| How to Curl Hair Posted: 15 Nov 2021 08:00 AM PST Even if you weren't born with bouncy, glossy curls, you can always convince your hair to spring up for a day or two. Use hot tools like a curling iron or flat iron for well-defined curls or waves. You can also create heat-free curls by using rollers, scrunching your hair, braiding it, or twisting it. - Heat up the curling iron. Most curling irons will need about 1-5 minutes to heat up before you can use them. If you try to curl your hair with the iron before it reaches the correct temperature, the curls will not hold.
- Some curling irons will have different settings which you can play around with until you achieve the best result. Try to keep it at the lowest temperature possible though, to cause less damage to your hair. Look for curling irons that say "No Damage" on the box.
- A good guide is 320ºF (160ºC) for fine hair and 430ºF (220ºC) for thicker hair.
- Make sure your hair is completely dry. Putting a hot iron on damp hair can seriously damage it — not because the iron is too hot, but because the water will turn to scalding steam. Wet hair is also more fragile than dry hair, making it more prone to heat damage. Play it safe, and completely dry your hair first. Run a blowdryer over any damp spots. (Although, try to wait it out. Depending on your hair thickness, this may take time. But, if you want to reduce heat on your hair, you can wait. However, if using a blowdryer is the best option for you, keep it on a cool setting.)
- If you're not sure whether or not your hair is completely dry, set your dryer on the "cold shot" setting and go over your entire head with it. The cool air will make any damp spots feel cold to the touch.
- Brush out any tangles while the iron heats up. Start at the end of your hair and brush out the bottom few inches or centimeters, then work your way up until you can easily brush through the length of your hair. This reduces damage to your hair like split ends, fallout, etc.
- Apply a heat protection spray. If you regularly use heat to style your hair, it's really important that you use a heat protection spray. It will protect your hair from the damage caused by exposure to high temperatures and prevent it from becoming dry and frazzled looking. Just spray it liberally all over your hair before curling.
- Heat protector sprays can be found at most drug stores and hair salons.
- Split your hair into sections. Even if you have thin hair, you'll get better results if you work with small sections of hair. That way, you can make sure you're curling everything and curl in a more uniform style. Create sections that are slightly smaller in diameter than the curling iron.
- Pin or clip up the top section of your hair. Using your thumbs, grab everything that's above the top of your ears and clip it up on top of your head.
- Release upper sections as you work. When the bottom section of hair is finished, unclip your hair and let out a little more, clipping up the excess again. Continue working this way until all your hair is curled.
- Remember that using bigger sections of hair will result in bigger, looser curls, while using smaller sections of hair will give you smaller, tighter ringlets.
- Start curling. Now that all the prep work is out of the way, you're ready to start curling. Begin by taking a small section of hair and wrapping it around the curling iron, beginning at the top or bottom, depending on the type of tongs:
- Some curling irons will have a clamp near the handle. If this is the type of curling tongs you're using, open the clamp and position the end of the hair at the lower end of the barrel, near the handle, then close the clamp to secure. Then you can wrap that entire section of hair around the iron, by rolling the iron upwards towards your roots. Stop rolling when you get about an inch away from the roots, to prevent the iron from burning your scalp.
- Other curling irons, often referred to as wands, don't have a clamp. With this type of iron, you should start near the top of your hair and use your hand to wrap a piece of hair around the iron. You will need to hold the end of your hair in place while that section of hair curls. Some curling wands provide a safety glove that you can wear while doing this, to prevent your hand from burning.
- Hold the iron in place. You will need to hold the curling iron with the hair wrapped around it for a few seconds, while the hair heats up and curls. This should take approximately 10 seconds, but the time will vary according to the individual curling iron and the temperature it's heated to.
- Play around to find a time that creates a perfect curl with your iron, but remember to start out with a lower time to prevent your hair from burning.
- After 10 seconds, let go of your hair to release the curl. If your hair is still a little flat, try pinning it while it's still curled. Once your hair is completely cool, take all the pins out of each curl.
- Move on to the next curl. Once you are happy with how your first curl turned out, move on to the next piece of hair and do the same steps as before.
- To achieve a uniform look, wrap all the curls around the iron in the same direction.
- Alternating the direction of the wrap creates a more natural effect.
- Loosen your curls (optional). If you want your hair to look softer and looser, run your fingers through the curls a few times. The curls will pull down and loosen up as you do so. You can also turn your head upside down and use your fingers to fluff up and separate the curls.
- Once you have curled your hair, do not brush it with a hairbrush. It will loosen the curls too much and they will fall out.
- If you brush out curls with a hairbrush, your hair will look wavy rather that curly, which can be a nice style in itself.
- Set your curls with hairspray (optional). If you tend to have straight hair, or you're worried about your curls turning frizzy or falling out throughout the day, mist some hairspray over your curls. If you want tight curls, you can spray each curl individually as soon as you've finished with it, but if you want a looser style, wait until the curls have relaxed a little and only spray them when you've finished curling your entire head.
