height and the flowers distributed in a pleasing fashion. Now you're bouquet's ready for that special someone of yours!
[Edit]Coloring Your Bouquet for a Special Occasion - Coordinate the color of your bouquet for weddings. White roses are the traditional wedding flower, and a bouquet using the white rose as its main accent would likely match well with the bride's gown. You may want to choose an elegant lily or orchid as your centerpiece, as the gold color of theses flowers' inner parts can create an elegant appearance.
- The white rose symbolizes unity and purity, making this the perfect flower to commemorate a new marriage.
- Make a bouquet for mother's day. Choose mom's favorite flowers for your centerpiece and accent flowers, and coordinate colors to whatever her favorite might be. Mother's day roses are popular, but can be expensive due to increased demand.
- Create a "thank you" bouquet. The color of roses can symbolize many different things, including gratitude. Though the recipient would likely appreciate any flowers you give as a way of saying thanks, dark pink roses are the traditional color for conveying this.
- Theme your bouquet to say get well soon. Hospitals can be drab, and even your own home can become dull and lifeless when recuperating from an illness. Select vibrant, cheery colors for your get well soon bouquet.
- Green is symbolic of nature, and can promote tranquility, health, and can have a calming effect.[17]
- Orange is considered to be an energetic, enthusiastic color, and may be just the thing to cheer your ill friend.[18]
- Red is associated with love, warmth, and has been known to evoke strong emotions. You might pair this color with orange to create a pleasing effect.[19]
- Yellow is a color associated with happiness and warmth, though can be overwhelming. Use yellow in moderation in your get well soon bouquets.[20]
- Color your bouquet to express your sympathies. Mournful occasions are best suited with soft, muted colors. Depending on culture, the kind of flowers you use in a funeral bouquet can vary drastically, but generally lilies, chrysanthemums, and orchids are suitable for these occasions.[21]
[Edit]How Can I Make Wedding Bouquets That Don't Wilt? - Place limp flowers in warm water that reaches up to the neck of the bloom to invigorate the flowers. Warm water rises more quickly than cold. When the water reaches the flower it will perk up a bit and stand tall once more.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Floral or stem wrapping tape
- Floral wire
- Fresh flowers
- Household bleach (optional)
- Rubber bands (optional)
- Scissors or a vegetable knife
- Vase (optional)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Cream Butter Posted: 17 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Creaming butter is the process of mixing butter and sugar together to create a soft and creamy state for use in baking. It's a common skill in baking that ensures even distribution of the butter through the cake mixture. It also introduces air to the mixture, helping it to rise. For these reasons, it is important to master the skill of creaming butter. [Edit]Ingredients - Softened butter
- Superfine white sugar
[Edit]Softening the Butter - Microwave the butter. If you're really in a rush, you can also cheat by warming the butter in the microwave. Be very careful with this though - if the butter melts, it will not cream properly and you will have to start again with new butter. To microwave:
- Cut the cold butter into even-sized chunks (this will ensure that they soften evenly), place the chunks in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat for no more than 10 seconds.
- Take the bowl out and check the butter - if it is still too hard, place it back in the microwave for 5 seconds at a time.
- Allow the butter to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). Take the butter out of the fridge about 10 minutes before you intend to work with it, and cut it into 1/4 in (6.45 mm) pieces. Cold butter does not blend well when mixed and will leave chunks of butter throughout the finished product.[1]
- While "room temperature" is standard advice, slightly cooler than room temperature is actually better. Once the butter reaches about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), it's too warm to retain much air, which can result in denser baked goods.
- For best results, test the temperature using a digital thermometer. If you don't have one, you can test the butter by giving it a poke with your fingers; if the butter is soft as a ripe peach and your fingers easily leave an indentation, it's ready to use.[2]
- However, if the butter is squishy and shiny it has probably started to melt, which is not ideal for creaming. Place the butter back in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes until it firms up a little.
- Grate the butter. Don't worry if you forget to take the butter out of the fridge in advance - all chefs forget from time to time. You can cheat by using a cheese grater to grate the hard butter into thin strips. The increased surface area will allow the butter to soften very quickly and you'll be ready to cream in no time.
[Edit]Creaming by Hand - Place your softened butter in a mixing bowl. You can use any type of mixing bowl you like, however, some chefs recommend using a ceramic or stoneware bowl for creaming butter.
- These types of bowls have rougher surfaces which catch the butter and speed up the creaming process.[3]
- Metal or plastic bowls have smoother surfaces which do not catch the butter.
- Start mixing the butter. Before you add the sugar to the bowl, you should cream the butter on its own first. This will make adding the sugar much easier later on.
- Use a fork, wire whisk, spatula or wooden spoon to mush up the butter before you begin to mix.
- Like with the ceramic or stoneware bowl, it is believed that a wooden spoon will catch the butter more easily and speed up the creaming process.
- Gradually add the sugar. Little by little, incorporate the sugar into the butter, beating after each addition. This will give the sugar a chance to dissolve and prevent it from flying out of the bowl as you mix.
- Continue beating the butter and sugar once all of the sugar has been added. Beat vigorously but steadily - you will have to work at it for a while so you don't want to tire yourself out too soon! Switch hands if you need to.
- Just think of all the calories you'll burn while beating - you'll certainly deserve that extra cookie once they're done!
- Know when to stop beating. Really with hand beating there's no way to over-mix the butter and sugar...but you'll have to stop at some point.
- When it's ready, the mixture should be creamy and lump-free. It should be slighter paler in color too.
- A good test is to drag a fork through the mixture - if you see any streaks of butter, you'll need to keep beating, if not you can continue with your recipe.
- If you leave streaks of butter in your mixture, this means that it's not uniform and your final product will have an uneven texture.
[Edit]Using a Mixer - Place the softened butter into a suitable mixing bowl. Beat the butter with a hand-held or stand mixer on a low speed, until it becomes soft and creamy.
- Start adding the sugar gradually. Add the sugar to the butter a little at a time. The purpose of adding it slowly is to allow you to work it into the butter so that it dissolves and doesn't leave lumps or granules of sugar in the mixture.
- As the sugar is beaten, it cuts through the butter, leaving bubbles of air behind. This aerates the mixture, allowing it to rise and giving the final product a light, fluffy texture.
- Most recipes will call for caster or superfine sugar when creaming butter. This is because superfine sugar has the perfect consistency for creaming - it has enough of a surface area that it will adequately aerate the butter as it is beaten (unlike powdered sugar), but it is fine enough that it will not give a coarse texture to cakes and cookies (unlike granulated sugar).
- Increase the speed of the mixer. Once all of the sugar has been added to the butter, increase the speed of the mixer (high on a hand mixer, medium/high on a stand mixer) and continue beating until the entire texture is smooth and creamy.
- Don't forget to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula from time to time, to reincorporate any sugar or butter that has stuck to the sides.
- Also try to scrape out any mixture that has become trapped in the beaters.
- Know when to stop mixing. As you continue to beat, the butter and sugar mixture will increase in volume and become increasingly lighter in color. When the sugar and butter has been perfectly creamed, it should be off-white in color and have almost doubled in volume. The texture should be thick and creamy - almost like mayonnaise.
- Be careful not the over-mix the butter and sugar. Once the mixture is pale and creamy, and forms slight, soft peaks, you should stop beating.
