| How to Make Rice Flour Posted: 03 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST Whether you're looking for a gluten-free alternative to regular flour or just want to save money, making your own rice flour at home is a simple solution. Use household appliances that you already own, like a blender for bulk grinding or a coffee grinder for making smaller amounts. If you want to make flour more frequently, consider investing in a grain mill, which is specifically for grinding grains. Now that's flour power! EditGrinding Rice Flour in a Blender - Place of rice in your blender at a time. You don't want to clog up the blender by filling it completely with rice. Smaller amounts will let the blade work more efficiently and grind the rice better.[1]
- A good rule of thumb to follow is that of rice yields about of rice flour.[2]
- You can use either white or brown rice, as long as it's raw and uncooked.
- Cover the blender and grind the rice until it's a fine powder consistency. Turn the blender on the highest setting to get the best results. The flour should be smooth and there shouldn't be any large chunks.[3]
- Grinding rice is hard on your blender's blades. If you plan on making a lot of flour, invest in a higher quality blender that's more durable.
- The finer the flour, the better it will work in baking and other recipes.
- Transfer the flour to an airtight container and place the lid tightly on it. Any air that leaks into a container that's not properly sealed can cause the flour to spoil faster. Either a plastic or glass container or jar will work.[4]
- If you use a resealable bag, squeeze out any excess air before you seal the bag.
- Store the flour in the pantry for up to 1 year until you're ready to use it. While flour can keep for a very long time, it tends to get musty or stale after 1 year. Throw it away if you see mold or notice a foul scent.[5]
- To keep track of when the flour needs to be thrown out, use a permanent marker or a sticker label to note the date you should throw it out by. This will be 1 year from the day you made it. If you have different types of flour in your pantry, you may also want to write "rice flour" on the label.
- Keeping the flour in the refrigerator or the freezer will help the flour last longer.
EditMaking Rice Flour with a Coffee Grinder - Clean out any leftover coffee grounds from the grinder if necessary. You don't want coffee-flavored rice flour! Use a scrub brush or small spatula to wipe out grounds from around the blades.[6]
- Never put your fingers near the blades and always unplug the grinder before cleaning it.
- An old paintbrush or toothbrush can also get into hard-to-reach nooks.
- Run of rice through the grinder at a time. The coffee grinder will turn the grains of rice into a smooth powder. It's best to grind the rice in small quantities so it doesn't clog or overwork the coffee grinder.[7]
- If you notice the grinder getting hot, simply unplug it and let it cool down for a few minutes before continuing grinding.
- You may need to run the rice powder through the grinder a second time if it's still coarse after the first run. Grinders that are older or that have worn blades won't process the rice as efficiently.
- Pour the powder into an airtight container, sealing it tightly. As you grind the rice, transfer each batch into a plastic or glass container. Once you're finished grinding, place the lid on the container securely to keep the flour fresh.[8]
- Glass jars with lids or resealable bags will work instead of a container.
- Store the flour in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year. Stick the container in the pantry or a cupboard, for example, until you're ready to use it. If you notice a rancid odor, throw it away.[9]
- If you don't want to forget the flour's "expiration date," use a permanent marker or a sticker label on the container to write down the date you made the flour.
- You can also store the flour in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it fresh for longer.
EditUsing a Grain Mill to Make Rice Flour - Turn the dial to the highest setting, then turn the mill on. On some machines, the highest setting might be labeled as "pastry." Flip the switch to power on the grain mill once you've adjusted the dial.[10]
- The settings on the dial control how coarse or fine the flour will be. A lower setting churns out a grittier powder, for instance.
- Always turn the grinder on prior to adding the rice.
- Pour the rice into the hopper of the mill to grind it. The hopper will automatically grind the rice as it passes through and will deposit the flour in the attached canister. If necessary, use a spoon or other utensil to push the rice towards the center of the hopper to speed up the grinding.[11]
- If the flour isn't as fine as you'd like it to be, run it through the hopper again.
- Turn off the mill after you grind all of the rice. You'll know the grinding process is finished when you hear the mill give off subtle high-pitched sound. Flip the power switch to the off position to stop the mill.[12]
- You can let the mill run for an extra 5 seconds after it's finished just to make sure no stray pieces of rice are lodged inside.
- Remove the canister from the mill and pour the flour into a container. The canister should easily detach from the mill. Once you transfer the rice flour into an airtight container, seal the container tightly by pressing firmly on the lid until it snaps or suctions into place.[13]
- Scrape any excess flour on the sides of canister into the container with a spoon so you don't waste any.
- Resealable bags are a suitable alternative to a container.
- Store the flour in the pantry, fridge, or freezer for up to 1 year. After 1 year, you might notice that the flour loses some of its flavor and smells musty. Throw it away sooner if you see mold.[14]
- Cool, dark spots are best for storing flour. Look for an area that is dry, too.
- Keeping flour in the fridge or freezer is your safest option to prevent it from spoiling faster.
- Label the container or bag with a permanent marker or sticker label if you want to remember when it will expire. Write down the contents of the container ("rice flour") along with the expiration date.
EditThings You'll Need EditBlender Rice Flour - Blender
- Airtight container
- Permanent marker or label (optional)
EditCoffee Grinder Rice Flour - Coffee grinder
- Scrub brush or small spatula
- Airtight container
- Permanent marker or label (optional)
EditGrain Mill Rice Flour - Grain mill
- Airtight container
- Spoon (optional)
- Permanent marker or label (optional)
- Brown rice is more nutritional than white rice.
- A food processor can also be used instead of a blender. Follow the manufacturer's directions for grinding.
- Although it's more expensive and less practical, a grain mill can help you make smoother rice flour at home if you do not like the way your grinder or blender is producing flour.
- Do not use minute rice. You should use raw, uncooked rice.
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| How to Keep Red Hair Color from Fading Posted: 02 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST If you love the way you look as a redhead but you hate how quickly the color fades, you're not alone. Red hair coloring is notoriously the hardest to maintain.[1] Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to keep sporting your crimson locks a little longer between touch-ups. EditTaking Care with Washing - Wait at least 2 days after coloring to wash your hair. If you wash your hair too soon after coloring it, the cuticle can lift and your hair color can seep out, causing the color to fade almost immediately. By waiting for about 48 hours after coloring to wash your hair, the dye will have time to saturate the strand.[2]
- Because color processing can strip the natural oils from your hair, you probably won't have to worry about your hair becoming oily during the 2 days after you get your hair colored. However, if your roots do seem oily, you can spray them with a little dry shampoo to make them look cleaner.
- Use a shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair. Products designed for processed hair are alcohol- and sulfate-free and are made to be extra gentle to help protect the color of your hair. They may also contain vitamins and antioxidants to nourish and protect your hair.[3]
- If you like, you can use a shampoo or conditioner designed to deposit additional color onto your hair every time you wash it. However, keep in mind that this can change the appearance of your hair color.
- Avoid clarifying and anti-dandruff shampoos, which can strip the color from your hair. [4]
- Condition every time you wash with a hydrating conditioner. Dyed hair tends to be extra dry and brittle, which will make your hair color look faded and dull. In addition, dry hair tends not to hold color as well. A good conditioner formulated for color-treated hair will give your fiery locks a much-needed moisture boost and will protect your hair in the future.[5]
- Color-depositing conditioners can help add a boost of red to your hair each time you wash. Just make sure to match the shade to your color.
- Rinse your hair in cool water when you wash. Hot water causes your hair to expand, which opens the cuticle on each strand, allowing water and shampoo to penetrate deeper into the hair and wash out more color with every rinse. Cool water seals the cuticle and locks in moisture.[6]
- In addition to preserving the color, rinsing your hair with cold water will make it look shinier.
- Skip the shampoo altogether for an even gentler wash. Try co-washing instead, or washing your hair using just conditioner. Apply conditioner to the roots of your hair and massage your scalp for several minutes to loosen any dirt or oil, then rinse your hair.[7]
- Washing your hair with conditioner will help it look shinier and will help preserve your hair color.
- Co-washing works best on dry hair. It also works well on curly hair. If your hair is both curly and dyed red, co-washing will keep your color from fading and keep your hair moisturized and frizz-free.
- If your hair tends to be oily, you will probably see better results by using a gentle shampoo.
- Wash your hair as infrequently as possible. The more often you wash your hair, the faster your color will fade. Try to limit washing your hair to once or twice a week to preserve the bright red color of your hair as long as possible.[8]
- When you shampoo every day, your scalp produces excess oil. At first, when you skip a day shampooing, your hair may seem very oily; however, over time, your scalp won't produce as much oil and you won't need to wash your hair as often.[9]
- Use dry shampoo if your roots get oily between washings. Dry shampoo can help absorb dirt from your roots, helping your hair look cleaner.[10]
- If you exercise every day, spritz a little dry shampoo on your roots after your workout. If you can, try waiting until your hair is almost dry. The product will distribute more evenly, giving you cleaner-looking hair.
- Apply a deep conditioner once a week. Keeping your hair moisturized is the most important thing you can do to keep your color looking vibrant longer. A deep conditioner, like a hair mask or a hot oil treatment, will pump your hair full of moisture and nutrients to keep it looking healthy, strong, and bright.[11]
- If you like, you can make your own deep conditioner by blending avocado, egg, honey, coconut milk, and half a banana. Apply the mixture to your hair and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it in cool water.
- Switch out your shower head for one with a filter. Normal tap water contains minerals, sediments, and additives like chlorine, all of which can dull your hair and strip its color. Choosing a shower head with a filter will ensure that you're washing your hair in only the purest water.[12]
- Remember to change out the filter on your shower head every 6 months or so to continue getting soft, clean water.
EditProtecting Your Color from the Elements - Don't swim in chlorinated pools or saltwater. Fresh water is fine for swimming, but swimming in a chlorine pool will bleach out your hair and can drastically change the color, and saltwater is extremely drying and may dull your hair's fiery shine.[13]
- If you do decide to go swimming in chlorine or saltwater, wear a swimming cap or don't put your head in the water.
- If you do get chlorine on your hair, you'll need to wash it out with a clarifying shampoo, which will fade your color.
- Keep heat styling to a minimum. Heat can dry out your hair, which will make the color look dull and faded. Occasional blow-drying or straightening is fine, but it shouldn't be done every day.[14]
- If you do use heat tools like a blow-dryer or a curling iron, spray your hair with a thermal protectant first so the heat doesn't damage your hair.
- Wear a hat if you're going to spend a lot of time in the sun. UV rays can damage your hair and dull your color. It's already a good idea to wear a hat to protect your face from sun damage, but covering your hair can help keep your color looking new longer.[15]
- You can also spray your hair with a UV-protecting spray before you leave the house if you know you're going to be in the sun.[16]
- Have your hair glazed every 4 weeks. A glaze is a treatment that will boost the vibrancy and shine of your hair for about a month. You can either have this done at the salon or you can purchase an at-home glaze.[17]
- If you're glazing your hair at home, follow all of the instructions on the packaging. Consider asking a friend to help you to ensure even coverage.
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| How to Get Rid of Gnats Posted: 02 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST Few insects are quite as pesky as gnats. Fortunately, dealing with them is relatively easy. If gnats have been buzzing around your sinks and drains, scrub away grimy deposits in the pipes where they lay their eggs. Traps can cut down the number of adult flies and help you monitor the infestation's severity. Cutting off gnats' food supply is crucial, so store food in sealed containers, wipe up spills, and keep your trash bins covered and clean. With a little diligence, you can turn your home into a fly-free zone. EditHousehold Fixes If you have gnats that you want to deal with right now, you may already have everything you need at home: EditDealing with Gnats in Sinks and Drains - Scrub inside the drain pipe to remove organic matter. Grime that builds up inside drain pipes is the perfect breeding ground for gnats. Use a wire brush or pipe cleaner to scrape away stubborn deposits of organic matter.[1]
- After scrubbing the drain, bring a pot of water to a near boil, then pour it down the drain to clear the debris you've scraped.
- Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and other cleaning products won't cut through deposits in your drain pipes.
- Clear your drains with an enzymatic, foaming cleaner. If you can't access your drain pipes with a wire brush, there are foaming products designed to eat away organic matter. Look for a product with "enzymatic" in its name or description at a hardware store. Pour it down the drain according to the label's instructions, then let it sit overnight.[2]
- After letting the cleaner sit, pour near-boiling water down the drain.
- Foaming products work better than liquid cleaners.
- If you're concerned about putting chemicals down your drain, there are eco-friendly, non-toxic enzymatic drain cleaners available.[3]
- Clean your drain with hot water nightly to prevent slimy buildup. Pouring hot water down your drain every night is the best way to keep your pipes clear. Aside from enzymatic drain cleaners, you should avoid pouring chemicals down your drains.[4]
- Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and other household products can erode pipes, especially older cast iron pipes.
- Additionally, cleaning products can react with other chemicals in your pipes. A harmful reaction could produce dangerous fumes or pressure strong enough to burst a pipe.
- Don't pour insecticide down the drain, as harsh pesticides can have negative environmental impacts.[5]
EditMaking Gnat Traps - Trap gnats in a jar filled with vinegar. Find a used can or jar, and fill it about halfway with apple cider vinegar. Mix in a drop of dish soap to break the surface tension, which will help prevent trapped gnats from escaping. Leave the jar in an area you've seen gnats buzzing about, such as your kitchen or dining room.[6]
- After you fill your can or jar, you could seal the lid and poke small holes in it with a nail or screw. That way, any gnats that don't drown in the vinegar can't escape.
- You could also cut a plastic bottle in half, and add vinegar to the bottom half. Place the top, or the part with the narrow nozzle, upside down into the base. It should look like a funnel when you're done. Gnats will follow the vinegar scent to find their way into the trap, but they'll have a hard time getting out through bottle's narrow top.
- If you don't have apple cider vinegar on hand, any type of vinegar will do. Other effective baits include beer or mashed banana.
- Try making a wine and soap trap. Fill a small cup about halfway with red wine, then mix in a drop of a dish soap. Leave the cup out on your table or countertop to attract pesky gnats.[7]
- The next time you have friends over for drinks, pour an extra cup of wine with dish soap to keep gnats away from your guests' glasses. Just make sure you clearly mark the cup that has dish soap to avoid confusion.
- Use traps in combination with other management methods. Traps can help you monitor an infestation and decrease the number of adult gnats in your home. However, on their own, traps aren't an effective way to manage an infestation.[8]
- In order to eliminate gnats completely, you'll need to combat all stages of their life cycle. Traps only kill adult gnats; they do nothing to fight eggs or larvae.
EditPreventing Gnat Infestations - Remove food sources that attract gnats. Tidy your kitchen and dining room regularly, wipe up spills immediately, and promptly wash used pots, dishes, and utensils. Store fruit, especially ripened fruit, in the refrigerator.[9]
- Always keep food in airtight containers stored in a closed cabinet or refrigerator.
- Keep your eye out for sneaky spills, such as a little fruit juice by the fridge or a forgotten onion in the back of the pantry. Unnoticed messes could breed thousands of gnats.
- Cover your garbage and recycling bins. Keep all of your bins covered, including those outside. Check their exteriors for spills and food residue regularly, and wipe away any messes with a mild bleach solution.[10]
- Avoid keeping full bags of trash in the house overnight.
- It's wise to rinse out empty bottles and cans before throwing them in your recycling bin.
- Check doors and windows for holes, gaps, and cracks. Repair any tears in window screens, and add weatherstripping to gaps around doors and window frames. Avoid leaving doors and unscreened windows open. Look for holes and vents on your home's exterior, and seal them with caulk or fine mesh screens.[11]
- Some gnats are small enough to fit through mesh screens, so you might want to keep your windows closed, even if they're screened.
- Try to eliminate damp spots in your home. Gnats thrive in moist places, so look out for damp corners in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of the house. Wipe damp spots down with a mild bleach solution or household cleaner, then dry them with a clean cloth. Store wet towels and clothes in a lidded hamper, and wash dirty mop heads thoroughly before hanging them to dry.[12]
- Check the areas beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks, and repair any leaks you find.
- Keep your blinds and curtains open to let sunlight into your home. Daylight can help prevent dampness.
- You could also use a humidity monitor and dehumidifier to keep humidity levels in your home below 50%.
EditKeeping Gnats out of Your Plants - Allow the soil to dry out before you water your houseplants. Soil that's constantly damp attracts pests, including gnats, and promotes mold growth. While you shouldn't let your plants wilt or turn yellow, try to hold off watering until the soil is completely dry.[13]
- To test the soil, stick your finger about into the surface. If dirt sticks to your finger, it's probably best to hold off watering, unless your plants look sad.
- It's also best to use containers with drainage holes in the bottom. If your pots sit on saucers that collect excess water, be sure to drain them after you water your plants.
- Add beneficial nematodes to your soil. Nematodes are tiny worms that eat the larvae gnats, fleas, and other pests. You can purchase them at a garden center; look for a product labeled for gnat control that contains the nematode species Steinernema feltiae.[14]
- Typically, you mix beneficial nematodes with water, then add the mixture to your soil. Check your product's label for specific instructions.
- Beneficial nematodes are safe for people, plants, and pets, so try not to get grossed out or worry about harmful health effects.
- Make a homemade gnat spray with gentle liquid soap and water. Mix a teaspoon or less of gentle hand or dish soap with a of lukewarm water. Add the mixture to a spray bottle, then spritz your plants' leaves. After 2 or 3 hours, rinse the leaves thoroughly with water.[15]
- While they're more expensive, you can also purchase insecticidal plant soaps at a garden center.
- Using a homemade soap spray increases the risk of leaf damage. It's wise to test the spray on a small area before spraying an entire plant. As a rule of thumb, if a soap dries out or irritates your skin, it's probably too harsh for your plants.
- Repot your plants if other methods don't work. If you haven't had success keeping flies out of your plants, it's time to transplant them. Water the plant, remove it from the old pot, then gently shake away as much soil as possible from the root system.[16]
- Fill a new pot nearly to the top with fresh potting soil. Dig a hole in the center large enough to accommodate the roots, bury them, then cover them with soil.
- If your gnat problem persists after transplanting, you might need to resort to chemical treatment. Head to your local garden center for a plant-safe liquid insecticide labeled for flying insects.
- From fungus gnats to fruit flies, there are countless species of pesky, tiny flies. In general, management strategies will work for any species.
- If your problem persists despite your best efforts, it might be time to call a professional exterminator.
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