- Choose a loose hold hairspray so your curls aren't too stiff and you hair doesn't feel too "crunchy". Hold the can about 12-14 in (30.5 cm - 35.5 cm) away from your head and spray evenly around your head. Be careful not to apply too much.[1]
- Never apply hairspray to the curls while they are still wrapped around the iron. The combination of the heat from the irons and the alcohol in the hairspray will fry your hair.
- However, if your hair is fine or limp, you can create a more durable curl by spraying each section before wrapping. Spraying before wrapping instead of after will also result in curls that are softer and less "crunchy."
- Heat up the flat iron. Most flat irons will need a little time to heat up before you can use them. If you try to curl your hair with the iron before it reaches the correct temperature, the curls will not hold.
- Some flat irons will have different settings which you can play around with until you achieve the best result. Try to keep it at the lowest temperature possible though, to cause less damage to your hair.
- A good guide is 320ºF (160ºC) for fine hair and 430ºF (220ºC) for thicker hair.
- The width of the flat iron is also important when it comes to curling your hair. You need to use a flat iron that is narrow (about 1-2 inches, or 2.5-5 cm, in width), with rounded edges. A flat, paddle-style flat iron will not work for curls.
- Make sure your hair is completely dry. Putting a hot iron on damp hair can seriously damage it — not because the iron is too hot, but because the water will turn to scalding steam. Play it safe, and completely dry your hair first. Run a blowdryer over any damp spots.
- You can add a little volumizing mousse to your hair before drying, which will help give you bouncy curls and prevent your hair from looking flat once styled.
- Brush out any tangles while the iron heats up. Start at the end of your hair and brush out the bottom few inches, then work your way up until you can easily brush through the length of your hair.
- Apply a heat protection spray. If you regularly use heat to style your hair, it's really important that you use a heat protection spray. It will protect your hair from the damage caused by exposure to high temperatures and prevent it from becoming dry and frazzled looking. Just spray it liberally all over your hair before curling.
- Heat protector sprays can be found at most drug stores and hair salons.
- Split your hair into sections. Even if you have thin hair, you'll get better results if you work with small sections of hair. That way, you can make sure you're curling everything and curl in a more uniform style.
- Pin or clip up the top section of your hair. Using your thumbs, grab everything that's above the top of your ears and clip it up on top of your head.
- Release layers as you work. When the bottom layer of hair is finished, unclip your hair and let out a little more, clipping up the excess again. Continue working this way until all your hair is curled.
- Start curling. Now that all the prep work is out of the way, you're ready to start curling. Grab the piece of hair you wish to curl and give it a quick brush through to remove any remaining tangles. Clamp the flat iron around the hair and give it a half turn so that your hair is in a U-shape. Hold the flat iron in this position as you move it down the hair shaft, right to the ends.
- The position of the flat iron will determine what kind of curls you end up with. If you want your hair curled from the root to the tip, position the flat iron as close to your scalp as possible, without burning it.
- If you just want to curl just the ends of your hair, position the flat iron about halfway down the hair to begin. This is called a flick.
- The slower you move the iron, the tighter the curls will be. If you move the iron down the hair too quickly, your curls will be soft and loose.
- Remember that using bigger sections of hair (more than two inches wide) will result in bigger, looser curls, while using smaller sections of hair (less than two inches) will give you smaller, tighter ringlets.
- Loosen your curls (optional). If you want your hair to look softer and looser, run your fingers through the curls a few times. The curls will pull down and loosen up as you do so. You can also turn your head upside down and use your fingers to fluff up and separate the curls.
- Wait until your hair has cooled completely before attempting to loosen the curls.
- Once you have curled your hair, do not brush it with a hairbrush. It will loosen the curls too much and they will fall out.
- If you brush out curls with a hairbrush, your hair will look wavy rather that curly, which can be a nice style in itself.
- Set your curls with hairspray (optional). If you tend to have straight hair, or you're worried about your curls turning frizzy or falling out throughout the day, mist some hairspray over your curls. If you want tight curls, you can spray each curl individually as soon as you've finished with it, but if you want a looser style, wait until the curls have relaxed a little and only spray them when you've finished curling your entire head.
- Choose a loose hold hairspray so your curls aren't too stiff and you hair doesn't feel too "crunchy". Hold the can about 12-14 in (30.5 cm - 35.5 cm) away from your head and spray evenly around your head. Be careful not to apply too much.
- Never apply hairspray to your hair before you curl it, as some styling guides recommend. The combination of the heat from the irons and the alcohol in the hairspray will fry your hair.
- Choose the hair rollers. Hair rollers come in many different types, shapes and sizes. Try to choose a set of rollers that work best for your hair type and also for the type of curls you are trying to achieve.
- Hot rollers are very efficient and will curl hair more quickly, but they are more damaging to your hair. Velcro rollers and foam rollers are very easy to use, but your curls will take a little longer to set.[2]
- Velcro rollers are also a great option for hair that is naturally smooth as they are less likely to get tangled in your hair.