- If you keep mixing, it will lose most of the air you worked in and the final product will not rise very well.
- As a guideline, your butter and sugar should be perfectly creamed in about six or seven minutes, when using a mixer.
- Use as required in your recipe. If you've creamed the butter and sugar well, the baking process should proceed smoothly.
- If you have spices, vanilla essence (extract), and the rinds from citrus fruits to add to the cake, add them while creaming the butter. This will ensure that the flavours are released, and these items will also be well diffused through the cake.
[Edit]Warnings - If the butter is not creamed enough when the recipe calls for this, there is a risk of finding holes in the cake.
- Over-beating will cause the butter to melt. Melted butter cannot be used in recipes calling for creamed butter!
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon or electric mixer for beating
- Recipe
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Store Bell Peppers Posted: 16 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Fresh, colorful bell peppers are a tasty addition to any meal. If they are not stored properly, however, peppers might go bad before you can use them. It is important to keep both whole and chopped bell peppers in the fridge so that they do not spoil. If you want to keep them fresh for a long time, you can even try freezing them. Just make sure that you throw them out when they become slimy or moldy. [Edit]Keeping Whole Bell Peppers - Store peppers without washing them. Any moisture on the pepper will make it rot faster in the fridge. Wait until you are ready to cook the pepper before you wash it.[1]
- If you did end up washing your bell peppers, make sure that they are completely dry before putting them in the fridge. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Put peppers in a produce bag. Produce bags are made from mesh, which gives the peppers plenty of air. If you don't have a produce bag, take a plastic grocery bag and poke a few holes in it.[2]
- Do not tie or knot the bag closed. You will need airflow to keep the peppers fresh.
- Do not store peppers in an airtight bag. This will make them spoil faster.
- Place bell peppers in the refrigerator's vegetable drawer. The drawer will keep them fresh and crisp. Spread out the peppers as much as possible. If the drawer is tightly packed, they may not last as long.[3]
- Do not keep peppers in the same drawer as fruits. Fruits release a gas called ethylene, which can cause vegetables to rot faster.[4]
- Throw out bell peppers when they become too soft. Press lightly against the pepper's skin with your fingertips. If the skin is firm and smooth, the pepper is still good. If it feels slightly spongy or wrinkled, you can cook the pepper, but don't eat it raw. If the pepper is slimy or very soft, toss the pepper.[5]
- If you notice any mold on your peppers, throw them out, no matter how long you have had them.
- Whole bell peppers can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.[6]
[Edit]Saving Chopped Peppers - Wrap the chopped peppers in a paper towel. The paper towel will keep them from getting too slimy or damp in the refrigerator.[7]
- Put chopped bell peppers in an airtight container or plastic bag. Keep the peppers wrapped in the paper towel. The container should be completely sealed. Do this within 2 hours of chopping to keep them from spoiling.[8]
- Place the chopped peppers in the drawer or top shelf of the fridge. Since the peppers are already chopped and sealed in a container, they do not necessarily need to be in the drawer.[9]
- Throw chopped peppers out after 3 days. Chopped peppers will not last very long. If they start to become slimy or moldy, toss them out, regardless of how long they have been in the fridge.[10]
[Edit]Freezing Bell Peppers - Slice or chop the bell peppers before freezing. Bell peppers only freeze well when they have been chopped first. Cut off the stem and slice the pepper in half. Remove the seeds with a spoon before cutting the peppers according to your recipe.[11]
- Spread the bell peppers on a cookie sheet or tray. Arrange the chopped pieces in a single layer. Do not stack them on top of one another or they might stick together when frozen.[12]
- Freeze the cookie sheet for 1 hour. Slide the cookie sheet into the freezer. Make sure nothing is on top of or touching the peppers. After an hour, remove the tray from the freezer.[13]
- Place the frozen peppers in a freezer bag or airtight container. Use freezer bags for the best results. After you place the peppers inside, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag. If you use a container, make sure it has a sturdy lid that screws on tightly. Put the peppers back on a shelf in the freezer.[14]
- Write the date on the plastic bag or container using a marker. Bell peppers will last up to a year in the freezer. If they start to look discolored or wrinkled, throw them out.[15]
- Thaw the peppers if you want to eat them raw. To defrost the peppers, move them to the fridge a day before you need them. You can also use the defrost setting on your microwave.
- Cook the peppers while they are still frozen. Do not thaw the peppers if you are going to cook them. Instead, just go ahead and toss them into your recipe.[16]
- You can freeze roasted or raw bell peppers.
- Unlike other vegetables, bell peppers do not need to be blanched before they are frozen.
- Peppers can be canned or dried to preserve them.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Peppers
- Produce bag or plastic grocery bag
- Plastic zip bag
- Freezer bag
- Airtight plastic container
- Paper towel
[Edit]References __ [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Cloud Slime Posted: 16 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Cloud slime is a unique type of slime with a fluffy texture, similar to that of kinetic sand. The key ingredient is something called "Instant Snow," but if you can't get any of that, you can use the absorbent powder from inside a diaper or crushed-up Styrofoam. If you want fluffy cloud slime, then adding shaving cream to the glue base will do the trick! [Edit]Making Basic Cloud Slime - Pour of white school glue into a bowl. Most bottles of school glue contain about 4 ounces (120 mL), which is exactly what you need! Don't use clear school glue, because it won't look very cloud-like.[1]
- Even though most slime recipes require water, you actually don't need to add any here.
- For more interesting-looking slime, add 1 to 2 drops of blue food coloring into it.
- Add of liquid starch. This is your activating ingredient, which you can find in the laundry aisle of just about any store. You can also use a different activating ingredient, such as 1 tablespoon (15 mL) saline solution or of borax water.[2]
- If you're using saline solution, ensure that it contains boric acid and sodium borate. You'll also have to stir 1/4 teaspoon (2.7 g) of baking soda into the glue first.
- To prepare borax water, mix 1/4 teaspoon (2 g) of borax into of warm water.
- You can find borax in the laundry aisle of a grocery store as well.
- Stir the starch into the slime, then add more if it feels too sticky. Use a spoon to stir the starch completely into the slime. If the slime is too sticky and oozy, add more starch 1 tablespoon (15 mL) at a time until you get the texture you want.[3]
- Set the slime aside while you prepare the instant snow.
- Don't add more than of liquid starch. If you add more than that, the slime will turn hard and rubbery.
- If the slime is still too stringy, wait for 3 to 5 minutes. This will give the ingredients time to bind together.
- Prepare of instant snow according to the instructions. Purchase a can of instant snow online or from a craft store (during the holiday season, only). Read the instructions on the can to find out how much snow powder and water you should use, then mix them together.[4]
- Instant snow is not the same thing as the fake spray-on snow or the plastic-like, flakey stuff that comes in bags.
- If you can't find instant snow, pour water into a diaper, wait for it to expand, then cut it open and pull the instant snow out.[5]
- Alternatively, use your hands or a grater to crush enough white Styrofoam to fill up . Try to make it as fine as possible.[6]
- Knead the prepared instant snow into the slime. Pour the snow onto the slime, then fold the edges of the slime over the snow. Knead the slime to mix the snow into it. Start with about of instant snow first, then add more if desired.[7]
- The more snow you add, the firmer your slime will be.
- If your slime is still too gooey after this, add a few drops of liquid starch into it.
