| How to Clean Your Room in 10 Minutes Posted: 25 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST If you have someone coming over and you haven't tidied up your room recently, you may not know where to start cleaning. It can feel overwhelming if you have a lot of things, but there are many ways to make your room cleaner in just a few minutes. While decluttering will instantly give your room a clean look, using cleaning products will really freshen up your space if you have the time. With a little bit of motivation, you can quickly transform your room from messy to clean! [Edit]Tidying up Clutter - Make your bed. Your bed is usually the focal point of your room, so just making it will help your room look cleaner. Straighten out your sheets and blankets and pull them tight so they don't have wrinkles. Then fluff your pillows and lay them out neatly. Make sure your sheets are tucked under the mattress so they don't hang down.[1]
- If you have things on your bed, temporarily move them to the floor or in a laundry basket to sort through later on.
- Throw old food and trash in the garbage. Start in one corner of your room with a garbage bag and work toward the door. Walk through your room and throw away any wrappers, empty packages, or food scraps cluttering your space. Check under your bed and behind furniture to make sure trash didn't fall on the floor. When you finish going through your room, take the trash to the kitchen or outside.[2]
- Cleaning up trash will also keep unpleasant odors and pests out of your room.
- Take dirty dishes back to the kitchen. Old dishes can have old food and germs stuck on them and clutter up your room. Look for any dirty plates, bowls, cups, and silverware you brought into your room and stack them up. Put the dishes in your sink or dishwasher so you can clean them later.[3]
- Dirty dishes and crumbs may also attract unwanted pests, so always wash them as soon as you can.
- Don't worry about washing the dishes right now if you need to finish cleaning your room. If you have time later, go back and wash them.
- Hide all of your clothes in a laundry basket. Since you're in a rush and don't have time to sort through your clothes, fill up your hamper or a laundry basket. Scoop all of the clothes off of your floor or on your bed into the basket to clean up. Once you get all of your clothes in the basket, put them in a closet or the laundry room so they don't take up space in your room.[4]
- Put any other loose items in drawers and closets. Start by clearing the things off of your floor and bed since they'll make your room look the messiest. If you have time, put the items back in their proper places.[5] Otherwise, try to fit your things into your closet, desk drawers, or shelves. Try to keep your things as neat as possible. If you don't have space in your room for your things, put them in a laundry basket or box so you can sort through them later.[6]
- Try setting a timer to finish organizing. For example, you may set a 2- or 3-minute timer for sorting through your things before you put what's left in the basket.
[Edit]Removing Dust and Odors - Open windows to let in some fresh air. If you have windows in your room, keep them cracked open so a breeze can come through. The fresh air will blow out any unpleasant odors that may have built up inside. Leave your window open the whole time you're cleaning so your room has time to air out.[7]
- If you don't have a window, try running a fan or air purifier in your room to help keep air circulating.
- Use an air freshener to make your room smell better. If your room smells bad, try spraying an aerosol air freshener in your room. Choose one that also kills bacteria, or else you'll just mask the odor and it may come back. If you don't have a spray air freshener, use one you can plug into an outlet for a longer-lasting scent.[8]
- Aim the air freshener spray at a ceiling fan if you have one to help spread it throughout your room.
- You may also light candles or incense in your room to get rid of unpleasant odors.
- Wipe any flat surfaces with a damp cloth. Wet a cloth with water and wipe across the surfaces in your room to get rid of any dust and dirt. Focus on the most visible surfaces, like your desk and nightstand.[9]
- Alternatively, put a sock on each of your hands. Get one of the socks damp and wipe the surface with it. Then follow up with the dry sock to wipe the surface clean.
- Vacuum or sweep dirty spots on your floor if you have time. If you have hard floors, use a broom and dustpan. If you have carpeting, then use your vacuum cleaner instead. Focus on areas that have crumbs, dust, or dirt. Don't worry about doing a thorough cleaning here—just try to sweep or vacuum up the most noticeable debris on the floor.[10]
- If you have a really messy room and don't have time to clean everything, just make your bed and try to pick up as much off your floor as you can. It won't look as cluttered if there are only items on your desk, nightstands, or dresser.