- Small curlers will give you lots of tight curls, whereas large rollers will give you big loose waves and are great for adding volume.
- Figure out if your hair needs to be wet or dry. Depending on the type of rollers, your hair may need to be wet or dry when putting them in. Hot rollers should always be applied to dry hair, as they would cause too much damage otherwise. Velcro rollers are also usually applied to dry hair, whereas special wet set rollers are used if you want to put them in while wet.
- If you are applying rollers to dry hair, try to wash your hair the day before you curl. Day-old hair will curl much better than freshly washed hair.[3]
- If your hair is particularly resistant to curling, try skipping the conditioner after shampooing. This will make sure your hair isn't too soft for the roller to get a good grip on the hair.[3]
- If you are doing a wet set, be aware that you will have to wait for your hair to be completely dry before removing the rollers, which may take a long time. Consider putting the rollers in wet hair before bed and sleeping with them in overnight.
- Apply product. Using a little product can go a long way when using hair rollers. Again, which type of product you use will depend on what type of rollers you use and whether your hair is wet or dry.
- If you're using hot rollers, you should use a heat protection product like a mist or dry oil, to prevent your hair from being damaged. A setting product will also help curls to hold their shape.[2]
- If you're using velcro or foam rollers, you should use a setting product along with some volumizing hairspray to prevent your curls from falling flat.[2]
- If you're doing a wet set, a smoothing cream or serum can really help to minimize frizz.[2]
- Section your hair. You should divide your hair into separate sections using hair ties or claw clips. The sizes of these sections will vary depending on the size of your rollers. Each section should be about the same width as the rollers you plan to use.
- Create a central "mohawk" section along the top and back of your head.
- Section off 3-4 vertical rows along the sides of your head.
- Release sections as you work. When the bottom section of hair is finished, unclip your hair and let out the next section. Continue working this way until all the rollers are in.
- Use the right amount of hair for each roller. Resist the urge to grab sections that are too large for the curlers — you'll end up with nothing but a small curl at the bottom. A one- or two-inch section (2.5 to 5 cm) per roller is a good standard to follow. The section of hair should be no wider than the roller, otherwise it will not curl properly.[2]
- If your rollers have variable sizes, use the larger ones on the top of your head. Use the smaller rollers as you approach your hairline.
- If you have long hair, remember that not only the bottom part of the section will actually be touching the roller — the rest of it will be layered over hair. Use smaller sections for more curl.
- Wrap your hair around the roller. Starting at the bottom, hold the tip of your hair firmly against the roller with a finger, then roll the roller up along the hair, smoothly and tightly. Tension is the key to creating a good curl, so make sure the hair is wrapped securely around the roller.[3]
- You should also make sure there are no lumps or bumps in your hair as you wrap it around the curler, in order to create smooth, consistent curls.
- If you're using hot rollers, be careful not to burn your fingers on the ends of the roller. Try to find a cool spot where you can consistently grip the roller as you put it into your hair.
- Secure the rollers. While velcro rollers will attach themselves to your hair without the need for clips, other rollers will need to be pinned into place. Some roller sets will come with pins provided. These pins probably look like long U shapes, with one straight side and one crimped side. Pin the roller so that the straight side is against your scalp, and the curve of the U is cradling the roller at the side of your head.
- Be aware that these pins aren't terribly secure. If you move your head too quickly or suddenly, they might fall loose.
- If no pins are provided with your set, similar pins can be purchased at a drugstore. Alternatively, butterfly clips will also work to hold the hair in place.
- If you want to avoid an indentation from the clip on your hair, try placing a tissue in between the pin and the hair.[3]
- Leave your hair to set. Once all of the rollers have been inserted - in one to two inch sections from the base of your scalp to the crown of your head - you will need to leave the rollers to set. How long this takes will again depend on the type of roller and whether your hair is wet or dry.
- Hot rollers can be removed once they have cooled completely - which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. This is enough time for the heat to penetrate all of the hair wrapped around each individual roller, as well as for the hair to cool into a curled shape.[2]
- Velcro or foam rollers should be blasted with some heat from a hair dryer, then allowed to cool and set for about 15-20 minutes. The longer you leave them in, the tighter the curls will be.[2]
- Wet set rollers will need to be left in until all of your hair is completely dry, which may take several hours or overnight. The dampest parts of the hair are the ends that are tucked inside the curls, so attempting to speed up the process with a hair dryer is unlikely to work.
- Remove the rollers. Once you're sure your hair has set, you can pull out the rollers from bottom to top. Remove the rollers near your neck and ears first, then move incrementally to the ones at the top of your head.
- Once the rollers are out, you can brush out the curls to loosen them. Just don't overdo it, your curls should keep their shape for two or three strokes, but overdoing it might cause them to fall out.
- Alternatively, you can just run your fingers through the curls to separate them and add some volume.
- Set your curls with hairspray (optional). Mist hairspray over your hair to make sure the curl hold their shape throughout the day. To avoid your curls from looking stiff, make sure to hold the can 12-14 inches away from the hair.
- For a looser look, pull up a section of hair and mist it with hairspray as it falls back down.
- You can also work a small amount of serum into your hair to add shine and reduce frizz.
- Wash and condition your hair. Scrunching only works properly on wet hair, so in order to use this method, you will need to wash your hair. While taking a warm shower, work your hair into a thick lather, using a volumizing or curl-enhancing shampoo. Then work a small amount of conditioner into the ends and mid-lengths of your hair.
- After you apply conditioner, brush your hair with a wide-toothed comb and try to get out all the major knots. The conditioner will make the tangles a lot easier to tackle and will prevent you from causing damage to your hair.
- Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly afterwards, as excess product can weigh down hair and prevent it from curling as well.
- Towel dry your hair. Once you get out of the shower, use an absorbent towel to pat your hair dry and squeeze the ends to get excess water out. If your hair is too wet, any product you apply will drip out along with the water and your hair will not curl as well.
- Do not rub your hair with the towel as this will damage your hair and cause it to look frizzy.
- You should also avoid using a hair dryer to get rid of excess moisture, as the hair dryer will blow and straighten the hair, making curling more difficult.
- Comb your hair. Use a wide-toothed comb to get the smaller knots out of your hair. Make sure no knots are left in your hair, or else they will show once your hair is dry! If you brushed your hair in the shower, there should be no major knots left, so just brush out the small ones.
- Use a detangling mist or spray if you have particularly stubborn knots.
- Always brush or comb from the ends of your hair up as this causes less damage to wet hair.
- Apply product. There are many different curling products available which you can use to scrunch your hair, such as curling sprays, gels and creams. However, the most popular product which probably provides the most defined and long-lasting curls is curling mousse. Choose a volumizing or strong-hold mousse, particularly if your hair is not naturally wavy, as this will help to give you long-lasting, voluminous curls.
- To use the mousse, shake the can before squirting a golf ball size amount of mousse into your hand. Turn your head upside down so your hair is in front of your face, then work the product evenly into your hair with both hands.
- Only work the mousse into the ends and mid-lengths of your hair - avoid putting it in the roots as this may weigh your hair down or cause it to look greasy.
- Scrunch your hair. Keeping your head upside down, scrunch your hair by grabbing a small section in your hand and crumpling it up towards your scalp, using the same motion as you would use to crumple a piece of paper.
- Use this motion to scrunch sections of hair all over your head. Keep doing it for a minute or two, then flip your head up and scrunch again until you're happy with the style.
- The same technique can be used regardless of what kind of curling product you use, just adjust the amount of product according to the instructions on the bottle and the length of your hair - more for longer hair, less for shorter hair.
- Dry hair. At this point you have two options. You can let your hair air dry naturally, using the scrunching motion every five minutes or so until it's dry. Or, you can use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer to dry hair gently, without blowing or straightening the curls.
- If you're using the diffuser attachment (a long-finger diffuser works best for curls) be sure to set the hair dryer to its lowest heat and speed setting. Use the scrunching method as you dry to help the formation of curls.
- If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, the air dry method will usually work just fine. However, if your hair is naturally straight or flat, using the diffuser will help give your hair a little extra "oomph!"
- Wash and condition your hair. This method works best if you braid your hair while it's wet or damp, then leave your hair to dry. Use a volumizing or curl-enhancing shampoo and conditioner, and make sure to rinse your hair well afterwards.
- Brush out your hair in the shower while you still have the conditioner in, using a wide-toothed comb. This will make it easier to work out any tangles and will cause less damage to your hair.
- Towel dry your hair once you get out of the shower. Try to wring out any excess moisture. If your hair already has a bit of natural curl to it, you're probably fine to work with damp hair; if it's stick straight, though, it's best to braid it wet.
- Apply gel or mousse to your hair. Applying a curl-enhancing product to your hair will help it to keep the shape of the braids even after you've unbraided it. It will also give your hair a glossier and more controlled finish. Just work a small amount of your chosen product into the ends and mid-lengths of your hair, avoiding the roots.
- Curl-enhancing or volumizing gels, mousses, sprays or serums will all work well. Use a product with a texture and scent that appeals to you.
- If you want looser, less structured curls, you can skip this step.
- Decide how many braids you'll do. The number of braids you put in your hair will determine how your curls look:
- More braids means tighter curls. For instance, you'll have more crimps in your hair from doing two braids than you will from one, and more from four than two.
- However, more braids means more work. If you're not totally comfortable braiding or you're short on time, stick to the lowest possible number that gives you the curls you want.
- Part your hair into sections. If you're doing more than one braid, parting your hair into sections will make braiding easier and your finished curls neater looking. They don't have to be perfect, though!
- Use a comb to part a straight line from your forehead back to your neck. Then divide each half into however many sections you like, using the comb to ensure they are a fairly uniform size.
