| How to Make Shorts out of Pants Posted: 16 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT You've got an old pair of pants you no longer wear lying around, but you don't want to throw them out, and summer is coming up—why not turn them into a fashionable pair of cutoff shorts? Converting your unused pants into shorts is a quick and easy project that can lend new life to old clothes. [Edit]Measuring For the Shorts - Try the pants on. See how the pants fit. Pay particular attention to how they feel in the different areas of the hips and legs. It may be that they're comfortable in the waist but too loose or snug in the thighs. Make a note of this: it will help you get the cut right later.
- Decide what length you want for the shorts. Are you going for a more casual knee length, or a super-short summer fit? Decide how long or short you want the shorts to be. Plan on cutting the shorts at least a half inch longer than your desired length to allow for a hem, unless you want to leave the edges unfinished.[1][2]
- Take a look at your favorite pair of shorts for reference when choosing a length.
- Cut the shorts a little longer than desired on your first attempt and try them on. The dimensions of the shorts will look different when worn and they may come out looking right and ready to hem. You can always cut them shorter if you need to, but you can't add material back once it's gone.
- Mark the length. Use a pencil or washable marker to mark where you intend to cut the pant legs. This will guide you while you cut for a cleaner finish, and any remaining marks will wash out later.[3]
- Make a small dot where you want to cut the pant legs while you're wearing them, then mark them the rest of the way while the pants are lying flat so that the marks will be straight.
[Edit]Cutting the Shorts - Choose a cutting implement. Scissors are the obvious choice and allow more manual control, but a box cutter can provide a straighter, more precise cut, and tearing will create a more rugged, distressed look.
- Exercise caution when using any cutting tool, particularly the box cutter; these have extremely sharp exposed edges that make cutting a breeze, but can pose a danger to the user if not wielded safely.
- Cut the marked pant leg. Lay the pants flat and smooth out any wrinkles or folds. Use the scissors or box cutter to cut the pant leg. Follow the measuring marks you made carefully to ensure you get the right length.[4]
- Once you've cut the first leg, place the removed portion over the second leg to make sure that they're both the same length.
- Longer strokes with the scissors work best to keep the edges from becoming choppy.
- If you're using the box cutter, make sure you have a suitable cutting surface underneath the pants. Otherwise, the blade can scar surfaces when it slices through the fabric.
- Tear the pant leg. Alternatively, if you want your new shorts to have a rougher look, you can tear the pant legs by hand. Make a one- to two-inch incision with the scissors or box cutter to open a small hole and tear the leg the rest of the way. Place the pant leg across your lap and tear toward yourself slowly to keep the tear even; if you mess up, it can be difficult to salvage the tear.
- For a more even tear, you can make multiple smaller holes and "connect the dots" by tearing between them.
- If you do happen to make a mistake while tearing, make a straight cut in the uneven part with the scissors and try again.
- Torn shorts with unfinished hems tend to look better when using rougher materials like denim, as the thread is coarse and tends to fray in a more visually appealing way. The tearing method can also work with especially old or worn pants to go along with the rugged look.
- Look for adjustments to make. Try the shorts on. If they're too long, cut them again about half an inch at a time until they're the preferred length. Remove any loose threads, frayed edges or uneven nicks made by the scissors until the leg openings are clean and level.
[Edit]Finishing the Hem - Measure your hem. Decide what length you'd like the hem to be and mark the shorts again. Shorter hems will produce a neater, more uniform look, while a longer hem will create the appearance of folds.[5]
- Stitch the hems. Fold the hem under twice (or over, if you want the folded look) and use a sewing machine to stitch the hem at the proper length. You can also sew the hem by hand, if you prefer. Take care not to stitch the leg opening shut by mistake.[6]
- If you don't have access to a sewing machine and want a completed hem for you shorts, take them to any alteration shop to have them stitched for a small price.
- Place a rounded object in the leg opening and stitch around it to avoid sewing the leg opening shut.
- Try on your finished shorts. You're finished! See how the new shorts look. If the hem is too long or too short, the stitching can be snipped and redone. Experiment with other lengths, hems and styles and add a fresh new dimension to your wardrobe.
- Make sure all folds and edges are even before sewing.
- Use fabric glue to stick on sequins or jewels, or sew on patches for added customization.
- Fabric glue can also be used to secure edges if sewing isn't an option.
[Edit]Warnings - Do your best not to make any mistakes in measuring or cutting. Remember—once it's cut or torn, it can't be undone.
- Be careful when using the sewing machine or needle and thread. Accidents happen.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Old pair of pants
- Scissors
- Box cutter (optional)
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Needle and thread (optional)
- Pencil or washable marker
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Mascara Posted: 16 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Many store-bought mascaras are expensive, full of ingredients that could be damaging to the environment, harmful for your body, or that you may wish to avoid for personal or ethical reasons. But that doesn't mean you have to forgo mascara altogether, and making your own is actually pretty simple. In fact, the most difficult part about homemade mascara is getting your new product into the mascara tube! However, there are a few methods you can try that will make your job easier. You may need to seek out some specialty ingredients that you don't have around the house, but most of the ingredients you need for mascara can be found at a drug store, beauty supply, and grocery store. [Edit]Making Charcoal Mascara - Gather your supplies. You will need several ingredients, plus a few tools to make this mascara recipe. Before you get started, you will need:[1]
- 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- 3 activated charcoal capsules
- 1/4 teaspoon of bentonite clay (optional)
- a small glass bowl
- some hot water
- a medium glass bowl
- a spoon
- Put vitamin E oil, coconut oil, and beeswax into the small bowl. Measure out one teaspoon of vitamin E oil, one teaspoon of coconut oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax and put them into your small glass bowl. Stir them together with your spoon.[2]
- Melt the ingredients. Fill the medium sized bowl about ¼ of the way full with hot or boiling water. Then take your small bowl and place it over the water so that it is nesting inside of the medium sized bowl. The small bowl should just float on top of the water. If the water level is too high, then pour some out.[3]
- Let the small bowl sit on top of the water until the ingredients in the small bowl have melted.