- Turn your phone on silent to avoid getting distracted.[11]
- Tidy up your room for a few minutes every day to keep it looking fresh and clean.[12]
- Play your favorite music while you're cleaning so it feels more fun. Just don't take too long trying to find the right song.[13]
- Give yourself something to look forward to when you're finished so you're motivated to work faster. Pick something like eating a snack, playing video games, or going out with friends.[14]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Clean Tufted Carpet Posted: 24 Jan 2021 04:00 PM PST Whether you're cleaning tufted wall-to-wall carpet or an area rug, keep a few simple things in mind. Since tufted carpet is longer and shaggier than short, woven carpet, it's easy for dirt to hide deep in the fibers. Fortunately, vacuuming the fibers lifts dirt and keeps your tufted carpet looking its best. If you regularly clean the carpet and treat stains, your carpet will look great for years. [Edit]Vacuuming the Carpet - Use a suction vacuum and turn off your vacuum's beater bar. The brush on a beater bar can twist or break the tufted fibers, so use a suction vacuum that doesn't brush the carpet. If you have a stand vacuum, you might have the option to turn the beater bar off. Look for a button or switch on the side or top of your vacuum that allows you to turn the bar off.[1]
- Some vacuums also let you adjust the level of suction. Set it to a low level so the vacuum doesn't pull hard on the fibers.
- Avoid using a rotary brush nozzle attachment. If you need to spot clean a small area of tufted carpet, don't reach for the rotary brush nozzle attachment on your vacuum. The small brush attachment can tangle and damage the fibers of the carpet.[2]
- It's better to simply use your vacuum to clean a small area of tufted carpet.
- Run the vacuum over the tufted carpet 3 to 5 times. It's easy to rush when you're vacuuming, but take the time to pass over the same area of tufted carpet 3 to 5 times. Vacuuming slowly sucks up the most dust, dirt, and hair. Work from left to right in straight lines that overlap to ensure that you don't miss a spot.
- Check the vacuum hose occasionally so you can clean out clogs that prevent your vacuum from working efficiently.
- Vacuum your carpet or rug at least once a week. Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to clean your tufted carpet, especially if you make it part of your weekly cleaning routine.[3] If your tufted carpet is in an area that doesn't get a lot of use, vacuum it once a week. If it gets light use, vacuum every 2 to 3 days.[4]
- You won't damage your tufted carpet if you vacuum it every day. If the carpet or rug is in a high-traffic area that frequently gets dirty, vacuuming daily helps to maintain the fibers.
- Lay down an entrance mat to protect the tufted carpet in your entryway. Prevent people from tracking dirt onto the tufted carpet by placing a walk-off mat in your entryway. Remember to vacuum the mat every few days so it continues to protect your carpet.[5]
- You can also lay mats in high-traffic areas of your home to extend the life of your tufted carpet.
[Edit]Removing Stains - Work on the stain right away so it doesn't set. Most stains are harder to remove if they dry and set into the fibers. As soon as you notice the stain or spill, get out cleaning supplies and start lifting the stain.[6]
- If the stain is dry, spray hot soapy water onto it and blot the tufted carpet to lift the stain.
- Dab a cloth on the stain to soak up liquid. If you've spilled wine, coffee, soda, or another staining liquid, immediately lay a clean, dry cloth on the carpet. Press firmly onto it so it absorbs the liquid and stops soaking into the carpet.[7]
- Use a clean cloth so you don't put dirt or bacteria onto the stain.
- Spray diluted vinegar on water-soluble stains like juice, dirt, or mud. Fill a spray bottle with of white vinegar and of water. Shake the solution and spray the stain until the carpet is damp. Then, blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth.[8]
- You won't use all of the diluted vinegar solution, so save it for another cleaning project.
- Spread soapy water on dark stains like coffee, wine, or chocolate. Mix of liquid dish soap in of water. Then, pour it over the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes before you blot the area with a damp cloth.[9]
- You may need to repeat this if the stain is still visible.
- Press a dry cloth over the area once you've lifted the stain.
- Sprinkle baking soda over urine stains before you vacuum the carpet. If the urine is still wet, sprinkle an even layer of baking soda over the carpet. Let the baking soda sit for a few minutes and vacuum over the area. The baking soda helps absorb moisture and neutralizes the odor.[10]
- If the stain isn't wet, spritz it with a little water before you sprinkle baking soda over it.
- Call a professional floor cleaner if you're dealing with a pet that repeatedly pees in the same spot on your tufted carpet. The professional will apply an enzyme that completely removes traces of the odor before they steam the carpet.
- Avoid rubbing any type of stain. Remember that you're trying to lift a stain to the surface so you can remove it. If you rub back and forth or in a circular motion, you're pushing the stain down where it's harder to remove. Always blot or dab the stain to work it to the surface.[11]
- Never use brushes to scrub the stain either since brushing can also twist and tangle the fibers.
- Don't panic if you see your new carpet shedding fibers. Tufted carpet loses fibers for the first few weeks, so just vacuum 2 to 3 times a week after installing the carpet or laying down the rug.[12]
- Empty your vacuum's dirt canister or bag before it gets half full since this can help it run more efficiently.