- Use a normal braid or a french braid on each section. Doing a French braid, instead of a regular braid, will curl the hair up around your scalp as well.
- See How to French Braid for more detailed help.
- Ask someone else to help you. It's almost always easier to braid someone else's hair than it is to do your own, so consider asking for assistance.
- Secure the braids. Tie off each braid with a non-rubber hair elastic. Try to put the tie as close to the end of the hair as possible, otherwise the tips of your hair will look straight and it will ruin the effect of the curls.
- Rubber can damage the hair shaft, and is especially menacing on wet hair. Avoid at all costs!
- Leave the braids in for several hours or overnight. After your hair's had six to eight hours to dry, gently undo your braids. The easiest thing to do is to leave them in overnight. Run your fingers through your hair a few times to get out any knots, but avoid brushing it as this will make to too fluffy looking.
- Finish with some hairspray. If you're worried about your curls falling out during the day, set the style with a spritz of hairspray.
[Edit]Twisting Your Hair - Twist your hair into bantu knots. Bantu knots are tiny buns that were originally used in Africa. You can create, big, soft "beach curls" without heat or rollers by twisting your hair and putting it into these buns. For this method, you will need hair ties, hair spray, and bobby pins.[4]
- Start with damp hair. You can either spritz your hair with a spray bottle, or let it partially air dry after you wash it.
- Use hair ties to divide your hair into four roughly equal sections: two low ponytails at the back, and two pigtails higher up on the sides of your head.
- Tightly twist each section in whichever direction you prefer. Twisting the sections in different directions from each other will create a more natural effect.
- Coil each twisted section into a tight bun, and pin it in place with bobby pins. If you have afro-textured hair, you might find that you can just tuck the ends under the bantu knot without needing pins. That is fine also.
- Blow dry each bun until completely dry, or allow the hair to air dry completely.
- Release each section, and gently loosen the curls with your fingers once your hair is completely cool.
- Use a little hair spray to lock in the style.
- Twist your hair around a headband. You can create ringlets or waves by twisting your hair around a soft, cloth headband. For this technique, you will need one or two headbands, a spray bottle for water, hair spray, and a hair texturizer.[5]
- Part your hair into two sections on either side of your head, then gently place the headband around the top of your head. Slide it down so that it rests just above your ears.
- Dampen each section of hair slightly with a spray bottle, starting at the tops of your ears.
- Begin twisting the hair on one side. Once you've twisted a little bit of hair, wrap the twisted portion around the headband. Make the first wrap just behind your ear. Twist a little more, then create another wrap next to the first.
- Continue until you have wrapped the entire section around the headband. Then repeat with the other section. The smaller you make each wrap, the tighter your curls will be.
- Spray your hair with hairspray while it is still wrapped around the headband.
- Allow the hair to air dry for a few hours, or dry with a blow dryer.
- Once your hair is dry, release the twisted sections from the headband. Loosen your curls with your fingers, and scrunch with a small amount of hair texturizer.
- Twist your hair in sections to create waves. The simplest approach to creating twist curls involves making a few twisted sections and tying them together with elastic hair ties.[6]
- Apply a little hair spray or other styling product to your slightly damp hair.
- Part your hair down the middle and divide it into four sections: two behind your ears, and two in front of your ears.
- Take hold of the ends of the two back sections and twist them toward each other until the entire length of both sections is twisted. Then fasten the twisted sections together with a hair elastic.
- Repeat with the two front sections. Fasten the sections together behind your head with a hair elastic once you are finished twisting them.
- Once your hair is completely dry, release the sections and gently open up the waves by shaking them out or combing through them with your fingers.
- If you want waves, put your hair in braids, then use a straightener and run it down your braids slowly. Then, take out you braids. Easy as pie!
- If you need to comb through your hair, don't use a regular comb. It ruins the curls and makes them frizzy. Use a wide-tooth comb. It keeps your curls intact, and lets them be combed very nicely.
- If you sleep with braids overnight, don't make them too tight, as it can damage your hair.
- Don't add too much hairspray as it can stiffen your hair instead of curling it.
- If you want curled hair in a ponytail, put in the ponytail first. Then curl from there. It is very hard to pull curled hair into a ponytail.
- For more defined curls use 4 sections or more.
- If you want tighter curls, make smaller braids and then braid them together until you run out of braids to braid together.
- Pin your curls after curling them. Doing so allows them to cool off and last longer. Run your fingers through afterwards.
- Try curling your hair with rags or stretchy foam sticks. This is also useful to get bouncy curls.
- Roll the curling iron away from the face when you get to the sections around the face, as the sections usually will fall right in your face if they are curled against the face.
- Wet hair is easier to curl and arrange.
- Another curling idea is to make sure your hair is completely dry, then add some heat protection. Take a small portion of your hair, wrap it around a pencil, then place the pencil and hair inside a flat iron for about 10 seconds, and you will have natural looking curls.
- Try twisting your hair before braiding it; then you will wake up with spiral curls instead of 'zigzag' curls.
- You an make two pigtail braids before you go to sleep to get light curls and waves. If you want a lot of curls, wet you hair, put it into to pigtails and go to sleep, then the next day put it in a bun and you get these awesome curls.
- You can also use gel to curl it.
- You can curl your hair with your fingers, too. But it takes time and they don't stay in place for that long.
- Braid your hair, then put on a roller. Sleep with the roller in overnight, and when you wake up you'll have luscious curls. The size of the braid and the size of the roller will determine the size of your curls.
- Use volume sprays like vo5 plump it up for better results.
- For another option for afro-textured or naturally curly hair, try finger coils.
[Edit]Warnings - Don't use too much hair spray. It will dry out your hair and it will be too hard to comb out. It will also make your curls very hard and crunchy.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References __ [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Clean Sandstone Posted: 15 Nov 2021 12:00 AM PST Sandstone is a natural stone that can be used inside and outside of your home for floor tiles, wall surfaces, monuments, and fireplaces. It is a particularly porous stone, so it can soak up liquids and get stained quickly if it's not cleaned properly. In order to clean your sandstone, you just need some common cleaning products and the proper technique. With these things and a little bit of elbow grease your sandstone can remain beautiful or look good as new. [Edit]Doing General Cleaning on Interior Surfaces - Sweep all loose dirt and debris off of the surface. If you have a sandstone hearth or sandstone tiles on your floor, sweep them off before doing a deep clean. With will get rid of loose debris on the surface and will make cleaning easier.[1]
- If your interior sandstone surfaces are not on the floor, such as if you have a sandstone counter top, use a dry towel or a small, hand-held brush to wipe all crumbs, dust, and other debris off of them.
- You can also use a vacuum to get rid of all loose dirt and debris on the surface.
- Wipe down the surface with a damp cloth. Use a clean, soft rag to wipe down your sandstone. Simply get the rag wet, ring it out in the sink, and then wipe the entire surface of the stone.[2]
- If you are dealing with a sandstone floor surface and you don't want to get on your hands and knees, you can use a microfiber mop head or other soft floor cleaning mop.
- Rinse out the rag if it gets very dirty and then continue on until the entire surface has been cleaned.
- Don't use your general household cleaning products on your sandstone. Unless a general cleaning product, such as a "kitchen surface cleaner," is labeled for cleaning natural stones, you shouldn't put it on your sandstone. In particular, acid-based cleaning products, such as those that contain citrus or vinegar can damage the surface.[3]
- Acidic cleaners can etch the surface of the stone, which will potentially change the texture and the color of the stone permanently.
- Use dish soap if plain water doesn't clean the surface enough. In most cases, cleaning sandstone with plain water works perfectly well. However, if you feel that you need some cleanser, use a very small amount of plain dish soap. Put a small squirt of soap on your damp cloth and rub it over the surface.[4]
- Wipe the surface with a clean area of your cloth afterwords to clean the soap off of the surface.
- Dry the surface off with a towel. You should not leave standing water on the surface of sandstone, as it will gradually absorb it. Instead, once you are done cleaning, wipe off the surface until it is dry.
- Use a soft, clean, and dry rag to wipe down the surface so that it stays clean and doesn't doesn't get scratched.
[Edit]Tackling Tough Interior Stains - Blot up spills right away. Use a clean, dry towel to pick up any spills on your sandstone. Be sure to dab and blot the area instead of wiping it. Wiping the spill around can create a larger stain by moving the food or liquid around the area.[5]
- Most liquids can stain your sandstone but some that are particularly bad include wine, fruit juices, and coffee.
- Avoid the use of cleaners that contain harsh chemicals and abrasives. Sandstone is a very porous stone and it can be discolored and damaged by a wide variety of cleaning products. In particular, acidic cleaners can discolor the surface permanently.[6]
- Make a baking soda paste if plain water can't get a spot off. It's easy to make a great alkaline sandstone cleaner by mixing up a paste of baking soda and water. Put a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl and mix in a few drops of water. Stir the mixture with a spoon and keep adding water until the mixture is a thick paste.
- You can also buy specific natural stone-cleaning products online or at many home improvement and hardware stores. However, a simple baking soda paste is likely to work just as well.
- Apply the paste to the stain and scrub it with a soft-bristled brush. Smear the paste onto the stain on the stone with the spoon you used for mixing. Let it sit on the surface for about 15 minutes. Then scrub the surface with a soft brush.
- You can use a variety of types of brushes, including a home cleaning brush, a nail brush or an old toothbrush.
- Wipe the paste off with a clean, damp cloth. After you think you've gotten the stain out, wipe the mixture off of the stone. Allow the area to dry to determine if the stain is gone. If it is, use a clean area on the cloth to remove any baking soda residue that remains.
- If the stain remains, apply the paste again and allow it to sit longer than 15 minutes before scrubbing it a second time.
[Edit]Cleaning Exterior Surfaces - Sweep off the surface. Remove any loose debris from the outdoor surface you are cleaning. If you are cleaning off a patio, use a large broom to sweep it off. If you are cleaning a small retaining wall or a monument, use a small broom to sweep the detailed areas.[7]
- Removing the top layer of dirt and debris this way will help you assess what areas need to be deep cleaned and which just need a light scrubbing.
- Wet the surface and allow the water to sit for about 30 minutes. Spray the surface with your hose so that it is all damp. A layer of water will start to loosen anything growing on the surface.[8]
- Wait for the stone to soak for about 30 minutes before continuing on and your overall cleaning process will be much easier.
- Scrub the surface with water and a plastic-bristle brush. Use a circular motion while scrubbing to get any organic material off of the stone. This often includes moss, lichen, and mold. Keep scrubbing until you are happy with the color of the stone.[9]
- Most outdoor scrub brushes will work for fine for this. You can use a hand brush or a brush on a pole. Just make sure that bristles are medium-firm, meaning that they bend when you push the brush across the surface.
- Never use a wire brush or extremely firm plastic-bristle brush on sandstone. It will scratch the surface and speed up decay.[10]
- Use a squirt of dish-washing soap, if necessary. If you are not making much progress with plain water, you can use a mild soap to loosen dirt and debris on the surface. Simply put a small squirt of soap on your scrub brush and continue scrubbing the surface.[11]
- Use a power washer only if the sandstone is new. If you have a new patio or wall that needs to be cleaned, set your power washer to a low pressure setting and move the nozzle side-to-side as you spray the surface. Holding the sprayer at a 45 degree angle will take dirt and grime off of the surface well.
- Power washers can be too strong for sandstone that is old and has delicate designs, like the detailing on old tombstones. Only use a power washer on new sandstone and use a low setting, if possible, as the pressure of the power washer can force water into the stone.
- Apply a diluted bleach solution to specific spots if discoloring remains. You can use a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water on sandstone surfaces but it should be used sparingly. Simply make the solution and them use a rag to blot it onto the sandstone in areas that are severely discolored. Let it sit for up to 30 minutes and then scrub the area with a soft brush and rinse it with clean water.
- Using cleaners on your sandstone can take off the protective layer that the material naturally builds up on the surface. This will lead to faster decay over time.
- Rinse the sandstone with water after scrubbing it. Use your hose to remove any dirt and debris that you dislodged while you were cleaning. This will also remove any soap or bleach, if you used them. Once your sandstone it sprayed down, it should look much better than when you started.[12]
- In some cases, you will have to do several rinses to identify areas that you need to continue scrubbing. Simply go back over areas with your scrub brush that don't look clean enough.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Doing General Cleaning on Interior Surfaces - Broom
- Cloth towel
- Dish soap, if necessary
[Edit]Tackling Tough Interior Stains - Cloth towel
- Baking soda
- Soft Brush
[Edit]Cleaning Exterior Surfaces - Broom
- Hose
- Plastic-bristled brush
- Dish-washing soap
- Power washer, if necessary
- Bleach, if necessary
- If you have sandstone on the exterior of your home, consider letting it age naturally and not cleaning it. Cleaning it can actually age it quicker over the long term, adding to its decay instead of preserving it.[13]
[Edit]Warnings - It's important to care for sandstone properly so that you don't stain or damage it. If you are considering using it in a high-traffic area, such as the floor of an entryway, there are probably other stones that will hold up better over time.
[Edit]References |
| How to Manage Belly Button Rings During Pregnancy Posted: 14 Nov 2021 04:00 PM PST Belly button piercings can be fun, exciting, and sexy. But if you're pregnant, it might start to feel like a hassle. As your belly stretches, the hole also stretches. That can be painful and carries a risk of infection. Fortunately, it's perfectly safe to keep your piercing through your pregnancy, as long as it's fully healed. If you decide you want to take it out, that's okay too—you'll probably be able to put jewelry back in after your baby's born (and if not, you can just get it pierced again). [Edit]Protecting Your Piercing - Check that your piercing is completely healed. Try to slide the ring up and down through the piercing. You won't have a problem doing this if your piercing is fully healed. If you feel some resistance, stop. Go to your piercer and see if they'll remove it for you since it isn't completely healed yet.[1]
- Generally, if you got pierced at least 9 months ago, your piercing is probably healed—but you still want to check.
- If the piercing never healed, or if the hole becomes red, inflamed, or irritated at any time during your pregnancy, take your jewelry out—you can always get it re-pierced later.[2]
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that won't catch on your jewelry. Buy maternity tops or other clothing designed to flow loosely over your belly rather than fitting snugly. When wearing pants or a skirt, make sure the waistband doesn't fall directly over your piercing. It can easily catch on the jewelry.[3]
- Avoid pantyhose, leotards, and leggings that can snag your jewelry and cause it to rip out. Shirts with buttons down the front can also snag on your jewelry.
- If your jewelry does happen to snag on clothing and cause the piercing to tear, it's probably best to take it out at that point. If over-the-counter remedies don't work or your piercing becomes infected, your doctor can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic.[4]
- Replace metal jewelry if it starts to pull or snag. As your belly grows, keep a close eye on your jewelry. If you have a charm or other decorative elements, they're more likely to snag on your clothing. Metal jewelry might also cut into your skin, especially if you have a thinner gauge. If it starts to feel uncomfortable or gets hung on your clothing, switch it out for something more comfortable and less likely to snag.[5]
- A simple barbell without any charms or sharp edges is probably your best bet.
- Avoid touching or playing with your belly button ring. This is common advice, but it's especially important during pregnancy. Because your skin is more elastic and prone to stretching or tearing, it's easy to hurt yourself by accident. There's also a risk of infection, particularly if your hole has stretched. Unwashed hands can easily introduce bacteria, and you're also more prone to infections while you're pregnant.[6]
- Sometimes people like to kiss a pregnant belly, but make sure they don't kiss your piercing—germs in the person's saliva could cause an infection.
- Clean the piercing area if your hole stretches. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before cleaning the piercing area. Then, use warm water to clean any crusty bits away from the area. Wash the area with mild liquid soap and water, then rinse with warm water and pat dry with a fresh paper towel or a paper napkin.[7]
- As long as your piercing is healed, you don't really need to follow any special care regimen just because you're pregnant. However, if the hole stretches or tears, it's best to treat it as though it were a new piercing just to be on the safe side.
- Don't use towels or washcloths, either to wash or dry the piercing site or your hands. They can introduce bacteria.
- Keep an eye out for infection. Pregnancy can cause the hole to stretch, which can cause the skin to become red, inflamed, and possibly infected. If you notice any signs of infection, or if the skin around the piercing burns or itches, take the jewelry out.[8]
- Even if it doesn't become infected, it's also possible that your piercing will become uncomfortable as your belly grows. If that happens, you might feel more comfortable taking it out.[9]
[Edit]Removing Your Jewelry - Get your piercer to remove your jewelry if your piercing hasn't healed. If your jewelry won't move in the hole and doesn't slide out easily, don't force it! Get your piercer to help to avoid injuring your skin.[10]
- If you're not in contact with your original piercer, any certified and licensed body piercer can do this for you. Just look for reputable piercers locally, then call and let them know what you need.
- Disinfect the piercing area before removing your jewelry. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, then wash around the piercing area as well. Avoid touching anything else until you've safely removed the jewelry.[11]
- If you do end up inadvertently touching something else, like your phone or the counter, simply wash your hands again. You want to make sure you don't introduce any bacteria.
- Remove the bead to open the jewelry. Most belly jewelry has a round bead either at the top or the bottom that unscrews. Turn it gently to the left to unscrew it. Go slow—you don't want to drop the bead and lose it, especially if you want to keep the jewelry for later.[12]
- Push the jewelry out through the hole. Slowly slide the jewelry out, being careful not to inadvertently poke yourself with the exposed screw on the end. Screw the bead back on the end of the jewelry for safekeeping once you've removed it.[13]
- If you're having a hard time doing this while standing, it might be easier if you lie down.[14]
- Use a plastic bar or tube as a placeholder. Flexible bars made out of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) are safe and flexible if you want to keep the hole from closing after removing your jewelry. You can typically buy these online or anywhere body jewelry is sold. You might also want to ask your piercer for a recommendation.[15]
- Some designs allow you to slide the tube over your jewelry before you slide the ring out. That way the placeholder will already be there when you remove your jewelry.[16]
- There are also specialty maternity barbells that are designed to flex as your belly grows.[17] However, according to the Association of Professional Piercers, these products aren't made with safe materials. If you see something you're interested in, show it to your piercer and ask if it's safe for you to use.[18]
- Run a ring through the piercing to keep it from closing. Wash your hands, the jewelry, and the piercing area with soap and warm water. Then, put the jewelry in as though you were going to secure it in place. Instead of closing it, run it in and out of the hole a few times. You might also spin it around, but be careful doing this with curved jewelry—you could inadvertently stretch the hole.[19]
- This is your best option if you don't like the look or feel of a placeholder for your jewelry but you want to make sure the piercing stays open during your pregnancy. Once your jewelry is removed, your piercing might close—especially if you got it within the last year.
- Whether you decide to keep your belly button ring in or take it out, talk to your piercer! They can give you more personal suggestions on how to keep the hole from stretching and how to keep it from pulling or tearing (if you kept it in).[20]
[Edit]Warnings - Don't try to get pierced while pregnant. Changes to your immune system may prevent the piercing from healing and infection could negatively affect your pregnancy.[21]
- If you want to get your belly button pierced, or if your original piercing closed, wait at least 3 months after you give birth to allow your immune system to return to normal.[22]
- Even if you decide you want to try to keep your piercing, your doctor might still want you to take it out when it's time to actually give birth.
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