| How to Shrink Sweatpants Posted: 19 Feb 2019 12:00 AM PST Sweatpants are super comfortable and loose-fitting. They're perfect for wearing while you sleep, exercise, or lounge around the house.[1] It's pretty common, though, for sweatpants to stretch out a bit over time and become too big and baggy, especially if you wear them a lot. Luckily, there are several quick and easy fixes to help shrink your sweatpants back down to the right size. EditShrinking Sweatpants in the Washing Machine - Place the sweatpants in the washing machine. Add any other garments you want to wash hot in with them. Towels and socks are a great option, as they are designed to be washed hot without being damaged or shrinking.
- Be careful not to mix whites with colored items, as the colors may bleed.[2]
- Add a color-safe laundry detergent. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label of the sweatpants, if any are included. Following the provided garment instructions will prevent the hot water from altering the color of your pants.[3]
- Select the hottest setting on the washing machine. Most washers have fairly simple heat settings. Usually, your options are "cold," "warm," and "hot."[4] Whatever your washer's settings, opt for the hottest one.
- During the manufacturing process, the threads that make up fabrics are put under stress, constantly being pulled and stretched. Exposing the fabric to heat will relieve some of this stress, causing the treads to shorten.[5]
- Set the washer for its longest available wash cycle. Many washers have a "heavy duty" spin cycle option, which tends to be the longest and most intense cycle.[6] If the washer you're using doesn't have this option, you can use the "normal" or "bulky" option.
- Take the sweatpants and other items out and put them in the dryer. You want to keep the sweatpants under consistent heat while you're trying to shrink them. For this reason, it's a good idea not to leave them in the washing machine for too long after the wash cycle is complete.[7]
- If there are any items you don't want to run through the dryer, take them out and hang them on a clothesline to air dry.
- Select the hottest setting and the longest drying time available. Depending on the dryer you're using, you'll probably want to select the "regular/heavy" setting.[8] On other dryers, there will be a dial, and you'll want to turn it to "more dry" or "very dry" in the section designed for cottons and other items that can be washed hot.
- If you're not happy with the results, simply repeat the process until your sweatpants have shrunk to your desired size.
EditUsing Boiling Water to Shrink Sweatpants - Fill a large pot about ¾ full with water. You'll want to have enough water to fully submerge your sweatpants. You'll also want your pot to be large enough that it won't boil over when you put your pants in.[9]
- Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. When it comes to shrinking clothes in boiling water, the hotter the temperature, the better. The energy in the heat will relieve some of the stress on the threads that make up the fabric, causing them to tighten and constrict.[10]
- You'll know the water has reached a rolling boil when large bubbles are rising swiftly to the surface and you can stir it without disrupting the boil.[11]
- Lower your sweatpants gently into the water and turn off the heat. Be careful to avoid splashing any boiling water out of the pot or onto your hands.[12]
- Use a wooden spoon or long metal tongs to make sure the pants are completely submerged.
- Leave the sweatpants to soak in the hot water for 5-10 minutes. Once you've turned off the burner, you want to leave the sweatpants fully submerged so the fabric can react to the heat of the water. For maximum results, leave the pants in the water for up to 20 minutes.[13]
- To trap the heat in, consider putting a lid over the pot while your pants soak.
- Pour the contents of the pot into a colander or sink. You don't want to use your hands to reach in to the pot, as the water will still be fairly hot and you want to avoid burning yourself.
- You may want to leave the sweatpants in the colander or sink to cool for a few minutes before you pick them up.
- Squeeze the water out of the sweatpants over the sink. Using your hands, bunch up the sweatpants and squeeze the fabric tightly. You want to remove as much excess water as possible from the pants before you put them in the dryer or hang them up.
- Avoid twisting or wringing the pants, as this may cause the fabric to stretch out again.[14]
- Dry the sweatpants in a dryer or on a clothesline. You'll want to look at the pants when they're dry to see how effective the hot water was. If you don't have a dryer handy, use a clothesline. Otherwise, it's a good idea to dry the sweatpants using the hottest setting, as this may provide additional shrinkage.[15]
EditBlow Drying Your Sweatpants to Shrink Them - Wet the sweatpants with hot water. You can do this using the hottest setting on a washing machine, or with water heated up in a kettle.[16] If you decide to use a kettle, set your sweatpants in the sink and pour the hot water over them, being careful not to burn yourself. You may need to do this a few times to make sure the pants are completely saturated.
