to avoid contaminating the neti pot. Hold your hands under warm running water to wet them. Then, add about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid hand soap or rub your hands around a soap bar for a few seconds to lather up your hands. Rub the soap between your hands, into your fingertips, and around your fingernails. Then, hold your hands under warm, running water again to rinse away the soap. Dry your hands completely using a clean cloth or paper towel. It takes about 20 seconds to thoroughly wash your hands. To time yourself, hum the "Happy Birthday" song to yourself 2 times. To ensure that the water is safe to put into your nasal cavity, only use water that has been distilled, sterilized, or boiled and cooled. Pour the water into a clean glass container, such as a jar or a bowl. You can purchase sterilized or distilled water at a grocery or drug store. Or, bring tap water to a boil and let it boil for about 5 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and let the water cool to room temperature. Choose sea salt or kosher salt that has not had iodine added to it. Measure out the salt and pour it into the container with the water. Do not use normal table salt. The additives in it can irritate your nose. You can also purchase saline solution if you do not want to make your own. