|DICASTIO|

How to Send Luggage to Another State
How to Recycle Shoe Boxes
How to Restore Sun Damaged Plastic

Posted: 02 Sep 2018 01:00 AM PDT

When you travel, dealing with luggage is sometimes the hardest part. Bags that are only a few pounds over the weight limit, extra airline fees, and long lines are just the beginning. What do you do when you don't want to deal with the extra hassle at the airport, or when you're taking a road trip and your car is packed to the brim? That's when sending luggage comes in handy. By using a mailing service or a luggage forwarding service, you can send your luggage to another state with no hassle.

EditSteps

EditUsing a Mailing Service like UPS or FedEx

Weigh and measure your bag. Use a bathroom scale and a tape measure to take the weight and dimensions of each bag you're sending. Knowing the size and weight of your bag before you visit the UPS or FedEx store will speed up the process and let you know how much to expect to pay.^[1]
- The heavier and bigger the bag, the more expensive it will generally be to ship.
- If you don't have a scale or a measuring tape at home, these services can be performed for you at a UPS or FedEx store.^[2]
Bring your luggage to a UPS or FedEx store. Go to your local UPS or FedEx store with your luggage and talk to an associate. Tell them when you want your luggage to arrive at its destination. Do you need your luggage overnighted, or can you wait a week before it gets to your destination?
- The faster you want your luggage to arrive, the more expensive it will be.^[3]
- Some locations offer door-to-door luggage pick-up services.^[4] Check with your local branch to see if this is an option if your area.
Use a luggage box. Many UPS or FedEx stores offer luggage boxes.^[5] These are heavy duty cardboard boxes that you can put your luggage in to ensure nothing falls out or breaks during travel. If your suitcase isn't very durable, this is a good option.
- If you use one, make sure you're aware of the guidelines for what can and cannot be sent.^[6]
- You can also have the store ship your luggage as-is, with no box.
Write down the destination. UPS or FedEx stores can ship your luggage to a variety of places from a home residence to a hotel. Double-check the address to ensure your luggage arrives at the right place.
Get the tracking information. Make sure you get the tracking information for your luggage so you can be aware of its progress in transit.^[7] You can track your luggage using your mobile device.

EditUsing a Luggage Forwarding Service

Choose a service. There are many luggage forwarding services out there, like DUFL, Luggage Forward, or Send My Bag.^[8] Research each one and see which option best suits your needs. How does the pricing compare? What option is offered in your area?
- DUFL, for example, caters to business travelers and can store, wash, and pack your clothes for you.^[9]
- Luggage Forward is known for shipping sports gear like skis as well as clothes.^[10]
- Personalized services like these will usually be more expensive than mailing services like UPS or FedEx.
Schedule your luggage for pick-up. Most luggage forwarding services offer door-to-door pick-up and delivery. You'll need to schedule a time with the company for your luggage to be picked up. Make sure it's ready and waiting by the door.
- Some companies offer an online booking option to make the process even easier.
Buy insurance. Some companies offer a base level of insurance that's included with the price of shipping your bag. If the value of your luggage is greater than the amount of included insurance, you'll want to buy additional insurance.^[11]
Track your bags. Make sure you get the tracking information for your bags so you don't have to worry about where they are. Tracking information gives you specific information about exact location and estimated delivery times.
- Luggage forwarding services will let you know when your luggage has arrived at its destination, as well.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Recycle Shoe Boxes

Posted: 01 Sep 2018 05:00 PM PDT

Shoeboxes can easily become clutter if you keep them in your closet, but they could look great in other places of your home. If you're not ready to send them to off to your municipal recycling service, you can use them for personal storage, keep them in a children's playroom, or decorate your walls.

EditSteps

EditMaking Storage Containers

Organize pens and markers with a shoebox and cardboard tubes. Fill an open shoe box with vertical toilet paper tubes or cut-down paper towel tubes. Put specific pens or pencils in each of the tubes to hold them upright in an easy-to-reach place on your desk.^[1]
- If you're an artist, this is a great way to store and dry paint brushes!
Hang jewelry from the lid with push pins. Wrap the lid of a shoe box with burlap or another material that matches the look of your bedroom. Hang the lid on the wall with nails near a dresser or jewelry case. Stick clear push pins through the fabric and lid to make hangers for necklaces or bracelets.^[2]
Craft a storage basket with twine and canvas. To give your show box a classier look, wrap the exterior of the box with twine or jute rope. Attach the rope with hot glue or tacky glue. Once the rope has dried and set, line the inside of the box with white canvas for a simple and elegant look.
- Keep the box in a dry area. Humidity may cause the cardboard in the box to grow mold.
Use the box as a small filing cabinet. If you need to sort mail, greeting cards, or any other small paper goods, keep your shoeboxes for filing. Create dividers using cut pieces of posterboard to keep your different items organized. Use filing tabs to label each section.^[3]
- If you have extra space in the box, keep a jar of pens and pencils so you have everything you need in one small package!
Store spools of ribbon in the box. If you want to keep your craft supplies more organized, cut slots on the short sides of the box so that a thin wooden dowel can fit snugly. Put the dowel through the center holes on ribbon spools and push it into the slots. When you're finished, put the lid back on so the ends of the ribbon are held tight and they're easy for you to pull out.^[4]
- Glue buttons on the end of the dowel so it does not slip out of the slots you've cut.^[5]
- Keep a pair of scissors in the box so you have everything you need in one tiny package!

EditBuilding Children's Toys

Build a shoebox guitar. Cut a hole in a shoe box and string rubber bands across it using strips of cardboard to secure the ends. Attach a cardboard tube to one of the short ends of the guitar to make the neck of the guitar.^[6]
- Use paint, glitter, or colored paper to decorate the guitar like a rock star!
Create a town made of boxes. Paint the outside of shoeboxes a variety of colors to make a colorful city of boxes. Draw windows on with a marker or cut out black pieces of construction paper and glue them to the sides of the box. Stack boxes on top of one another to make skyscrapers.^[7]
- Build roads for toy cars to drive on by using black construction paper on the floor.
Construct a house for your dolls. Cut a portion from the lid of the shoebox so it fits inside the box and is flush with the edge. Place it in the center of the box to create a "second floor." Continue to cut pieces of the lid to make walls for additional rooms. Use paper or paint to decorate the interior walls and the outside.
- Use a craft knife to cut out windows out of the box so you can see into the rooms of the dollhouse.
- Populate the inside of the dollhouse with doll furniture you already own or by making new furniture with extra cardboard pieces.
- Use multiple shoeboxes to build a mansion for your dolls.
Make a homemade foosball game. Using a standard hole punch, put 4 holes in each long side of the shoe box so they are across from one another. Run wooden dowels through the holes, making sure they extend out from the sides so that you can hold onto them. Cut out small rectangles from the short sides of the box along the bottom.^[8]
- Attach clothespins to the dowels to use as the players for the game. If you're feeling creative, draw players on a piece of paper or poster board and attach them to the clothespins.

EditDecorating Your Home

Hang shadow boxes on your wall. Paint the interior of the shoebox black or attach black construction paper with glue. Glue keepsakes to the bottom to display them. Make sure the items are light enough so the shoebox does not break under the weight. Nail the shadowbox into the wall in each corner.^[9]
- Decorate the outside of the box with paint to match the room you're displaying it in or with scrapbook paper.
Make a cheap chalkboard. Use chalkboard paint on the lid of the shoebox to make a mini writing board. Let the lid dry before testing chalk on the surface. Hang the chalkboard in the kitchen as a way to communicate with your family or leave yourself notes.^[10]
Wrap the lid in scrapbook paper for wall art. Find a fun design of wallpaper or scrapbook paper and glue it to the lid of the shoebox. Use multiple lids to make a cluster of artwork that you can hang on your wall for an accent piece.^[11]

EditTips

Sometimes, you may want to save shoeboxes for their intended purpose in case you are going to move or need to return a purchase.
Give your children the boxes and let their imagination run wild. They may create something new and unexpected from it.
Around the holiday season, non-profits like The Shoebox Project and Operation Christmas Child will ask you to fill a shoebox with goods for those in need or gifts for children.^[12]

EditSources and Citations

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How to Restore Sun Damaged Plastic

Posted: 01 Sep 2018 09:00 AM PDT

Any plastic that comes into contact with the sun will eventually crack and lose coloring. Knowing this, you can preserve valuable items by regularly treating them with commercial plastic conditioning products. If the damage is severe, hydrogen peroxide can reverse the damage, but it should only be used on white or gray products. If all else fails, repainting the plastic is always an option. Take good care of the plastic and you can restore it to look as good as new.