- If you have snow left over, allow it to dry out first, then return it to the can.
- Store the slime in a plastic container when you aren't playing with it. How long this slime keeps its texture depends on what you put into it. If you used instant snow or the absorbent powder from a diaper, you may notice a difference in texture after a few days. If you used crushed Styrofoam, it should keep for at least a week.
- Instant snow dries out after a couple of hours/days. Since it's already mixed into your slime, it probably won't dry out completely, but your slime may harden a bit.
[Edit]Making Fluffy Cloud Slime - Pour of school glue into a bowl. If you can, use white school glue, as it will look more cloud-like.[8] Clear school glue is a good alternative; the addition of the shaving cream will help make the slime opaque.[9]
- For more interesting slime, add 2 to 3 drops of blue food coloring.
- Fold of white shaving cream into the glue. Measure out the shaving cream and add it to the bowl. Next, gently stir it into the glue with a rubber spatula. Make sure that you use the actual foaming kind of shaving cream and not the gel kind; otherwise, the slime won't be fluffy.[10]
- Men's shaving cream would be the best choice, because its white color is the most cloud-like.
- Women's shaving cream often comes tinted pink or purple, which isn't very cloud-like. Avoid this—unless, of course, you want a pink or purple cloud!
- Stir up to of liquid starch into the glue. Add the starch into the glue 1 tablespoon (15 mL) at a time until you get the texture you want; stir the slime well after each addition of starch that you add.[11]
- Set the slime aside while you prepare the instant snow. This will also give the slime more time to achieve a less-icky texture.
- If you just want to make fluffy slime, you are done! Adding instant snow or crushed Styrofoam will help give it more texture, but that's all.[12]
- Most grocery stores carry liquid starch in the laundry aisle.
- Prepare of instant snow following the instructions on the can. Buy a can of "Instant Snow" or "Instant Sno". You can find it online or at a craft store during the holiday season. Read the instructions on the back of the can to find out how to prepare the snow, then measure out .[13]
- Instant Snow is different from fake spray-on snow or the fake, powdery snow that comes in a bag.
- If you can't find instant snow, pour water into a diaper, then wait for it to expand. Cut the diaper open and pull the snow out. It's more or less the same thing![14]
- Another option is to crush some white Styrofoam into a fine powder with your fingers or a grater. Use enough to fill .[15]
- Knead the instant snow into the slime. If the snow is clumpy, fluff it up with your hands first. Measure out of instant snow, then add it to the slime. Fold the edges of the slime over the snow, then knead it in.[16]
- Let any leftover snow dry out, then return it to the can.
- Put the slime into a sealed container when you're done playing with it. Because this slime contains shaving cream, it will start to lose its texture after a couple of hours to a couple of days. It may still be slimy and cloud-like afterwards, but it just won't be fluffy anymore.
- Slime made from Styrofoam will keep its texture much longer than slime made from instant snow. This is because instant snow dries out over time.
- Make a scented cloud by adding add a drop or two of essential oil or candy flavoring.[17]
- Instant snow expands up to 100 times its size, so a little bit goes a long way. It might be easier to make a small batch, then measure out what you need from it.
- If you added too much activator into your slime and made it too rubbery, knead 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water into the slime until it turns gooey again.[18]
- Instead of adding food coloring to the glue, consider stirring it into the water for the instant snow!
- Instant snow is made from sodium polyacrylate polymer. It's the same powder used in super-absorbent diapers!
- You can add the instant snow powder into the slime without activating it. Add it in while it is still dry, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you get the texture you want.[19]
- If your slime is not stretchy enough, you can add lotion to the slime.
- The more shaving foam you use, the fluffier the slime will be.
[Edit]Warnings - Small children need to be supervised around instant snow. The product expands when it comes in contact with fluids, and can be harmful if ingested.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Making Basic Cloud Slime - white school glue
- of liquid starch
- Instant Snow
- Water
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Measuring cups
- Food coloring (optional)
[Edit]Making Fluffy Cloud Slime - of white school glue
- of white shaving cream
- of liquid starch
- Instant snow
- Water
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Measuring cups
- Food coloring (optional)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Stop Spam Email in Gmail Posted: 16 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Do you want to stop spam in Gmail? Over time, as you use your Gmail account for all of your social and economic sign-ups like Facebook, Tagged, Dropbox, and other websites, your Gmail inbox can become flooded by unwanted emails or spam messages. This wikiHow article teaches you how to stop such spam emails and stay organized to keep on top of unwanted messages. You can also clean up and enhance your Gmail experience by blocking ads. [Edit]Stopping spam at the start - Stop using your Gmail account to create new accounts. When you use Gmail to create accounts or log-ins into other websites, be careful not to let those websites send emails to your Gmail inbox. If you trust the website and want updates from it, it is okay to let that website send emails. However, if you don't completely trust a website, make sure the checkbox that says "allow us to send updates" is unchecked when you sign up.
[Edit]Using filters in Gmail - Stop spam emails with filters. This is the easiest way to stop spam emails. If you are feeling that a certain website or sender is spamming your inbox, you can set up a filter, which will automatically flag emails and delete them automatically. Use the following steps to do so:
- This option is only available while accessing Gmail through a web browser. It is not currently available for the Gmail mobile app.
- Click the icon that resembles three slider bars. It's to the right of the search bar at the top of the page. A window that allows you to specify your search criteria will appear.
- Enter your search criteria. You can enter email addresses next to "From." You can also specify a subject, or words an email has or doesn't have. For example, if you want to block spam, the best thing to do is enter email addresses or subjects that you know are spam.
- If you want to check that your search has worked correctly, click the Search button. Clicking the down arrow again will bring the window back with the same search criteria you entered.
- Click . It's at the bottom of the Search menu. This will create a new filter based on your search criteria.
- Choose the action you'd like for these messages. Do this by checking the appropriate box. For example, if you want to automatically delete spam, click the checkbox next to "Delete It" to delete emails that fit your search criteria.
- Click . It's the blue button in the lower-right corner. This creates a new filter for your emails.
[Edit]Removing spam emails - Mark the unwanted emails from particular websites or sender. To do so, click the checkbox next to the emails you want to remove to select them. If you are using the mobile app, tap and hold the emails you want to delete.
- Click the "Stop Spam" icon. It's the icon that resembles a stop sign at the top of the page. This marks the emails as spam and moves them to your spam folder. This also reports the emails as spam.
- If you are using the mobile app, tap the icon that resembles three dots in the upper-right corner. Then tap Report spam.
- Click or tap the Spam folder. It's in the menu to the left. If you do not see the Spam folder, click More at the bottom of the list of inboxes and then scroll down to the Spam folder.
- If you are using the mobile app, tap the icon that resembles three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner. The tap Spam.
- Select the messages you'd like to delete. To do so, click the checkbox next to the messages you would like to delete. If you are using the mobile app, simply tap and hold the messages you want to delete.
- Alternatively, you can click Delete all spam messages now at the top or your browser page, or tap Empty spam now at the top of the mobile app to instantly delete all Spam messages.
- Click or tap . It's at the top of the page. If you are using a desktop computer, click Delete forever to delete all selected emails. If you are using the mobile app, tap the icon that resembles a trashcan at the top of the page.
