| How to Preserve Leaves in Wax Paper Posted: 26 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST The art of preserving leaves dates back to when botanists traveled the world in search of new plant species. They needed some way to preserve the specimens on site for further studies when they got back to homeland. When they pressed the flowers or leaves, they'd get very brittle and discolored. However, with wax paper and an iron, you can preserve leaves that will last almost indefinitely. EditGathering the Materials - Look for leaves that are still fresh. If collecting autumn or fallen leaves, stay away from those that are crumbly and papery, as these will break apart extremely easy and be destroyed by the heat. Fresh leaves that are still soft and moist will last indefinitely.
- Consider thickness. Thick leaves, like large succulents, have to be ironed around the leaf design to create a seal around them, not directly on them. Smaller thick leaves (like croton or magnolias) should only be lightly ironed, or not at all, to prevent crushing and breaking.
- Also consider ironing only the edges or tips of the leaves. Experiment with the techniques that follow, depending on which leaves you pick.
- Include stems, if you'd like. Whole stems and branches can be preserved this way simply by ironing the leaves and not the stem. If the stem is herbaceous and soft just iron it like a regular leaf.
- Separate out leaves if they form in a mound. Some leaves (and flowers like poinsettias that are like leaves) form in a high mound which is too thick for this technique. Dissect the cluster and arrange the individual leaves in a flat design, instead.
- Avoid leaves with very hard thorns which will tear the wax paper. Some plants, like Thistles, have spines which are not hard but bristly which are suitable. Many spiny grasses and plants, like pineapples, are spiny but flat like a knife, which also is good for this project. Others, like aloes and many spiny succulents, are not suitable.
- Obtain wax paper and an iron. These are very inexpensive and easy to find.
- Gather anything else you might need. You might want markers, frames, labels, paper for labeling and crafting, and any other craft items for displaying or crafting with the finished project.
EditPreserving the Leaves - Place the leaves in between two sheets of wax paper, with the waxed side facing inside. If you place the waxed side on the outside, the result will be a waxy, sticky, mess on anything it touches.
- The waxed side will have a slick slightly sticky feel like a crayon drawing. The non-wax side is smooth and even.
- Don't be afraid to get creative with designs and arrangements for the leaf display.
- Iron the leaves and wax paper "sandwich" on a low setting. Work in one direction with slow, even strokes. This will help avoid air bubbles and uneven areas.
- For thicker leaves, like oaks, let the iron stay on one spot for a few seconds. The paper will turn from translucent to slightly transparent, and the leaves will flatten and may give off a leafy smell, depending on the species.
- Let the project cool off and set before handling. If you try to handle it too soon, the wax will have no time to cure and it'll probably peel apart. Also, it will too hot to handle. Let it cool and the wax will form a barrier and soak into the leaf tissues to preserve it.
EditDisplaying Your Leaf Design - Mount your finished piece in a picture frame as a work of custom art. Just frame it up like a traditional painting. The result will resemble the ones in interior decoration boutiques that cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
- Display a collection of leaves in a binder or art folder. Get a nice office binder and sturdy paper. Use office plastic sheet protectors, white printing paper or card stock and tape the pressed leaf project onto the paper. Use labels to keep track of species, locations, dates and other notes. These waxed leaves also can make excellent scrap-booking materials.
- Use your leaves as ornaments. Poke a hole or punch in an area of the preserved leaf that has no air pockets. Dusty miller and other silvery plants make really attractive "snowflake" ornaments.
- Don't display the leaves in full sun or they will either fade or get scorched.
- Remove or shave down very thick and hard stems (like the bottom of an old leaf of kale), so the rest of the leaf will lay flat for the project.
- Keep leaf projects out of direct sunlight to prevent scorching and discoloration. Keep away from direct heat.
- If the wax paper is not waxy enough, get a white paraffin wax candle and rub it on the leaves or on the paper.
- Don't just consider leaves of trees for this project. Look around at all the amazing shapes of leaves in flowering plants, vegetables, and weeds. If a favorite houseplant has suddenly lost its leaves due to illness, consider saving those leaves for decoration or as a reference.