- Squeeze the sweatpants over the sink to get rid of excess water. If you washed the pants in the washing machine, you may be able to skip this step. However, if you used a kettle or if there is excess water in the fabric from the wash, you'll want to get rid of it before drying the pants.
- Be careful not to wring them out or twist the fabric, as this may cause the fabric to stretch again.[17]
- Lay the sweatpants out over a flat, heat-protected surface. You can do this on a tiled bathroom or kitchen floor, outside on a deck or patio, on an ironing board, or on top of your washer or dryer.[18]
- Plug in your hair dryer and turn it to the hottest setting available. Some hair dryers only have one setting, while others have both a heat and speed setting.[19] It's best to use one that has multiple heat options, as this will allow you to use a higher temperature to dry your pants.
- Dry the sweatpants carefully, focusing on one small section at a time. Take your time with each section. Hold the hair dryer a few inches from the sweatpants to make sure the hot air is hitting them directly.[20]
- If there's a part of the sweatpants you specifically want to shrink (such as the waistband), this method allows you to pay special attention to that area.
- Flip the sweatpants over and dry the other side. Follow the same process you used to dry the first side. Take your time and make sure the pants are completely dry before you turn your hair dryer off. The more heat you apply, the better your results will be.
- Whatever method you choose, if your sweatpants don't shrink enough the first time you do it, you can repeat the entire process as needed to achieve the desired results.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Build a Koi Fish Pond Posted: 18 Feb 2019 04:00 PM PST Koi are beautiful, ornamental fish that can live for a long time in the right conditions. Building your own koi fish pond in your garden can sound like a difficult task, however, with a bit of planning and patience, it won't take too long at all! Plan out the size and depth of the pond first, and then dig the hole and line it with a pond liner. Install all of the necessary equipment such as a filtration system and an aerator to keep the koi happy and healthy. EditPlanning out the Pond - Choose a pond that is a minimum of long by wide. This is an ideal and popular size for a backyard, hobby koi fish pond. A pond of this size generally holds 10 mature fish, giving them enough space to thrive and for the pond to not look overcrowded.[1]
- Keep the width of the pond or under, as otherwise, it will be difficult to catch the fish using a net if you need to.
- Make your koi pond 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) deep. A good size for a hobby koi pond is deep. Some ponds for koi that are raised for competitions reach a depth of , however, for beginners and hobby koi enthusiasts, having a deeper pond isn't necessary.[2]
- It's important that the pond is a minimum of as this makes it less likely to fully freeze over during winter.[3]
- Once you have determined the size and depth of the pond, you will be able to calculate the estimated volume. To calculate the volume of the pond in cubic feet, multiply the depth by the width by the length. To calculate the volume of the pond in gallons, multiply the volume in cubic feet by 7.5. You will need these volume measurements for the upkeep of the water quality in the pond.[4]
- Choose an accessible location for your koi pond. Walk around your garden and pick where you would like the pond to go. Make sure that the site is very accessible so that you can easily bring in all of the materials for the pond and have enough space to work.[5]
- Some people like to have a koi fish pond located close to their home and viewable from a window, while others prefer to have the pond set back into the garden so that you can take a walk to reach it.
- Clear the site where you are planning to put the pond. Once you have decided on the size, depth, and location of the pond, get the area where your working area ready. Move any vegetation or furniture out of the way. Pull up any pavers that may be covering the ground. Make sure that there is enough room around the site so that you can work there easily.[6]
- Map out the shape of the pond on the ground. Mark out the dimensions of your pond directly onto the ground. Choose a shape for the pond to be based on the dimensions that you have decided. Use either rope, a garden hose, or spray paint to make sure that you are happy with the size and location of the pond.[7]
- Koi ponds are often rectangles, L-shaped polygons, or irregular, round shapes.
EditConstructing the Pond - Dig the hole for the pond. Use your measurements and plan to start digging the hole for your koi fish pond. Use a sturdy shovel and get a friend to help you if possible, as this will make the process go a lot faster. Dig the sides of the pond so that they slope gently downwards towards the center if possible.[8]
- The widest part of the pond is at the top.
- Line the pond with a tough plastic or rubber liner. Order a one-piece pond liner from a home improvement or landscaping supplier. Install the liner as per the manufacturer's directions. Have several people help you to roll it out over the pond. Make sure that it overlaps the edges of the pond by at least so that it can be adequately secured in place.[9]
- Remove any sharp rocks or stones that you see in the hole before you lay the liner to prevent the liner from being damaged.
- A liner in one piece will prevent the pond from leaking.