- Gmail will learn that some messages are spam and treat them as such in future. However, it doesn't always get it right; unopened emails that you have been meaning to get around to but then delete in a clean-up without actually wanting to unsubscribe can end up being treated as spam. You'll need to retrieve such emails from the Spam folder so that Gmail learns to leave them alone again.
[Edit]Organizing your Gmail with Labels - Sort your emails to help you prioritize what you deal with. Gmail has three categories of mails sorted for the incoming mails such as Primary, Social, and Promotion. You can add more categories or combine them into one category. Creating Labels will help you to determine which mail is spam and which mail is important.
- Add Labels in the settings. This option is only available when accessing Gmail through a web browser. This option is not available on the mobile app. Use the following steps to create labels:
- Click the Gear icon in the upper-right corner.
- Click See all settings.
- Click the Labels tab at the top of the page.
- Click Create New Label towards the bottom of the menu.
- Enter the name of the new label.
- Click Create.
- Move emails to different inboxes or labels. To do so, simply click the checkboxes next to the emails you want to move to a specific inbox or label. Then click and drag any one of the messages to the inbox or label to the left. This moves all emails to the inbox.
- Alternatively, you can create a new filter that will move emails from the sender or with a specific subject to a inbox or label automatically.
[Edit]References
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| How to Freeze Basil Posted: 15 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Basil is a rich source of nutrients and adds amazing flavor and scent to a number of dishes, from Caprese Salad to Chicken Parmesan.[1] Freezing fresh basil allows you to keep it on hand for your favorite recipes all year round. To freeze basil, blanch the leaves, flash freeze them separately, then combine and freeze them long-term in an airtight, freezer-safe container. If you don't need to preserve individual leaves, you can also freeze basil without blanching and flash freezing it, or you can freeze basil in puréed form. [Edit]Freezing Puréed Basil - Pinch or snip off each basil leaf and discard the stems. You won't need the stems when you freeze the basil. If you harvest basil from your garden during the middle of the growing season, snip or pinch off the top 5 or 6" (12.7 to 15.2 cm) so that you leave some stems and leaves to keep on maturing.
- Rinse the basil under cold, running water. You can also put the basil in a bowl of cold water and let it soak. Drain the water from the basil. Put the basil in a colander and let it drain thoroughly.
- Gently pat the basil dry with paper towels. Basil is fragile, so pat the leaves gently or let them rest nestled between paper towels until they are dry.
- Place 1- 2 handfuls of basil in your food processor. Fill up the food processor bowl, but don't pack the leaves too tightly.
- Use the "pulse" setting to chop the basil. This will result in coarsely chopped leaves; if you want to make a paste, use the manufacturer's suggested setting on your food processor. This should only take a few seconds. The more finely you want to chop the basil, the longer you should process it.
- Drizzle olive oil over the basil while you are chopping it. Olive oil prevents the basil from turning dark or even black when it is frozen and gives it a richer flavor. You should use about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil for each batch of basil. Using olive oil is optional. If you'd like to skip it but still freeze the basil in ice cube trays, you can add enough water to form a slush in the processor instead.[2]
- Spoon the chopped basil into freezer containers or ice cube trays.[3] If you use ice trays, you can transfer the basil cubes to larger containers after freezing them for 12 hours.
- Use your frozen basil. You can leave them in the freezer for months and take them out and use them for recipes whenever you like, especially in the winter months.[4] They'll separate from each other easily so you won't have to pull them apart. If you're putting them into a heated dish, then just throw in the frozen leaves and wait for them to thaw -- you won't have to thaw them on your own.
- If you have too much frozen basil, give it away to your friends -- they'll love you for it.
[Edit]Freezing Fresh Basil - Remove all of the leaves from the stems. You can clip or pinch the leaves away from the stems.[5]
- Thoroughly rinse the leaves in cold water. Use a salad spinner to do the job more effectively. If you don't have one, washing the leaves in a bowl of water and using paper towels to dry them will work too.
- Place some ice in a bowl of cold water.
- Boil a pot of water. It should be big enough to hold the basil leaves.
- Add the basil leaves to the water and blanch them for 5-10 seconds. Be very vigilant to make sure you don't blanch them for longer than this. Move the pot to a different burner so it cools off as quickly as possible.
- Place the leaves into the ice water using a slotted spoon. Do this as quickly as you can so that the basil stops cooking.
- Lay the leaves on a paper towel. This is the part that takes the longest, so be patient. Just use your hands to individually lay out each leaf and then use a paper towel to pat them dry. You can let the leaves dry for 5-10 minutes if you like.
- Place the leaves on cookie sheets or plates. Lay them out individually so they don't touch each other too much. You may find that you have to use two pans lined with cookie sheets.
- Flash freeze the leaves. Place the cookie sheets with the leaves in the freezer and wait until the leaves are fully frozen. Then, remove them from the freezer.
- Place the leaves in a container. You can use a zip-lock bag, Tupperware, an empty milk carton, or another container that you can seal easily.[6]
[Edit]Quickly Freezing Fresh Basil - Clip the leaves from the stems.
- Rinse the leaves thoroughly.
- Spread them on a surface and air dry them for at least 30 minutes. You can just use the counter, a cookie sheet, or a plate. You can use a paper towel to pat them dry to speed up the process.
- Place them in a storage bag. You can loosely layer the leaves in the bag, making sure that they are fully dry so they don't stick together. A zip-lock bag, Tupperware, or any container with a seal will do.
- You can use a finer setting on your food processor if you want to make a basil paste that you can freeze and use for pesto. When you have the consistency you want, simply put the paste in a resealable plastic freezer bag and lay it flat in your freezer. You can break off any size of frozen basil when you want to make pesto.
- Plan on using about 3 tbsp. (45 ml) of olive oil for each full batch of basil in your food processor.
- Freeze whole or hand-chopped basil leaves quickly by placing them in water in ice cube trays. The leaves will turn dark after they freeze, but they will still be flavorful.
- Ice cube trays work very well for frozen basil; each cube is about 1 tbsp. (15 ml) so it takes the guesswork out of your recipes when you are making sauces and soups. (If the recipe calls for 3 tbsp. (45 ml) of basil, simply toss 3 cubes into the pot.)
[Edit]Warnings - Be sure to thoroughly coat the basil leaves while you are chopping them in the food processor. The oil will help the basil retain flavor and moisture, as well as keep the leaves from turning dark.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Paper towels
- Kitchen shears (optional)
- Colander
- Spoon
- Food processor
- Olive oil
- Ice cube trays
- Resealable plastic bag
- Salad spinner (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References
[Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Grow Flowers from Seed Posted: 15 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Using seeds is a cost-effective way to grow flowers. You can start growing flower seeds indoors, in a planter, or outside in your garden or flower bed. Moisture, sunlight, and the proper soil are the most important components to growing a flower from a seed. Once the seedling becomes a flower, you should care for it like you would any other flower. [Edit]Planting Seeds Outside - Till the soil before planting the seeds. Use a rake, tiller, or pitchfork to dig under the soil. Turn the soil over until you've loosened all the soil in your flower bed.[1]
- You may also want to incorporate compost into the soil to promote flower growth.