- Simple flat flowers, individual flower petals and flowers that are like leaves can be preserved this way as well. Examples of leafy flowers are poinsettias, orchids, heliconias, anthiriums, sweet peas. Remove thick non-petal parts first.
- There are many color stages of the development of leaves, especially in autumn ones like maples and red oaks. These can be really fun to try to collect for one collection or design. The same goes for the shapes of leaves as they mature or vary in age, particularly for species like kale greens.
- Don't iron the leaves at too high a setting or iron the project too long. Wax and leaves will burn.
- Some plants are poisonous; do not eat or touch those! Also some have flammable sap that can catch fire or emit fumes.
- Be sure leaf collecting is allowed on the property or of the species. It's illegal to collect leaves and flowers of an endangered species. Also neighbors and city parks may not want people collecting branch tips and living leaves off plants. Ask for permission first.
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| How to Clean a Large Area Rug Posted: 25 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST Area rugs are typically used as an accent feature in open living spaces like a family room, den, or bedroom. Over time—especially if they're in high-traffic areas within your home—these rugs will pick up dirt and need to be cleaned. If the rug is only mildly dusty, you can clean it with a vacuum cleaner. For stained or seriously dirty rugs, though, you'll need to clean the rug more aggressively by using a rug shampoo. EditVacuuming Your Rug Clean - Vacuum the top side of the rug. Turn on your vacuum cleaner and push it back and forth across the top surface of your rug to suck up loose dust and debris. Work in long, parallel strokes so that you clean the entire rug. Try to vacuum your rug at least once per week.[1] Depending on the rug's thickness, you may need to adjust the knob on the vacuum that controls its suction power.
- Vacuuming a shag rug is a great way to get dust and dirt out of its long fibers. However, turn off the vacuum's beater bar so you don't inadvertently tear fibers off of the rug.[2] If your vacuum doesn't have a turn-off for the beater bar, try borrowing a different vacuum from a friend.
- When you're vacuuming an Oriental rug or a home-made or hand-knotted rug, set a sheet of nylon screening over the rug for protection. Weigh the edges of the nylon down with 3–4 books.[3]
- Sprinkle baking soda onto your rug and let it sit on your rug before vacuuming every 3 months. This will help deodorize your rug.
- Flip the area rug over and vacuum its underside. While rug owners typically don't look at (or walk on) the underside of the rug, these surfaces can get quite dirty. Once the top of the rug is dirt-free, flip it over and lay the rug flat on the ground. Use the same technique to vacuum dirt and grime off of the bottom of the rug.[4]
- Flip the rug back right-side up once you've vacuumed the underside.
- Shake smaller area rugs outdoors. If your area rug is less than in diameter, pick the rug up and carry it outside. Hold on to one of the short edges of the rug, and vigorously shake it. This will dislodge any pieces of dirt, food, etc., that are stuck deep in the rug fiber.[5]
- Also try beating the rug with a broom handle while you're holding it in the air. If you see puffs of dust coming from the rug, keep beating it.[6] However, if you're cleaning an old or expensive area rug, don't beat it with a broom handle. In fact, depending on the rug's condition, it might be best not to shake it outside.
- Brush out lingering pet hair with a stiff brush. Depending on the type of fibers in your rug and the breed of pets in your home, pet hair may be deeply embedded in your rug. If you've vacuumed and shaken out your rug and there's still fur in it, brush the rug with a stiff-bristle brush. Brush hairy spots on the rug with short, repetitive strokes to tease out the animal hair.[7]
- You can purchase a brush with stiff plastic bristles at a hardware store.
- Don't use a brush with metal bristles, as these will tear up the rug.
EditUsing Rug Shampoo - Purchase a rug shampoo designed to clean the material of your rug. If you're not sure what type of material your rug is made from, check the manufacturer's tag. This tag should be attached somewhere on the underside of the rug. When you're shopping for rug shampoo, find a bottle whose label states that it cleans the type of material that your rug is made of.[8]
- Purchase rug shampoo at home-improvement stores and some large supermarkets. It may also be for sale at a local hardware store.
