As the school year comes to an end, many high school students across the county are preparing for semester exams. But Friday, May 10, was not a typical end-of-year day for a group of about 45 students at Clements High School.
When they arrived at the school, the group - made up of Future Farmers of America as well as football and basketball members - left the school and headed to the community of Brigadoon, which was hit hard by one during the violent storms on May 8th Tornado struck.
As chainsaws whirred in the background, students could be seen collecting branches, shingles and wood chips, then placing them in piles along the side of the road for collection.
"We started our FFA chapter from the ground up," said Lexi Evans, FFA president and Clements sophomore. "This community has given us a lot to create the perfect foundation, so this is the least we can do."
Evans posed the question to his FFA colleagues after the storms passed and said none of them hesitated or hesitated.
"Nobody turned it down," Evans said. "Our principal, our teachers, they all agreed. I'm very, very proud that I was able to come here and help.
Healthline staff shares their ready-to-use remedies for stuffy nose, runny nose, and watery eyes.
You don't have to spend all spring and summer sneezing, sniffling, and rubbing your eyes.
As peak allergy season begins, it may be helpful to take some steps to provide allergy relief, including symptom prevention strategies and lifestyle changes.
We teamed up with Ricola to share the unconventional methods Healthline staff use to relieve allergy symptoms.
This tip requires checking the weather forecast regularly.
"I start my Flonase when I notice that the weather forecast promises consistently mild temperatures. For me that means late February or early March. Years ago I didn't have to start until the end of March, but these days spring comes earlier!
"My allergist told me that if you start taking it two weeks before you're supposed to, you're on a maintenance dose so you don't have any problems when [allergy season] starts," said Samantha Costa, editor-in-chief of Bezzy.
Tips for partners
Ricola Throat Balm is formulated with pectin to relieve everyday minor throat discomfort and protect it from further irritation.
The drop consists of 10 Swiss Alpine herbs, caramel flavors and real fair trade honey.
"Your hair and skin accumulate pollen and dust during the day, which transfers to your bedding at night and perpetuates the exposure," explains Maggie Brown, product manager at Healthline. "Sleeping with clean skin, hair and bedding, combined with other simple measures, can help combat seasonal allergies, so keep your bedding extra clean!"
Costa agrees, saying he uses allergen- and mite-proof mattresses and zippered pillowcases. Editor Nadia Harris also makes sure your skin is clean during allergy season.
"I'm usually the type of person who only showers once a day, but when I feel itchy [my eyes, ears, nose and throat get really irritated], I sometimes shower two or three times a day. The heat of the shower soothes irritation in the same way that hot drinks do, but I also find that it helps remove pollen and other allergens from my skin.
Cough drops often contain ingredients like menthol and peppermint. If you are someone who suffers from itching or scratchy throat when your allergies flare up, the combination can have a calming effect.
"Hot drinks like tea soothe my throat," Harris explained. "I always have tea bags and cough drops in my mini bag and sometimes I even have lemons to add a little sparkle.
Did you know that your pet's diet can affect the amount of dander they produce?
"About a year ago, at the recommendation of my allergist, I started giving my cats Purina Pro Plan Live Clear dry food. It's designed to minimize their dandruff and is also made for dogs," Costa explained.
"I did this because our second cat irritated my allergies at the end of 2021. I was used to dandruff from my first cat, but this was a completely different type of dandruff.
About two months after starting the food change, Costa noticed that she no longer had hives or allergy-related chest tightness.
It's true that this method of preventing allergies requires regular doctor visits, but for Costa , allergy shots have been a game-changer.
"I have a monthly maintenance allergy vaccination schedule. I see my allergist once a year and the injections have significantly improved my outdoor allergies. I had a lot of difficulties as a child. I wish I had founded it more than 20 years ago.
If your regular allergy medication isn't doing the trick, combining it with another antihistamine may help.
Associate editor Emery Wright said she takes Pepcid (famotidine) along with her other allergy medications to combat allergic hives at her doctor's recommendation.
Quick safety tip: Before doubling your allergy medication, consult a doctor. Some medications can interact with each other and combining them can be dangerous.
Living with seasonal allergies can be difficult, but it's not all doom and gloom. Taking a preventative approach to allergy relief can help you enjoy the warmth of spring and summer without unpleasant symptoms.
Whether it's keeping your bedding clean and pollen-free or replacing your pet's food with a reduced-allergen variety, you can limit exposure to allergens and prevent allergies from interfering with your daily activities.
Are you still suffering from unpleasant symptoms? Talk to a doctor about treatment options, such as allergy shots.
They found that people suffering from infertility noted a lack of knowledge and opportunities in the following areas, which prevented them from eating healthily and exercising regularly:
Evidence-based nutrition and exercise strategies.
Support and resources to strengthen self-management skills
the psychological burden of living with infertility.
Several infertility clinical guidelines recommend a healthy lifestyle and this is the first review to highlight the unique challenges faced by people with infertility. It is used to develop lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes .
The systematic review , published in Human Reproduction Update , evaluated the opinions of more than 4,300 health professionals and people living with infertility.
Infertility, defined as the inability to achieve clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse, affects up to 186 million people worldwide.
Joint lead author, Associate Professor Lisa Moran, an accredited practicing nutritionist and head of the Healthy Living Research Program at the Monash Center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), said the impact of fertility treatments could exacerbate the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. . . So it was important to give people the skills they need to feel empowered.
"Undertaking fertility treatment is a difficult journey and this study found that people suffering from infertility who want to adopt a healthy lifestyle want to feel able to do so," Associate Professor Moran said. "Self-management skills build self-confidence and therefore incorporating skills such as goal setting and problem solving are key to successful lifestyle change."
"Support from healthcare professionals is also very important and we have found that healthcare professionals are keen to motivate and support patients to achieve their goals.
Barriers affecting opportunities for lifestyle improvement included lack of time for exercise and lack of high-quality, evidence-based information to guide dietary changes.
Co-lead author and accredited practicing nutritionist Dr. Steph Cowan said improving options by incorporating partner support, offering free or low-cost resources and supporting delivery through telehealth could help some people.
"Telemedicine can reduce some logistical challenges and also reduce the anxiety of people visiting a fertility clinic in person," said Dr. Cowan. "In return, it means that we receive our sons in person, that I surround myself in front of the house of information transmission at first glance, and that I can simply understand it because people do not give me the choice between their health, their time and theirs Give time." Money."
First author and Ph.D. Candidate Sophia Torkel said infertility has mental health impacts that can be profound and varied, affecting individuals and couples in different ways. The psychological stress of infertility makes it difficult to make even small lifestyle changes.
"We found that transforming a healthy lifestyle as a self-care strategy is an important mental health strategy that can contribute to behavior change," he said.
The results will be integrated into a new Ask Fertility app developed by the Center of Research Excellence in Women's Health in Reproductive Life and MCHRI. It complements the Ask app suite, which includes Ask Early Menopause (over 6,000 users) and Ask PCOS (over 61,000 users in 195 countries).
The Ask Fertility app, launching later this year, will help women experiencing infertility find the highest quality information from leading experts and will include tools for self-care , self-management and shared decision-making.
"Together with the recommendations of international guidelines, the results of this research can help improve the health of people with infertility, which will hopefully contribute to better fertility outcomes," Associate Professor Moran said.
Further information: Sophia Torkel et al., Barriers and facilitators to healthy living in people with infertility: a mixed-methods systematic review, Human Reproduction Update (2024). DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae011
Citation : Research Reveals Lifestyle Maintenance Tips for Infertile People (May 16, 2024) Retrieved May 16, 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05-reveals-lifestyle-maintenance-infertile-individuos.html
This document is subject to copyright. Except for fair use for private study or research purposes, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content is for informational purposes only.
Preventing trash cans from smelling bad can be difficult, but cleaning experts have shared a viral trick on TikTok that could help . ... tips you can take with you...
Speaking to the popular Facebook group Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips , one... "I tried mold removers, bleach and washing machine cleaners but nothing helped..."
When you feel overwhelmed and exhausted, completing household chores can seem like a mountain too difficult to climb. In times like these, it's easy to forget how quickly you can check something off your to-do list . Getting into the habit of completing a few simple cleaning tasks every day will have a big impact on the overall cleanliness of your home and make it feel like your sanctuary.
It can help you feel happier, more energetic and more productive. Remember that managing household chores effectively is not just about a clean home, but also your mental well-being, which is a top priority.
The mental health benefits of a clean home
Decluttering your home isn't just about hygiene or aesthetics: mental health experts agree that keeping your home organized can also have several benefits for overall mental health.
"For many, creating a clean or organized space can make it easier to feel like you have things under control," says Danielle Tucci, licensed professional counselor and co-founder of Live Better Therapy Solutions , a Pennsylvania online therapy practice. , New Jersey and more. "If our space is visually appealing, it can promote a feeling of relaxation or contentment."
This state of relaxation can produce feelings of increased productivity, reduced stress and anxiety, and improved mood. It can even promote better sleep and other healthy habits. Think about how pleasant it is to prepare a home-cooked meal in a clean kitchen than in a dirty one.
Here are some simple tasks you can cross off your to-do list depending on your time and energy levels, says Katie Lambert, professional housekeeper and owner of Clean Queen based in Denver, Colorado. Trust us, it makes all the difference.
Kritsada Panichgul
5 minute tasks
Do you only have five minutes? Do not be afraid ! Whether you're short on time or just feel too exhausted to spend more than a few minutes on household chores, there are some simple tasks you can do that will still make a significant difference in your home. Here are some of Lambert's recommendations, starting with:
10 minute tasks
You'll want to do these 10-minute tasks more regularly, but they don't necessarily need to be done every day. Try setting a timer to stay on track - you'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.
Dust and vacuum some furniture (especially if you have four-legged friends at home!).
Vacuum small, high-traffic areas like the bathroom or kitchen.
Fold clean clothes and put them away.
Quickly clean the kitchen floor.
15 minute tasks
Take time to tackle the things you don't do every day, like cleaning a toilet (or two!) or changing the sheets on your bed. Crossing just one of these key items off your to-do list will instantly make your space feel more organized and luxurious.
Clean a bathroom.
Clean a shower or bathtub.
Remove and replace sheets and blankets from your bed.
Do you have 20 minutes free? Try tackling one of these slightly more challenging (but still minimal) household tasks. You probably won't do it that often, but if you leave them on for too long, they can quickly feel uncontrollable.
Organize and clean the inside of your refrigerator and discard expired foods.
Vacuum your carpets.
Go deeper into your bathroom. Clean and polish mirrors and faucets to make the room sparkle.
30 minute tasks
"If you have 30 minutes or more of free time to do chores, start working on 5-minute batch tasks," says Lambert. "While your clothes, dishes, and automatic cleaners are doing their work, you can work on other cleaning projects.
Here are some tasks she recommends doing when you can spend more time at home.
Simple professional tips for a clean home
In addition to taking time to tidy up, there are some tips that can help you deal with clutter in the long term. Tucci recommends trying two in particular: building habits and starting small.
Habit building is all about incorporating a new habit into something you already do regularly. Linking new behaviors to existing behaviors helps simplify the process of forming new habits.
"For example, while you're making your morning coffee , you load the dishwasher," he says. "When you get up in the morning and turn on the light, make your bed. When you turn off the TV at night, tidy up the coffee table in your living room.
And don't feel like you have to make your space sparkle all at once—you can start small when it comes to completing tasks around the house, especially if you're running low on energy or time. Dedicate yourself to the process.
"Creating stretch goals like 'clean the entire downstairs' can be overwhelming and time-consuming, making this goal less achievable," says Tucci. "By setting small, measurable goals, we can gradually work toward the larger goal and track our progress."
Nobody likes greasy barbecue, especially when you're trying to make delicious barbecue.
Luckily, there are several grill cleaners you can use to keep your grill free of carbon and the outside of the grill sparkling clean. These specialty cleaners can help you care for your grill with natural formulas to avoid the terrible chemical taste of your food.
But with so many grill cleaners to choose from, it can be difficult to choose one.
To help you, here are some of the most recommended grill cleaners, including options from Carbona and Goo Gone.
Carbona oven racks and grill cleaning kit:"It's easy to use, clean and provides virtually scrub-free cleaning jobs overnight. The kit includes a large resealable plastic bag, a bottle of cleaning solution and disposable plastic gloves," explains Good Housekeeping.
Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner: "If you have a lot of sticky dirt anywhere on your grill, including the grates, Goo Gone will remove it after two to ten minutes of soaking. The foam sticks to the surfaces, sucks up all the dirt and then simply wipes it off," explains The Pioneer Women.
Traeger All-Natural Grill Cleaner: "Made in the USA, this biodegradable formula is powerful enough to remove grease and grime from grills and exterior surfaces." Works great on Traeger grills and almost all other brands," says Popular Mechanics .
Powerful Zep oven and grill cleaner:"Not only does this powerful cleaner take care of your outdoor grill, but it works just as well for your indoor grill or even your oven. The foam cleaner contains a degreasing formula that is designed to adhere to surfaces and provide a deep, thorough clean without requiring too much work on your part," explains Better Homes & Gardens.
Weber Grill Cleaner: "Simply spray it onto the grates, wait a minute, then remove grease and grime with a simple grill brush. This formula works on standard grills and smokers. Because it is non-toxic and phosphate-free, it is also safe to use directly on grill surfaces," explains Family Handyman.
Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe to NJ.comtoday.
Diane Amos is the original Clean Queen. He has been the famous face of Pine-Sol since 1993. Amos played the no-nonsense matriarch who praises the cleaning product with her slogan: "It's the power of Pine-Sol, baby!"
During her time with the brand, the talented comedian and actress has provided cleaning checklists and tips, helping millions of people keep their homes in pristine condition.
Just in time for Amos' birthday , Pine-Sol has announced the launch of its new and improved line of multi-surface cleaners. To celebrate Amos' 30th anniversary at Pine-Sol, Blavity spoke with Amos about his long-standing partnership with the brand.
Thirty years is an impressive timeto work with a brand. What motivated your collaboration with Pine-Sol?
Diane Amos: My connection to Pine-Sol began with my love of art at a young age. My mother was my biggest inspiration; She showed me how to walk through closed doors and taught me that whatever you do, you have to do it well and with passion . At a young age he appeared in all the school plays. Improv found me in high school. That made me love stand-up, which led me to film and television. Combined with my passion for helping my community, I was excited for the opportunity to be the face of a cleaning brand that I loved in my childhood home.
Pine-Sol is such an iconic brand; How do you assess his longevity as someone whose face is attached to him?
DA:For me, as for many others, Pine-Sol is not just a product, but a symbol of heritage and tradition. Passed down from generation to generation, the green and yellow label you know and love conveys a sense of familiarity and comfort. Of course I can't talk about the brand without talking about the quality of the product, but also about the memoriesthatare createdwith each use . Just the smell of pinewood can put me in the shoes of a little girl watching my mother clean at home. The brand's longevity is a testament to its strong emotional connection for generations to come and I look forward to continuing to work with Pine-Sol.
You may have been the first "brand influencer" before social media. How do you think the world has developed, especially in thearea of household and cleaning ?
DA:The social media landscape has opened up a world of possibilities. In the past, "brand influencers" like me were simply personalities who appeared in print, television, and online advertisements. Today, consumers have countless opportunities to connect with the brands they love and build deeper connections with "influencers" through social media.Even for home and cleaning product brands, social media has given these brands more opportunities to connect with their audience. Flashback 10 years ago and the concept of "Cleanok"didn't exist. Today, #CleanTok alone has over 100 billion views, surpassing typical cleaning content.
Do you enjoy watching #CleanTok cleaning content from current home influencers?
DA: Of course! I'm constantly learning new cleaning tips or trends from influencers and my favorite thing is seeing how they incorporate Pine-Sol into their cleaning routines.
What is one of your favorite cleaning tips from Pine-Sol that has stood the test of time in your 30-year relationship?
DA:My secret weapon is using Pine-Sol multi-surface cleaners in the bathroom. Of course no one likes itI clean the bathroom, but for me it's a Saturday morning ritual. Pine-Sol can easily tackle the entire bathroom from top to bottom: floors, showers, bathtubs and toilets, and especially white tile grout on wet shower walls or bathroom floors that attract dirt. The cleaning products remove dirt and soap scum, leaving my bathroom looking and smelling great - just in time for a nice, relaxing bubble bath.
What is your favorite Pine-Sol scent or combination?
DA:The original Pine scent will always have a special place in my heart, but recently Pine-Sol released their newest scent,Refreshing Clean, which may be my new favorite! Inspired by fresh linen with notes of citrus, pear, jasmine and rose, Refreshing Clean is my must-have product for this year's spring cleaning season.
Protect Yourself: Tick Season Safety Tips for a Healthy Outdoor Summer
Comté de DuPage – When the time comes, the Comté de DuPage Department of Health (DCHD) urges residents to protect themselves and their families from bad transmissions, for all ticket prices that benefit from the fresh air activities. Ticks pose a threat all year round, but are most active from April to September and live in grassy, bush and forest areas or on animals.
Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne illnesses can cause fever, headache, rash, flu-like illness, and other symptoms that can be serious.
Check children, pets, and yourself for ticks daily when you return from outside, including your own yard. It is particularly important to examine under the arms, in and around the ears, in the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and at the hairline and scalp. If you spot a tick on your skin, safely remove it as quickly as possible. Removing ticks promptly can reduce the risk of illness.
Use thin, clean tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible.
Pull upwards with constant, even pressure. Do not twist or shake the tick. If the mouthparts break off and you cannot easily remove them with tweezers, leave them alone and allow the skin to heal.
After removing the tick, clean the tweezers or tick removal tool with alcohol and clean the bite site and hands thoroughly with alcohol or soap and water.
Never crush a tick with your fingers. Remove a live tick by:
put it in alcohol
Place it in a sealed bag/container.
Wrap it tightly in tape, or
I throw it in the toilet.
If you develop a rash or fever a few weeks after removing a tick, contact your doctor. Tell your doctor about your recent tick bite, the date it occurred, and where you likely acquired the tick. Early treatment is crucial.
Including how to sort your clothes and when it's time to go without your bras.
Getty/Unsplash
The beauty of TikTok is that it's more than just scrolling through cute cat videos while putting off falling asleep every night. In fact, you can learn a lot from the app.
If you haven't made it to the corner of TikTok for home tips yet, don't worry, we'll get you there. Spring is the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe. This means you need to ensure that all of your clothing items are properly cleaned, properly stored, and in top condition. And that starts with knowing how to do everything.
If you still don't know how to wash and store your clothes properly, you can take a cue from the magic of TikTok and its experts. Check out some of the best clothing care tips to kick off spring.
Wash towels separately
If you live alone, it may not be easy to wash towels separately. So alternate just a few of them. But if you can manage it, cleaning expert Caroline Solomon recommends washing only towels to prevent lint from building up on the rest of your clothes. She adds that separating it from the rest of your clothing "preserves the quality of your clothing."
Melissa Pateras, cleaning expert and author of A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home, explains exactly why this happens in the TikTok above, calls towels "lint removers" and explains why they can cause problems when washed with other items.
In addition, it promotes even greater separation of garments during washing by breaking them down by weight, color, type of washing, etc. If you can.
Store bags in dust bags.
getty
Bags in a row
Handbags come with dust bags for a reason, says Solomon, and that's to prevent rust and dust buildup on the bags. Both can destroy the materials and cause your bags to break, and that's not what you want! If your bag has one, use it. Otherwise, consider saving some to use.
It's also a good idea to add padding to your bags so they retain their shape during storage. To do this, you can use crumpled newspapers or paper napkins. You can also put small labels on your dust bags if you don't remember which bag they are so you can easily find them when searching (especially if you have them stored on a high shelf in your closet). ). ).
What to do with the straps and handles may vary depending on the bag. Chain straps and long, easy-to-store straps can often be stored in the bag. The short, structured handles can be left unchanged. For others, you may need to experiment. Some people like to hang their bags (which is possible even if they are in dust bags!), but if you do that we recommend you be very careful because if the bag is too heavy, too many things can fit in it. Over time, pressure can be placed on the strap or handle and it can become damaged. It's also a good idea to add padding to the hanger.
Store your bras properly
getty
Hanging bras and underwear
Bras aren't cheap and deserve proper treatment after spending so much money on them. Phoebe Kunitomi, founder of bodywear brand okko , recommends storing them by stacking them "vertically or flat on top of each other."
"Don't fold bras in half or stuff them too tightly into a bin or drawer," she advises. "Together, these measures help the molded cups retain their shape (and avoid permanent wrinkles). Also fasten the back clasp of the bra, if there is one, so it doesn't get caught on other people's clothes in the drawer."
You can hang sweaters!
getty
Clothes hang in a closet
You've probably always been too afraid to hang up your sweaters (we were too). We've long been taught that it's necessary to fold them to prevent overextending the shoulders, and while stacking sweaters in the closet seems like the safest option, many sweaters can be safely hung, according to Pateras. This is like.
"Sweaters can be hung on a hanger if necessary, but always avoid hanging them by the shoulders to avoid bunny ears," he explains. "The sweater can be folded and hung on the center rod or wrapped around the hanger. However, keep in mind that anything hanging on a hanger for an extended period of time can form wrinkles on the hangers and collect dust if left untouched on the hanger in the same position."
Use a rust remover on antiperspirant stains.
Visible white antiperspirant stains on dark shirts can be really disappointing and very difficult to remove. (These pesky stains are different from deodorant stains, as Pateras points out in a TikTok video, because antiperspirants typically contain aluminum, which makes this surprising trick work.)
First treat the shirt with dish soap and water. Next, apply undiluted rust remover, apply with a brush and leave for 15 to 30 minutes. Then throw it in the washing machine. If you don't have a washing machine, wash it by hand in the sink as usual.
More detergent does not mean more cleaning
getty
Linen room
You might be tempted to add more detergent to your washing machine if you have very dirty clothes, but Pateras says this could do more harm than good.
"Most people think that more detergent means more cleaning, but the more detergent you use, the harder it is for the machine to rinse it out. Any residue on clothing attracts dirt," says Pateras.
Using too much detergent can also wreak havoc on your towels. Too much can irritate them because towel fibers are never completely rinsed out. So if you notice that your own towels have become rough over time, there's a good chance you've been washing them too often!
A good stain remover helps a lot
Stains happen to all of us, but all you need is a good stain remover to remove them all. (Okay, you'll probably need a few items in your arsenal, but a powerful item will be very helpful.)
With a product like OxiClean Max Force, you can spray the stain when it appears and toss it in the laundry basket for later washing. You can leave it on for anywhere from five minutes to seven days. For busy people who don't have the luxury of doing their laundry right away, this is a real game-changer.
For a quick fix, use an iron
If your fabric belt has wrinkles after hanging for a long time, iron it quickly and easily with Melissa Maker of @cleanmyspace 's tip of using an iron.
Standard precautions apply: make sure you use an appropriate heat setting and that your iron doesn't contain any hair products. Do not iron fabric belts with an iron that you would not iron with a regular iron.
(Les fers plats propres can also be an excellent quick solution to get a terry cloth or a sample of a shirt - soon you can go for a ride, just at a moment when you are facing the door and the time that You don't need to open it.) again. )
Your dryer can help remove pet hair
getty
Linen room
If you've washed your clothes several times and there are still traces of your pets stuck to the fabric, Pateras recommends putting your clothes in the dryer first to loosen pet hair. If the ideal scenario (removing all pet hair before washing clothes) is not possible because you are in a hurry, throw the clothes in the dryer to remove the pet hair and then run the regular wash cycle.
Everything can be washed cold.
Do you really have to follow the temperature recommendations on clothing care labels? Maker says you can skip this and set everything to tap temperature.
She points out that the clothing care labels (those that say "wash warm" or "wash hot") are ones whose materials have been "thoroughly tested." This means that these are the highest water temperatures these materials can withstand, but all washable materials can tolerate cold water. And newer washing machines are so efficient that they don't require hot water to clean, except for the disinfection setting.
Plus, Solomon says, cold washing is a "great way to save the environment and reduce your electric bill."
Pateras further adds that hot water is actually the "leading cause of fabric fading."
Optimize the storage of your clothes
getty
Clothes in a closet
You've already put together your capsule wardrobe , but how do you keep it in top condition, especially when you need to change for the season?
"When storing clothing like sweaters for the off-season, store them in breathable fabrics like canvas or canvas bags to preserve them and prevent mold from forming," says Pateras. "Also, avoid storing clothes in the dreaded dry cleaning bags! These can trap moisture and cause them to yellow over time."
Pateras adds that moths are attracted to dirty clothing. So make sure everything is clean before putting it away. Additionally, "clothing should be protected from direct sunlight to prevent fading and discoloration."
Be kind to delicate products
getty
white bra
Delicate things are called delicate for a reason, and Kunitomi wants you to treat them as such. She recommends always handwashing your bras. However, if you insist on putting them in the washing machine, use a mesh bag (and the gentle cycle!).
"This tool prevents clothes from snagging or pulling during the wash cycle. My pro tip is to only fill the toiletry bag halfway so that there is enough room for the water to move around and clean clothes," she says.
To dry your bras, hang them or lay them flat - do not put them in the dryer! This could break the cups and damage the hooks.
As for your underwear, it says it can go into the vending machines. It's not so important to be so delicate with her! Simply wash and dry in cold water.
Be careful with leather
getty
Boots
"All leather items should be conditioned [with leather conditioner] at least once a year or before storage," advises Pateras. "Most leather manufacturers recommend using only water and a soft cloth to clean. Never use chemicals on leather unless directed to do so by the manufacturer."
Use vinegar as a fabric softener.
getty
Linen room
If you want a natural fabric softener, try vinegar. Not really! Solomon likes it as an alternative. "Vinegar can be polarizing, but if you can get past the strong initial smell, it's a great softener for clothing, linens, and towels," says Solomon. "Add 1/4 cup to the fabric softener dispenser and clothes will return to their original softness."
And don't worry, your clothes won't smell like vinegar. The smell dissipates as it does its work!
Keep bags in bags
getty
Bags stacked in a closet
If you're short on space, Pateras recommends storing bags in bags. This can be particularly helpful in maintaining the shape of the bag so that it doesn't collapse and wrinkle. She also recommends rotating them from time to time to further prevent wrinkles.
You may be wondering how to remember where to store your suitcases when they are stored like this. Consider making your own "treasure map" and taping it to the side of the shelf for quick reference.
Most sneakers are machine washable.
getty
White shoes
For small stains on sneakers, dish soap and warm water or a magic eraser should do the trick. However, if your sneakers seem less wear-resistant, many can go straight into the washing machine, says Pateras. (Of course, use your best judgment: As long as your sneakers aren't super fancy shoes that you're too afraid of damaging, and aren't made of real leather or suede, they're generally machine washable.)