- Sprinkle or bury the seeds, per the instructions. The information on the seed packet will explain if the seeds have any special germination needs. Soft-shelled seeds should be pressed lightly into the soil, while hard-shelled seeds should be completely covered with soil. Read the instructions to see which method you should use.[2]
- Mark the planting area so you know where you planted the seeds. This is useful when planting a wide variety of seeds or plants. The visual reminder will also let you know whether the flowers are growing or if your seeds failed to germinate.[3]
- Not all seeds will become flowers.
- Labeling will also prevent you from mistaking your seedlings for weeds.
- Mist the seedbed to keep the soil moist. Lightly mist your flowerbed with water so that the soil is moist. The soil should always be moist while the seeds are germinating. To see whether the soil is actually moist, press your finger down into your flowerbed. If the soil feels dry under the surface, you know you need to water your seeds.[4]
- Wait for your flower(s) to germinate. The flowers should germinate within 3 weeks to a month. If you don't notice that they are starting to grow, you may have to lay down more seeds.[5]
- Water your flowers. If it rains, you shouldn't have to water your flowers. However, it's important the soil under the flowers stays moist. If you have a period of time with no rain, water them so that the top remains moist.[6]
- Prune dying flowers and leaves. Pruning the flowers after they have bloomed will encourage new growth. Use a set of hand pruners and clip away old or damaged flower petals or leaves.[7]
- Use fertilizer if desired. An organic fertilizer will promote the health of your flowers and brighten their color. Look for a fertilizer designed for your specific type of flower, and sprinkle it on the surrounding soil. Read the instructions before to avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to the flowers dying.[8]
- A balanced 5-10-10 fertilizer can be used on the widest variety of flowers.
[Edit]Germinating Seeds Inside - Get a container that has drainage holes in it. If you want to grow multiple flowers, you can purchase an indoor planter that has spaces for more than one flower. It's important that the container has drainage holes because overly saturated soil will inhibit the seed's growth.[9]
- If you don't want to buy a planter, you can punch holes in the bottom of an egg carton and use that instead.
- Put a rag or cloth under the container to prevent leaks.
- Fill each section with a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Combine the three different types of soils together in equal parts to create a well-drained soil high in organic material. Pour your flower container ¾ of the way up with this mixture.[10]
- Bury or sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil, depending on their species. Harder seeds should be covered with organic material like vermiculite or sphagnum moss, while softer seeds should lay on the top of the soil. Read the seed packet that came with your seeds to determine if you should bury them under the soil or leave them on top of it.[11]
- Water the seeds. Lightly sprinkle water on top of the soil, but don't add too much or you could wash away smaller seeds. You can do this by sprinkling the water with your hand, or slowly pouring the water into the container from a small saucer. Either way, the soil should be moist but the seeds should still be intact.[12]
- Cover the container with plastic wrap. Plastic wrap or a sealed lid will trap moisture and help the seeds germinate. Poke a couple of holes in the top of the plastic wrap so that the plant can breathe.[13]
- You can also wrap the planter in a plastic bag for a similar effect.
- Move the planters to a warm area of the house. Germinating seeds do best in temperatures of . Move the planter to a warm area that gets plenty of sunlight. Alternatively, you can place the planter on an artificial heat source, like the top of a refrigerator or near the oven.[14]
- Move the planter before you use the oven or heat could damage the seeds.
- Harden off the seedlings if transplanting them outside. If you plan on transplanting your seedlings outdoors, harden them off by leaving them outside under a shaded area for 7-10 days. This will acclimate them to the change in temperature. Some flowers have an intolerance for the cold and should be kept indoors. [15]
- The seed package should give you a range of temperatures in that the flower will thrive.
- If a flower is cold-resistant, it should be labeled as hardy.
- Tender flowers are less resistant to cold and should always be in an area that's over .
- Transplant the seedlings outside, if desired. Position a small spade away from the seedling. Gently dig around the seedling, making sure not to sever any of its roots. Then, pull the seedling out of the planter, with the soil around its roots, and place it in well-drained soil in your garden.[16]
- Monitor the seedlings to make sure that they don't die after the transplant.
- Each packet of seeds will have planting instructions and an estimated time of germination. This will indicate approximately how long it should take for your seed to sprout its first stem. Use this timeframe as your seed grows to determine its health.[17]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Open a Stuck Window Posted: 15 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT It can be quite frustrating when you want to open a window and find that the window won't budge. Windows can get stuck for a number of reasons: wood frames may have warped in wet weather, the house may have settled or someone may have painted the frames shut. With patience and a few handy techniques, most stuck windows can be opened. [Edit]Prying a Window Open - Examine the window. Look at both sides of the window, interior and exterior.
- Make sure it is a window that is meant to be opened. Some new office and home windows are not meant to be opened. If there are no hinges or the window is a single pane with nowhere to slide, it likely does not open.
- Make sure that the window is not nailed or screwed shut for security or energy conservation reasons.
- Check for any staples around the interior of the window where plastic sheeting may have been fastened. Carefully remove them with needle-nose pliers.
- Make sure any locks are disengaged.
- Look to see if the window frame has been recently painted.
- Decide which direction the window is supposed to open: up, outward or sideways.
- Loosen any paint that is sealing the window shut. Removing dried paint that collected between the window and frame will free the window and allow it to be opened.[1]
- Use a razor knife to cut along the edge of the window and the frame. Cut across all four sides of the window. You may need to check the exterior of the window in addition to the inside to make sure that it isn't painted shut on both sides.
- Insert a putty knife between the window and the frame. Wriggle the knife back and forth to loosen any dried paint between the window and the frame. Go around the entire edge of the window to loosen all sides.[2]
- Hammer the edge of the window to break the seal created by paint. Use a wood block to cushion the blows from the hammer and prevent making dents in the wood of the window. Be careful to hit gently so as not to break the window. Hammer the wood portion of the window and not the glass.
- Push on the window with your hands. Try to loosen the window one side at a time. Then try to push the window down as if you were closing it. If it moves, make sure the window is straight in its frame and slowly attempt to open it.
- Push each corner to see if there is any movement.
- Press on the window gently to open it a little at a time.
- Force the window up with a pry bar. Place a small block of wood on the window frame to give your pry bar more leverage. Gently force the window up with the pry bar.
- Reposition the pry bar along the bottom edge of the window to lift both sides of the window.
- Using a pry bar may damage the wood of the window or window frame, use this method very carefully as a last resort.
[Edit]Lubricating a Stuck Window - Rub the end of a candle along the channel where the window opens. Spread wax from the bottom of a candle into the window channel. The wax will help allow the window to slide up and down and prevent future sticking.[3]
- Remove moisture from the window frame. Wood may swell due to humidity causing windows to become stuck. Drying out the wood may help the window open more easily.[4]
- Run a hair dryer along the edges of the window frame for several minutes. After drying the wood, try opening the window.
- Place a dehumidifier in a room with stuck windows. Lowering the humidity in the room should help reduce the swelling of the window frames.
- Use a wood block and hammer to widen the window channel. If the window is in a wooden frame, place a wood block along the channel where the window opens and hammer it gently to depress the wood. Make the channel wider to allow the window to move more freely.
- Spray a lubricant such as WD-40 along the edge of the window. Be careful when using spray lubricants as they may discolor some surfaces or damage some types of paint.
- If the window opens outward on hinges, spray the hinges with the lubricant for smoother operation.