- Place rocks over the liner around the edge of the pond. Use large stones and rocks to completely cover the liner that is at surface level, leaving only the hole for the pond exposed. Stack and overlap the rocks using whatever design that you prefer. Make sure that at least of the liner is exposed beyond the edge of the rocks, as you will need this to prevent rainwater from getting into the pond.[10]
- Dig a high ridge around the edge of the rocks. Once you are happy with the final layout of the rocks and stones, dig a ridge around the edge. Use a spade to shift the dirt into a ridge formation up against the rocks. Make sure that the liner reaches onto the ridge.[11]
- The end result will look like a small ridge running along the entire outline of the pond. The ridge will be just beyond the rocks along the edge.
- This prevents rainwater, soil, lawn chemicals, and grass clippings from reaching the pond water.
EditAdding and Adjusting the Water - Fill the pond with water. Use a garden hose to fill up the koi fish pond. If the water isn't fresh or spring water, use a dechlorinator, a carbon charcoal filter, or a water conditioner to remove the chlorine. You can purchase these chlorine treatments from pond or fish supply stores. Always treat chlorinated water before adding it to the pond if there are fish already in it.[12]
- Contact your water supplier if you are unsure about the water quality.
- Chlorinated water is toxic for fish such as koi.[13]
- Ensure the pH of the water remains between 7 and 8.6. Use a water testing kit to test if the pH and dissolved nutrients are at the right levels for the fish. Adjust the parameters of the water if the testing kit shows that it is necessary. This helps the koi to stay happy and healthy.[14]
- It is a common problem to have dissolved nutrient levels that are too high. Avoid overfeeding the koi and overstocking the pond, and change the water gradually if necessary.
- If you need to change the water in the pond, do it in amounts of 10% to 20% of the total volume. Otherwise, the fish may go into shock.[15]
- Keep the temperature of the pond around . Measure the temperature of the pond regularly with a thermometer. Use a pond heater as well as an aerator if necessary. If you find that the pond is getting too warm, very gradually add cold water to slowly reduce the temperature in the pond.[16]
- Koi can survive in water that is , but they do best at .
- Never change the water temperature of the pond all at once, as this can cause the koi to go into shock which can be deadly.[17]
EditInstalling Equipment and Adding Koi - Install a filtration system into the koi fish pond. Purchase a filtration system from a pond equipment supplier and follow the installation directions closely. All pond filtration systems involve a bottom drain, a settling chamber, mechanical filtration, and biological processing. This keeps the pond clean and the water quality high so that the koi stay healthy.[18]
- Set up the filtration system box right next to the koi pond. Dig it into the ground slightly. Install the individual parts in the pond as per the installation directions.
- The settling chamber makes it easy for you to remove debris from the pond to keep it clean. An ideal settling chamber size for koi fish ponds is deep and in diameter.
- The mechanical filtration part of the system will catch debris as it floats through the water.
- Biological filtration is the addition of beneficial bacteria into the pond. This reduces the levels of ammonia and nitrite in the water which are toxic for koi.
- Place an aerator in the pond. A pond aerator will keep the pond water moving at all times. This keeps the water stirring, oxygenates the pond, and promotes gas exchange. It also prevents the pond water from freezing during colder months.[19]
- A pond aerator is an ideal and economical substitute for a pond heater.
- The size of the pond aerator that you need depends on the size of your koi pond. Know the volume, shape, and depth of your koi pond before you purchase an aerator and choose one that is designed for the size of your koi pond.
- Turn on the filtration system and aerator. Once your pond is full of water, start preparing the water for the koi by getting the filtration system and aerator up and running. Always do this before adding the koi to the pond.[20]
- Put the koi into the pond once it is set up. Keep the koi in the water and in the plastic bag that they were purchased in. Float the plastic bag in your koi pond for 30 minutes so that they can adjust to the temperature change. Then add a bit of pond water into the plastic bag, tie it up, and let it float for an additional 30 minutes to help the koi adjust to the pond water.[21]
- After the koi have been given time to adjust, open the plastic bag again and release them into their new pond.
- Don't let the plastic bag float continuously in direct sunlight, as this could cause the koi to overheat. Place a towel over the bag if there isn't a shady spot.
- Care for the koi. Feed the koi specialty pellets regularly and treat any health problems that arise. Maintain the water quality in the pond and keep it clean, so that the koi stay happy and healthy![22]
- With the right care, koi usually live 30-40 years.[23]
EditThings You'll Need - Measuring tape
- Rope or garden lime
- Shovel
- Pond liner
- Stones and rocks
- Filtration system
- Aerator
- Garden hose
- Dechlorinator
- Water testing kits
- Thermometer
- Towel
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Make Puffed Rice Posted: 18 Feb 2019 08:00 AM PST If you like the light, crispy texture of puffed rice, learn how to make it at home. For the lightest, fluffiest rice, cook your favorite type of rice until the grains are tender. Then dry out the rice and fry it in hot oil until it puffs up. If you prefer to make smaller, denser puffed rice, skip cooking the rice and just fry the grains of uncooked rice until they pop. EditIngredients - 1 cup (200 g) of rice
- of water
- 1 to 2 pinches of sea salt
- Sunflower, vegetable, or canola oil, for frying
Makes about 3 cups (75 g) of puffed rice EditCooking the Rice - Rinse your choice of rice. Place 1 cup (200 g) of rice into a bowl and fill it with cold water. Use your hand to swirl it around and then pour the rice into a fine mesh strainer so the water drains. Return the rice to the bowl and add fresh water. Keep rinsing until the water that's draining runs clear. This will remove excess starch from the rice so it doesn't clump or stick together as it cooks.[1]
- Use any type of rice, such as basmati rice, sushi rice, brown rice, or long-grain rice.
- Bring the water to a boil and add the rice with the salt. Pour of water into a pot and cover it with a lid. Heat the water over high until it boils. Then add 1 to 2 pinches of sea salt and the rinsed rice.[2]
- Cook the rice until it's soft. Put the lid on the pot and turn the burner down to low so the water bubbles very gently. Simmer the rice until it's tender and the grains are soft. Begin checking the rice after 18 minutes.
- The amount of time it takes will depend on the type of rice you're making. For example, wild rice will take 25 to 30 minutes to cook although short-grain rice will cook much faster.
- Spread the cooked rice on a baking sheet. Get our a rimmed baking sheet and transfer the hot rice onto it. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the rice so it's in an even layer.[3]
- The rice will dry faster and more evenly on a baking sheet than in a bowl.
- Dry the rice in a oven for 2 hours. Preheat the oven and put the baking sheet of rice into it once it's hot. Cook the rice at this low temperature for 2 hours to remove all of the moisture from the rice grains. Once the rice is dry, remove it from the oven and turn off the heat.[4]
- The rice should be completely dry and hard once it's ready to fry.
- If you prefer a more hands-off method, spread the rice on a dehydrator tray. Place the rice in the dehydrator and dry the rice for at least 8 hours or overnight.
EditFrying the Rice - Pour the oil into a pot and heat it to . Put enough sunflower, vegetable, or canola oil to come up the sides of the pot and set the pot on the stove. Clip a deep-fry thermometer to the pot and heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches .[5]
- It's important to use a neutral-high that you can heat to high temperatures. This is why you shouldn't use extra-virgin olive olive oil.
- Add a few grains of rice to test the oil temperature. Once the oil reaches , put a few of the dried rice grains into the pot. They should puff up instantly if the oil is ready.[6]
- If the rice takes more than 10 to 15 seconds to puff up, heat the oil longer and check the accuracy of your deep-fry thermometer.
- Put the rice into the oil and fry it for 5 to 10 seconds. Pour the dried rice into a small fine mesh strainer and lower the strainer into the pot. The rice will begin to puff up after 5 to 10 seconds of being in the oil.[7]
- The puffed rice will float to the top of the oil.
- If you're using dried rice that you didn't cook first, it may take closer to 20 seconds for the rice to puff up.
- Lift the rice out of the oil and transfer it to a baking sheet. Turn off the burner and place paper towels on a rimmed baking sheet. Slowly lift the fine mesh strainer with the puffed rice up and out of the hot oil. Then dump the puffed rice onto the paper towels.[8]
- The paper towels will absorb the excess oil from the puffed rice.
- Let the oil in the pot cool completely before you store or discard it.
- Cool the puffed rice and use it. Let the puffed rice cool for at least 5 minutes before you season and enjoy it. For seasonings, sprinkle salt, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar over the puffed rice according to your taste.[9]
- To store leftover puffed rice, put it into an airtight container and keep it at room temperature. Use the puffed rice within 5 to 7 days.
- Try scattering puffed rice over your favorite salad or use it in trail mix and granola.
- Always use caution when heating oil and frying things. Hot oil can splatter and cause burns.
EditThings You'll Need - Bowl
- Fine mesh strainer
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups
- Pot with a lid or rice cooker
- Deep-fry thermometer
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário