| How to Prevent Static in Laundry Posted: 23 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT Static cling on laundry can be a big inconvenience. Dealing with static cling on clothes can be an irritating part of doing laundry. Preventing static cling, however, can be achieved both before and after you do the laundry with sprays, implements, and a basic understanding of how static cling occurs. [Edit]Using Sprays and Liquids to Prevent Static - Add vinegar to the laundry after the rinse cycle. Simply pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the laundry load during the rinse cycle and your clothes should come out clean and static free. This is an especially good choice for cotton clothing or sheets, but it doesn't do as well with fleece or polyester.[1]
- The vinegar will also keep soap residue off the clothes as they're rinsed.
- Use post-laundry sprays which reduce static cling. A popular product known as Static Guard is one such product which can eliminate static charge in clothes after they dry. Sprays contain special compounds which discharge static electricity in clothes. They can be applied to freshly cleaned clothes to make them static-free. Simply point the nozzle at the article of clothing in question and squeeze the top. A mist of aerosolized liquid will eject from the can.
- Try making a DIY spray by mixing 1 bottle cap of fabric softener into a spray bottle filled with water.[2]
- Use fabric softener. Fabric softeners are liquid concoctions of chemicals used to make fabric softer. They impart a pleasant odor to your clothes and are capable of preventing static cling in laundry as well.[3] Popular brands include Downy, Bounce, and Snuggle. Each softener has directions on the back of the container. Generally, you must pour them into your washing machine during the rinse cycle, then allow the cycle to run as normal.[4]
- If your washing machine has a built-in fabric softener dispenser, pour the fabric softener into it. If not, add the liquid to the washing machine itself after adding the clothes.
- You can also purchase laundry detergent with fabric softener added to it.
- Spray distilled water on your clothes after they come out of the dryer. Spraying a fine mist of distilled water across the surface of the clothes as they come out of the dryer will prevent them from being too dry and sticking to each other or other surfaces, which can lead to the buildup of static charge. Fill a standard size spray bottle with distilled water and give the handle one good pump across the surface of your clothes from a distance of approximately two feet.
[Edit]Preventing Static By Adjusting the Washing and Drying Conditions - Line-dry your clothes. Air-drying can prevent static cling altogether.[5] If you have to use a dryer, take your clothes out of it as soon as they are sufficiently dry or while they are still slightly damp. Over-drying your clothes can lead to static cling.
- Static happens when there's friction between two electrically insulating materials, especially in a dry environment—like a clothes dryer.[6]
- Separate clothes by material. Some materials are morel likely to build up static electricity than others.[7] Synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, rayon, and acetate tend to develop high levels of static cling after washing. Natural fabrics like cotton, wool, linen, and silk, on the other hand, tend to stay relatively static-free. Washing and drying natural and synthetic fibers in the same cycles can result in static cling on all your clothes, so it's a good idea to wash them separately.
- Alternately, you could choose to dry the natural materials in the machine and dry the synthetic materials on the line.[8]
- Use a humidifier.[9] A damp environment prevents clothes from sticking to each other as much as they do when they are very dry. While letting your clothes dry on the rack or on the line, run a humidifier. A humid atmosphere makes the air more conductive than the clothes for the buildup of static charges, which essentially makes the clothes a less attractive target. Running a humidifier during especially dry seasons like winter will also prevent buildup of static electricity on your clothes and body.
- A drying rack is a small rack of wood or plastic with several parallel rungs upon which clothing can be set to dry.
- Limit the amount of time your clothes spend in the dryer. Instead of letting them run the full hour-long cycle, let them run only 45 minutes. Remove them and hang them on hangers or a washing line to dry the rest of the way. You'll save money by running the machine for a shorter period and reduce your carbon footprint in addition to limiting the static cling of your clothes.
[Edit]Preventing Static With Dryer Additives - Place a dryer sheet in your dryer. Dryer sheets contain positively-charged ingredients which are released only when in the presence of static electricity. Their presence ensures electrical charges will be neutralized. To use dryer sheets, simply place one (or two for large loads) on top of wet clothes in the dryer before running it.
- Dryer sheets do more than just remove static. They also lend a pleasant, fresh fragrance your laundry.
- You can also rub laundry sheets on your clothes to "wipe away" static after they come out of the dryer.[10]
- Attach some safety pins to your clothes before putting them in the dryer. Adding two safety pins to a sock will channel the static electricity into the pins. Think of them as a lightning rod for static charges in the dryer. Attach the safety pins to the sock when the clothes are wet and being transferred from the washer to the dryer.
- You can also rub a metal hanger across the surface of each item of clothing after removing it from the dryer to discharge static.
- Consider using dryer balls. These are small balls of foil, plastic, or wool which, when placed in a dryer with your clothes, reduce static cling. Since static develops from the friction of clothes rubbing against each other, adding an object like a dryer ball to the mix can add a layer between clothes which prevents them from accumulating the electrical charge which causes static. Other benefits of dryer balls include keeping your clothes separated and fluffy.
- You could, instead of using a commercial or homemade dryer ball, use a tennis ball or even some clean, soft sneakers.[11]
- Use an aluminum foil ball. While similar to the dryer ball, the aluminum foil ball actually works on a different principle, and causes the static to accumulate in the aluminum foil ball, not in the clothes. Using regular aluminum foil of the variety commonly found in kitchens, cut about three or four square feet of aluminum. Crunch it loosely into a rough ball, then smooth it in your hands by rolling it between your palms until it becomes rounded. Each should be two to three inches across when finished. Toss three or four balls in the dryer along with your clothes.[12]
- Wash your laundry with soap nuts. Soap nuts are a type of berry which possesses anti-static properties. To use soap nuts, drop a handful (5-6) in a muslin bag. Tie it off and drop it into the regular laundry load before starting the washing machine.
- When using soap nuts, you can eliminate or reduce the volume of detergent. Be sure to use them with hot water for best results.[13]
- Fabric softener is also available in ball form.
- If you don't have fabric softener on hand, you can substitute it with baking soda, borax, or white distilled vinegar.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Remove the Smell of Bleach from Your Hands Posted: 23 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Bleach is one of the most well-known and often used cleaners and sanitizers on the market. It leaves everything looking brighter, but it also leaves everything smelling very heavily of chlorine, including your hands. That smell can be overpowering not only to you but to those around you as well so it's important to remove it as quickly as possible. [Edit]Things You Should Know - Use lemon or tomato juice to neutralize bleach odors on your skin.
- Scrubbing your hands with baking soda or coffee grounds will also work.
- Massage coconut oil or olive oil into your skin to remove bleach odors and moisturize at the same time.
[Edit]Eliminating the Smell - Neutralize the bleach with lemon or tomato juice. Neutralize bleach's base chemical make-up with foods high in natural acids.[1] Combining an edible liquid acid with bleach is a great way to even out the overall pH and eliminate that unpleasant odor. Use any one of the following foods to neutralize the bleach:
- Lemon juice [2]
- Another citrus juice like lime, orange, or grapefruit
- Tomatoes (tomato sauce, puree, or paste work as well)
- Coat your hands with juice or vinegar. Rub it in well. It's best to do this for at least a minute as it gives you time to make sure you've covered everything. This also allows the liquid to soak in and neutralize the bleach.
- Rinse your hands with cool water. Voila! The smell will hopefully be gone.
- Soak your hands if the smell remains. If washing your hands doesn't work, or you don't wish to use straight liquid on your hands, dilute these acidic foods 1:1 with water. Then let your hands soak in this mixture for 2-3 minutes.
- Create an exfoliant scrub from household products. Combining a food that is both dry and high in acid content with bleach is a great way to even out the overall pH and eliminate that unpleasant odor as well. Use one of these dry acids as a rub to neutralize the base:
- Baking soda[3]
- Coffee grounds[4]
- Choose your rub. Take the rub of your choice and do just that: rub it all over your hands. Take your time and rub it in well, much like an exfoliant scrub. Do this for one minute. Wipe off the excess into a trashcan and rinse with hot water. This will allow the rub to penetrate deeply into your pores. If you don't like the smell of coffee, of course, opt for using baking soda.
