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• How to Fold Dress Pants
• How to Protect Bird Nests from Predators
• How to Make Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

How to Fold Dress Pants Posted: 31 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT Whether you are hanging up your dress pants in your closet or packing them for a trip, knowing how to fold them properly will help keep them from falling off the hanger or getting wrinkled. Fold pants into a compact shape for traveling, and learn the Savile Row fold to hang up pants in your closet or in a garment bag. EditSteps EditPacking Dress Pants Iron the pants if they are wrinkly. Read the care label on your pants for ironing instructions. Use an ironing board and hot iron, and smooth out the wrinkles, mainly using the steam function and gentle pressure rather than the back-and-forth motion that is common in ironing. If the pants are creased, make sure to iron along the crease rather than across it.[1] If you are nervous about ironing or if the care instructions say "dry-clean only," take your pants to a professional cleaner. Lay the pants out on a flat surface, like the floor or a table. Avoid putting the pants on the floor if it is carpeted, as that will prevent you from getting smooth folds. Rather, use hardwood floors or a large table so you will have room to work.[2] Take a minute to smooth out the inside of the pockets, too, to make sure they are laying flat. Fold the pants along the crease if there is one. If you are having trouble finding the crease, pick up the pants and hold them by the cuffs. When you see where the creases start on the cuffs, align the pant legs so that the creases will be on the outside of the pants, rather than poking up in the middle.[3] Make sure that the bottom of the pants match up and are even to one another to guarantee there will be no wayward wrinkles. Fold pants in half at the zipper or button-front if there isn't a crease. Simply fold one leg of the pants over so it's on top of the other leg. Use your hands to smooth the fabric out, pushing away any potential wrinkles. The side seams of the pants will be on the edge now.[4] If the button is bulging out, unbutton the pants and smooth out the waistband so it lays flat. Grab the bottom cuffs and bring them up to the waistband. Keep the cuffs flat and aligned with the crease, if there is one. Use your hands and smooth out the fabric to erase any wrinkles in the fabric. Put your fingers in between the fold and make sure none of the leg fabric got caught underneath itself.[5] If the fabric is particularly delicate, like silk, place a sheet of tissue paper in between each fold you make. Bring your first fold up to the waistband for a more compact fold. Make the pants into a square or rectangular shape, depending on how wide your pants are. Make the line of the first fold even with the waistband, as this will help keep the fabric straight and reduce the chance of wrinkles. Check to make sure the fabric didn't get caught underneath itself during your second fold.[6] If you notice that there are wrinkles or uneven sections you can't remove by smoothing the fabric out with your hands, try starting the folding process over. Taking a little extra time to make sure your pants are folded correctly will save you ironing time later. Place pants into a plastic dry-cleaning bag to protect them. Whether you are traveling or storing your pants in a dresser, keep your pants in a plastic bag if you can. Put in 1 to 2 pairs of pants per bag. After you've put them in the bag, press down to squeeze out any excess air before you seal it.[7] If you're packing, put the bag into your suitcase last, or at least as close to last as you can. The less weight put onto the pants the better, since excess weight can cause wrinkles and misshape your pants. EditUsing the Savile Row Fold Iron your pants before hanging them if they have wrinkles. Use the steam function and gentle pressure to press out any wrinkles in your pants. If there is a crease, iron alongside the crease, rather than on top of it.[8] Check the care label on the pants before ironing if you're not sure what to do. If they require delicate care, consider taking them to a professional cleaner. Lay your pants out on a flat surface. Use a table, the floor, or a large desk. Avoid using your bed or a carpeted area, as the material of the pants could cling to a softer fabric and make it harder to fold your pants neatly..[9] Try wiping down your folding surface before using it to clear it of any dust, hair, or dirt. Fold the pants along the crease or the zipper, depending on the style. If your pants have a crease, fold them in half lengthwise so that the crease lays on the outer edge of the fold (the crease won't be in the middle of the pants). If your pants don't have a crease, simply fold them in half lengthwise along the zipper area.[10] You may need to unbutton the pants so that the button doesn't stick up and press into the fabric when it's folded. Slide the bottom of a clothes hanger in between the legs of your pants. For hanging pants, use plastic, wooden, or flocked hangers; avoid using wire hangers. Pick up the top leg on your folded-in-half pants, and put it through the middle space of the hanger.[11] For this hanging method, you can't use hangers that don't have a bottom horizontal section, as there will be nowhere to hang the pants from. Place the hanger so the hem of the top leg is at the bottom of the crotch. Hold the hanger up in your hand and let the top leg of the pants drape over the bottom of it. Slide the hanger, with the leg of the pants folded over it, and stop when the bottom cuff reaches the bottom of the zipper of your pants.[12] Try to keep the pant leg as even as possible so that the fabric on either side is smooth. Lay the hanger down so it is flat, creating your first fold. Set down the hanger so that the top of it is closest to the hem of the bottom pant leg, rather than the waistband. Use your hands to smooth out the fabric of the leg that is now folded.[13] Check to make sure the top pant leg didn't get folded in on itself when you laid the hanger down. Bring the bottom leg through the hanger so it's on top of the pants. Use your hands to smooth the fabric out to prevent any wrinkles. Try lifting up the hanger and giving it a few gentle shakes to check the stability of your Savile Row fold.[14] If you notice that the fabric is uneven and won't lay flat, start your folds over again. This will save you ironing time later! Hang your dress pants up in your closet or in a garment bag. If hanging pants in a closet, leave a little bit of space in between each garment to help prevent wrinkles. If you are traveling, hang your pants in a garment bag, and consider placing a dry-cleaning bag overtop of them. When you are ready to wear your pants, you just need to unfold the legs from the hanger and you should be good to go! EditTips If you don't have an iron, try hanging your pants up in your bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam should help relax the wrinkles. There are wrinkle-release sprays you can buy to freshen up your pants in case there are small wrinkles when you go to wear them. EditThings You'll Need EditPacking Dress Pants Ironing board Iron Dry cleaning bags EditUsing the Savile Row Fold Ironing board Iron Hangers with a horizontal bar Garment bag (optional) EditRelated wikiHows Pack Pants Fold Clothes Iron Pants EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Protect Bird Nests from Predators Posted: 30 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT A bird's nest is a wonderful addition to a backyard, and these are most common during the nesting season in spring. Make it difficult for cats and racoons to reach the nest box through limiting when cats can be outdoors, installing the nest box in a good spot, and attaching a predator guard. For snakes and insects, keeping the area around the nest box maintained, and making sure that the nest box is clean when it's empty is key. Protecting the nest from predators will increase the likelihood of survival for the birds and their chicks, and you will be able to watch many generations thrive in your own backyard. EditSteps EditProtecting the Nest from Cats and Racoons Keep cats indoors during the breeding season. The breeding season for most wild bird species is during the spring, however this can be slightly earlier or later depending on the species. Keeping your own cat indoors, and asking your neighbors to do the same, particularly at night, will help to keep the nest safe from cats.[1] Some further signs of bird breeding season being underway are all of the typical signs that you associate with spring. Blooming flowers, light rain showers, bright plumage and feathers, and an increase in bird song are all signs that the nests will have chicks soon.[2] Put a bell on your cat's collar if you can't keep them inside. This will help to warn the birds of an approaching cat. Although a bell will only offer a small amount of protection, it will be helpful in addition to other protection strategies.[3] You can buy bells for cat collars from most department or pet stores. Buy a nest box for the birds. You can get nest boxes from many hardware and gardening stores. Ask the salesperson what boxes are suitable for the bird species in your backyard, as there may be one type that is more effective than another.[4] A nest box or birdhouse that is mounted to a pole in your garden can make a huge difference for the survival of the birds in the nest. When a nest is in a tree, there isn't much that you can do to protect it. Install a roof that extends 5 in (13 cm) from the front of the nest box. When it's not breeding season and the nest is empty, you can either extend the existing roof to make it bigger, or replace the roof with a larger one. This will prevent cats and racoons from being able to sit on the roof and reach into the nest box hole from above.[5] Cats and racoons are intelligent creatures who will quickly learn that nest boxes can be a reliable source of food. This means that making access to the nest as difficult as possible for these animals is key. Place the nest box as far away from any large trees as possible. A nest box which is close to large trees makes it easy for cats to leap from a tree to the top of the nest box. This will reduce the likelihood of any felines being able to reach the nest and predate on the birds.[6] Nest boxes ideally should be placed at least (15 m) away from trees.[7] Make sure that the nest box is at least (1.8 m) off the ground. Cats can generally jump up to 6 times their own height in a single leap, which means that a (30 cm) family feline can reach a nest (1.8 m) off the ground. This will also help to keep racoons out of the nest.[8] Nest boxes that are (1.2 - 1.5 m) above the ground, or less, will become an easy target for predators that dwell on the ground. Attach a predator guard to the nest box pole. This will prevent cats and racoons from being able to climb the pole to reach the nest. A common design for predator guards is a conical metal collar which is attached convex to the nest box on the pole. A stovepipe baffle is another effective guard, which is a piece of pipe that encircles the pole and makes it very difficult to cross.[9] There are a variety of different shapes, sizes, and designs of predator guards available from gardening and hardware stores. A stovepipe baffle will also help to prevent most snake species from reaching the nest, which makes it ideal to use if you are concerned about multiple predator species.[10] EditPreventing Snakes from Accessing the Nest Rub 1 cup of hot red cayenne pepper on the nest box pole. Give the pole a light dusting with the pepper to deter snakes from climbing the pole and reaching the nest box. Do this 1 - 2 times per week throughout the breeding season, until the nest is empty.[11] Cayenne pepper will also help to deter cats, squirrels, and bears, making it ideal if a wide variety of predators is the problem. Birds don't have much of a sense of taste, and the cayenne pepper cannot harm them or their nest. Keep the vegetation around the pole trimmed and maintained. Snakes love long grass and thick cover to hide in, and this works especially well if this is around the pole to the nest box. Mow the lawn regularly and keep it free of weeds, to help keep snakes at bay.[12] If snakes are a particular problem in your area, consider getting rid of the lawn and creating a circle of clean sand around that pole that is (30 cm) in diameter. Be very careful when checking the nesting box and surrounding area for snakes, especially while you are keeping the garden maintained. Most injuries in this situation come from getting a surprise from seeing a snake and falling over, rather than from the snake itself.[13] Polish and clean the nest pole regularly. Use fine steel wool to rub over the pole regularly to remove any dirt. This is because any debris will make it easier for the snake to climb the pole, as there will be more friction.[14] To test if it's likely that snakes will be able to climb the pole or not, use a silk handkerchief to rub lightly over the pole. If the handkerchief snags on any debris, especially if it's every 6 in (15 cm) or less, then it's likely that a snake would easily be able to climb the pole. Use carpet tack strips to deter snakes. Use either nails or duct tape to secure carpet tack strips up the pole to deter snakes from climbing it. You could also use adjustable clamps to hold the carpet tack strips in place.[15] Carpet tack strips are used to hold carpet in place, and are thin boards which are covered in small nails.[16] Carpet tack strips should only be used as a last resort, when all other solutions for predation by snakes have been exhausted. This is because they could be dangerous to small children or family pets, so avoid using them if possible. EditKeeping Insects Away from the Nest Use vinegar and mint to deter insects. Insects rely mostly on smell to survive, and most will be deterred by the smell of vinegar and mint. Spray mint oil or natural cider vinegar both in and around nest boxes while they are empty.[17] Spray insecticides after the nesting season is over. Mites, fly larvae, and bird lice can all be eliminated by pyrethrin and rotenone insecticides. This will help to keep the nest box clean, and to discourage insect predators from hanging around.[18] Never use insecticides either just before or while the birds are using the boxes, as the birds are very sensitive to chemicals and could easily be harmed. Clean the nest box after the breeding season. Once the nesting season is done, remove the nest box from the pole and scrub it with a 10% bleach water solution. This is to get rid of any insects that are nesting in the box.[19] Leave the nest box in the sun to dry, and wait until it has completely dried before you put it back on the pole. Coat the ceiling of the nest box with bar soap to deter wasps. Wasps like to make their nests inside bird nesting boxes, however a smooth, slightly slippery coating will prevent them from being able to. Cover the ceiling with a coating of soap, and extend it slightly down the walls too.[20] An unscented bar soap with as few ingredients as possible is the best choice. EditTips Try not to get discouraged if predators do happen to get into the nest. It's impossible to make the nest 100% safe from predators, so if the worst does happen, try out a different solution next time.[21] Remember that native predators can also help birds, rather than being detrimental to them. While the native predator might consume a few birds nests per year, it will also hunt many more rodents, which would have otherwise preyed on the nests. Some bird species choose to nest near native predators because this gives them the protection from many smaller rodents, despite the obvious risk.[22] EditWarnings Although petroleum jelly can be effective to to keep many insects away, never use this around birds as their feathers can get greasy and this will hinder their flight.[23] EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Make Fluffy Scrambled Eggs Posted: 30 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT Preparing fluffy scrambled eggs sounds like it should be fairly simple, but there is a lot of controversy in the cooking world over the best way to achieve that fluffy, light texture. It all comes down to finding out what works best for you and your taste buds—but there are several how-to tips you can follow to attain tasty scrambled eggs, from when to season them to adding in cream or butter. EditIngredients EditFluffy Scrambled Eggs 6 cold eggs of butter Salt and pepper Crème fraîche Chopped chives Makes 2-3 servings EditSteps EditScrambling Eggs like a Pro Invest in a nonstick pan. Avoid using cast-iron or stainless steel pans when you cook your eggs—they're much more likely to stick and burn. Use a small nonstick pan for cooking 1-4 eggs, a medium sized nonstick pan for 4-6 eggs, and a large nonstick pans for 6 or more eggs.[1] Don't use metal utensils in a nonstick pan, as they will scrape and scratch the nonstick coating. Stir your eggs with a silicone spatula. Avoid using metal utensils, wooden spoons, or any utensil that has a firm edge because they won't be able to fully scrape the sides of the pan as you cook. When you stir, make sure to scrape the sides of the pan, the bottom, and especially that little corner where the sides connect to the bottom.[2] If you don't have a silicone spatula, a wooden spoon is the next best option; it's less likely to scratch your non-stick pan than a metal utensil. Add milk, cream, or crème fraîche for creamier, fluffier eggs. Add more liquid if you want your eggs to be creamier, and less liquid if you prefer a firmer scrambled egg. Use about of liquid per egg you are cooking.[3] Whole milk and cream give a better texture to scrambled eggs than non-fat milk. Season your eggs right before they finish cooking. Wait until your eggs are just a little bit runny still, and then sprinkle on your salt and pepper. Some cooking aficionados claim that seasoning the eggs too early will make them watery and rubbery.[4] Some experts say to season the eggs before they even go into the hot pan. This is one of those areas where you'll have to test it out to see what you like the best, as there is more than 1 way you can season your eggs.[5] Crack the eggs directly into the pan. Or don't. This is another area where experts are split. Try it out both ways—cook scrambled eggs by cracking the eggs directing into the pan, and cook them by cracking them into a bowl and whisking them together there first.[6] Try it out to see which method you prefer, then you can speak with confidence when making your own scrambled eggs. Remove the eggs from the heat right before they finish cooking. When the eggs are mostly cooked but still slightly runny, take them off the heat. The residual warmth from the pan will finish cooking the eggs the entire way, whereas if you left them on the burner a little longer, they would start to dry out and get less fluffy.[7] If you accidentally take your eggs off the heat too soon, just turn your burner back on and continue cooking the eggs for another minute. Add in tasty toppings, like cheese, chives, or even chopped olives. Wait to add your toppings until you've removed the eggs from the heat. Then, just before you transfer the eggs to your plate, sprinkle your topping onto the eggs. For cheese, the heat from the eggs will help it melt and meld to the eggs.[8] If you're hosting a brunch, you could even have a variety of toppings available for your guests to choose from, like chopped ham, olives, shredded cheese, fresh basil, chives, and a myriad of hot sauces. EditMaking Fluffy Scrambled Eggs Chop your chives and set them to the side. Use a sharp kitchen knife and a clean cutting board, and finely chop your chives. You can make the chive pieces as small or as big as you like, depending and what you prefer. Set the chives to the side in a small bowl.[9] Wash your hands after chopping the chives to remove the onion smell. Crack your eggs straight into a deep, unheated saucepan. Crack the eggs either on the counter or on the side of the saucepan, and deposit them straight into the pan, rather than first putting them into a bowl. Put the shells down the garbage disposal or add them to your compost pile.[10] Depending on your preference, if you're a "whisk before cooking" person, go ahead and crack your eggs into a bowl and whisk them until they're incorporated. Use cold eggs if you can for a better texture. Put the cubed butter into the pan along with the eggs. Use about of butter, and add it right into the unheated pan along with the eggs. You can cut the butter into smaller chunks if you prefer, though the eggs and the butter will all get mixed together fully in the end regardless of the size of the butter at the beginning.[11] Your butter can be cold or at room temperature. Turn the burner heat to high and continuously stir the eggs. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to break, mix, and move the eggs. It's very important that you keep them in constant motion to ensure they incorporate together and don't become streaky.[12] If you prefer to whisk the eggs together ahead of time, simply whisk them in a bowl before adding them to the pan along with your butter. Lift the pan off of the heat every 30 seconds for 10 seconds at a time. Continue to stir the eggs the entire time the pan is off of the heat. So you will heat the eggs for 30 seconds, remove for 10 seconds, heat the eggs for 30 seconds, and so on, until you've cooked the eggs for about 3 minutes or until they are silky, light, and just very slightly runny.[13] As you stir, make sure to scrape the eggs from the bottom, the sides, and the corner where the sides intersect with the bottom to ensure none of the eggs burn. Season the eggs and add the crème fraîche right as they finish cooking. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and a small spoonful of crème fraîche (about will be adequate) into the eggs and stir until everything is incorporated together.[14] You can use sea salt or regular table salt, whatever you have on hand is fine! Remove the eggs from the heat right before they finish cooking. When you notice that the eggs are silky and smooth, but still slightly runny, turn off the burner and also remove the eggs from the heat. The residual heat of the pan will continue cooking the eggs.[15] Continue stirring the eggs even after they've been removed from the heat. Transfer the eggs to a plate and garnish with the chopped chives. You could serve the eggs on top of toast or potatoes, and sprinkle as few or as many chives as you prefer. Eat the eggs immediately after they finish cooking for the best taste and fluffiest texture.[16] If you don't like chives, consider using fresh basil or adding some shredded cheese. EditTips Try to use organic, free-range eggs when you can, as they will have a better flavor. Try making scrambled eggs a few different ways to see which you prefer: salt your eggs before they cook or just as they finish cooking; whisk your eggs in a bowl or directly in the pan; cook your eggs over medium-low heat or use high heat with frequent stirring. EditThings You'll Need EditMaking Fluffy Scrambled Eggs Cutting board Sharp kitchen knife Large saucepan Silicone/rubber spatula Spoon Plate EditRelated wikiHows Make Cheesy Scrambled Eggs Make Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Turkey Make Mushroom and Garlic Scrambled Eggs Make Scrambled Eggs Scramble an Egg Make Cheesy Scrambled Eggs Cook Over Easy Eggs EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

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