- Some rug materials cannot be fully saturated with water or they react poorly to chemicals. Always double check the material for your rug before wet-cleaning it.
- Test the cleaner by applying it to an inconspicuous corner of the rug. Open the container of rug shampoo and apply a small dollop to a sized patch of the rug. Wait for 1–2 hours and inspect the area where you applied the shampoo. If it's not discolored, you're ready to apply the shampoo to the entire rug.[9]
- If the patch of rug is discolored, you'll need to return the shampoo and purchase a different type.
- Continue testing rug shampoos until you find one that works.
- Take your rug outdoors and spray it with a garden hose. Since the rug shampoo will only work on wet rug fibers, the entire rug needs to be saturated. Spray water from a hose across the rug for at least 20-30 seconds. It's best to do this on a clear, warm day so that your rug doesn't freeze or get rained on.[10]
- If you don't have a hose (and don't plan to purchase one), you can dump 8-10 bucketfuls of water across the surface of the rug.
- Scrub the shampoo deep into the rug fibers with a soft-bristle brush. Follow the directions printed on the shampoo's packaging and squeeze out the suggested amount of shampoo onto the wet rug. Then, set to work with a brush. Scrub the top surface of the rug until it's covered in a thick foam of bubbles.[11]
- Scrub especially hard on any areas on the rug that are stained or extra dirty. For example, the rug may have muddy footprints or food stains on it.
- Spray the rug with the hose to rinse the shampoo out. Once you've lathered and scrubbed the entire surface of the rug and removed all visible stains, turn the hose back on and re-spray the rug. Continue to rinse the rug fibers until you've rinsed off all signs of suds and bubbles.[12]
- If you don't have a hose, rinse off the rug by dousing it with half a dozen buckets of water.
- Squeegee the rug to remove excess water. At this point, your rug will be soaking wet. To help speed up the drying process, run a squeegee along the top side of the rug. This will press water out of the rug's fibers. To avoid damaging the rug, always slide the squeegee in the direction that the rug's nap goes.[13]
- Buy a squeegee at any hardware store or a large supermarket.
- Lay the rug flat to dry for 1-2 days. Bring the rug inside and lay it flat in an out-of-the-way area of your home (e.g., a closet or pantry). A large rug will take a couple of days to dry. Every 6-8 hours, pat the surface of the rug to see whether or not it's dry. Once 1 side of the rug has dried, flip it over and let the underside dry.[14]
- Help the rug dry quickly by setting up 1 or 2 floor fans in the room with the rug to circulate air over it.[15]
- Once the rug has dried, give it a shake or 2 to fluff it up and return the rug to its spot on the floor.
EditThings You'll Need - Vacuum cleaner
- Stiff-bristle brush
- Broom handle (optional)
- Rug shampoo
- Hose
- Soft-bristle brush
- Squeegee
- If you have 1 or more large area rugs, the task of cleaning them may be more than a 1-person job. Enlist family members or ask friends to help you clean the rug(s) so it doesn't become an all-day project.[16]
- To prevent 1 side of a reversible area rug from getting worn down more quickly than the other side, turn area rugs over once per year.[17]
- Wear clothes that can get wet and dirty when you're shampooing your rug outdoors. You may also want to wear a pair of old sneakers or shoes you don't care about.[18]
- Most braided area rugs can be run through the washing machine. Check the instructions on your rug to find out what laundry settings it can be washed on.[19]
- Move heavy furniture to different sections of your rug once every 3-4 months.