[Edit]Warnings - If you're struggling to remove a stain, don't use harsh cleansers on the carpet. Call a professional carpet cleaner for advice or hire them to safely deep-clean your tufted carpet.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Suction vacuum
- Cloths
- Walk-off mat
- Spray bottle
- Vinegar
[Edit]References |
| How to Test Your Strength Posted: 24 Jan 2021 08:00 AM PST Figuring out just how strong you are is a great way to establish fitness goals. It can also simply be a fun way to figure out which one of your friends is the strongest! There are a variety of ways to determine your strength. Your upper body, lower body, and overall fitness require different types of tests, so it's important to figure out what your goal is before doing anything else. Remember to always get a spotter if you're using weights to find your lifting limit at the gym. [Edit]Using Physical Tests - Do push-ups for 3 minutes to test your upper body strength. Push-ups are a great physical fitness test because they assess your strength relative to your body weight. Do this on a carpet or yoga mat. Get on your knees, put your hands under your shoulders, and raise your body up with your legs straight and feet together. See how many push-ups you can do in 3 minutes to assess your strength.[1]
- Only count the push-ups where you lower yourself far enough to bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle.
- You can do this with chin-ups if you prefer. Chin-ups rely a little more on back muscles, but they're still a great way to test upper-body strength.
- A fit 30-year-old adult man should be able to do at least 20 push-ups. Women should be able to perform around 15 push-ups.
- See how many crunches you can do in 1 minute to test your core. Crunches are a great way to assess your core and overall endurance. Lay down on a yoga mat or carpet and place your feet firmly on the ground. Cross your arms in front of you or set them on the side next to you. Raise your shoulders and head without lifting your butt off of the floor. Do as many crunches as you can in 1 minute to test your core and endurance.[2]
- For a 30-year-old male, 40 crunches is considered an average result. For women, this number is around 30.
- Determine how long you can hold a half-squat to measure lower body strength. Stand with your back against a wall and slide yourself down until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Start a timer and see how long you can stabilize your body against the wall in a half-squat position. Once you can no longer maintain the position, stop the timer and stand up or lower yourself to the floor gently.[3]
- A healthy 30-year old man should be able to last at least 80 seconds in a half squat. A 30-year-old woman should be able to make it 70 seconds.
- Use a running test to assess your overall endurance or explosiveness. For a larger overall assessment, use a running test. You can either see how long it take you to run , or borrow the NFL's tool for testing explosiveness and run a sprint. Use a stopwatch to determine how fast you are.[4]
- It actually takes a lot of muscle strength to sprint or run a long distance. While many people believe that running is strictly a cardiovascular exercise, it's really a whole body workout.
- For a run, 8 minutes is considered the standard threshold for a good time for both men and women.
- Anything under 6 seconds is considered good for a sprint.
- Opt for a swimming test to check your overall physical fitness. Since swimming requires your body to fight against the resistance in the water, this is a great way to test your general fitness. Have a friend time you as you swim 1-2 laps in a pool and see how fast you are. Alternatively, you can see how many laps you can complete in 5 minutes.[5]
- Since pools come in different sizes, it's a lot harder to assess what a good swimming time is. In general, swimming in under 2 minutes is considered good.
[Edit]Finding Your Maximum Lifting Strength - Get a spotter before preparing for your one-rep max. A one-rep max refers to the maximum weight you can lift in any given exercise for a single repetition. Since this involves lifting a heavy weight and testing your limits, enlist a friend or fellow gym member to spot for you and help you raise the weight if you start struggling. This is incredibly dangerous to do on your own, since the weight can seriously injure you if nobody is there to help you out.[6]
- You should not do this if you don't regularly lift weights or exercise. Your body will not be used to the heavy weight and you're extremely likely to tear a ligament, drop a weight, or tear a muscle.
- Choose the weightlifting exercise you want to test. You can do this for any free-weight or machine exercise. The most common choices are the bench press, leg press, and the barbell squat. However, you can really use any lifting exercise so long as it isn't your first time doing it.[7]
- If you're on a specific workout regimen, this is an important part of establishing benchmarks and determine what goal you're working towards. If you're doing this for more than one exercise, don't do them on the same day. Wait 3 days between one-rep max lifts to give your body time to heal.
- Set your target based on your previous experience with lighter weights. If you know what your limits generally are, base your one-rep target on what you know you can achieve and add to start. If you aren't sure, determine your maximum number of reps at any given weight and plug it into a one-rep max calculator online. There's a formula for determining your one-rep max based on how many reps you can do at a given rate, but it's kind of hard to calculate on your own.[8]
- Alternatively, you can start at a comfortable weight and work your way up, but you may wear yourself down before you figure out what your one-rep max actually is. This is a good way to find a baseline for when you re-test in 2-3 days, though.