- Then, carefully remove the small bowl from the water. Be careful because the glass may get hot from the hot water.
- Add the aloe vera gel to the small bowl. Next, measure out three teaspoons of aloe vera gel and add the aloe vera to the bowl along with the ingredients. Then, use the spoon to mix the aloe vera in with the other ingredients until they are well combined.[4]
- To make a preservative-free mascara, use aloe vera gel straight from the plant, as bottled aloe often contains preservatives.[5]
- Break open the activated charcoal capsules over the bowl. Take your three activated charcoal capsules and break them open over the bowl one at a time. Then, mix the charcoal in with the other ingredients. Keep stirring until the mixture looks uniform. This may take a few minutes of vigorous stirring.[6]
- Be aware that activated charcoal is not an approved colorant for eye cosmetics.[7] If you are concerned about using activated charcoal, then you can replace the charcoal with equal quantities of an eye-safe black (or other color) mineral powder or mica.[8]
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of bentonite clay if desired. Bentonite clay is optional for this recipe, but it may help to prevent smudging. Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is not ideal for warm weather. However, bentonite clay can help your mascara to dry faster and stay on your lashes.[9]
- If you decide to add the bentonite clay, then add 1/4 of a teaspoon to the mascara mixture and stir until the ingredients are well combined.
[Edit]Making Clay Mascara - Get your supplies. Making mascara out of clay is quick and only requires a few ingredients and tools. To make your own homemade mascara from clay, you will need:
- 5 teaspoons (25 g) clay (of your color choice)
- 1 ¾ teaspoon (10.5 ml) water
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 ml) vegetable glycerin
- 1 pinch guar gum
- a small bowl
- a spoon
- Stir together the clay and guar gum. Take a pinch of guar gum and put it into the bowl. The guar gum will act as a thickener and stabilizer for the mascara. Then, measure out five teaspoons of the clay of your choice. You can also mix the colors to create your own unique shade. The clay will provide the color, and will help the mascara to dry easily. Choose a clay that has the color you are looking for n a mascara. Popular clay choices include:[10]
- Bentonite clay mixed with cocoa powder for color (for more of a brown mascara)
- Australian red reef clay (for a reddish brown mascara)
- Australian black clay (for a black mascara)
- Add the water and glycerin. When you have mixed the two powders together, add in the liquid ingredients. Measure out 1 ¾ teaspoons of water and 1/4 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin. Stir the ingredients until they are well combined.
- If you're having trouble stirring the ingredients together, add more water in small increments, such as a drop or two at a time, until you get a thick, smooth liquid.
- It's important that you don't add too much water, or the mascara will be runny and you won't be able to apply it.[11]
- Make a new batch regularly. Since this mascara doesn't really have any preservatives, it's important that you replace it every four to six months. This will prevent bacteria from growing and spreading onto your lashes.
- Always wash and disinfect your mascara tube and wand before reuse.
- Don't use your mascara if it starts to smell. Get rid of it and make a new batch right away.
[Edit]Getting Mascara into the Tube - Clean and disinfect your mascara tube and brush. Before you transfer your mascara to the tube, make sure that the tube and brush are clean. If the tube and brush are new, ten you don't have to do anything. However, if you are reusing an old mascara tube and brush, you will need to wash the brush and tube thoroughly with warm water and some castile soap or baby shampoo.[12]
- Remove the plug from the top of the tube and place it in a small bowl of warm, soapy water.
- Apply soap to the bristles and use your fingers to work the soap into the brush bristles. Then, put some soap into the tube as well. Use the brush to move the soap around in the tube.
- Continue to add soap and rinse the tube and brush until the water runs clear and all of the suds have been rinsed away. Then, take the plug out of the bowl of water and rinse it as well.
- Use a syringe. One option for transferring mascara to a tube is to use an oral syringe. Oral syringes can be found in most pharmacies and drug stores, and they make excellent injectors for filling mascara tubes.
- When your mascara is ready, simply insert the nose of the syringe into the mixture, pull up the plunger to suck up the mascara, and then inject the mascara into the tube. Repeat until your tube is full, or until all the mascara is gone.
- Wash the syringe with soap and water immediately after you finish using it to prevent the mascara from caking on.
- Make a homemade icing bag for the mascara. You can also use a plastic bag similar to create an icing bag and use it to transfer the mascara to the tube.[13]
- Scoop your mascara mixture into a plastic bag, such as a resealable sandwich bag or a clean plastic bulk bag.
- Work the mixture to one of the bottom corners of the bag.
- Then, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag.
- Insert the corner into the top of the mascara tube and gently squeeze the bag to push the mascara into the tube.
