| How to Clean Metal Straws Posted: 28 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT Reusable metal straws are a great alternative to plastic straws. They're also much easier to recycle when it comes time to discard them. Unfortunately, they can be kind of tricky to clean since it's hard to scrub the interior of the straw, and many metal straws are not dishwasher safe. Keep in mind, metal straws are more likely to hold on to dust and dirt than their plastic counterparts, so always rinse your straw in water before dipping it into a fresh beverage. [Edit]Performing a Basic Cleaning - Rinse out your straw immediately after every use to keep it clean. Rinsing your straw right away prevents residue from building up on on the inside. Hold the straw under a warm stream of tap water and let the water run inside of the straw for about a minute.[1]
- Typically, a simple rinse under a stream of warm water is more than enough to clean your straw. However, if you don't rinse the straw after using it, you may need to use soap or another cleaning method.
- Scrub the inside of the straw with a bottle brush, soap, and water. Squirt a little dish soap on the bottle brush or pipe cleaner and run it through the middle of the straw while rinsing it. Do this for 30-45 seconds to completely clean the inside.[2]
- Some higher-end metal straws come with a brush designed specifically to clean the inside of the straw.[3]
- If you have a bent metal straw, be sure to use a flexible brush or pipe cleaner.
- Wash the exterior of the straw using dish soap and water. Squirt a small dollop of dish soap into a sponge and load it up with water. Then, run the surface of the sponge over the exterior side of the straw. You can also brush the exterior of the straw with your pipe cleaner or bottle brush.[4]
- It's pretty easy to clean the outside portion of the straw. So long as it is lathered in soap, it doesn't really matter how you clean it.
- Put the straw in your dishwasher if the manufacturer says it's safe. Some metal straws will rust over time if they're placed in the dishwasher. However, if the company that made your straw says that it is dishwasher safe, place the straw vertically in the silverware basket and wash it with the rest of your dishes.[5]
- Check the packaging on your metal straw or consult the manufacturer's website to find out if you can wash your straw in the dishwasher.
- Soak the straw in soapy water for 15-30 minutes if it's especially dirty. Squirt 4-5 drops of dish soap into a bowl of warm water. Mix the water and soap together and drop the straw in. Let it soak before taking it out of the water and scrubbing the inside with a pipe cleaner or bottle brush. Rinse off the soap before letting the straw air dry.[6]
- Wipe the straw with a disinfectant wipe if it's sticky. If there are oils or sticky residues stuck to your straw, grab a disinfectant wipe. Wrap the wipe around the affected area and scrub the straw by moving the wipe up and down for 10-20 seconds. Then, wash your straw the same way that you normally do with soap and water to remove any residue from the disinfectant wipe.[7]
- If you don't wash the straw after wiping it, your beverage may taste like nasty chemicals the next time that you use it.
- If the stickiness is inside of your straw too, rub the disinfectant wipe on your pipe or brush cleaner and run it through the center of the straw.
[Edit]Sterilizing and Removing Gunk - Soak the straw in boiling water for 3-5 minutes to sanitize it. Fill a small pot with water and turn the heat on high. Once your pot reaches a rolling boil, drop the straw into the water. Let it sit in the boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Then, use a pair of tongs to pull the straw out and hold it under cold water to cool it off.[8]
- Your straw should handle the hot water just fine, but you may want to boil it for a shorter period of time if it's a cheaper, thinner straw.
- Wash your straw with soap and water after you sanitize it.
- Deodorize the metal straw in a vinegar and water mixture for 10 minutes. Mix 1-part white vinegar and 1-part water in a bowl. Drop your straw into the bowl and let it sit. After 10 minutes have passed, use tongs or put on a pair of gloves and lift the straw out of the vinegar and water. Then, rinse the straw under warm water to remove any residue and remove the smell of the vinegar.[9]
- Add a small amount of baking soda and lemon juice to the white vinegar if your straw is smelling particularly nasty.
- Soak the straw in bleach and cool water to completely kill bacteria. If you're concerned about bacteria and diseases, fill a bowl with of cool water. Then, add of chlorine bleach. Drop the straw into the cleaning solution and let it soak for 1-5 minutes. Then, remove your straw and rinse it with water to remove the bleach. Let the straw air dry.[10]
- Metal straws do not last forever. To keep the straw in tip top shape, keep it in a drawer or carrying case. Avoid leaving the straw in an area that gets hotter than to ensure that the metal stays firm and pristine.[11]
- If you bring your straw with you when you go out to eat or stop at a coffee shop, rinse the straw in the bathroom before using it. Metal straws are notorious for capturing loose fibers from towels and carrying cases.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Washing Your Straw - Water
- Pipe cleaner or bottle brush
- Dish soap
- Towel
- Disinfectant wipe
[Edit]Removing Gunk and Sterilizing - White vinegar
- Water
- Towel
- Pot
- Tongs
- Bleach
- Baking soda (optional)
- Lemon juice (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Hang Wind Chimes Posted: 27 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT Wind chimes are a great way to add a touch of zen to your home or garden! With the right mounting tools, you can hang them from the ceiling or a wall. You can also use a standing lantern holder or hang them from a tree outside if you don't want to make holes in any surface. [Edit]Hanging Wind Chimes from a Ceiling - Choose a windy location where you can hang the wind chimes. The name doesn't lie: wind chimes need wind in order to chime! An outdoor porch or patio that is exposed to wind is the perfect spot to hang your chimes. You can also hang them by your front or back door so you can provoke them every time you pass by.[1]
- Place it in an area that isn't near a bedroom where nighttime chiming might keep someone awake.