- There are plenty of one-rep max calculators online. You can find a basic one at https://strengthlevel.com/one-rep-max-calculator.
- Do a 15-minute warmup on a treadmill or bike before lifting anything. To activate your muscles and get ready for the heavy weight, spend 15 minutes doing some cardio. You can jog, run on a treadmill, ride an exercise bike, or do calisthenic exercises. So long as you get your blood flowing and work up a light sweat, it doesn't necessarily matter what warmup you choose.[9]
- This is a key part of preventing injuries. Your body needs to work its way up to heavy lifting.[10]
- Do 3-5 repetitions at 50% of your target rate to warm up. To start preparing for your one-max rep, do 3-5 reps at half of the target weight. Use the same lifting exercise that you're using for the one-rep max. In other words, if you're preparing for a one-rep max on a bench press, do 3-5 reps on a bench with a barbell like you normally do.[11]
- This should be very easy for you. If you struggle with 3-5 reps at half of the weight of your target, lower your one-rep max target.
- For example, if your target weight is , do 3-5 reps at .
- Wait 3-5 minutes before doing 2-3 reps at 75% of the target weight. Once you've completed your first set at a lower weight, stand up and take a rest. Wait a few minutes to give your body time to reset and do another 2-3 reps at 75-80% of your target weight.[12]
- It's okay if this is a little hard to do. This shouldn't be extremely difficult, though. If you're barely getting 75% of the target, lower the number you're shooting for.
- If you're getting ready to lift , do 2-3 reps at .
- Take another 3-4 minute rest before testing your one-rep max. Stand back up and rest for another 3-4 minutes to give your body a break. Then, load the weight for your one-rep max. Take a deep breath, make sure that the spotter is ready, and attempt to lift or move the weight. If at any point you find your body buckling or the weight starts moving down, yell "spot" or "help" to let the spotter know you need assistance.[13]
- There's no shame in asking for help from a spotter. Do not risk letting the weight go without asking for help.
- If you can't hit your target but you get close, treat this as your new one-rep max target and give it another shot in 2-3 days.
- Add another if you can comfortably keep going. If the one rep max wasn't a major struggle for you, keep adding weight to see if you can lift more. Add an additional and see if you can lift it. Only do this 2-3 times though, since adding a lot of weight that you aren't used to lifting can become dangerous and you're getting worn out with each rep.[14]
- Use your one-rep max as a baseline to determine how much weight to use for your exercises in the future.[15]
[Edit]Playing Strength-Testing Games - Find a high striker at a carnival or arcade and hit it with a mallet. High strikers are those vertical poles with a weight at the bottom that you hit with a mallet to try and hit the bell at the top. You can find a high striker at any carnival, although arcades occasionally have them as well. Fork over $1-2 and take a shot at seeing how high you can score. Simply swing the mallet as hard as you can and strike the button or platform at the bottom of the machine to send the weight flying up towards the bell.[16]
- This is a fun exercise more than anything else. The way you hold and swing the mallet, combined with your striking accuracy, has a strong impact on your result, which doesn't make it a great test for raw strength.
- Test your strength against another person by arm wrestling. Sit down across from your opponent and lock your right hands around their right hand. Keep your elbows on the table and have a friend countdown to begin. Try to pin your opponent's arm by pulling it down towards the table. You cannot lift your elbow, get out of your seat, or use your nondominant hand to brace yourself on the table. This is a great way to figure out which of you is stronger![17]
- To avoid disagreements, enlist a third friend to referee the match and watch the elbows.
- Play tug of war to assess the strength of groups of people. Get a long, sturdy rope and lay it down flat on a grassy area or gym floor. Split up 2 teams of people evenly or have predetermined teams grab separate ends of the rope. Have someone countdown to start the game. The first group that falls down or releases the rope is considered the loser and the remaining team is declared the winner.[18]
- This is a great team-building exercise and a fun competitive event at school.
- You can have 1-on-1 tug of war competitions if you want, but tug of war is traditionally a team game.
- Assess arm strength and throwing distance using a football or basketball. Grab a few footballs or basketballs and head out to a large field. Have each thrower spread out to avoid balls bumping into one another and launch the balls as hard as you can. Once every person has thrown a ball, go to the other end of the field and determine who threw the ball the furthest.[19]
- You can use a smaller, lighter ball if you prefer, but you'll need more room for the test since a lighter object may travel or bounce further.
[Edit]Warnings - Never try to lift a heavy weight without a spotter to help you in the event that you struggle.
- Do not go swimming without a lifeguard present—especially if you're trying to test your swimming speed or endurance.
[Edit]References |
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