- Pour in small dollops. Use tape to secure your mascara tube to a flat surface. With the end of a knife, scoop up a small amount of mascara. Dangle the knife vertically over the mascara tube hole and allow the dollop of mascara to drop into it.
- If necessary, use a toothpick to make an air bubble in the dollop of mascara so that it drains into the tube.
- Repeat until you have filled the tube.
- Reinsert the plug. When you have filled your mascara tube, replace the makeup plug before returning the wand to the tube. The plug disperses the makeup evenly and removes excess mascara from the wand as you pull it out of the tube.
- Store the mascara in a jar as an alternative. Instead of trying to fill a mascara tube, consider storing the mixture in a sealable, airtight container that you can still dip the mascara wand into.[14] To prevent mascara from drying onto the wand between uses, wash the wand with soap and water after every use.
- There are many recipes online that suggest mixing petroleum jelly with eyeshadow for a homemade mascara, but because petroleum jelly doesn't dry, the mascara will constantly rub off onto your skin, hands, and anything else you touch.
- Be aware that homemade mascara isn't waterproof.
- To prevent getting mascara on the back of your eyelid during application, put a piece of paper or business card behind your lashes.
- Don't get mascara in your eyes. If you do, flush them immediately with warm water.
- Always try to use the exact ingredients mentioned above, because substitutes for those ingredients may sometimes harm you and also may cause allergies. You should be very careful when using these ingredients, because you are applying mascara in your eyes!
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Match Paint Colors Posted: 16 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Whether you need to touch up a scratch on your living room wall or your child wants their bedroom to be the exact same color as their favorite toy, it can be difficult to find a perfect match to an existing paint color. Luckily, there are plenty of tricks and tools that can help you find the color you're looking from, including using paint samples, smartphone apps, and in-store computerized color matching! [Edit]Matching Paint without a Sample - Clean the area you're trying to paint match. Over time, fingerprints, dust, and dirt can collect on the surface of an object or a wall, and this can make the paint color seem darker than it actually is. To make sure you're testing the actual color, wipe the paint down with a damp, soapy sponge, and allow it to dry completely before you try to match the color.[1]
- In addition to giving you a more accurate color match, cleaning the wall will help the new paint adhere better.
- Scrape off a sample of drywall paint with a razor knife.[2] If you're trying to match paint on sheetrock or drywall, the easiest way to get a perfect match is to bring a sample with you to the paint store. Use a utility knife to score a square into the surface of the sheetrock about deep, then peel away the paper.[3]
- Place the sample in a plastic bag or an envelope so it doesn't get smudged before you get to the paint store.
- Once the store has analyzed the color, dab a little of the paint onto a corner of the sample and let it dry to ensure it's a perfect match.
- Bring the item you're matching to the paint store if it's portable. Thanks to the computerized color-matching technology at most paint stores, you can match almost anything! If you're trying to find a paint that's the same color as an object, you can bring that object in with you when you go to buy paint. The staff at the paint store will then scan the item and come up with an exact or near-exact digital match to the color of the object.[4][5]
- If there's not an existing color that matches your object, the paint store can mix one up for you.
[Edit]Finding a Match with an App - Download a paint-matching app if you can't take a sample. Most major paint brands have their own apps for matching paint colors, including Sherwin-Williams, BEHR, Glidden, and Valspar. Visit the app store on your smartphone and choose an app that will scan your wall color and provide you with a color match.
- If you remember the brand you used originally, download their app. If you don't know the brand, try a few different apps to see which gives you the closest match, or try an app like Paint My Place which uses multiple paint brands.[6]
- Scan your paint in natural lighting for the best result. Differences in lighting can make your paint more yellow or more blue, depending on which type of light is being used. To avoid these inconsistencies, try to test your paint sample in an area with plenty of natural light if you can, like near an open window or door.[7]
- Since natural light changes throughout the day, it may help to take a color reading in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
- If your room doesn't have much natural light, use the room's primary light source to test the paint.
- Incandescent lights will make paint seem warmer, while fluorescent lights look cooler. Halogen bulbs more closely resemble daylight.
- Test the paint in an inconspicuous area to make sure it's a good match. Differences in lighting and cameras can make digital paint matching imprecise. If you purchase paint based on the results you get from an app, be sure to test it somewhere where the difference won't be obvious.
- Let the paint dry completely before you check whether it's a match, since wet paint can look like a different color at first.
- Purchase or borrow a color scanner for a more precise match.[8] Apps rely on your smartphone's camera to get a color match, but you can get more accurate results with a small device that scans paint colors using an independent camera with its own lighting. If you'll be doing a lot of color matching, it can be worth the investment.[9]
- These color scanners are $65-$100 at most home stores and connect to your phone via Bluetooth.
[Edit]Using a Color Sample - Take a picture of the original color before you go to the paint store. If you're planning to pick up color samples from the paint store, take along a photo of the original paint. Pictures won't give you an exact color match, but they can be helpful if you're trying to remember the general hue. If you can, try snapping pictures at different times of day, since the changes in lighting will make the paint look different.[10]
- If you're in a hurry and don't have time to wait a few hours for the light to change, try taking pictures with the flash on and off, or with the main light on, followed by lamplight.
- Holding up a true white piece of paper or cardstock in the picture can help your camera to automatically correct the color balance.[11]
- Choose a handful of samples to bring home with you. The lighting in the paint aisle won't be the same as it is in your home, and different shades can seem really similar, so it's important to bring the paint samples to the wall to compare the colors. Choose a handful of colors that seem close to the shade you want to match. If you're not sure what brand the original color was, be sure to get shades from several different brands, as well.[12]
- If you like, you can also purchase or borrow a fan deck of colors from the paint store so you'll have access to all of the shades a particular brand offers.
- Tape the samples to the wall and examine them at different times of day. It can be tempting to just hold up the samples and immediately choose which one is the closest, but since the color of the room will change slightly as the sun moves throughout the day, you should hang the samples and come back to them every couple of hours.[13]
- Of course, if none of the samples are a match, you will probably be able to tell right away.
- If one sample is a match early in the day and another matches better in the evening, ask the paint store if they can mix a shade in between.
- Paint a small section of each color on the wall if you're still not sure. Most paint stores will sell you a small can of paint that you can use to paint a sample. If you can't decide between 2 or 3 different shades, purchase a sample size of each. Paint a small swatch of each color onto the wall and look at them for a few days before making your final decision.[14]
- In addition to changes in light throughout the day, changes in weather can also affect your paint color. Your swatches might look different on a sunny day than they do on a day when that's overcast.
[Edit]Expert Advice Check out these tips before you visit the paint store: If you're trying to match an existing paint color so you can repaint the wall: Ask a color specialist to scan the wall with a colorimeter. This device will give you scientific data about the color, including which known paint colors are closest to what was scanned. If you're trying to match a wall for a touch-up: Take a quarter-sized piece of the sheetrock face into a paint store. Most stores can scan the sample and match it, adjusting the color until it perfectly blends onto the sample. However, they can only manipulate the color—they can't adjust the sheen, so you may still be able to see the touch-up from certain angles. When you're testing samples of a potential new wall color: Paint large patches of the color, and make sure it covers completely. Also, if you're testing 2 different options, NEVER paint them side by side. Leave space between the samples. - For best results, paint the entire wall rather than just a small section of the wall. Small variances in color won't be as obvious where 2 walls meet at a corner as they would be as a patch in the middle of a wall.
- Remember to match the finish as well as the paint color. A perfect color match won't matter if you use a flat paint to touch up a satin finish.[15]
- When you choose a color, paint a small sample of your paint onto a card and label it with the paint name and brand in case you need it again.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Peanut Butter Milkshake Posted: 15 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT Peanut butter is a classic addition to sandwiches, but did you know that you could add it to a milkshake as well? You can even add other classic peanut butter combos (such as chocolate and peanut butter or banana and peanut butter) for an even tastier milkshake. If you are vegan or lactose-intolerant, don't worry, you can still make and enjoy a peanut butter milkshake too! [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Basic Peanut Butter Milkshake[1] - 2 cups (288 grams) vanilla ice cream
- ¼ (60 milliliters) cup milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) smooth peanut butter
Serves: 1 to 2 [Edit]Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake[2] - 2 cups (288 grams) chocolate ice cream
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- ⅓ cup (85 grams) smooth peanut butter
- 5 to 7 ice cubes
Serves: 2 [Edit]Banana Peanut Butter Milkshake[3] - 2 cups (288 grams) vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
- ⅓ cup (85 grams) smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chocolate sauce (or honey)
- 1 banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
Serves: 2 [Edit]Vegan Peanut Butter Milkshake[4] - 1 banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) salted natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon (5 grams) cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 to 1½ cups (240 to 360 milliliters) unsweetened almond milk
- 3 to 4 ice cubes
Serves: 1 to 2 [Edit]Making a Basic Peanut Butter Milkshake - Measure out 2 cups (288 grams) of vanilla ice cream into a blender. If you don't like vanilla ice cream, you can use chocolate instead. This will create the base for your milkshake.
- Pour in ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of milk. You can use any type of milk: non-fat, 2%, or whole milk. If you'd like a thinner milkshake, you can use up to ½ cup (120 milliliters) of milk.
- Top it off with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of peanut butter. Try to use the smooth, creamy kind and not the chunky kind. It will be easier to blend and give you a smoother milkshake in the end.
- Close the blender and blend until everything is smooth and evenly mixed together. There should be no streaks or swirls of unmixed ingredients. If the blender isn't blending smoothly enough, pause it, and use a rubber spatula to push any unmixed milkshake down the sides.
- Pour the milkshake into one or two tall glasses and serve it immediately. If you'd like, you can garnish it with a generous swirl of whipped cream and drizzle some chocolate or caramel sauce on top.
[Edit]Making a Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake - Measure out 2 cups (288 grams) of chocolate ice cream and add it into a blender. You can use plain chocolate ice cream, or you can use a fancier kind with chocolate or caramel swirled into it. This will create the base of your milkshake.
- Pour in 1 cup (240 milliliters) of milk. You can use any type of milk you want: non-fat, 2%, or whole. For a thicker milkshake, use ½ (120 milliliters) of milk instead.
- Add ⅓ cup (85 grams) of peanut butter. Try to use the smooth, creamy kind and not the chunky kind. It will be much easier to blend and give you a smoother drink in the end.
- Top it off with 5 to 7 ice cubes. This will make your milkshake nice and thick. If you'd like a thinner milkshake, use only 3 to 4 ice cubes instead. Consider using ice cubes made from frozen milk instead of frozen water; this way, you won't have to worry about your milkshake getting too watered down.
- Close the blender, and blend until smooth. Keep blending until all the ice has broken up and all of the ingredients have been mixed together. There should be no lumps, clumps, streaks or swirls. If your blender is not blending evenly, pause it, and use a rubber spatula to scrape down any unmixed milkshake back down towards the bottom.
- Pour the milkshake into two tall glasses and serve it immediately. For a fancier touch, you can garnish each milkshake with a swirl of chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of chocolate shavings.
[Edit]Making a Banana Peanut Butter Milkshake - Add 2 cups (288 grams) of vanilla ice cream into a blender. This will create the base for your milkshake. You can also use chocolate ice cream instead for a different twist. For an extra special treat, try chocolate ice cream that has chocolate sauce or caramel swirled into it.
- Pour in ½ cup (120 milliliters) of milk. You can use any type of milk you like: non-fat, 2%, or whole. For a thinner milkshake, use up to 1 cup (240 milliliters) of milk. You will be adding a frozen banana to the milkshake, which will thicken it up considerably.
- Add ⅓ cup (85 grams) of smooth peanut butter and ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of chocolate sauce. If you are using vanilla ice cream, you can also try some honey or caramel instead. For the peanut butter, make sure that you are using the smooth, creamy kind and not the chunky kind. It will be easier to blend and give you a smoother treat in the end.
- Top it off with a frozen, sliced banana. This will not only give your milkshake an extra burst of flavor, but it will also replace the ice and give the milkshake some extra thickness.
- Close the blender ,and blend until everything is smooth and evenly combined. Keep blending until the banana has completely broken up. There should be no lumps, clumps, streaks, or swirls. If the milkshake is not blending well enough, pause the blender, and use a rubber spatula to scrape any unblended milkshake down the sides of the canister and towards the bottom.
- Pour the milkshake into two tall glass and serve it immediately. For an extra special touch, garnish it with a swirl of whipped cream on top and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Place a thin banana slice on the rim and pop in a straw.
[Edit]Making a Vegan Peanut Butter Milkshake - Put a peeled, sliced, and frozen banana into a blender. This will not only give your milkshake some extra flavor, but it will also replace the ice cream using in traditional milkshakes.
- Add 2 tablespoons (30 grams) natural peanut butter. Try to use the salted kind to help cut down on the sweetness of the milkshake. If you don't mind the extra sweetness, then you can use the regular, unsalted peanut butter. Also, try to use the smooth and creamy kind of peanut butter; it will be easier to blend and give you a smoother milkshake in the end.
- Top it off with 1 tablespoon (5 grams) cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder. You can typically find it in the baking section of a grocery store. Because this is pure cacao/cocoa, it does not have any milk or dairy added to it. Avoid using any chocolate milk mix; that does have dairy in it.
- Finish off with 3 to 4 ice cubes, and blend until smooth. Don't add in the milk just yet; you will be doing that last. Keep blending the milkshake until the banana and ice have all broken up, and all of the ingredients are evenly mixed together. You may have to pause the blender, and use a rubber spatula to push any unmixed milkshake towards the bottom.
- Blend in the milk, ½ cup (120 milliliters) at a time. The more milk you add, the thinner your milkshake will be. Plan on using 1 to 1 ½ cups (240 to 360 milliliters) of milk. Unsweetened almond milk is recommended, but you can use any other type of non-dairy milk, such as cashew or soy. You can even use a flavored almond milk, such as vanilla.
- Pour the milkshake into one or two tall glasses and serve it immediately. For a special touch, pop a thin banana slice onto the rim, and garnish the top with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
- Garnish the milkshake with a generous swirl of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
- Try it with other types of nut butter, such as almond butter!
- If the milkshake is too thin, add more ice cream or ice. If the milkshake is too thick, add more milk.
- Use ice cubes made from frozen milk instead of water. This way, your milkshake won't taste watered down.
- Switch it up! Try it with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla!
- If the milkshake is too sweet, use salted peanut butter or add a pinch of salt.
- Store any leftover milkshake in the fridge, and drink it within 24 hours.[5]
- If you have any leftover milkshake, pour it into popsicle molds and freeze it.[6]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Blender or food processor
- Rubber spatula
- Tall glasses for serving
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Wash a Blanket Posted: 15 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Blankets, like other clothing and bedding items, need regular cleaning. For comforters and throw blankets that receive a lot of use, it is recommended that you wash them around once a month to keep dust and soil from building up. Most blankets are washing machine safe under the right settings, but if you're unsure of the best cleaning method for your blanket, you can also wash it by hand. [Edit]Washing by Hand - Fill a tub with cool water and add detergent. Find a tub or basin large enough for your blanket to fit in and fill it up with cool water. Mix in mild detergent and let it spread through the water. You'll essentially be doing the same thing as a washing machine on a gentle setting, only manually, which gives you greater control over how the blanket is treated and helps ensure that every part gets clean.[1]
- Don't fill the tub up too much or it may overflow when you put the blanket in.
- Swish the blanket through the water. Using soft, kneading strokes, drag the blanket back and forth in the soapy water. It's best to take hold of one section of the blanket for a few passes, then smooth it out and wash a new section. Do this until the blanket has been cleaned thoroughly.[2]
- Press out excess water. Take the blanket out of the tub and let the saturated water run out. Fold the blanket in half two or three times and then use both hands to apply pressure to the blanket, squeezing out excess water. Pressing the blanket is a safer alternative to wringing it out, which can stretch the fabric out of shape.
- Wash again using plain water. Give the blanket another quick wash in some plain cool water. This will rinse away any detergent that might have soaked into the blanket. Swish the blanket through the water, touching each section individually. Make sure there are no traces of soap remaining on the blanket.[3]
- Drain and refill the tub with fresh water until it remains clear after rinsing. You may need to do this several times.
- Make sure you hand wash delicate fabrics like wool, silk and linens. These fabrics are woven from natural fibers and may be irreparably damaged if treated with harsh washing methods.
[Edit]Using a Washing Machine - Make sure the blanket will fit in the washing machine. Depending on the size of the blanket you're washing, you may have trouble getting it to fit into a washing machine. Front-loading washers and top-loaders without agitators will produce optimal results, as the drum is spacious and allows plenty of room for the blanket to move. If your blanket is too big to fit in a standard washing machine or is made of an especially delicate material, wash it by hand instead.
- Take the blanket outsides and give it a good shake to remove any loose dirt or dust before washing.
- Laundromat washing machines are typically bigger than commercial washers and might be the best option if you're washing a blanket that is particularly large or thick.
- Perform a quick color test. If the blanket has never been washed before, it might be a good idea to quickly test to see if the dye used to color the blanket will run in the washer. Soak a colored portion of the blanket in cool water for a few minutes, then dab the blanket with a piece of plain white fabric or paper towel to see if the color bleeds. Wash the blanket by hand if there's a substantial amount of color on the test cloth.[4]
- Avoid washing a new or brightly colored blanket with other clothes.
- Select a gentle cycle and use cool water. When machine washing blankets, always use cool water and choose the gentlest wash cycle. Washing machines are rough on clothes: that's partially how they manage to get things so clean. The downside of this is that all the spinning, beating and agitating can stretch your blanket out of shape and cause it to come out looking worse than before. Similarly, hot water can shrink threads and cause dye to run. Be aware of this and protect your blanket from damage.[5]
- Add a mild detergent. Pour a small amount of mild detergent into the washer after it fills but before you put in the blanket. This way, the detergent will diffuse evenly throughout the water, creating a gentle washing solution and keeping you from having to pour the detergent directly onto the blanket. Most laundry soaps are astringent and can cause wear and fading to textiles in high concentration, so pick a detergent approved for delicates and go easy on it.[6]
- A little goes a long way: a quarter cap full of detergent is plenty.
- Load the washing machine evenly. Place the blanket into the washing machine, making sure that the weight and bulk of it is evenly distributed around the inside of the drum. Otherwise, not all surfaces of the blanket will get cleaned equally, and the motion generated during the wash cycle can throw the washer off balance. If the washer you're using has a center agitator, coil the blanket loosely around the agitator as you lower it in.[7]
- Wash the blanket. Let the blanket go through the process of washing. If the blanket is of a heavy-duty or synthetic material, it's alright to let it finish a full wash cycle. However, you can also take the blanket out and drain the washing machine after 3-5 minutes; for delicate and natural fabrics like wool or down, there's no need for the blanket to undergo a complete wash, rinse and spin cycle.[8]
- The longer the blanket is in the washing machine, the higher the chance it will come out warped, stretched or damaged. The spin cycle in particular may be too forceful for certain fabrics.
- Fabrics that are washing machine safe include cottons, which are preshrunk, and synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, which don't stretch out or shrink.
[Edit]Machine Drying - Set the dryer to a low heat setting. When using a clothes dryer to dry your blanket, keep the heat setting between low and medium. Higher heats might shrink the blanket, or cause synthetic materials like polyester to scorch. If you're drying a down or wool blanket, set the dryer to tumble.[9]
- Because it uses no heat, tumble drying takes longer and should only be used if you're worried about damaging a natural fabric.
- Once again, cotton and synthetics are resilient fabrics, which make them totally dryer-approved (just watch out for high heat on synthetics, as they're prone to burning after a while).
- Load the blanket into the dryer. Once again, make sure the blanket is distributed evenly in the dryer. Let the blanket lie loosely in the barrel, and try not to bunch it up.
- Clear out the dryer's lint trap before you begin drying. Fluffy items like bedding tend to shed a lot of lint, which can become a fire hazard as it accumulates.
- Allow the blanket time to dry. If your blanket is of heavy construction or has been washed and dried many times, it should be okay to let it go through a full drying cycle at low heat. Dry delicate or loosely-woven blankets in short bursts and keep an eye on the blanket's material as it dries. Set the dryer's timer for the desired time, or else monitor the blanket throughout the drying process.[10]
- Tumble drying a delicate blanket might take hours. Reset the dryer at the end of a tumble cycle and repeat until the blanket is no longer damp.
- Overdrying can cause shrinkage or damage. Choose the appropriate time for the blanket you're drying and give it a feel from time to time when machine drying for longer periods.
- Remove and hang the blanket. Take the blanket out of the dryer while it is still slightly damp. In most cases, it's preferable to allow blankets to finish air drying—this will help instill a fresh fluffiness in the blanket as the remaining moisture dissipates and spare you the grief of dealing with shrinking, scorching, stretching and static. Smooth the blanket out by hand, then either hang it from a clothesline or drape it over something broad and flat. Let the blanket hang until it's completely dry.[11]
- A drying rack or ironing board can be useful for draping a drying blanket if space for a clothesline is unavailable to you.
- Turn the blanket over periodically to expose both sides to direct air flow.
[Edit]Air Drying - Press out any remaining water. If you decide to air dry your blanket after washing it, be sure that you've first removed as much moisture from the blanket as you can. This will save you a lot of drying time. Remember to press the blanket, don't wring or bunch.
- Hang the blanket. Using a clothesline or ironing board, straighten and suspend the blanket to let it begin drying. Hang drying works best when it's done outside due to the movement of the air, but if you don't have a place to dry clothes outside you can also turn on a fan or simply let the blanket hang overnight.
- Smooth out all wrinkles and folds before hanging the blanket, or else the blanket will crease and dry unevenly.
- Make sure the blanket is completely stretched out when hang drying. Greater surface area means faster, more thorough drying.
- Wool, silks, linens and any blankets with loose weave-work, like crochet, should always be hung and allowed to air dry. This is the gentlest way to treat easily damaged fabrics and will help protect them for many more washings and drying.
- Roll the blanket up between dry towels. Alternately, sandwich the wet blanket between two clean, dry towels and roll or fold them up together. The towels will wick moisture out of the blanket from both sides, helping it dry faster. Place a heavy object like a book on top of the roll to apply pressure to the damp blanket and increase contact between the blanket and towels.[12]
- One advantage of the towel method is that there should be no need to smooth the blanket once it's dry since it's already been rolled taut or neatly folded.
- Using an object heavier than a textbook to press water out of a blanket that is drying between towels may misshape the blanket or cause wrinkles once it's fully dry.
- Lay the blanket out. If you're pressed for space or don't want to use the towel method, find a clear, flat space to lay the blanket out. Place a couple dry towels underneath the blanket to absorb excess moisture as it dries, and flip the blanket over as needed to allow exposure to air on both sides. This will take considerably longer than any other drying method, but requires minimal effort. You may need to run an iron over the blanket after it has dried completely in order to eliminate wrinkles.[13]
- This method will also be useful for blankets made from delicate fabrics like wool which easily stretch out and lose their shape when subjected to rigorous washing and drying.
- Use a low heat when ironing and only go over trouble spots in the blanket lightly once or twice.
- Rinse at least twice when washing your blanket by hand. You don't want soap irritating you if you have sensitive skin.
- Use soap designed specially for delicates, like Woolite, when washing natural or easily damaged fabrics. Camping stores also sell "sleeping bag soaps," which are special soaps that dissolve easily and don't foam too much, which makes them easier to rinse.
- Placing a clean tennis ball or two in the dryer with the blanket will help move it around as it tumbles, allowing it to dry more thoroughly.
- For best results, add the detergent to the water before you add the blanket so that it completely diffuses throughout the water. If you just pour it on top, it might get stuck in one part of the blanket.
[Edit]Warnings - Don't put the blanket back on your bed while it's still wet. This could easily open you up to a mildew infestation.
- Don't leave your blanket in the dryer too long. Synthetic fabrics are prone to burning and melting when exposed to heat for long periods, and intense heat can even cause heavy-duty fabrics like cotton to shrink.
- Wash blankets by themselves and one at a time. It's harder for the water and soap to circulate effectively when the washing machine is full.
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| How to Write a Cookbook Posted: 15 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Writing a cookbook is often a dream of the avid home cook. And why not? Recipes are a treasure trove of experience, history, and love all rolled into one. Start with a broad idea of what you'd like your cookbook to be about. Organize and refine the recipes that you want to use in the book and have people test your recipes. Once you're happy with your cookbook, find an agent or publishing company to produce your cookbook. Or consider self-publishing your cookbook or ebook. [Edit]Organizing the Cookbook - Choose the focus or theme of the cookbook. If you want to write a cookbook, chances are you already have a general idea of what you want to write about. Start with a broad style of food or specific type of diet. From there, you can begin to narrow down exactly what you'll write about.
- For example, you might want to write a dessert cookbook or a party food and appetizer cookbook.
- Find your niche. Once you've chosen a broad theme, narrow down the focus of your cookbook so it really stands apart. While lots of new cookbooks are published every year, you'll increase the chances of being published if you make yours stand out from the others. If you have a unique take on a cooking style or food, you might want to make that the focus of your cookbook.[1]
- For example, your dessert cookbook could contain recipes on how to make sophisticated s'mores. Or the party and appetizer cookbook could focus on foods that are paleo-diet friendly.
- Decide if you're writing the cookbook for personal or professional use. If you'd simply like to write a cookbook for your own use in the kitchen or to give to family and friends, you can be more casual with the writing, photo quality (if you even take pictures), and structure of the book. If you want to write a cookbook to be published, you'll need to make the book as polished, creative, and original as possible.
- To make a personal cookbook, you can write it up on your computer in a readable PDF file. Print the file and have it bound at a copy or printing place.
- Research what's popular. If you're struggling to narrow the scope of your cookbook, you might want to contact a few publishing companies. Briefly tell the publishing company that you're writing a cookbook and you'd like to know if the publishing company is actively looking for specific types of cookbooks. You can also check popular websites for new food trends, products, or diets.[2]
- Remember that you'll want your cookbook to stand out, so you might even want to combine a few popular combinations (like how to ferment spiralized foods or make gluten-free cake pops).
- Decide the style of the cookbook. Once you've narrowed down the scope of your cookbook, decide the mood and feel of the book. Determine if you'd like to simply give recipes or if your cookbook will also tell a story. A narrative might help to make your cookbook stand out from others, especially if it has a broad theme.[3]
- For example, if you're writing about cooking for a family, you can add interest about writing about what makes your family unique. For example, tell stories about cooking for your large family, your family with several dietary restrictions, or cooking a specific style of food for your family on a budget.
- Create a rough outline of the contents. Before you begin to assemble recipes, decide on a loose outline of the cookbook. This way, you'll be able to plug recipes into their chapters or tell a story along with the recipes. If you're having trouble with an outline, look through some of your favorite cookbooks to get organizational ideas.
- For example, your dessert cookbook might have 4 chapters: one on classic cake pops, one on gluten-free cake pops, one on shaped cake pops, and one on savory cake pops.
- While it's okay to be slightly quirky, remember that readers usually expect standard cookbooks to be arranged from savory to sweet, starters to mains to dessert, or from inexperienced cook to skilled in the kitchen.
[Edit]Creating Original Content - Gather your own recipes. Examine all the recipes you have on your cookbook theme. Sort through them for recipes that you think taste the best and that you'd like to include in the cookbook. Select 10 to 15% more recipes than you plan on putting in the cookbook. Avoid including recipes that you have had trouble making or aren't passionate about.[4]
- Think about the recipes that you've made for other people. If any of them were a big hit, include them in the cookbook.
- Make the recipes and write down tips. Test more recipes than you think you'll need, since you may change your mind about using some of them. As you test, write very detailed descriptions of how to make each recipe. Include helpful tips to encourage your readers to make the food. Try to give substitutions for ingredients and variations for the recipes.[5]
- For example, instead of saying, "Cream the butter and sugar," instruct your readers to, "Beat room temperature butter with the sugar on medium speed until it's light and fluffy."
- Ask other people to test your recipes. This way you can get feedback about how clear your instructions were, how the food tasted, and where you need to improve the recipe.
- Write each recipe as you want it to appear in the cookbook. Read over all of the testing notes and any feedback you got from others. Create a detailed recipe by explaining how to cook or assemble the ingredients. Be as clear and thorough as you can so people of many skill levels can cook your food.
- Diagrams and illustrations may be as helpful as photos in some cases. If you can't draw, find someone who is willing to help out.
- Take photographs of the food. High-resolution, quality photos help the reader imagine the end result of a recipe and inspire them to make the dish. Decide if you'd like to take a photo for every recipe or just include a few for each chapter. If your photography skills need brushing up, take a quick class or learn how to use photo-editing software to edit the pictures.[6]
- You can also hire a photographer to photograph your food, but this will add to the cost of making your cookbook.
- Give proper credit to others. All the recipes in your book should be written by you or at least changed in some way to make them your own. While lists of ingredients and very basic recipe instructions are not covered by copyright, the words used to describe the methods in each step or as a whole are copyright. If you've changed a recipe from another person, give them credit for the recipe.
- For example, if you've made a few small changes to someone's recipe, note that your recipe was adapted from this person's recipe. If you've made larger changes to the recipe, you could say that your recipe was inspired by this person's.
- Never use someone else's photography or illustrations since these are protected by copyright.
[Edit]Publishing the Cookbook - Hire an editor to proofread your work. Edit your work several times and have others read through it as well. Check for accuracy of ingredients, measurements, cooking times, etc. Readers will expect your recipes to turn out the way you describe, so if a step is missing or inaccurate, you may lose readers.[7]
- Find an agent. While you don't have to have an agent before you submit a cookbook proposal to a publisher, having an agent can greatly improve your chances. Look at several of your favorite cookbooks and read through the acknowledgements. The author should mention their agent. Contact the agent and send them a brief message about working with them.[8]
- Send inquiries to a few agents since many will be busy or might have cookbook projects that are similar to your own.
- Contact publishers. Your agent will send information about your cookbook to several publishing houses. If you don't have an agent, you'll need to decide which publishers to send your cookbook or proposal to. If publishers are interested in your cookbook, they'll talk with you about the overall look (photography, gloss or matte finishes, cover art) of the book and publishing fees and profits.[9]
- Don't be surprised if publishing houses will ask you to make changes to the structure or content of your cookbook. This may be because they want your cookbook to really stand out or be easier to market.
- Create a following on social media. Many traditional publishers will be more likely to work with you if you already have lots of people interested in reading your book. Try to create a food blog that highlights some of your best work and has lots of readers. Give the publishers information about how many regular visitors you have to your blog as well as how many unique views you get each month.
- Consider paying to self-publish your cookbook. If you can't find a publishing company or want to make all of the publishing decisions yourself, you can self-publish your book. Contact a company that will publish your cookbook and discuss costs associated with printing the book.[10]
- If you want to offer a cookbook to readers on your blog, you may want to publish an ebook. These are simply files that your readers can pay to download. You won't need to publish an actual hard copy of your cookbook if you do an ebook.
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