- It's typically effective to steam clean area rugs made from plastic-fiber materials like nylon or polyester.[20] However, you should never steam clean an area rug made from sensitive natural fibers like wool, as the mechanical cleaner will damage the fibers. Also don't steam clean a dyed area rug, as the heat and moisture will cause the colors to bleed.[21]
- Do not hang a wet rug over a clothesline to dry, as the rug's shape will be distorted.[22]
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Make Bananas Foster Posted: 25 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST Bananas Foster is a dessert that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana (US). It's fairly easy to make and very impressive to watch, not to mention delicious. Cut up the bananas first and cook them in butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until they turn golden yellow. Then add rum and flame the pan using the rum fumes and a long match. Serve Bananas Foster over vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert that is sure to impress any crowd. EditIngredients - 2 tbsp (28.4 g) of butter
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup (200 g) of light brown sugar
- of vanilla extract
- ½ tsp (1.3 g) of ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch of salt
- of rum
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
Makes 2 servings EditCooking the Bananas - Slice 2 bananas lengthwise and then in half. Peel each banana to remove the skin. Place the bananas on a chopping board and use a sharp knife to cut each in half lengthwise. Rest each banana flat on the board and carefully slice each one in half crosswise.[1]
- Melt 2 tbsp (28.4 g) of butter in a heavy pan over a medium heat. Place the pan on the stovetop and set the temperature to a moderate setting. Add the butter to the pan and stir it occasionally with a wooden spoon as it melts.[2].
- A skillet works best for this recipe.[3]
- Make sure that the pan has a lid as you may need it when you add the rum.
- Cook the sliced bananas in the pan for 2 minutes. Place the sliced bananas into the heavy pan with the melted butter. Gently stir the bananas as they begin to cook.[4]
- While it is important to stir the bananas as they cook, don't stir them vigorously otherwise they may break or turn mushy.
- Add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the pan. Place 1 cup (200 g) of light brown sugar, of vanilla extract, ½ tsp (1.3 g) of ground cinnamon, and 1 pinch of salt into the pan with the bananas and the melted butter. Stir the ingredients gently to combine them.[5]
- Reduce the heat to low and cook the ingredients for 2 minutes. Continue stirring the ingredients gently as they cook. Wait until the bananas begin to turn golden yellow and soften slightly, which should take approximately 2 minutes.[6]
EditFlaming the Pan and Serving the Dish - Add the rum and gently tip the pan if you are using a gas stove. Pour of rum into the pan with the rest of the ingredients. Gently tip the pan to the side to ignite the flame. Once the pan has flamed, immediately remove the pan from the heat. The flames will extinguish themselves after 1-2 minutes.[7]
- Have the lid for the pan sitting right next to you during this process in case you need to quickly extinguish the flame.
- Be very careful as you tilt the pan to avoid spilling any of the hot liquid.
- Tipping the pan to the side slightly will cause it to flame. This is because the hot rum will be close enough to the gas for it to ignite. The sides of the pan will prevent the ingredients from falling onto the stovetop.[8]
- Pour the rum into the pan and ignite it with a match if you're using an electric stove. Add of rum into the pan and ignite a long match. Hold the match very carefully just above the fumes of the pan to ignite the rum. Pull your hand away quickly and take the pan off the heat. The flames will die down after 1-2 minutes.[9]
- Make sure that there is nothing low-hanging over the stovetop while you do this.
- Don't let the ignited match touch the alcohol as it only needs it to be held in the fumes to work.
- Alternatively, use a grill lighter rather than a match if you prefer.
- Remove the bananas from the pan when the flames are out. Gently lift up each sliced banana with the spoon and place 4 slices onto each serving plate. Don't worry about removing any excess liquid.[10]
- Alternatively, use serving bowls instead of plates.
- Place 1 scoop of ice cream on each plate. Transfer the ice cream onto the serving plates. Place the ice cream on top of the bananas if you don't mind it melting faster. Otherwise, arrange the ice cream next to the bananas on the plate. Serve the dish immediately before the ice cream melts.[11]
- If there is any extra sauce in the pan, drizzle this over the ice cream with a spoon.[12]
- Bananas Foster is traditionally made with vanilla ice cream, however, try out different types to see what flavor you prefer. Praline or wattleseed are also good options.[13]
- Bananas Foster is best served immediately and it isn't recommended to be stored. However, the sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.[14]
- Be very careful while you work with fire as you make this recipe.
