INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The methods above aren't the only ways to separate salt from water, they're just the most convenient for most people working at home. It's also possible to separate salt from water with other methods requiring specialized materials. For instance, a technique called reverse osmosis can remove salt from salt water by forcing the water through a permeable membrane. This membrane acts as a filter, permitting only water molecules to pass through and keeping dissolved contaminants (like salt) out. Reverse osmosis pumps are sometimes sold for residential use but are also often used for recreational purposes like camping. Pumps can be somewhat expensive, usually running several hundred dollars. Another way to separate salt and water is via chemical reaction. For instance, research has shown that treating salt water with a chemical called decanoic acid is a reliable way to remove the salt. After adding the acid and heating slightly, then cooling, the salt and other impurities precipitate (that is, solidify and sink to the bottom). When the reaction is complete, the water and salt sit in two completely separate layers, making it easy to remove the water. Decanoic acid is available from chemical supply stores usually around $30-$40 per bottle. Using the power of electricity, it's possible to remove particles like salt from water. This is done by submerging a negatively charged cathode and a positively charged anode in water and separating them with a porous membrane. The electrical charge of the anode and cathode essentially "pull" dissolved ions (like those that make up salt) toward them like magnets, leaving relatively pure water. Note that this process does not necessarily remove bacteria or other contaminants from the water, so further treatment may be needed to get drinkable water from this method in the wild. Recent research has been promising, however, suggesting new techniques that do kill bacteria as part of the process.

SUMMARY: Use reverse osmosis. Add decanoic acid. Use electrodialysis.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your bras should be one of the last things you pack so that the weight of your other items don't compress them. Clear a space for them within the top layer of clothes in your suitcase. If you try to cram the bras into a space that is too small, you may distort the cups. Place your bras together so that the cups of each one rest on top of the cups of the bra beneath it. All of the bras should lie flat, not folded. Do not fold one cup into another when you are packing molded bras. By inverting one cup, you distort the shape of that cup. This can lead to dents, bumps, and an overall improper fit. Roll up your socks, tank tops, or underwear and stuff the material into the cups of the bottom bra. Fill the cups of the bra with enough material to keep them as full as possible. Doing so will preserve their shape and prevent the cups from caving inward even when accidental pressure is applied. Stuff the straps beneath the cup of the bra they belong to and above the cup of the bra beneath. For the bottom bra, stuff the strap in between the cups of the bra and the stuffing material you filled them with. Place the stacked bras in a large Ziploc bag, and leave some air in the bag to cushion the bras. This prevents the bras from being snagged on other items and helps preserve their shape. Do not place anything heavy on top of the bras, and keep them away from anything that may crush the cups. Ideally, you should unpack your bras as soon as you reach your destination. Do not leave them in your suitcase once arriving where you plan to stay, or the cups may become distorted. Lay your bras in a drawer, or hang them up for the duration of your trip.

SUMMARY: Save the bras for last. Stack the bras on top of each other. Stuff the cups so they keep their shape. Tuck in the straps to prevent the hooks from getting snagged. Protect the bras from items that could damage them. Remove the bras from your suitcase as soon as possible.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Don't take the unclean pallet inside your home. Use a garden house or power washer to give the whole pallet an initial rinse. This should wash away any debris. Allow the pallet to dry. Reclaimed wood may contain insects, for example, that you wouldn't want indoors. Try using a hammer, pry bar and cat's paw to take apart the pallet without breaking it. If a pry bar doesn't finish the job, a nail punch or drill can drive the nails out. Alternatively, you can cut through exposed nails with an oscillating tool, or cut through the planks themselves. Disassemble the pallet if you want to use the planks instead of the whole pallet in one piece. Place the pallet or planks between sawhorses. Rub the wood's surface with the grain, starting with a coarse sandpaper and moving up to a fine grade. Sand the entire pallet so that it is smooth to the touch and won't create splinter. Make sure to sand your pallet outdoors, wearing safety goggles and a respirator to avoid dust issues. If you opt not to sand the pallet, only use it somewhere that family and guests won't touch it, since rough wood can cause splinter. In a bucket, combine five parts water to one part dish detergent. Alternatively, you can use a solution of one part detergent, ten parts bleach and twenty parts water. Use a scrub brush to scrub all of the wood with the solution. Scrub notches and grooves vigorously. Wear old clothes and rubber gloves. If you're using bleach, you should also wear safety goggles and a face mask. You may want to use bleach if you have a reason to suspect mold or mildew. Don't combine bleach with any products that contain ammonia. Use a garden hose or power washer to rinse all the solution from the wood. Use the solution and your scrub brush to clean the wood a second time. Rinse the pallet a final time, then leave it in the sun until it's dry.

SUMMARY: Hose the pallet outdoors. Disassemble the pallet, if desired. Sand the wood. Scrub the wood with a soap solution. Rinse the wood and scrub it again.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you receive a package with packing peanuts, inquire as to whether the company will take them back. They are likely to agree as they will be able to reuse them for another customer, saving the company money. Though you likely cannot recycle packing peanuts in your bins at home or at the local drop-off center, there are places you can drop them off for recycle. The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers has a list of places to drop-off packing peanuts by state (U.S. only) on the AFPR website The Plastic Loose Fill Council also lists drop-off locations by state (U.S. only). Though you may have to pay for shipping, many companies, such as the EPS Industrial Alliance, will take your packing peanuts for free.

SUMMARY:
Ask companies to take them back. Find a drop-off center. Send them to a recycling center.