[Edit]Moisturizing While Deodorizing - Use select natural oils, lotions, and soaps. Often times natural food, and plant-based oils have a wonderful aroma. They also have the added benefit of moisturizing your skin. Since bleach dries out the skin, it is a win-win: no more dry skin, no more chlorine stink. Some suggestions include:
- Coconut oil[5]
- Almond Oil
- Olive oil
- Aloe Vera lotion: make sure the lotion is high in Aloe Vera as that will make a huge difference in its effectiveness
- Tea tree oil lotion: like Aloe Vera, a higher concentrate will do a better job
- Citrus based lotions
- Citrus based soaps: there are some all-natural soaps that provide both the cleaning power of soap and the moisturizing effects of lotion. Check your local health food store to see if they have any that fit your needs and budget.
- Apply a little at a time. When using oils you don't want to overdo it. You could wind up over-oiling yourself, thus adding another step (namely, removing all that excess oil!).
- Apply a few dollops. If you're using lotion, this should be enough to coat your entire hand and give you a good idea if you need more and if the lotion you've chosen is doing the job.
- Lather up. If you use a citrus based soap, lather up then use hot water. This helps the soap latch onto those base bleach molecules and lift them out.
[Edit]Using Flowers, Plants and Herbs - Choose essential oils. These give you the ability to choose from a wide variety of oils to find the one you like the best.[6] Make sure to never apply essential oils directly to the skin[7] as they are, in general, too strong for direct contact. Dilute the essential oil in what is known as a carrier oil and apply as needed. Essential oil examples are:
- Lemon
- Eucalyptus
- Lavendar
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Marjoram
- Choose your carrier oil. Some examples are:
- Sweet almond oil
- Hempseed oil
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil
- Follow the directions on the essential oil bottle for diluting it in your carrier oil. A good rule of them is a 2-percent solution. This means approximately one drop of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.[8]
- Pick petals from your garden. Find the most fragrant flowers or herbs in your yard or purchase them at the store. Then rub the petals or leaves in your fingers and hands to release the fragrant oils within them. Choose such fragrances as:
- Roses
- Geraniums
- Lavendar
- Rosemary
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- If preferred, you can cut the lemon into slices and rub these over your hands.
- Rinse your hands with cold water before deodorizing. Contrary to popular opinion, it is best to rinse with cold water because hot water opens your pores and allows the bleach molecules to be trapped deeper into your pores. By using cold water you are constricting those pores and making it easier to lift the smell off your hands.
- Check your hands for cuts, hangnails, etc. You may not want to use the food acids method if you have any because the high acid content will hurt those open wounds quite a bit.
- A paste of baking soda and water rubbed into your hands will achieve the same outcome as using dry baking soda.
- Milk, known to take the smell out of fish and other foods, is sometimes recommended as well.
- When it comes to using acids to neutralize a base, the rule of thumb is this: if you can't eat it, don't use it. Using inedible acids can cause severe damage to your hands.
- Mint toothpaste is suggested by some as another alternative.
- Wear rubber gloves when cleaning with bleach. This will solve the problem before it becomes one.[9]
[Edit]Warnings - It is a good idea to wear gloves when using bleach, to protect your skin, as constant use of bleach is very harsh on the skin.
- Do not apply essential oils directly to your skin. If you do so, follow the instructions on the bottle to alleviate or prevent negative reactions.
- Rinsing your hands with inedible acids can cause severe burns. If you realize you have used an inedible acid, rush to your nearest hospital for immediate medical attention.
- Be cautious about what you use to try to eliminate the smell. certain chemicals (exp. vinegar), when mixed with bleach, can be dangerous.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Lemon/lime/orange/grapefruit juice
- Baking soda
- Coffee grounds
- Natural oil, lotion, or soap
- Essential oil
- Carrier oil
- Fragrant flowers or herbs from your yard or the store
- Rinsing area with running water
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Keep Cookies Fresh Posted: 23 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Cookies are always best when eaten fresh out of the oven, however, sometimes they need to be stored for later. If you have the strength to not eat them right away, store them in an airtight container with a piece of bread. This will help them to taste fresher for longer. If you want to keep your cookies fresh for a longer period, put them in a sealed bag and place them in the freezer. [Edit]Storing Cookies in a Container - Let homemade cookies cool completely before storing them. Hot cookies will release condensation into the air making other cookies in the container soggy. Since nobody likes a soggy cookie, leave the cookies on a cooling tray before transferring them into a container.[1]
- If you don't have a cooling tray, leave the biscuits to cool on a plate instead.
- Transfer your cookies into an airtight container. This will stop the cookies from becoming soft and crumbly. Airtight ziplock bags or plastic containers are easy and inexpensive options. If possible, choose a container that fits the cookies in snugly. This helps to limit the airflow in the container and will keep the cookies tasting fresh for longer.[2]
- If you have brought or made different kinds of cookies, store them in different containers as keeping soft and crispy cookies together will cause the harder cookies to go soggy.
- If you plan to store your cookies in a plastic container, check that it is made from food-grade plastic.
- If you are storing very hard and crunchy biscuits, place them in a container, such as a cookie jar, that allows a little airflow.
- Place sheets of parchment paper between the layers of cookies. If you have brought or made a bulk batch of cookies, put sheets of parchment paper in between each cookie layer to stop them from sticking to each other.[3]
- If you don't have any parchment paper, use wax paper or a tortilla instead.
- Avoid stacking cookies that are frosted or are really soft.[4]
- Place a piece of white bread in the cookie container to keep them fresh. White bread will help to absorb moisture which will keep the cookies crunchy and fresh. Place a piece of fresh white bread into the top of the bag or container.[5]
- If you don't have any fresh white bread in the house, use a tortilla instead.
- Keep the cookie container at room temperature. Soft homemade cookies will last for 3 days and hard or packaged cookies will last for 2 weeks if you manage not to eat them first! Keep the container out of the sun to keep the cookies tasting their best.[6]
[Edit]Freezing Cookies - Transfer the cold cookies into an airtight plastic bag. Wait until the cookies feel cool to touch. This will stop them from creating condensation in the plastic bag and going soggy. Choose a bag that is sealable and large enough for the cookies to sit in a single layer.[7]
- A sealed bag will stop the cookies from absorbing other flavours and having a funny smell.
- Freeze the cookies unfrosted and add the frosting once the cookies have thawed. This will keep the icing looking and tasting its best.[8]
- Store the cookies in multiple bags if they won't fit in a single layer. If there are too many cookies to lie in 1 flat layer, split the cookies between a few sealable bags. This will stop the cookies from sticking together.[9]
- Place the airtight bag into the freezer for up to 5 months. Over time the cookies will start to lose their flavour. Eat the cookies within 5 months to ensure that they taste their best. Write the date on the bag with a permanent marker so that you can work out how long the cookies have been in the freezer for.[10]
- Thaw the cookies at room temperature for 15 minutes. Remove the cookies from the sealed bag and place them on a plate to cool. Devour the delicious cookies once they are completely thawed.[11]
- If there are flies around, cover the cookies with a clean linen cloth while they thaw.
- If you want to warm a cookie up, simply place it in the microwave for 10 seconds.
- Keep your thawed cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Chances are that you'll eat the cookies pretty quickly, however, if there are some left, keep them in a sealed container. This will help them keep their original texture and stay fresh.[12]
- Throw the cookies away after 7 days as the dairy products in the cookies will be past their best.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Thicken Spaghetti Sauce Posted: 22 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT You may need to thicken your spaghetti sauce at some point, whether you make it from scratch or buy it in a jar from the grocery store. There are many ways to thicken a sauce, but some can slightly change the taste or texture. The ingredients you have on hand, the amount of time you have available and the taste you are trying to achieve will determine which of the thickening options you choose. The following guide will help you thicken your spaghetti sauce. [Edit]Thickening Without Changing the Flavor - Reduce by cooking at a low boil or simmer. Reduction is the most natural and easy way to thicken a spaghetti sauce. Here's how you do it:
- Bring your tomato sauce to a boil and slightly reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer uncovered to the desired consistency. Stir the sauce often to prevent burning. This will encourage the evaporation of extra water, thickening the sauce.
- This method does not change the taste of the sauce, but can take more time, depending on how much water you want to evaporate.
- Add some cornstarch to the spaghetti sauce. The cornstarch mixture has no flavor, so it will not change the taste, but it may change the consistency of the sauce by giving it a silky sheen.
- Use equal parts water and cornstarch, mix, then add it to the sauce. Only pour in a small amount at first. Cornstarch is a powerful thickening agent, so you might need less than a teaspoon for a large pot of spaghetti sauce.