EditThings You'll Need - Chopping board
- Knife
- skillet with a lid
- Wooden spoon
- Long match
- Slotted spoon
- Serving plates or bowls
- Ice cream scoop
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Keep Your Cryptocurrency Safe Posted: 25 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST Many people wrongfully assume that cryptocurrency is by its very nature safer than national currencies. In some ways, this is true. Cryptocurrency does offer better privacy than, say, a credit or debit card. However, your cryptocurrency is only as safe as the place where it is stored. To keep your cryptocurrency safe, use a secure wallet, maintain strict security protocols, and create multiple backups so you can recover a lost wallet quickly.[1] EditUsing a Cryptocurrency Wallet - Transfer your cryptocurrency to a wallet as soon as possible. When you buy cryptocurrency, you have the option of simply leaving it in your exchange account. However, cryptocurrency exchanges are major targets for hackers. Any cryptocurrency left in an exchange account is extremely vulnerable to theft.[2]
- While exchange accounts may be the most convenient, they are also the least secure. With cryptocurrency, the basic rule is that the more convenient it is to access your cryptocurrency, the less secure it is.
- Generally, your cryptocurrency should be okay if you leave it in your exchange account for a few days. Any longer than that, and you should find a more secure location.
- Buy hardware or paper wallets to hold cryptocurrency long-term. Hardware wallets are devices that are designed for the sole purpose of storing cryptocurrency. Since they aren't online, they aren't vulnerable to hackers. Paper wallets are likewise invulnerable to hackers.[3]
- Expect a hardware wallet to cost you a minimum of $100. The expense may not be worth it if you have a small amount of cryptocurrency. However, if you have cryptocurrency worth thousands of dollars, a hardware wallet may be your best option.
- A paper wallet generates QR codes that you print. Before you create a paper wallet, make sure your computer and the network it's on are free of malware or spyware. Ideally, use a brand-new computer that has never been used for any other purpose or been connected to the internet before.
- While hardware and paper wallets are the least convenient methods for holding your cryptocurrency, they are also the most secure. These wallets are ideal if you don't intend to spend cryptocurrency, but are keeping it as an investment.
- Evaluate the security of online wallets carefully. A strong online wallet has an active development team, robust backup and security features, and is compatible with multiple operating systems. The wallet also should allow you to maintain control of your private keys.[4]
- Anyone who has access to your private keys can move your cryptocurrency. Avoid online wallets that require you to give up control of your private key. Cryptocurrency wallets are not banks, and are not subject to the same regulations. If the wallet company loses your cryptocurrency, you may have no recourse.
- You may also want to look into the background of people handling security for the wallet company. Search people's names online to learn more about their reputation in the industry.
- Keep only small amounts in less secure wallets. Any wallet you can access online, including web wallets and mobile wallets, are more vulnerable to hacking than hardware or paper wallets. Essentially, you trade convenience for security. Don't put more cryptocurrency in these wallets than you can afford to lose.[5]
- If you plan to use cryptocurrency both for regular transactions and for investment purposes, it may be best to keep the bulk of your cryptocurrency in a hardware or paper wallet, and a small percentage of it in a web or mobile wallet.
- Think of this in terms of keeping your money in the bank and a small amount of cash on your person. Just as you wouldn't walk around with your life's savings in cash in your pocket, don't put all of your cryptocurrency in an online wallet.
- Try a multi-signature wallet to give someone else access. Multi-signature wallets require more than one person to enter a separate passcode or phrase to enable a transaction. This provides the ultimate in security, but should only be used if there is someone you trust with access to your cryptocurrency.[6]
- For example, if you are married, both you and your spouse could be signatories on a multi-signature wallet. You would both have to enter your separate passcode before either of you could complete a transaction.
- Multi-signature wallets also are ideal for businesses that have cryptocurrency wallets. At least 2 officers or managers in the company would have to sign off on a transaction before it could be completed, helping prevent embezzlement of company funds.
EditSecuring Your Wallet - Create a complex password and change it regularly. When you first set up your wallet, come up with a long password that includes numbers, special characters, and both capital and lower case letters. It should be difficult for anyone else to guess, but also relatively easy for you to remember.[7]
- Set reminders for yourself to change your password once every 3 or 4 months. When you change it, use something that differs significantly from the previous one. Don't simply recycle an old password.
- If your computer has a password manager, it can create a random, encrypted password for you. However, if you use a password manager, make sure you have a strong, complex password for your computer. With a password manager, anyone who can access your computer can access all of those passwords.