- You can hang them inside as well, but you'll have to disturb them to hear any chiming.
- Drill a hole for the hook using a drill and pilot point bit. First, insert a pilot point bit into a drill—make sure it has a smaller diameter than the hook. Then, drill a small hole into the place where you want to insert the hanging hook. Make the hole about to deep.[2]
- You may need to stand on a step ladder if you're hanging the wind chime from a high ceiling.
- Twist the pointed end of the ceiling hook clockwise into the ceiling. Hold the hook by the end with the hanger and insert the sharp end into the pilot hole that you've drilled. Then, twist it clockwise until it's secured in the hole.[3]
- You may need to apply some pressure while you make the final twists if the hook screw is longer than the depth of the pilot hole that you drilled.
- Loop the chain of the wind chimes onto the hook. Lift the wind chime by the chain and hook it onto the hook at the desired length. If you've made your own wind chime and used a string instead of a chain, tie a sturdy loop at the end of the string to act as a hook.
- If you want the wind chime to hang lower, hook the last chain link onto the hook. To hang it higher, choose a chain length towards the middle or beginning of the chain.
[Edit]Using Alternative Hanging Methods - Apply an adhesive J-hook onto a ceiling. If you don't want to make a hole in the ceiling, you can purchase adhesive hooks specifically made to hang plants and other items from ceilings. Be sure that the wind chime weighs less than the upper weight limit listed on the package.
- Simply remove the protective strips from the adhesive mount and stick it onto the hanging surface.
- You may need to apply pressure to the stuck-on mount for up to 1 minute to ensure a firm hold. Refer to the instructions on the package.
- Mount a plant-hanging bracket onto a vertical wall. Use a drill and screws or a hammer and nails to attach a plant hanging bracket onto any vertical wall. After the bracket is in place, attach the wind chime by looping one of the chain links onto the hook.[4]
- Make sure the hanging part of the bracket sticks out far enough that the wind chime will have enough room to sway back and forth without hitting the wall.
- Hang the wind chime from a tall lantern or plant holder. A tall lantern or plant holder is a great choice if you want to be able to move the wind chime to different locations. A holder that's at least to tall is ideal, but you could use a shorter one for a small wind chime.[5]
- You can buy lantern or plant holders at garden supply or home hardware stores.
- Use rope to hang the wind chime from a tree branch. If you want your wind chime to hang in a tree, simply loop a rope through one of the chain links and tie it onto a tree. Choose a relatively low-hanging horizontal branch. Ideally, one that has a small dip so the wind chime doesn't slide along the branch.[6]
- To prevent rope friction from damaging the tree, use a bandana, sock, or other cloth to wrap the part of the rope that comes in contact with the tree. You can also use a tube of garden hose material as padding.
- Choose a lightweight wind chime made from bamboo or aluminum if you're using small adhesive J-hooks.
- Hang heavier ceramic, steel, or copper wind chimes from screwed in mounts or ceiling hooks.
- Hang the wind chimes on exposed corners of a house or porch to get most wind (and the most chimes!).
[Edit]Warnings - If you have a plug-in drill, fit the drill bit into the holder before you plug it in.
- Avoid hanging wind chimes over seating areas or other places where they could hurt someone if they fall.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Hanging Wind Chimes from a Ceiling - Drill
- Pilot point drill bit
- Ceiling hook
[Edit]Using Alternative Hanging Methods - Adhesive J-hooks (specifically for ceilings)
- Plant holder wall bracket
- Tall lantern or plant holder
- Rope and tree branch (plus optional protective cloth or hose material)
[Edit]References |
| How to Distinguish Between CPTSD and Autism Posted: 27 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT Finding an accurate diagnosis can be difficult for someone with one or more undiagnosed mental conditions. If you suspect autism or CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), it can be hard to distinguish between the two, whether you're looking at signs in yourself or a loved one. This article can help you figure out whether you're dealing with one of these, both of these, or something else. [Edit]Looking at Signs - Notice the shared signs of autism and CPTSD. Both autistic people and those with CPTSD have social troubles, and may be fearful, with difficulties coping. They can be easily confused with each other. Both autism and CPTSD can involve...[1][2]
- Extremely strong or inhibited emotions
- Feeling different from everyone else, though perhaps not knowing why
- Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
- Social difficulties
- Enjoyment of being alone
- Hyperactivity or passivity
- Startling easily
- Repetitive movements
- Sleep issues
- Perfectionism and need for control
- Stress-related troubles
- Avoidance of eye contact
- Rule out CPTSD if no trauma is present—but be cautious, since trauma isn't always easy to spot. Autism is inborn,[3] while CPTSD only happens to people who suffer prolonged trauma. CPTSD can be caused by dramatically stressful events, or more subtle ones. Consider if the person has ever experienced...
- Abuse or neglect (including emotional neglect)
- Name-calling, ignoring, or frequent criticism from mentors or loved ones
- Bullying victimization
- Long-term exposure to crisis conditions
- Discrimination
- Stalking victimization
- Gaslighting
- Other types of mistreatment
- Look at the nature of repetitive movements. People with CPTSD may use repetitive movements, like rocking back and forth, to cope with severe stress. Autistic people may move repetitively under stress, but may also do it to focus, express feelings, or have fun. Ask yourself if the person ever moves repetitively when they're happy or calm.[4]
- Look at the reason for social difficulties. Autistic people deal with social confusion, and may have trouble understanding what others are thinking and feeling. Communication is a challenge. People with CPTSD can be fearful or moody, and may self-isolate.[5]
- A healthy autistic person usually wants to have some friends. Someone with CPTSD may feel safer when they're alone.
- An autistic person may struggle to understand what others are thinking. Someone with CPTSD may be overly pessimistic about what others are thinking.
- Consider why the person gets overwhelmed. Autistic people often get overwhelmed due to sensory issues. People with CPTSD deal with hypervigilance (which can be exhausting), and may have panic attacks due to a trigger in the environment.[6]
- Autistic people usually have Sensory Processing Disorder, which can make their senses over- or under-sensitive. They may avoid things for sensory reasons.
- People with CPTSD can have emotional flashbacks and trauma triggers. They may avoid things that remind them of their trauma.
- Consider the person's routines. Both autistic people and people with CPTSD may rely on routines to help them feel like the world is a safe and predictable place.[7]
- People with CPTSD may or may not like routine. If they do, it may help them avoid triggers and hypervigilance.
- Autistic people rely on routine. Routines make it easier to get things done,[8] and a change in routine can be startling and distressing to them.
- Look at what causes sleeping issues. Autistic people's bodies may not produce enough melatonin naturally, and taking melatonin supplements before bed can improve sleep. People with CPTSD have trouble falling asleep due to stress, and may have frequent or dramatic nightmares.
- Look for signs of autism that don't overlap with CPTSD. Autism involves developmental delays and quirks, passionate interests, difficulty understanding speech, and unusual speech. None of these are typical in CPTSD.
 - Developmental timeline: Milestones may be met late or out of order. Consider early childhood milestones as well as later ones like riding a bike, swimming, doing laundry, driving, and living independently.
- Interests: Autistic people usually have one or a few subjects that they're very passionate about. They love talking about them, and can hyperfocus on them for a long time. They may also feel lots of empathy for animals and objects.
- Trouble understanding speech: An autistic person may have a hard time understanding verbal speech, especially if the acoustics are different (e.g. in an auditorium, or sound from speakers). They may be confused by figurative language.
- Differences in speaking: Their speech may be halting, slow, and/or unusual in pitch or tone. They may lose the ability to speak when they are too stressed, or be unable to speak at all.
- Co-occurring issues: Autistic people are likely to have Sensory Processing Disorder, and often have dyspraxia (which can look like clumsiness). Auditory Processing Disorder is also common.
[Edit]Seeking Diagnosis - Research both autism and CPTSD. Read clinical papers, and also personal stories from people who have one or both conditions. This can give you a better sense of each condition, and help you understand it from a more personal perspective.
- Consider the possibility of both conditions. Unfortunately, autistic people are at increased risk of abuse and other problems in life, and may be more likely to develop PTSD or CPTSD in response to trauma.[9][10][11]
- What's stressful or scary to a non-autistic person could be traumatic to an autistic person. If the symptoms are real, then the trauma is real, even if other people don't consider the events "traumatic enough."
- Consider the possibility of a different condition. If the traits described here don't quite match what you or your loved one is going through, or they describe some but not all of what's going on, it's possible that another condition is at play. It may also be useful to read about and consider...
- Avoid jumping to a conclusion early on. Getting too attached to a diagnosis, without fully understanding it, could make you miss what is really going on. CPTSD treatment is very different from supports for autism, so it's important to get it right.
- Talk to a doctor or specialist for advice. Look for someone who works with autistic people, and people with trauma, if you can. Talk to them about the signs you're experiencing, and ask for an evaluation.
- Come prepared. Try writing down a list of symptoms. If you took any online tests, fill out your answers to each question in pencil, and bring it along.
- Speak up if you're concerned about misdiagnosis. A specialist is only as good as the information they have. If you think that there's a piece of the picture that they're missing, talk about it.
- Stay away from overly negative sources about autism, like Autism Speaks. Some groups say things that are inaccurate, or that are worse-case scenarios. They may scare you into believing things that aren't true. This isn't healthy or constructive.
- Trauma isn't always remembered. People with CPTSD may forget traumatic events, though they may recall them later.[12] Traumatic events can also occur during infant or toddler years, meaning they may not be remembered, but can still have an impact.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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