- Make a Roux and add it to the sauce. Melting butter and adding flour makes a roux. They are used in French cooking as a thickening agent. In fact, a roux is the reason that the creamy alfredo sauce is as thick as it is!
- After making the roux and adding bit by bit to the spaghetti sauce, you should cook the sauce for at least 30 minutes longer or you will be able to taste the grainy flour texture. You can also cook the roux before adding to the spaghetti, thus removing the mealy flour texture.
- Even with the additional cooking, the roux can change the flavor of your sauce, albeit subtly.
- Try adding breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs, like roux, is a nice thickening agent because it's primarily flour. Although you may be able to taste the addition of breadcrumbs slightly, they are pretty much vectors for the sauce; you'll definitely notice the thickness more than you'll notice the flavor.
- Add mashed potatoes. Peel, boil, and mash potatoes, adding butter and milk or cream if desired, and stir them into the sauce. The flavour may become very slightly sweeter, but the main effect is the thicker sauce. It will also be much more filling.
- Finish cooking the spaghetti in the sauce itself. Prepare the spaghetti until it's slightly underdone (south still of al-dente). Drain the spaghetti thoroughly so that no water remains and add the spaghetti into the pan with the sauce. Finish cooking the spaghetti one or two minutes in the sauce itself. The starch from the spaghetti will help thicken the sauce, and you'll be sure that the spaghetti is well-coated with sauce.
[Edit]Thickening with Flavor Boosters - Add tomato paste. The best time to add the paste is in the beginning, allowing the flavors of the spices to mellow the paste flavor. Tomato paste can also be added later if you need a quick thickening agent.
- Add grated Parmesan or Romano cheese to thicken the sauce. Grated or shredded cheese will help to thicken the sauce quickly. The cheese will slightly change the taste of the sauce.
- Cheeses such as Parmesan and Romano have a higher salt taste, so keep that in mind when adding salt to your sauce.
- Add heavy cream to make a creamy tomato sauce. This will slightly thicken the sauce and completely changes the taste and type of spaghetti sauce.
- Add vegetables to your sauce. Vegetables add depth and richness to your spaghetti sauce, giving it additional nutrition to boot.
- Traditional Italian cooks have been known to add shredded carrots to sauce, but it must be allowed to cook until the carrots are soft and mushy. This also helps reduce the acidity of the sauce.
- You can puree and sauté onions and peppers to thicken the sauce, but this will change the flavor.
- Try also shredding up various mushrooms into small pieces and adding them for extra thickness and a delicious umami flavor.
- Finely shredded eggplant also works like a charm! Be sure to remove the tough outer skin before shredding.
- Brown some ground beef or Italian sausage and add it to the sauce. The meat and tomato flavors are blended best when allowed to cook in the spaghetti sauce for a longer period.
[Edit]Warnings - Ensure you mix the cornstarch with cold water to avoid lumps.
- Adding water from cooked pasta does not thicken the sauce.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Clean Dirty Shoes Posted: 22 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Everyone's shoes get dirty at some point or another. Taking the time to clean your shoes according to their construction materials will not only have you looking your best, but it can also extend the life of your shoes! [Edit]Cleaning Canvas Shoes - Remove dirt or debris from the shoes. Use an old toothbrush or a small shoe brush and gently stroke the dirt or debris that is adhered to the shoe. Use just enough pressure to weaken the dirt's bond to the shoe. This will loosen and remove the debris or dirt.[1]
- Clean the soles using a baking soda paste. Getting the soles of your canvas shoes clean can be tough, so make a paste using equal parts baking soda and water. Dip the toothbrush in the paste and massage the soles of your shoes. Wipe clean with a wet cloth when finished.[2]
- Pretreat any stains with a stain remover. If your canvas shoes have any stains on them, place a small amount of stain remover on the stained area of the shoe. Allow the stain remover to sit on the shoe for the time recommended on the stain remover packaging.[3]
- Make sure you test the stain remover on an inconspicuous part of the shoe first. This way you can make sure the product isn't going to fade or stain your shoes.
- You can even use baby powder/cornstarch to lift an oil stain. Just leave it on for a couple of hours and then brush it off.[4]
- Wash in a washing machine on the gentle cycle. Add a gentle laundry detergent to the machine, choose cold as the water temperature, and begin running the gentle or delicate cycle. When the machine is about three-quarters of the way filled with water, add the shoes and close the lid.[5]
- Air dry the shoes. Once the washing machine has completely finished its cycle, it's time to remove the shoes from the machine. Place them in an area that is away from direct sun, heat, or air vents. Allow to dry overnight.[6][7]
[Edit]Cleaning Leather Shoes - Remove any debris or dirt from the shoe's surface. Using a stiff bristled brush or an old toothbrush, gently removed any dirt from your leather shoes. Take care not to scrub too hard or you might accidentally scratch the surface of the shoe.[8][9]
- Wipe grease and grime from the shoe's surface. Find a clean and dry cloth you can use to gently wipe away any grease, oil, or grime that might be on the surface of the leather. An old washcloth, dish towel, or hand towel works well for this purpose.[10][11]
- Wipe down the shoe with a damp cloth. Once you've used the dry cloth to wipe away grease and grime, wet a cloth with warm water and gently wipe down the surface of the shoe. Be sure you don't saturate the leather or you can cause damage.[12]
- Air dry the shoes. It's important that you give your leather shoes an ample amount of time to air dry once you've finished the cleaning process and before you wear them. Allow shoes to dry for at least 30 minutes in a space away from direct sunlight, heat, or air vents.
- Treat the leather. Apply a cream leather polish with a soft cloth and allow to sit for a few minutes. Then take the cloth and buff the leather to a shine. This will help preserve and protect your leather shoes.[13]
[Edit]Cleaning Suede Shoes - Use a soft shoe brush made specifically for suede and nubuck to remove debris. Brush lightly over the surface of the shoes to remove any dirt or debris that has adhered itself to the surface of the shoe. Be sure you don't apply too much pressure as this can scratch the suede and ruin your shoes.
- Make sure you brush in the same direction. Brushing in different directions can make the shoes appear to be two different colors of suede.
- Don't use a wire brush on suede. This can ruin your shoes.
- Use a horsehair brush![14]
- Use a rubber eraser to eliminate any smudges or dirt. Sometimes suede shoes get smudged, and an eraser is an easily accessible tool to help you eliminate any unsightly smudges. Gently rub any smudges or smears with the eraser to remove them.
- In most cases, brushing away dirt and erasing smudges will be enough to restore the suede.
- Treat with a silicone spray. Using a silicone spray will help prevent new stains or water damage on your suede shoes. Once you've finished removing dirt, debris, and smudges, gently spray the surface of the suede with a silicon spray for extra protection. This can enhance the overall life of your shoes.
[Edit]Cleaning Vinyl Shoes - Remove dirt and debris using an old toothbrush or a soft shoe brush. The first step to cleaning a pair of vinyl shoes is to remove any dirt or debris from the surface and sole of the shoes. Gently brush the shoes to remove the dirt before doing any further cleaning.[15]
- If the toothbrush is too soft, cut the bristles to make them stronger.[16]
- Remove light scuffs using a pencil eraser. A simple household eraser will help you eliminate any scuffs or smudges from your vinyl shoes. Gently erase these marks with either an art eraser or a regular pencil eraser. Be sure not to use too much pressure.
- Clean the surface of the shoe with a damp cloth. Find a soft, clean cloth such as an old washcloth or hand towel and dampen it with lukewarm water. You can also add a drop of mild laundry detergent to the cloth. Gently wash the surface of the shoe. If using soap, wipe any soap debris remaining on the shoes with a damp clean cloth before drying.
- Air dry your shoes. Once you've finished wiping down your vinyl shoes, allow them to air dry before wearing. Place the shoes in a safe space away from heat, direct sunlight, and air vents. Allow them to dry at least 30 minutes, if not longer, before wearing.
[Edit]Cleaning White Shoes - Clean white leather shoes with a wet cloth and white leather shoe cleaner. Wipe the shoes down with a damp cloth every few days. If you get stains, squeeze a little bit of shoe cleaner made especially for white shoes or white toothpaste onto the shoes and then rub gently with a wet cloth. Use a clean, dry towel to wipe the shoe clean.[17]
- Scrub white canvas shoes with detergent. Test a patch of the cleaner in an inconspicuous area of the shoe. If it doesn't adversely affect the material or color of the shoe, use a shoe brush to gently scrub the shoes with detergent. Rinse thoroughly and then submerge in hot water with a drop of bleach and airy dry.[18]
- Clean white mesh sneakers in the washing machine. After removing any excess dirt with a toothbrush, toss them in the machine with a splash of detergent on the hot water cycle. Make sure you remove the laces before washing. Avoid bleach as it can cause synthetic fibers to yellow.[19]
[Edit]Cleaning Dirty or Smelly Insoles - Remove the insoles from the shoes. To effectively clean smelly or dirty insoles, you will first need to remove the insoles from your shoes. Grip the back of the insole near the heel and gently pull the insole toward you until it is removed from the shoe.
- Remove excess dirt and debris with an old toothbrush or a soft bristled shoe brush.[20] Gently scrub the insole with the brush until all visible debris is removed. Don't scrub too hard as this can cause certain insole fabrics to pill.
- Use a wet cloth and detergent to launder the insoles. Apply a small amount of detergent to a cloth that has been immersed in warm water. Scrub the insole and briefly rinse in warm water before air drying.
- Air dry the insoles before returning them to the shoes. Once you've cleaned and rinsed the insoles, place them in an area away from heat, air vents, or direct sunlight to air dry. Once they are completely dry, you can return them to the shoes.[21]
[Edit]Related wikiHows Clean Leather Shoes Clean Suede Shoes Clean Your Converses [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Paper Flower Bouquet Posted: 22 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Though they may lack the rustic charm of a set of roses, a bouquet of paper flowers gets much of the same feeling of warmth and admiration across. Paper flowers never wilt or die, and the obvious time you'll have put into making them for someone special will not go unnoticed. There are many different methods to go about making a set of paper flowers and an appropriate vase, and the occasions and results are often as varied as the people making them. All the same, there are some solid basics you should consider when it comes to making a paper flower bouquet of your own. [Edit]Creating Your Flowers - Gather your supplies. You will need paper, stems, glue, scissors, markers and/or crayons to make your flower bouquet.
- Different coloured construction paper is arguably the most aesthetic option for paper flowers, but printer paper will suffice as well.
- Stems: For most cases, floral wire is the best. But flower stems can be made from just about anything, from strips of popsicle sticks to standup wiring to sticks of wood from the backyard.
- Glue and scissors. You'll need tools to format and fix up the materials you'll be working with.
- Markers and pencil crayons, for decorating the flowers and vase once they've been done up.
- Cut paper into squares. In order to make proper flowers using paper, you'll first need to make squares of them. Keep these squares as large as you can; you'll need as much material as possible to make the various folds work. Make 3-5 squares for each flower you're planning on adding inside your bouquet. Each square will make a petal for your flower. As you might already imagine, the process for making each of these flowers can be quite time-consuming, so it's important to plan ahead and set enough time aside to make enough of them to fill your bouquet.[1]
- One helpful trick is to pull a corner of a sheet of printer paper over to the other diagonal side of the paper as far as it can comfortably go. Cut whatever strip of paper that is not covered by the diagonal fold, and you'll have a square sheet of paper.
- If the paper you're using has different colours or a pattern on only one side of the sheet, place the side you want to use facing down; this will be the side people see the most of in the finished product.
- Fold a diagonal crease in the paper. Now that your square is ready, give it a clean fold down the middle diagonally, leaving a firm crease in the center. It's important to take your time at first if you're new to origami and other forms of paper crafts. By the time you get through a few petals, you'll find the following steps go by much faster.
- Fold up the edges towards the middle. Next, it's time to fold up the center edges to reach the top corner. Pull them upwards and fold over. By the end of this step, your paper should look like a small square or diamond, with two triangular halves folded over a diamond base. Take care to make the folds as precise as you can. Sloppy folds will make it harder or even impossible to get a good finished product.[2]
- Fold the open edges in half. For your next fold, take the open edges at the centre of your diamond and fold them outward to meet the outer edges of their respective triangles. If done correctly, they should make the shape of half a kite. From there, open up the kite fold over the diamond base to make a full kite shape.[3]
- At this point, you should have two kite shapes, one on either side of your diamond background. The tops of the kits should be sticking out from the diamond.
- Bring the edge folds together and glue them. Turn your petal in around on itself to make a small cone. Add a pea-sized dab of glue in between the folds to make it stick. Let it sit for about a minute before you work with it any more. Handling a petal that hasn't had the time to let its glue set will risk coming undone when you try to attach it to the flower's stem.[4]
- You can start working on your next petal while you're waiting for the current petal to dry.
- Glue petals to flower stem. Once you have the petals folded up, it's time to peg it to a stem. Find the center of the flower's back, add some glue, and set the stem against the glued area. The petal should be pointing face upward relative to the rest of the flower's stem. It should be sufficiently glued within a minute. Make sure the petal has been placed properly before you let the glue set completely.[5]
- Hot glue is preferable to regular stick glue, as it will give you more precision.[6]
- Repeat 3-5 times for each flower. Running through these steps once will result in one petal. You should have 3-5 petals for each flower you make. Depending on the size of your bouquet, you may have to make 5-20 flowers before you have enough to stock your vase to satisfaction, so it could end up being a pretty time-consuming project if you're feeling ambitious. Don't worry-- this may sound like a lot of time and hard work, but they'll go by much faster once you get the smooth hang of it.[7]
[Edit]Making the Vase - Choose the right type of paper. Using a proper sort of paper is important when doing any origami craft. Go to an arts store and some thick rice paper; it creases well and doesn't tear easily.[8] While construction paper always works in a pinch, if you're doing the origami method of vase-making, rice paper is preferred for its thickness and authenticity.
- Unlike the admittedly time-consuming flower petals, you'll ideally only need to make one vase before your bouquet is ready. With that in mind, it's important to try to make the vase as slick and polished as it can be. Giving yourself the extra time to make sure you're doing it right will be far less stressful than realizing you've made an error later down the road.
- Fold the creases for the waterbomb. A waterbomb base is the foundation from which you'll be making your vase. To start, make creases up, down, and both ways diagonally through the middle of the paper. Once you have finished this, there should be a visual impression of four distinct lines running through the center from one end of the square to the other. Take care to make these creases as defined as you can, pressing down and running your finger along them to make sure they settle in the paper. Weaker creases won't open up the way you'll want them to.
- Open up your waterbomb. Once you have your creases, push the paper up from opposing ends inwards. Hold the center down as you push it up. The pressure should cause the waterbomb's creases to open up into a creased triangle. Continue exerting pressure and allow the waterbomb to stand up. Smooth out any crumpled edges manually if you happen to see something wrong. At the end of all of this, you should have a working waterbomb foundation to build your vase with.[9]
- Flesh out the vase with folds. With the waterbomb complete, you should have something that looks like an obtuse triangle. To start up with the vase proper, take both of the far corners of your triangular base and fold them upwards to its opposing side as far as it will comfortably go. Fold the right side over to the left side; do the same for the left side. This should create the appearance of a bottomless cup. Once you've creased firmly, unfold it.[10]
- With this step completed, you should have the look of two paper kite shapes on either side of your vase framework. These will ultimately become the corners of the three-dimensional result.
- Make the squash folds. A squash fold is a common origami fold with spread, flattened edges, completed by pressing down on them once the initial fold has been made. Make squash folds on the left and right side of your vase in progress, then flip over the paper and do it for the opposing side. With these squash folds in place, you'll have a basic framework from which to open up your vase.[11]
- There are lots of videos available online detailing how to go about a proper squash fold. If you're not experienced in origami, you should watch a few of these to get a better hang of them.
- Open up the vase and fold the creases. With squash folds giving your origami vase a solid perimeter, you can now open it up. Push gently from the inside out, making sure not to dislodge any of the folds you've already made. When that is done, hide the overlapping creases by folding them on the inside of your vase. With that, you should have a relatively functional vase with which to decorate and fill with as many paper flowers as you wish.[12]
[Edit]Decorating the Bouquet - Decide what look you're going for. Now here comes the fun part. With the pieces all prepared, it's time to decorate the bouquet and give it some extra visual spunk. First, you'll want to decide what overall look you're going for. If you're trying to decide what style you want the bouquet to have, it's good form to approach the flowers and vase as one and the same. It's a common mistake to design flowers and the vase independently, but that doesn't give any promise the two designs will complement one another.[13]
- Consider the circumstance you'll be presenting this bouquet as well. A Halloween decoration may veer towards spooky oranges and blacks, while a Valentine's gift might conventionally lean on conventional reds, whites and pinks.[14]
- Wrap construction paper around the vase. By wrapping construction paper around the vase and taping it, you'll give yourself a canvas to decorate however you choose. The colour of construction paper you choose will have a major impact on the look of the vase, and you might even consider using strips of multiple colours of paper for a bolder look.
- It's another possibility to do without construction paper wrappings at all, as some people find aesthetic value in the intricate folds of origami. One way or another, the amount of decoration is entirely up to you, and there may be cases where no added decor is even necessary.
- Draw a design around the vase. Vases have the most space for artistic expression in a flower bouquet, and you should make use of it. Take some markers, pencil crayons or even watercolours and a paintbrush and take some creative license with the look of it. A geometric pattern (like a cross stitch or lined pattern) is simple and useful, but full-blown drawings could leave a great impression if you've got an artist's touch.[15]
- It'll feel more special if you make an effort to associate the decoration with the occasion the flowers are being presented. If they're for a wedding for example, a drawing of the bride and groom, a ring, or even a multi-tiered wedding cake could be the thing the vase needs to be truly unique and leave a real impression.
- Accent your flower petals. Drawing intricate designs or shaded textures on the petals is a good way to bring extra life to the bouquet flowers. In the majority of cases, adding shading with some pencil crayons is a simple way to significantly improve their look.
- Arrange your flowers in the vase. The basic set up and location of each flower in the vase can be a creative statement unto itself. How you go about it will depend on the number of flowers you've decided to include. Evenly distributing them across the front and back is usually a safe bet, although you may want to spruce it up depending on what looks best for your own vase.[16]
- Once you get the hang of it, you should try experimenting with different aspects. If there's a certain amount of petals you would like to fit into a flower, go for it. Also don't be afraid to mix and match different types of stems together. You're not trying to make these flowers look realistic; you're trying to make them look good! The details of how you go about it are all up to you.
- There are countless paper flower designs out there. You can choose another design other than the one listed here if you so desire, or even invent a fresh pattern of your own!
[Edit]Warnings - Especially when it comes to the use of glue and the petal folding, being cautious and taking your time will save a lot of hassle for future steps.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Cook Cabbage Posted: 21 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT Cabbage tends to be an underestimated and underused vegetable. Rich in nutrients (especially fiber) and low in calories, cabbage is an ideal way to add a new flavor and twist to a meal. While it's true that the odor can be a challenge, knowing how to cook cabbage properly can virtually eliminate the sometimes unpleasant odor and give your dinner a surprise kick that may please even the worst critic. [Edit]Choosing and Preparing Cabbage - Buy cabbage at its peak during the late fall and winter. Cabbage is available year-round, but it tastes the best when you buy it during the late fall and winter. Store the cabbage in the fridge for up to 5 days.[1]
- Choose cabbage with firm, vibrant, unblemished leaves. Pick a cabbage that feels heavy for its size. The leaves should be bright green or purple, depending on the variety, without any brown spots. Avoid cabbages that have withered, wilting, or bruised leaves.[2]
- Peel off the tough, outer leaves and rinse the cabbage with water. When you are ready to eat the cabbage, take it out of the fridge and peel off the outer leaves until the fresh ones are exposed. Rinse the cabbage with cool water, then dry it off with a paper towel.[3]
- Cut the stem off of the cabbage, then cut it into quarters. Set the cabbage down on its side on a cutting board. Hold it with your non-dominant hand, then use a sharp knife to cut off the bottom stem. Slice the cabbage in half lengthwise, then cut each half again to get quarters.[4]
- Remove the center stem from each quarter. Hold a cabbage quarter flat against the cutting board. Find the center stem along the straight edge. Use a sharp knife to cut it off at an angle. Repeat this step for the remaining three wedges.[5]
- Chop the cabbage further if you will be boiling, sautéing, or microwaving it. After cutting the cabbage into quarters, cut the cabbage widthwise into strips. This will make the cabbage pieces smaller and help reduce cooking times for boiling, sautéing, or microwaving.[6]
- You can also leave the cabbage quartered if you will be boiling or microwaving it.
- A medium head of cabbage ill give you 6 cups (600 grams) of chopped cabbage.
[Edit]Boiling, Steaming, or Sautéing Cabbage - Boil quartered cabbage for 8 to 10 minutes or until it is tender. Fill a large pot with enough water to submerge the cabbage. Add ½ teaspoon of salt, then bring the water to a boil. Add the cabbage to the water, then let it cook uncovered for 2 minutes to release odor. Cover the cabbage and allow it to cook until it turns tender, about 6 to 8 minutes more. Drain the cabbage, then serve it with olive oil, salt, and pepper.[7]
- If you chopped the cabbage into smaller pieces, cook it for 3 to 5 minutes instead.
- Use vegetable broth instead of water to give your cabbage more flavor.[8]
- Steam quartered cabbage in a steamer basket for 10 to 12 minutes. Set a steamer basket into a large pot. Fill the pot with enough water so that is just falls short of the basket. Bring the water to a simmer over medium-high heat, then add the cabbage. Cover the pot with a lid, and let the cabbage cook for 10 to 12 minutes. When the cabbage is tender, take it out of the pot. Serve it with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.[9]
- Steaming chopped cabbage is not recommended.
- Sauté chopped cabbage over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes. Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 milliliters) of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the cabbage. Cook the cabbage for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring often. Season it with salt and pepper, then serve it.[10]
[Edit]Cooking Cabbage in Other Ways - Microwave quartered cabbage for 9 to 11 minutes. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of water. Add the cabbage, then cover it with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes into the plastic wrap with a fork or knife, then cook it on HIGH for 9 to 11 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap carefully, then serve the cabbage.[11]
- Turn or stir the cabbage halfway through the cooking process.
- If you chopped the cabbage up, cook it for 4 to 6 minutes instead.
- Use a crockpot if you have more time. Fill a crock pot with 1 cup (240 milliliters) of vegetable broth. Cut the quartered cabbage into thick strips, then add it to the pot. For a more filling meal, add 1 cup (150 grams) chopped carrots, 1 chopped yellow onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cover the crockpot, then cook the cabbage on LOW for 5 hours. The cabbage is ready when it turns tender.[12]
- Use an oven to make cabbage steaks. Start with a whole head of cabbage. Cut it into pieces. Season both sides of the cabbage with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and oregano. Bake the cabbage in a preheated oven at for 10 minutes. Flip the cabbage with a spatula, then bake it for 10 minutes more.[13]
- If you don't like garlic, season the cabbage with olive oil, black pepper, mixed herbs seasoning, and fresh dill.[14]
- Grill cabbage for 20 minutes for a quick summer meal. Cut a cabbage into 8 wedges. Coat both sides of each wedge with softened butter, then season everything with ¼ cup (40 grams) of chopped onion, some garlic salt, and some pepper. Wrap each wedge with heavy-duty foil. Grill the wedges, covered, over medium heat for 20 minutes. Open the foil carefully. There will be lots of steam.[15]
- If you want larger servings, cut the cabbage into 4 wedges instead. Grill them for 40 minutes, turning twice.[16]
- Want a richer meal? Wrap each wedge with a strip of bacon before wrapping it in foil.[17]
- Try Southern fried cabbage with onion and bacon. Season 3 slices of chopped bacon with salt and pepper. Brown it in a large frying pan until it is crispy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 head of shredded cabbage and 1 chopped white onion, along with a pinch of sugar. Fry the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring often.[18]
 - Experiment with other seasonings such as pepper, garlic powder, dill, or mustard seed.
- Cabbage tastes best when it is served hot. Serve it immediately after you are done cooking.
- You can refrigerate and reheat leftovers, but be aware that some flavor may be lost.
- Cabbage tastes great when paired with pork or beef.
- Add some corned beef to crockpot cabbage for an even heartier meal!
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Use Uber Posted: 21 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Uber is an on-demand and cashless car service that allows you to use your smartphone or tablet to request rides from private drivers. If Uber is available in your area, you can sign up for a new account by downloading the mobile app or by visiting Uber.com. This wikiHow teaches you how to create an Uber account and book your first ride. [Edit]Signing Up - Open the Uber app on your phone or tablet. Look for the black-and-white icon that says "Uber" on your home screen (iPhone/iPad) or in your app drawer (Android).