- Use a separate email address for cryptocurrency purposes. If your email is hacked, the hacker could also gain access to your cryptocurrency. Set up a free email address that doesn't include any information, such as your name, that would be easy for a hacker to guess.[8]
- For additional security, use different email addresses for your exchange account and for all wallet accounts. Use those addresses solely for that account, and for no other purpose.
- Enable two-factor identification (2FA) on all cryptocurrency accounts. With 2FA, the service will send a code to your phone or email account every time you attempt to log in to your account. You must enter that code within a brief period of time to access your account.[9]
- Opting for a text message rather than an email is more secure. Even if someone manages to learn the email address, username, and password associated with your wallet, they won't be able to access it unless they have your phone.
- Download all security updates promptly. Software and mobile wallets update periodically to protect and counter new threats. To ensure you're using the most secure version of their software, update these downloads as soon as they become available.[10]
- If you turn on automatic updates, your computer or other device will install these updates for you the second they become available.
- In addition to the specific app or software, download all updates for your operating system and virus protection software as well. The app or software is only as secure as the environment it operates in.
- Encrypt any device where you access or store cryptocurrency. Operating systems typically come with encryption technology that you can enable in your preferences. You can also download encryption software to run on any devices you routinely use to store cryptocurrency or make cryptocurrency transactions.[11]
- Also encrypt your wireless network to ensure no one can access information stored on a networked computer or transferred over the network. Do not make any cryptocurrency transactions over public WiFi or any other insecure network.
- Safeguard your seed phrase or mnemonic passphrase. Secure wallets generate mnemonic phrases that you can use to recover your cryptocurrency wallet if your hard drive crashes or you otherwise lose access. Write these passwords down, and keep them locked away in a safe or other secure location.[12]
- Don't rely on memorization for storage of mnemonic phrases. In the heat of the moment, you could forget or mistake the phrase.
- Make more than one copy of the phrase and keep them in different places, in case one of them is destroyed.
EditBacking Up Your Wallet - Create multiple backups of different types. Any individual backup could be lost or corrupted. Multiple backups ensure that your wallet remains secure. Use different media, including physical media (such as a thumb drive or CD-ROM), cloud storage, and paper storage.[13]
- For example, you might make one backup on a CD-ROM and keep another backup on a secure, encrypted cloud.
- If you use cloud storage, the service should be end-to-end encrypted. The storage service should not be able to access any unencrypted data you store there, or break the encryption.
- Keep backups in different locations. Physical media may be less vulnerable to hackers, but it could still potentially be destroyed by physical risks such as fire or flood. If you have backups in different places, you lessen the risk that all of them could be destroyed.[14]
- If you keep a backup at home, have at least one back-up off-site, such as at your place of business or at the home of a trusted friend or family member.
- You might also keep a backup on your person, for example on paper or on a small USB thumb drive.
- Tell at least one person where your backups are located. If something happens to you and no one knows how to get to your cryptocurrency, it is completely lost. At least one friend or family member you trust should know how to access your cryptocurrency.[15]
- This doesn't mean they need to know your passwords or have access to your account. They simply need to know where to locate the information to access your account if necessary.
- If you have a will or trust, you might leave this information with the attorney or solicitor who drafted your estate documents.
- Update your backup after every transaction. The balance of your wallet will automatically update when you transfer cryptocurrency into or out of it. However, your backups won't change until you create new ones.[16]
- Destroy old backups so that they cannot be used again. Even though the balance has changed, the old backups may still be used to access your cryptocurrency. Remember: anyone who has your private keys can move your cryptocurrency. They don't need access to your wallet to do so.
- When transferring cryptocurrency from one wallet or account to another, transfer a small amount first. That way, if you make a mistake and never the wrong address it won't prove too costly.[17]
- Particularly if you have large amounts of cryptocurrency, diversify with multiple wallets so you won't lose all of your cryptocurrency if one wallet is compromised.
- Avoid talking about cryptocurrency in public, including online forums and social media platforms. You give hackers an opportunity to target you.[18]
EditSources and Citations
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