- Open the window repeatedly. After you get the window to open one time, open and close it several times to loosen the action of the window. If it still sticks, check the frame to ensure that it isn't warped or damaged from water. Feel for areas where the window meets some resistance and use a utility knife or sandpaper smooth it out.
- Window frames with severe water damage may need to be replaced entirely.
[Edit]Removing a Window Sash - Remove the window stops. The stop is a small piece of trim in the window frame that holds the movable sash in place. Examine the stop to determine how it is attached to the window frame.[5]
- Use a utility knife to remove any paint that is sealing the stop to the window frame.
- Remove any screws that are holding the sash in place.
- Gently pry the stop out using a flathead screwdriver or paint scraper.
- Be careful when removing the stops as they can snap easily. You may need to purchase a replacement stop to reinstall the window.
- Unscrew any hardware on the sash. Remove the locks or latches used to close the window. Check for any additional hardware from curtains or other additions that may be attached to the window sash or frame.
- Tilt the top of the bottom section of the window inward. Remove the bottom sash first by leaning it in towards the inside of the house. As you lean it inward, pay attention to the ropes connecting the window to the pulley inside the frame.[6]
- Remove the rope from one side of the window by pulling the knot down and out from the side of the window sash.
- Remove the other rope from the other side in the same manner.
- Smooth the edges of the sash. Once the sash is removed, sand the edges to remove any paint or swollen wood causing the window to stick. Make sure to sand evenly to avoid creating additional bumps or uneven surfaces which may cause additional sticking issues.
- Use a hand planer on the sides of the window if your sash has swelled.
- Remove the upper sash. In double hung windows the upper sash can be removed as well. Remove any paint that is sealing the window shut to be able to move the sash.[7]
- Use a razor knife to cut around the edges of the window inside and outside.
- Slide the upper sash down to reveal the pulleys in the side of the window jamb.
- Pull the right side of the window in to free it from the jamb.
- Remove the rope connecting the sash to the pulley inside the window frame and jamb.
- Pull the left side of the window out and remove the rope.
- Sand the edges of the upper sash. Check the edges of the sash for any paint or warped wood. Sand the sash smooth to allow for better operation.
- Sand the track inside the window frame. Remove any dried paint that has built up along the window sash with a scraper and sand the track smooth.
- Replace the window sashes. Reverse the steps used to remove the window sashes to put them back in place.
- Attach the ropes to the upper sash and slip it in place one side at a time.
- Attach the ropes to the lower sash and place the bottom half in first. Push the upper half in place.
- Slide the window stop back in place and attach it with screws or finish nails.
- A cooking spatula or butter knife with a stiff metal blade can be used in place of a putty knife.
- Work slowly and carefully rather than applying a lot of force quickly.
- If you can't get a pry bar between the window bottom and the frame put two small screws in the frame near the bottom of each corner, leaving the head of the screw sticking out a bit. Use these to put the pry bar under and pry up on. This can damage the frame a bit.
- If your window operates with a crank, spray WD-40 or another lubricant on the frame and let it sit for 5 minutes. Have a helper carefully open the window while you crank it. Lubricate any of the other hinges while the window is open.
- There is a special paint removal tool for windows called a window zipper, which you can buy in hardware stores. It may damage the paint on the nearby frame and windowsill but is a good option if there are multiple stuck windows.
[Edit]Warnings - Wear work gloves and safety goggles when trying to force open windows as the glass may break.
- If a house has settled a lot, or there has been damage from a storm or other disaster the window frame may be too warped to be able to open the window safely. The whole window may need to be removed and the frame repaired or replaced.
- Getting one corner of a window too much higher than the other when forcing open a window will probably result in cracking the window glass.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Thin blade putty knife
- Thin pry bar
- Hammer
- Wood scraps
- Work gloves
- Safety goggles
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Tabasco Sauce Posted: 14 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Tabasco sauce is easily made from tabasco chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. The taste of the sauce will vary depending on where the peppers are grown and the quality of the vinegar used. In order to make tabasco sauce, combine the ingredients, cook the sauce, then strain and store the sauce. [Edit]Ingredients - 1 pound (.45 kg) of fresh tabasco chili peppers
- 2 cups (474 ml) of vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of salt
[Edit]Combining the Ingredients - Choose high quality white vinegar that's been distilled. Since this recipe has so few ingredients, it's important to use the best quality available to you. Avoid off-brand jugs of white vinegar and opt for something quality in a glass bottle. Make sure it's white vinegar that's been distilled.[1]
- Select fresh, ripened tabasco chili peppers without blemishes. Choose peppers that are bright red and evenly colored. Avoid gnarled and blemished peppers. If your local market doesn't sell tabasco chili peppers, or if you grow other kinds of hot peppers yourself, you can experiment with any of those.[2]
- If you're experimenting with different peppers, choose spicy varieties. Ideally, they should be red, but you can experiment with color, too.
- Good alternative hot peppers candidates are serrano, habanero, and cayenne varieties.
- Be careful when handling and chopping hot peppers. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to put on a pair of disposable gloves before you begin. The pepper juice is very strong and can sting your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the peppers, as well. Avoid touching your eyes and face while handing the peppers.
- Remove the stems from the peppers. Wash the peppers thoroughly with cold water to remove any dirt or debris. To remove the stems, simply cut off the top of the pepper, including the stem, with a sharp knife.[3]
- Chop them up by hand or in a food processor. Place all of the peppers, with the stems removed, into a food processor or blender. Turn the machine on and process them until they are roughly chopped.[4] If you don't have either of those appliances, you can chop them roughly by hand.
[Edit]Cooking the Sauce - Put the peppers, vinegar, and salt in a sauce pan. Pour the chopped peppers into a medium-sized sauce pan on the stove. Add 2 cups (500 ml) of distilled white vinegar and of salt. Turn the burner to medium-high.[5]
- Heat the mixture until it begins to boil. Bring the pepper mixture to a boil and stir regularly to ensure that the peppers do not stick to the bottom of the pan.[6]
- Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes. Once the sauce is boiling, turn down the heat to low. Let it simmer for approximately 5 minutes. To ensure that you don't heat the peppers for too long, set a timer. Remove them from the heat immediately.[7]
- Stir occasionally, but try not to stand right over the sauce pan and breathe deeply. The steam rising from the hot sauce can irritate your lungs and nasal passages.[8]
- Cool the mixture completely. Turn off the stove and remove the sauce pan from the heat. Cover the mixture loosely and allow it to cool completely before pureeing the sauce.[9]
- Don't move forward with pureeing until the sauce cools. When hot, its consistency is thinner and the final result may end up too thin.
[Edit]Straining the Pulp and Storing the Sauce - Puree the sauce in a blender. Once the peppers have completely cooled, transfer them to a blender. Blend the peppers thoroughly, until they create a pureed liquid sauce.[10]
- You can use a food processor if yours has a puree setting.
- Pour the sauce into an air-tight container and refrigerate for 2 weeks. Use a funnel to transfer the sauce into a glass jar with an air-tight lid. Seal the jar and store it in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. This will allow the sauce to steep. The seeds in the sauce will make it spicier as it steeps.[11]
- Strain the mixture. After 2 weeks, remove the sauce from the refrigerator. Pour it through a fine strainer to remove any seeds that are still in the sauce. Make sure to place a bowl or jar under the strainer to catch the sauce as it drips through.[12]
- Return the sauce to the refrigerator. Once the sauce has been strained, place it into a tightly sealed glass jar or plastic container and return it to the refrigerator.[13]
- Tabasco sauce, if stored in the fridge, can keep for over a year.
- Freezing isn't recommended, since it will alter the flavor and consistency of the sauce.
- Finished.
- Use the sauce to spice up any of your favorite recipes.
[Edit]Warnings - You may want to wear gloves while working with tabasco peppers. They can be very spicy.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Knife
- Food processor
- Medium sauce pan
- Spoon
- Blender
- Funnel
- Glass jar
- Strainer
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Connect Instagram to Facebook Posted: 14 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Do you want your Instagram and Facebook accounts to integrate seamlessly? Using Account Center, you can sync information like posts, usernames, and profile pictures between social media networks! This wikiHow article teaches you how to link your Instagram and Facebook accounts using the Instagram app for iPhone and Android. - Open Instagram. This app icon features a camera lens on a gradient pink and orange background.
- Tap your profile picture. It's in the lower right corner of your screen.
- Tap . This three-line menu icon is in the top right corner of your screen.
- Tap . It's next to a gear icon at the top of the menu.
- Tap . You'll see this at the bottom of the menu under the "Meta" header.
- Tap . This is usually the first option on the page. If you see a profile shown, you might already have your Instagram and Facebook accounts linked.
- If you're not sure if your accounts are already linked, you can tap Accounts & profiles to see if both Facebook and Instagram are listed under the same account name.
- Tap . It's at the bottom of the menu and will prompt you to choose an account to add.
- Log in to continue. If your phone already detects your account (like if you saved your login information), you'll need to tap Continue and Add to proceed.
- Decide if you want to sync info. If you want your Facebook profile information to fill out your Instagram information (like your profile picture), tap your Facebook account, then tap the switch next to "Sync profile info" to enable it.
- If you want to remove the account or unlink it from Instagram, you can tap Remove from Accounts Center on this page.[1]
- To cross-post to Instagram from Facebook or visa versa go to Accounts Center, then tap the account that you want to share from. You'll then be able to see what content is shared to your other accounts.
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| How to Clean Rings Posted: 14 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT In order to clean your ring, you will need to be aware of the metal type. Each metal reacts uniquely with certain chemicals, and you don't want to risk rubbing your ring raw. You can remove light grime by wiping the ring with your finger, a soft cloth, and warm, filtered water. You can use jewelry-specific cleaning products to remove heavier stains, and you can gently brush your ring with toothpaste for a cheap home solution. You can remove tarnish by soaking your ring in water and ammonia. If your ring is especially intricate or valuable, consider taking it to a jeweler to have it professionally cleaned. [Edit]Knowing Your Metal - Identify the ring's metal. You may know that the ring is yellow gold, white gold, silver, or brass. However, you may not know the type of metal if you haven't bought the ring yourself. Take the ring to a jeweler, and he or she should be able to tell you how to clean the specific metals and gems that make up your ring.
- Clean different metals with the right products. Each metal reacts uniquely with various chemicals. It is important that you treat each metal with care to ensure that it lasts a long time.[1]
- Clean gold with a soft cloth and a commercial gold cleaner. Avoid soap and chlorine.[2]
- Silver usually needs a clean cloth and some water. You can also buy special silver cleaners.
- Diamonds need a special cleaning solution. Visit a jeweler or search online for diamond-specific cleaning products.[3]
- For cheap rings—the kind you might buy in a dollar store—use only your fingers to scrape off the grime.
[Edit]Cleaning Rings with Toothpaste - Find some cheap toothpaste. Make sure that the toothpaste contains baking soda and fluoride. The higher the concentration of Tin (II) fluoride, the better it is for metals. Tin (II) fluoride is used to strengthen both metals and tooth enamel. The cheaper the brand of the toothpaste, the better it will work.
- Squeeze the toothpaste onto a toothbrush along with a small amount (2-3 drops) of water. Use a clean toothbrush, and do not use the toothbrush on your teeth afterward. Gently rub the toothpaste into the jewelry as though you were brushing your teeth. If it gets gummy, add more water.
- Make sure to clean between any cracks or ridges in your ring. Use the toothbrush like you would use it on your teeth, brushing gently, firmly, and thoroughly.
- You should clean your ring every few weeks to months, depending on how often you wear it. Consider dedicating a toothbrush to ring-cleaning, and do not use it for anything else.
- Let the toothpaste chemicals act on the ring. After a little while, rinse the jewelry and watch it shine! You can use oils or anti-oxidizing agents (citric acids, no-ox, tarn-x, etc.) to promote and prolong the shine. If you need heavy-duty cleaning, use denture bonding agents like Fix-O-Dent, which will practically sandblast your jewelry if you brush them lightly into the material.
[Edit]Other Methods - Try rinsing with water. If your ring is stained with dirt, dead skin, blood, lotion, food, or other grime, try rinsing it with water before you use more abrasive cleaning agents. Fill a bowl with clean, filtered water, and rub the ring gently between your fingers as you hold it in the water. Let your ring dry in the sun.
- Don't use any towels or napkins to try to clean your ring, since it could scratch the surface or ruin any stones present. Don't pat it dry with a 100% cotton cloth.
- It's important to use thoroughly filtered water in this process. Try putting a magnet in a flour sifter, then running your tap water through that before using it to clean your ring. This will eliminate any metals containing magnetic properties—these metals are the ones that could ruin silver, gold, or other precious metals.
- If your ring seems particularly dirty, you can add a few drops of dish soap into the water and mix it in before cleaning.[4]
- Use a Q-Tip. If your ring isn't too dirty, you can swab off the grime with a cotton bud or Q-Tip. Dip the ring in lukewarm water and wipe the dirty spots. Let your ring air-dry. Do not try to scrub your ring, as this may cause damage.[5]
- Use a precious metal cleanser. Buy a cleaning product from the store that has the specified precious metals in your ring on the label—it should be easy to find. Look for a cleaner that comes with a cloth for application. Never use any regular house cleaner in order to clean rings, especially if your ring is made with any precious metals. Use a cleaner, not a polishing element, which serves a different purpose altogether.[6]
- Soak the ring in water and ammonia. To loosen dirt and grime, let the ring sit for 20 minutes in a solution of one cup warm water and 1/4 cup ammonia.[7]
- Rinse the ring in soapy water.
- Scrub the ring.
- Rinse in warm water and leave to dry.
- Follow these steps to rid your ring of tarnish:[8]
- Wrap the inside of a bowl with aluminum foil.
- Mix one cup of warm water and one tablespoon of baking soda in the foil.
- Place your ring in the water-soda mix, making sure it touches the foil.
- Leave your ring in the mixture for 10-30 minutes, or until it is free of tarnish.
- Varnish gold or silver ring with nail polish. Brush a coat of clear nail polish onto the ring so that the coat of gold or silver doesn't wear off, and so that rust doesn't grow on it. If your ring leaves green or colored marks on your finger, coat the inside with a light layer of nail polish to prevent staining.
- Consider taking your ring to a jeweler. If the ring is very important to you (e.g. a wedding ring or a class ring), consider taking it to a jeweler to be professionally polished. Most stores will provide a free cleaning or give you a solution and polishing cloth to use.[9]
- A jeweler can test for the presence of precious metals, as well as the quality of those metals. This information will help the jeweler decide which cleaning agents are safe to use.