- If you haven't yet downloaded the app, you can do so now for free from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Play Store (Android).
- If you're using a computer, you can sign up for Uber by visiting https://www.uber.com/. Just click the Sign up link at the top-right corner of the page, click Sign up to ride, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Enter your mobile phone number and tap the arrow. Uber will send you an SMS message containing a verification code.
- If you'd prefer to sign up using your Facebook or Google account, tap Or connect using a social account at the bottom instead, sign in, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Enter the confirmation code. Once your phone number is confirmed, you'll be able to continue setting up your account.[1]
- If you've already signed in to Uber using this account, you'll now be signed in and ready to use the app.
- Enter your email address. You'll need to enter a valid email address to create an account and receive Uber receipts. Tap the arrow after entering your address to continue.
- Create a password. Your password should be at least 8 characters long. Once the password is accepted, tap the arrow to continue.
- Enter your name. Your first name will be provided to drivers when they head to pick you up so that they can confirm they have the right person. Your last name will remain private. Enter both into the provided blanks and tap the arrow.
- Review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Links to both documents appear on this screen. Signing up for Uber confirms that you agree with the terms presented in both documents. Tap the arrow after reading these documents to confirm that you agree.
- Select a payment method. Credit/debit cards are accepted worldwide. If you have an Uber gift card, you can select that option to apply its value to your account. PayPal, Venmo, and various other digital wallet options are available in some locations.
- You can tap Skip at the top-right corner if you want to enter this info later.
- Enter your payment details and tap the arrow. If you're signing up with a card, enter the requested details from the card. If you're signing up with PayPal, Venmo, or another option, follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your details now. Once you're finished, you can book your first ride.
- See How to Change Your Uber Payment Details to learn how to edit your payment methods in the future.
- You can access all of your Uber settings, including your payment information, by tapping the menu at the top-left corner of the app.
[Edit]Getting a Ride - Open the Uber app on your phone or tablet. It's the black icon on your home screen (iPhone/iPad) or in your app drawer (Android) that says "Uber" in white letters. Uber will open up to a map displaying your current location.
- If you don't have a mobile phone or tablet, you can book rides with your computer. Navigate here and log in with your account. The remaining steps will be similar on your computer, although you won't be able to make any changes to the trip or use any of the ride's safety or fare-sharing features.
- Tap the box. You'll find it at the top (Android) or bottom (iPhone) of the map.
- If you want to schedule the ride for a different time, tap the icon of a car with a clock to the right of the "Where to?" box (Android) or use the drop-down menu (iPhone) first to select a date and time.
- Enter your destination. You have a few different options:
- Type a location name or specific address into the "Where to?" field, then tap the correct result when it appears.
- If you prefer to select the location from a map, tap Set location on map, drag the map until the pushpin is directly over your destination, and then tap Confirm destination or Done.
- If you need to stop somewhere on the way to your final destination, tap the + to the right of the "Where to?" box, and then follow the on-screen instructions to enter additional locations.
- Select a vehicle type. Swipe up on the screen to scroll through vehicle options and prices.[2] The options vary by area and availability. Some of the options you may find:[3]
 - UberX sends a standard car to your location with seating for up to 4 people. This is the most common service in most Uber operating areas.
- UberTaxi (or Uber-Cab in some locations) sends a licensed, locally-operated taxicab to your location.[4]
- Comfort assures that you'll get a newer-model car with more legroom. This option also can carry up to 4 passengers.
- UberXL is best for when you need a larger vehicle (typically a van) with enough space for up to 6 passengers.
- UberPool is a ride-sharing option that lets you share rides with strangers for a lower cost. If you choose this option you'll be asked to choose how many seats in the vehicle you'd like to reserve (the maximum is 2).
- Black is a premium option for when you need a luxury town car with a professional driver.
- Black SUV is just like Black, except you can bring up to 5 other people on your journey.
- Select offers room for up to 4 passengers in a high-end car.
- UberAssist offers special assistance from drivers who are certified to aid passengers with limited physical mobility. Up to 4 people can ride in an Assist vehicle.
- WAV sends a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to your location with enough space for 4 passengers.
- Uber Pet vehicles allow your pets to ride along with you.
- UberX Car Seat or Black Car Seat ensures that the car comes equipped with car seats for children.
- UberSKI assures you'll have space for your winter sporting gear.
- Review the fare. Selecting a vehicle type will also display the total fare for the ride, although some cities only display an estimation.[5]
- If you're traveling with another person and want to split the fare evenly, see How to Split an Uber Fare.
- Your fare includes the base rate, mileage, booking fee, toll costs (if any), and surge pricing (if applicable).
- Tap or . If you chose a different service than UberX (e.g., uberPOOL), the button will reflect that service instead.
- Depending on the vehicle or service type, you may see an option that says Next instead. Tap that to continue, and then select any additional options.
- If you want to change your payment method, tap the currently-selected payment option to do so.
- Set your pickup location and tap . Uber will attempt to pinpoint your location based on your GPS, but double-check it first to make sure it's accurate. Drag the map to move the pin and set a different pickup location if you'd like. If you are not prompted to confirm your pickup location, tap Confirm (vehicle type) to confirm the ride.
- When a driver accepts your request, you'll see their estimated time of arrival and current location on the screen. You'll also see their name, photo, vehicle make, color and license plate number.
- If there was no car available, try again in a few minutes, as a driver may have dropped their passengers off and become available.
- You can cancel your trip without penalty if you do so before a driver accepts the ride. If you cancel after a driver has accepted, you may be charged a cancellation fee to compensate for your driver's time. To cancel, tap the bar at the bottom of the screen, tap Cancel or Cancel Trip, and then select Yes, Cancel to confirm.[6]
- Wait at the pickup location for the ride. Do not go back in if the Uber is coming, and don't walk to an alternate location as your driver will not know where you are.
- The Uber app will provide you with a filtered phone number of your driver. You can use this to contact the driver if you have any special considerations.
- Confirm the Uber is the correct one before getting in the vehicle. When the driver arrives, refer to your app to confirm the Uber's make/model, color, and license plate number. Ask the driver for their first time OR ask them to tell you your own first name. Never hop in a vehicle that does not match the information you see on your screen.
- Complete your trip. Once you arrive at the destination, your default payment method will be charged the total amount of your fare.
- Rate your driver. Drivers with an average rating of 4.6 stars or lower risk losing their jobs with Uber.[7] Because any rating below 5 stars negatively impacts your driver's total rating, it is customary, but not required, to rate your driver 5 stars unless their behavior is unsafe or unacceptable.
- Your driver will also be prompted to rate you as a passenger. If your ratings go below a certain threshold, your account may be terminated.
- You'll also have the option to tip your driver. Drivers keep 100% of their tips.
- If you have a serious problem with your driver, you can file a complaint on your iPhone or Android.
- To view your past and pending trips, tap the menu at the top-left corner of the Uber app and select Your Trips.
- When you choose UberPOOL as your ride-type, it may take significantly longer to pick you up and/or get you to your destination. The driver may have to pick up other passengers before or after retrieving you.
- When you take UberTAXI, your fare includes a 20% tip. If you're riding in an UberX, UberBlack, or UberSUV vehicle, you will be given a chance to include a tip after rating your driver, or you can hand your driver a cash tip.
- Uber currently operates in the cities listed on this page: http://www.uber.com/cities
- As a safety measure, you may want to take a screenshot of the vehicle ID and driver information Uber shows while you wait for the ride. It can be useful later, to have this information handy if you need Uber's help to resolve any issues with bad drivers.
- If you've received an Uber gift card it's easy to apply it to your account.
[Edit]Warnings - Exercise caution when using Uber, or any type of ridesharing, because you are agreeing to accept a ride from a stranger you don't know. If you are uncomfortable with this idea, you may wish to find an alternative means of travel.
- If you don't feel comfortable riding with the person, don't get in the car. If you feel unsafe on the trip, ask the driver to let you out of the vehicle in a safe area.
- Ensure the driver is the real Uber driver. There have been instances where people (especially women) have been kidnapped by a fake Uber Driver.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make an Invisible Ink Pen Posted: 21 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Invisible ink is fun and exciting to use. You can send secret messages to your friends and family using ingredients that can be found lying around the house. There are many different solutions that you can use as ink and even more options for how to reveal the message. Any liquid that is slightly acidic can be used as invisible ink. With a little bit of heat, you can reveal all of the secrets! [Edit]Using an Acidic Solution - Gather the necessary materials. To make an invisible ink pen, you will need Q-tips or a paintbrush, an acidic solution, a shallow dish or bowl, white paper, and a source of heat. The Q-tips or paintbrush will be used to do the actual writing. Choose the item that works the best for you.[1]
- Any of the following can serve as the acidic solution for the invisible ink: milk, vinegar, or lemon juice.
- The heat source can be a candle, a hair dryer, an iron, or even a lamp.
- All of these items should easily be found around the home or purchased at the grocery store.
- Pour the acidic solution into a bowl. If you are using a lemon, squeeze the lemon until the juice comes out into the bowl. If you are using milk or vinegar, pour about half of a cup into the bowl. The exact amount isn't important. You will only need enough to write your message.[2]
- Dispose of the liquid down the drain when you are finished.
- Do not use the liquid for anything else once you have used it for invisible ink.
- Write on the paper. A Q-tip is a very easy device to use as a pen. Dip it in the solution until it is damp. Write your secret message, dipping the Q-tip into the ink every few letters. This ensures that you have used enough ink for the message to show up later.[3]
- It may be difficult to keep track of what you are writing because the writing will be invisible as well. If you write at a well-lit table you will be better able to see what you are writing while the ink is still wet.
- Let the ink dry fully. Before revealing your hidden message, you need to let the ink dry completely. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes for the ink to finish drying.
- Set the first paper aside and write more messages while you wait for the first one to dry.
- Apply heat to the paper. Once you have obtained a heating device, apply it to the paper where something has been written with the invisible ink. As the paper heats up, the areas that have invisible ink on them will begin to turn brown. When the message starts to appear, remove the heat source from the paper. If the message is unclear, keep the heat on for a few more seconds until it comes clear.[4]
- Be extremely cautious not to light the paper on fire if you are using a candle. Adult supervision is recommended for this to avoid burns or other injury.
- If you are using a hair dryer, use the low heat seating and wave it across the paper until the words appear.
- If you are using an iron, use it on a low setting. To avoid burning the paper away, place a piece of parchment paper between the iron and the paper before rubbing the iron on top.
- Reveal the writing with salt. You can tweak this method a little bit by using salt instead of heat to reveal the message. When the ink is still wet, cover it in salt. Let the salt sit for at least two minutes and then brush it away from the ink. Let the ink fully dry and then color over the message with a wax crayon.[5]
- The wax will not stick to the salt in the ink and you will be able to read what is written!
- There is no exact amount of salt to use, just make sure the message is covered completely while the ink is still wet.
[Edit]Using Petroleum Jelly as Invisible Ink - Gather the necessary materials. Petroleum jelly is a fun ink to use because it will glow in the dark under a black light (UV light). To use this type of invisible ink, you will need petroleum jelly, Q-tip cotton swabs, white computer paper, and a black light.[6]
- Most of these materials should be easily found around the house.
- You can purchase a black light at a local superstore or online.
- Write on the paper with the jelly. Dip the cotton swab into the petroleum jelly until you have a small amount on the end. You don't want a big glob of it because that will be difficult to write with. Write your message with the tip of the cotton swab.[7]
- For best results, try to make the writing smooth, avoiding bumps from the jelly.
- Shine the black light on the paper. To reveal the written message, shine a black light on the paper. You can even turn the normal lights out or look at it in a dark closet. The words you wrote will glow in the dark under the black light.[8]
- You don't have to wait for the jelly to dry completely before revealing the message.
[Edit]Writing with Baking Soda - Gather the necessary materials. For this type of ink, you will use baking soda for writing and grape juice to reveal the hidden message. To do this, you will need ¼ cup of water, ¼ of baking soda, Q-tips, grape juice concentrate, and a paintbrush/sponge brush.[9]
- All of these items should be found around the house or purchased at the grocery store.
- Dissolve the baking soda in the water. Pour the baking soda into the water and stir until it is fully dissolved. The baking soda will dissolve faster if you use warm water. This solution will serve as the invisible ink for your secret messages.[10]
- The exact amounts of baking soda aren't important as long as you have equal amounts of baking soda and water.
- Write your secret message. Dip the Q-tip into the baking soda solution until the tip is damp. As you write, you will need to dip the Q-tip into the solution again to make sure you have enough ink. It can be hard to see what you're writing because the ink is invisible.[11]
- While the ink is still wet you can see it if you are working in a well-lit room.
- Set it aside to dry completely. The ink must dry completely before you try to reveal it or the reaction will not work. Put your papers off to the side and write more messages while the first ones dry. The ink shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to dry.[12]
- When the ink is fully dry, you won't be able to see anything on the paper. It will look like a normal blank sheet of paper.
- Brush the message with grape juice. Once the writing has dried completely, you can reveal your message. To do this, dip a paintbrush in grape juice and brush it across the message. When the message is covered in grape juice, the writing will change color and you will be able to read what is written. This works because grape juice is acidic and reacts with the baking soda in the invisible ink to change color.[13]
- Avoid getting the grape juice on your clothes because it can stain.
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Your Friends Laugh Posted: 20 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT Enjoying a laugh can bring friends closer together. It always feels good when you are the one in your group of friends who can spark the laughter. Since you know your friends personally, you understand their interests and you might even share the same sense of humor. You don't need to be a stand-up comedian. Just be yourself and work on finding humor in you and your friend's everyday lives. [Edit]Telling Jokes - Use sarcasm. Most humor involves a reaction to something that bothers us in our lives.[1] It can be politics, romance, money, or even something as trivial as the weather. What makes these topics funny is how you uniquely express your frustration with them.
- Many funny jokes come from sarcasm. Make a statement that might not seem funny if you take it literally, but use your tone of voice to let your audience know you don't really mean it. For example, you could pepper a conversation with some sarcastic comments like, "You're totally unique and special... just like everyone else in the world."
- Relate to the real world. Things that we find funny tend to reflect some kind of truth about the world. What makes them relatable is often what makes them funny. If your jokes aren't grounded in reality, there is a good chance you won't be able to connect with your friends and the joke will fall flat.[2]
- Exaggerate your stories. Contrast realistic topics by blowing them out of proportion and using ridiculous metaphors. For example, if you say "I ate too much pizza," you're not likely to get a laugh. However, it will probably be funny if you say, "I ate like 17 pizzas. I was like a bear getting ready to hibernate. When I was done I stacked the pizza boxes to make myself a cave and went to sleep." By exaggerating a simple idea, you can easily make it into something comical.[3]
- Create an emotional connection. A big part of making anyone laugh is performance. You need to be able to use your words to engage the emotions of your audience and create a bond with them.[4] If you can build up tension, anxiety or sympathy with your words, then you will get a bigger laugh when they finally hear the punchline.
- Surprise your audience. Humor is best when it comes unexpectedly. Don't telegraph your jokes or they will fall flat. To get a laugh, you need to create some incongruity between the setup and the joke by creating an unexpected twist.[5]
- Practice your delivery. The funniest jokes usually seem spontaneous.[6] If you can make it seem like the jokes are just coming to you it will make your friends laugh even harder. Once you immerse yourself in comedy, you will find it becomes easier to tell jokes. Try reciting your joke in a room by yourself and see how it sounds.
- Work on your timing. Pace yourself. Don't get nervous if it takes awhile before you get a laugh. [7] Keep your tone at a natural conversation pace. Allow your audience a moment to laugh before hitting them with another line.
- Tweak your phrasing. Be blunt and concise. If you can't think of the best words to express and idea, let it marinade awhile longer.
- Make fun of yourself. Sometimes it is better to make yourself the target so your friends don't feel like you are constantly ridiculing everyone else. You don't want to seem like a jerk. Let them know you don't think you're better than everyone else by being self-deprecating every once in a while.
- For example, "I love my life, but it thinks of me more like a friend."
- Do an impression of someone. You can mimic someone famous, or just someone that all your friends are familiar with. The key is to study the person you want to impersonate and be impressive with how you replicate their voice, expressions and use of language.
- Work on your impression by assessing yourself in a mirror. Only do an impression if you can really pull it off.