EditSteps

EditUsing Commercial Restoration Products

Wash and dry the plastic surface. Dampen a microfiber cloth in lukewarm water, then use it to wipe down the plastic. This should remove any dirt, dust, or other debris that can interfere with the cleaning products. Dry the surface fully with a clean microfiber cloth before you apply the conditioner.^[1]
- To handle tough stains, clean the plastic with a mixture of any liquid laundry detergent and of warm water.
Squeeze plastic conditioner onto the affected area. Purchase a specialized plastic conditioning product. Place a coin-sized drop of conditioner onto the plastic. This should be enough to cover about half of a car's dashboard or any surface smaller than that. Use more conditioner as needed to cover the damaged area completely.^[2]
- You can order conditioner online. You may also be able to find it at home improvement or auto parts stores.
- Plastic restoration kits are also available. They usually include conditioner as well as applicator pads.
Buff the plastic in a circular motion with a microfiber cloth. Use a clean, soft microfiber cloth. Wipe the cloth in a circular motion until the conditioner is no longer visible on the plastic.^[3]
- If you are worried about discoloring the plastic further, test the conditioner in an inconspicuous spot.
Wipe up the excess conditioner after it dries. Most conditioning products dry in 10 minutes or less. If the treatment is working, the conditioner will pass into the plastic, restoring some of the color. Wipe up any conditioner pooled on the plastic after this time.
- Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions on the product to check the drying time and any other special instructions.
Apply a second coating if the conditioner is absorbed quickly. Only apply a second coating if the plastic absorbs the conditioner completely within 10 minutes. This means the plastic isn't fully saturated, so the additional conditioner can help restore it. Avoid adding more conditioner if you noticed excess conditioner pooling on top of the plastic.^[4]
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for repeated applications. Over time, this may improve the plastic.
- If the conditioner pooled and appeared to have no effect, repeated applications probably will not be enough to restore the plastic.
Use a plastic buffing product if you notice any scratches. Look carefully at the plastic, since sun damage can leave behind unpleasant cracks. Get a buffing product designed for plastic and place a coin-sized amount on a cloth rag. Buff the scratch out using circular motions.^[5]
- Buffing products have varying strengths. Some are designed for light scratches while other are effective on deeper cracks.
- Always wipe using circular motions. If you scrub the area, you will wear down the plastic.
Wipe off the buffing product with a microfiber cloth. Go back over the area with a cloth, using it to pick up any product left on the plastic. Remove it all before continuing so the product does not continue to abrade your item.
Spray on a plastic polish. Most polishing products come in a spray bottle, making them easy to apply. Simply move the nozzle across the plastic surface as you spray. Spread a light, even coating over the surface.^[6]
- If you get a non-spraying polish, lightly coat a microfiber cloth with the polish.
Rub the polish into the plastic. Use a microfiber cloth to even out the coating and work it into the plastic. For the best results, continue to polish the plastic using circular motions. When you're finished, the plastic should shine and look much better than when you started.^[7]
- If you notice any excess polish pooling over the plastic, simply wipe it off with your cloth.

EditBleaching White Plastic with Hydrogen Peroxide

Wear plastic gloves and safety goggles. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate your skin. For your own safety, always wear gloves when handling the cream. Also put on a pair of protective glasses or goggles to shield your eyes.^[8]
- Wearing long-sleeved clothing can also help you avoid accidents.
Remove or tape over colored labels and decals. Hydrogen peroxide is only effective for restoring white or gray-colored plastic. Take off or cover any colored areas you wish to save. You can use a clear office tape or masking tape to protect them.^[9]
- If you are able, remove these components before treating the plastic.
- Make sure the tape is flat against the plastic, sealing off the area you wish to protect.
Paint hydrogen peroxide cream over the discolored area. Use a 12% hydrogen peroxide cream instead of the liquid variety most stores carry. Then, brush an even layer of the cream over the area. You can use a paint brush or foam brush. If you don't have these, an old toothbrush will do.^[10]
- Hydrogen peroxide cream is like a gel, so it's very easy to spread over the discoloration without damaging the rest of the item.
- The cream is used to color hair, so you can often find it in hair coloring kits or purchase it at hair salons.
Seal the item in a plastic bag. If your item is small enough, fit it into a zippered storage bag like the sandwich bags most grocery stores carry. For bigger items, you can use clear garbage bags. Stuff the item in the bag, then zip or tie the opening shut to prevent the cream from drying out.^[11]
- The garbage bag has to be clear in order to let in the sunlight, or else the cream will dry without treating the sun damage on the plastic.
- Check to make sure the cream isn't already drying out. Rinse it off and add more as needed so it doesn't disfigure the plastic.
Set the bag in direct sunlight for 4 hours. Find a spot to place your item outdoors, if possible. You want to put it under direct sunlight, but not on a hot surface such as asphalt. Although sunlight normally discolors plastic, it can reverse damage as long as your item is coated in hydrogen peroxide cream.^[12]
- A table or a stone surface is a great place to stick your item. Make sure it won't be disturbed there.
Check the bag and rotate it every hour. Return to the plastic item every hour, checking that the cream is still damp. If the bag is sealed, it probably will still be fine. Take the time to turn the item so the sunlight hits the discolored area evenly over the 4 hours.^[13]
- The sunlight and shadows may change throughout the day, so keep on your toes.
- Watch for any holes in the bag. If this happens, add more cream before the old layer dries, then move the package into a second bag.
Rinse off the cream before it dries. Dampen a clean rag with lukewarm water. You can use any rag you have available. Wipe off all of the cream, rinsing the rag as needed. Make sure you get all of the cream, since any of it allowed to dry will end up creating some ugly scratches in the plastic.^[14]
- Be careful if you're cleaning off something delicate such as an electronic device. Avoid using too much water. Make sure the rag isn't dripping wet.
Repeat the cleaning as needed to restore the plastic. You may need to repeat the treatment again before the plastic returns to normal. Add more hydrogen peroxide, bag the item, and set it in the sun again. Always rinse off the cream between treatments.^[15]
- When you're finished, peel off any tape you used. You can then apply a plastic polish if you want to make your plastic shine.

EditRepainting Plastic with Spray Paint

Wash off the plastic with soap and water. You can use your regular liquid laundry detergent for this. Try mixing about of detergent in of hot water. Apply the soap, then rinse it off either with a hose or damp rag.^[16]
- Give plastic a thorough washing before attempting to restore it. Plastic restoration products always work better on clean surfaces.
Dry the plastic with a microfiber cloth. Use the cloth to wipe down the plastic. This should remove most of the moisture as well as the dirt and other debris. Make sure the surface is completely dry before continuing.^[17]
- You can let the plastic dry in air, but more dust and debris will settle on it the longer you wait.
Sand the area with 220 to 320-grit sandpaper. Be very gentle when using the sandpaper so you don't scratch the plastic. Rub the sandpaper around the area in a circular motion. When you're finished, wipe off the debris with a clean microfiber cloth.
- While you can get away with not sanding, roughing up the surface a little helps the paint stick to the plastic.
Apply an all-purpose cleaner to remove stubborn grease. A simple soap and water cleaning can leave on oils that interfere with the paint. For this reason, clean the plastic off a second time with an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser. Rub in the product using a soft microfiber cloth.^[18]
- All-purpose cleaners are effective against oils, which can settle on exposed plastics such as cars.
- Another option is rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is very effective at removing leftover oils.
Place painter's tape around the discolored area. Paints and dyes will leave you with a different sort of discoloration if they reach areas you don't want to color. Protect these areas by making a border around the discolored area.
- Painter's tape is designed for this purpose, but using other varieties, such as masking tape, may also work.
- You can get painter's tape from most hardware and home improvement stores.
Wear a pair of gloves and a respirator. Unless you want to dye your hands, slip on a pair of gloves before painting. Also, open up any nearby doors and windows if you aren't working outside. You should wear a respirator mask to avoid breathing in any fumes from the paint or dye.
- Wearing long-sleeved clothes also helps protect your skin. Select old clothing you don't mind discoloring.
Coat the discolored area with spray paint. Choose a spray paint for plastic that is the color you want. Slowly move back and forth across the discolored area, applying an even coating of paint. Overlap your strokes until you have covered the entire area.^[19]
- For extra effect, apply a layer of primer first. This usually isn't necessary, but it ensures the paint sticks to the plastic.
- You can also dyes, such as trim dyes for cars. Squeeze a few drops onto the plastic, then spread the dye with a foam brush.
- You can paint the item any color you would like, but you may wish to match the paint to the item's existing color scheme.
Let the paint dry for 30 minutes. Give the paint time to dry fully before adding another coating. Depending on your environment, you may need to wait a little longer before the paint is dry to the touch.^[20]
Add more layers of paint as needed. You will most likely need to go back and apply a second coating. Repeat the steps, letting the paint dry again. If the paint doesn't look solid and even, applying multiple layers doesn't hurt. When you're finished, allow the paint to dry, remove the tape, and enjoy the new coloring.
- You may also want to apply a paint sealer when you're finished in order to preserve the paint job longer.