- This is especially important for engraved rings. Cleaning a ring with engravings on it could potentially wipe off the inscription or design. If your ring has important engravings on it, take it to a jeweler.
- Clean your ring with alcohol swabs. Make sure not to scrub too hard. If the grime doesn't come off when you wipe it, you may need to try a heavier-duty solution.
- Use an ultrasonic cleaner. Ultrasonic cleaning machines can clean jewelry in a matter of minutes using high-frequency sound. You can find these machines in a variety of models and prices. They can be a convenient way to quickly clean your jewelry at home. However, ultrasonic cleaners can damage some jewelry.[10]
- Your local jeweler can tell you if an ultrasonic cleaning machine is right for your jewelry and recommend an appropriate model.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful with engraved rings. Cleaning a ring with engravings on it could potentially wipe off the inscription or design.
- Do not leave your ring in water for longer than the recommended cleaning times. If your ring spends too much time underwater, it runs the risk of rusting.
- Don't press too hard, and do not use especially abrasive cleaning agents if you aren't sure that they're safe to use with the metal.
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| How to Flatten Crumpled Paper Posted: 13 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT Have a piece of paper you wish you hadn't sat on, wadded up, folded by mistake, or even turned into a paper-airplane? It will usually look presentable and usable after wetting it slightly with distilled water, then pressing it between heavy books, or ironing it under a towel. These methods do risk tearing and color fading, so be careful. You may wish to take important pieces of paper to a professional archivist for preservation. [Edit]Pressing the Paper Flat - Mist the paper lightly with distilled water. When paper is crumpled, its fibers become damaged and torn. Water can soften these fibers so they lay flat again, reducing the visibility of wrinkles and crease lines. Only use distilled water, as ordinary tap water contains minerals that can make the paper feel crusty or hard.[1] Spray it lightly from at least one foot (0.3 meters) with a spray bottle, or dab gently with a slightly damp towel.
- Warning: Water can ruin watercolor, chalk, pastels, and water-soluble inks. If your paper contains these materials, mist extremely lightly on the back side of the paper. Alternatively, press the paper while dry to make it flat, but not remove the wrinkle lines.
- Sandwich the paper between absorbent material. If the paper is wet, place it between two layers of blotting paper, wool felt, or another materials that absorb water.[2]
- Paper towels can work, but the textured pattern on the towel may imprint onto the surface of the paper.[3]
- Sandwich the stack between heavy objects. Place the paper, and absorbent material around it, on a flat, hard surface. Smooth it out with your hands to make sure there are no major folds or crease. Cover the paper completely with a flat, heavy object. A stack of large, heavy books are often used for this purpose.
- Wait until it dries, checking daily. The paper should dry into a flat, mostly wrinkle-free surface, but it may take some time to do so. Check on it every day and replace the absorbent material if it feels soaked.
- Completely wet paper usually takes three or four days to dry, but a lightly sprayed piece of paper will probably take less than two.[4]
[Edit]Ironing the Paper Flat - Understand the risks. Ironing a piece of paper under a towel or cloth will make it flat, but the wrinkle and crease lines will usually still be visible. If you use steam or lightly wet the paper, as described near the end of this section, this may remove the wrinkle lines, but also increases the chance of fading colored ink or tearing the paper.
- If your paper is valuable or irreplaceable, try this method with a test piece first, or use the safer, but slower, pressing method.
- Set the paper under a towel or cloth. Smooth out the paper as flat as you can with your hands, to avoid setting the folds and creases in further. Lay a hand towel, pillowcase, or other heat-safe cloth over the paper, to protect it from the direct heat of the clothes iron.
- Set a clothes iron to a low heat. Starting at the lowest setting is recommended, to minimize the chance of damaging your paper. Too much heat can dry out the paper, making it brittle and yellow.
- Press the iron into the towel. Once the iron has warmed up, press it against the towel and move it across the surface, just like you would iron an item of clothing.
- Make adjustments if necessary. After about a minute of ironing the towel, lift the towel and look at the paper. If it is not yet flat, you can turn up the heat one setting and trying again. If the paper is already warm to the touch, leave the iron on a low setting, and instead lightly dab or spray the paper with a small amount of distilled water before you iron again. This helps remove the wrinkles, but can increase the risk of tearing.
- Do not apply water to a paper surface with watercolors, chalk, or other water-soluble materials.
[Edit]Learning about Professional Archival Treatments - Take valuable documents to a professional. Archivists and conservator-restorers are professionals who specialize in preserving historical artifacts, including paper. They should be able to flatten and preserve all paper materials at a high quality, including watercolors, old or fragile paper, and other objects that can be difficult to safely flatten at home.
- Search online for document archival services in your area, or ask a librarian for hep finding one.
- Learn about humidifying techniques. As mentioned in the other methods, wetting the paper, or "humidifying" it, can help remove wrinkles caused by torn and displaced fibers. Archivists often use special tools and extreme care to increase the humidity of the paper significantly. If you are brave, and have a few test pieces of paper to try out first, you can try to mimic some of these at home before pressing your paper. One of the easiest might be the "Horton Humidifier" method. Place the rolled-up paper in a plastic cup, open to the air. Place the cup in a plastic garbage can, add water to the bottom of the can, and close the garbage can lid.
- This can cause mold growth on the paper, which is difficult to treat at home. Some archivists use anti-fungal chemicals such as thymol or ortho-phenyl phenol, but these materials can be highly dangerous to the user and the paper if used incorrectly.
- Learn about ways to hold paper while drying. Pressing the paper flat is usually effective, using vices or clamps in addition to heavy objects if more pressure is needed. Another method, which can be used alone or in addition to pressing, involves the use of glue. By gluing the paper to another surface, using a special glue that will detach easily when dry, the paper will be kept in place as it dries, instead of curling or stretching when one portion of it loses water and shrinks.[5]
- Even archivists find it difficult to control the size change of paper after wetting. While barely noticeable for an individual sheet of paper, a stack of papers, papers glued or taped together to form a larger piece, or a bound book can feel noticeably different or uneven.[6]
- Store materials in a preservation envelope. One archivist's tool is widely available for commercial sale. Purchase archival-quality plastic envelopes to keep your important documents, family history, and other papers safe for decades if not centuries, protecting them from moisture and ultraviolet light.
- If your piece of paper isn't delicate, try putting it through a printer, but don't actually print anything. The printer will flatten out most wrinkles. Be careful; this can cause a paper jam.
- If you don't have the time or iron to flatten it, as shown above, a simple way to get most/some of the wrinkles and creases out is to repeatedly roll the paper over the side of a desk or table. It might not expunge all mistakes but will do the job for a few wrinkles.
- You can also try photocopying the piece of paper. A copy shop or library may have a larger photocopier that can press the paper flatter, if a home copier still produces the appearance of faint crease lines.
[Edit]Warnings - When ironing paper printed with toner (photocopy machines, laser printers) using a high heat setting can melt the toner and make it stick to your ironing board. Start with a lower heat setting and work your way up slowly until the paper is flattened to avoid this.
- Follow manufacturer's directions when using an iron.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Clothes Iron
- Ironing board or other suitable flat, heat resistant surface
- Towel
- Heavy objects
- Spray bottle
- Distilled water
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