- Your friends should be able to know who you are impersonating without being told. If they don't see it without being told, it isn't going to make them laugh.
[Edit]Playing Pranks - Use the element of surprise. The key to a hilarious prank is the element of surprise. Regardless of what kind of prank you set up, be sure your friend does not see it coming.
- Try to keep a straight face. Avoid giggling. Just try to look entirely emotionless so they have no reason to suspect anything is up.
- Scare one of your friends. The best part about pranking a friend is that you can use your knowledge about them to your advantage when coming up with a potential prank. For example, if you have a friend that is afraid of snakes, putting a rubber snake in their car or in their bed is a sure fire way to get a reaction.[8]
- Call a friend. A prank call is one of the easiest ways to make your friends laugh. Be sure to use a public phone or borrow another friend's phone so your target won't recognize the number. Work on different accents so that your friend won't recognize your voice. You can pretend to be a bill collector, secret admirer or tell them they won a ridiculous prize contest.
- Prank a friend online. The internet can help to play some amazing pranks. They take very little effort and you can keep them going for a long time.
- Sign up your friend for a bunch of email subscriptions from strange websites so they get tons of annoying marketing emails.[9]
- You can order strange objects online and have them shipped to your friend. Pick anything that is funny, disturbing or strange. Imagine their confusion when they open up a package and find a giant inflatable zebra and some nylon medical gloves that they didn't order.
- Be good-natured. Don't do anything that could cause physical harm to your friends. You always want to be sure not hurt your friend emotionally. Pranks should be harmless enough that even your target can laugh along with you. You don't want to ever ruin a friendship just because you wanted to be funny.
- Get your other friends involved in your pranks. The more people that are in on a joke, the funnier it will be. If you let your other friends in on your pranks ahead of time, they can also play along and help you pull it off.
- Be selective about which friend you decide to prank. Some of your friends are more sensitive than others. Pick one of your friends that has a good sense of humor and will be amused by the joke. It will be much funnier if everyone is able to laugh about it, even the person being pranked.
[Edit]Making Friends Laugh Indirectly - Laugh. Sometimes laughter can be infectious.[10] If your friend says something funny laugh. Try to lighten the mood by infecting everyone else with laughter. At the very least they might crack a smile.
- If you find you're the only one laughing, just go with it. Laugh obnoxiously. Cackle like a witch, or laugh like a hyena. Maybe they will find that funny.
- Put on a funny movie or television sitcom. It could be the Simpsons or a Will Ferrell movie. Sometimes you might not feel like being funny and turning on the television or a movie is an easy way to keep the good times going. You can use the opportunity to share something that brings you enjoyment with your friends.
- Have a lip sync battle. Challenge your friends to put on a better performance than you. Pick some hilarious music and have fun with it. Videotape your performances, then you can play them back and laugh all over again later.
- You can also challenge them to a karaoke battle.
- Post a funny meme on social media. Just because you didn't think of it, doesn't mean your friends won't see the humorous post as a connection to you. Even if you aren't that creative, friends may still consider you funny because you share things that are funny. If it makes you laugh, as least some of your friends are likely to find it funny too.
- Don't try to be funny all the time. Pick your spots so you don't seem obnoxious.
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Homemade Chalk Posted: 20 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Making chalk is an easy, inexpensive project you can do at home using supplies you're likely to have on hand. Mix in a little paint to make chalk in different colors, or stick with basic white. This article gives instructions for how to make chalk using plaster of paris, eggshells, or cornstarch. [Edit]Plaster of Paris - Gather supplies. Aside from the ingredients you need to make the chalk, you also need to pick out molds. Search around your house and go to the craft supply store to compile the following list of supplies:
- Plaster of Paris. You can get a large tub of this from most craft stores. You'll need 1/2 cup per batch of chalk.
- Tempera paint. This type of paint washes away easily, which is convenient if you'll be using your chalk on the sidewalk or on a chalkboard. Choose as many colors as you'd like.
- Wax paper. You'll need this to line your chalk molds, so that the chalk doesn't stick to them.
- Items to use as molds. You can use old toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, ice cube trays (as long as you don't use them again to make ice), or any other type of tube or carton.
- Masking tape. You'll need this to cover the bottom of the tube molds to keep the chalk mixture inside.
- Get the molds ready. Line the molds with wax paper so that the waxed part is facing up. If you're using tubes, tape one end with masking tape to keep the chalk mixture contained.[1]
- Pour paint into bowls. You'll need two tablespoons of paint per batch of chalk. Measure it out into bowls, with one color per bowl. You can also mix paints to create new colors; for example, mix red chalk with yellow to make orange chalk, or blue with yellow to make green. Just make sure the total amount of paint in each bowl adds up to .
- Add the plaster of Paris. Scoop 1/2 cup of plaster of Paris into each bowl. Stir thoroughly so that the mixtures are fully incorporated and free of lumps.
- Add a drop of liquid dish soap. This helps the chalk wash away more easily. Just stir one or two drops into each bowl of chalk mixture.
- Pour the chalk into molds. Use a spoon to help you pour the chalk mixtures into individual molds, one for each color. Fill the molds as high as you'd like; the chalk mixture won't expand as it dries. Cover the molds with waxed paper when you're finished.
- Let the chalk dry. Place the chalk in a dry place to let the moisture evaporate overnight. The chalk is ready to use when it's completely dry.[2]
- Finished.
[Edit]Eggshells - Gather ingredients. This all-natural method of making chalk uses ingredients you can find at the grocery store if you don't already have them on hand. Collect the following items in preparation for your chalk-making project:
- Eggshells. If you are lucky enough to have an egg-laying hen, you might have a store of eggshells just waiting to be used. If not, find a way to gather as many eggshells as possible. If you start in advance you can ask your friends and neighbors to save them up for you.
- Flour. This thickens the mixture and fills out the chalk.
- Food coloring. Either the liquid or gel kind will work.
- Molds. Use old toilet paper rolls, an ice cube tray, or any other type of mold of your choice.
- Wax paper. You'll need this to line the molds.
- Masking tape.
- Prepare the molds. Line your chosen molds with wax paper so that the waxed side is facing up. If you're using tubes, use masking tape to cover one end.
- Grind the eggshells. Make sure they're totally dry before you begin. Use a mortar and pestle or a bowl and the back of a spoon to grind the eggshells to a fine powder. Be sure not to leave any large shards of shell; the mixture should be completely smooth.[3]
- Mix the base. Mix two parts flour to one part eggshell in a bowl. Add water a little at a time until you've created a thick paste. Separate the mixture into as many bowls as you want, depending on how many colors you want to make.
- Add food coloring. Stir a few drops of food coloring into the different bowls.[4]
- Fill the molds. Spoon the chalk mixture into separate molds, one for each color. Cover the molds with wax paper.
- For a fun variation, try filling the molds halfway with one color, then filling up the other half with a second color.
- Make marbled chalk by filling the molds with two or more colors, then using a wooden skewer to poke through the paint layers and create swirls.
- Let the chalk dry. Wait at least 12 hours for the chalk to dry before popping it out of the molds and using it.
- Finished.
[Edit]Cornstarch - Gather supplies. This simple chalk recipe calls for two main ingredients: cornstarch and water, in equal parts.[5] Use food coloring if you want to make more than one color. For the molds, use old toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, or other small containers. You could also make one large sheet of chalk and break it into pieces.
- Prepare the molds. Line your chosen molds with wax paper, making sure the waxed side is facing up. If you're using tube molds, cover one side with masking tape to keep the chalk from leaking out.
- Mix the cornstarch and water. Pour equal parts cornstarch and water into a mixing bowl. Stir so that the mixture has a thick, smooth consistency. Separate the mixture into smaller bowls, one for each color of chalk you want to make.
- Add food coloring. Use a few drops of food coloring to dye the mixtures in the different bowls. Stir each one well so that the color gets fully incorporated.[6]
- Pour the chalk mixtures into molds. Use a spoon to help you transfer the chalk mixtures into individual molds. Cover the molds with wax paper.
- Let the chalk dry. Wait 12 hours before removing the chalk from the molds. This chalk is completely natural and biodegradable.[7]
- Finished.
- Make scented chalk by adding a few drops of essential oil to the mixture before pouring the chalk into molds.
- Experiment with mixing in glitter and other tiny items.
- You can substitute other types of calcium, like limestone, for plaster of Paris or eggshells.
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