Wash them in warm water (too hot at most, otherwise you could damage the glue on the shoe) on a gentle cycle with a few towels to avoid throwing them in the machine. You can also remove the laces before washing. To dry the shoes, stuff them with newspaper to keep their shape and allow them to air dry.
If your sneakers are from a designer you spent a lot of money on, that's a different story. You may want to contact your preferred shoe supplier about this.
Know when to get rid of bras and underwear
getty
pink bra
Nothing lasts forever, including bras and underwear. Although there's no hard and fast rule for when you should throw away your bras and underwear (it depends on how often you wear and wash them), Kunitomi gives a good rule of thumb: The general rule of thumb is every six months for underwear and underwear for Bras.
"You should also replace delicate items if physical wear and tear impairs their functionality," he adds. "Holes, tears, or stretched fabric are sure signs that it's time to replace it."
Okko even offers a bag recycling program to help you recycle your underwear and make room for new ones when the time comes.
You can bring white clothes without bleach
Some of us are afraid of bleach, okay? But that means: When white clothes get dirty, we need an alternative. Solomon soaks his white clothes in OxiCleans White Revive for six hours and they are as good as new.
While some people are a bit repulsed by insects, others use them in cooking and add them to their recipes. Experts share their tastes and possible allergy concerns. More information
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser alerts for breaking news, live events and exclusive reports.
For those of us with busy schedules, keeping up with household chores can sometimes fall by the wayside. A messy home can often be so overwhelming that you don't even know where to start.
And often it's the simplest, most neglected tasks that can add up over time, like cleaning crumbs from the bottom of the toaster.
Luckily, a cleaning expert took to social media to share a "brilliant" tip on how to remove all those pesky toast crumbs in seconds, leaving people in disbelief that they hadn't thought of it before.
TikTok creator and lifestyle influencer @anna_louisa_at_home knows that life can be stressful. So if you have a few extra minutes, you can do some quick and easy tasks.
Anna, who often posts cleaning and household tips on TikTok for her one million followers, racked up an impressive 753.9k views and counting for a recent video focused on cleaning tasks that take five minutes or less; A particular example is the toaster trick. out of.
The trick, which people in the comments have praised as "brilliant" and "more effective" than simply emptying the tray, is to use a simple tool to remove crumbs from the toaster.
Anna used a hairdryer to gently blow air into the holes in her toaster, which helped remove dirt that had accumulated in the tray at the bottom. Then all you have to do is remove it, empty it into the trash can, and quickly wash the tray with dish soap before putting it back in the toaster.
Several people took to the comments to express their disbelief at the trick. One person wrote: "Oh my god why didn't I ever think of the hairdryer?", while another commented: "Drying your hair with toaster crumbs is awesome!"
One person curiously asked: "Why do you dry your toaster?" to which someone else replied: "So that all the crumbs fall into the bowls in which they are collected." More effective than simply emptying the bowls."
"Take all the crumbs out of the toaster!" No matter how hard you shake and tap it, there's always a little bit left," another commenter admitted.
Today's best life hack stories
The second task, which can be completed in just a few minutes, is to give the stove a quick wipe down to remove crumbs and stains, making your kitchen look much cleaner.
To make things even quicker, Anna used a window vacuum on her electric stove, but you can also use a cloth and surface spray if you don't have one.
Using a cleaning paste and sponge like Pink Stuff Paste is also a good way to remove stains and polish the panel to a shine. Then simply wipe off any residue and you're done.
The most popular stories today
Finally, Anna recommended taking a moment to unscrew your oven's range hood filters, which are the mesh-like part at the front. This is an often overlooked task, but one that couldn't be easier to complete.
Simply fill the sink with soap and water and allow the filters to soak for as long as necessary. You can also scrub them with a dishwashing sponge and soap if you want to reinstall them immediately.
:strip_icc()/BHG-how-to-clean-area-rugs-hero-49516-1-6e62ab84b7964a2c8007dcc30759ffc9.jpg)
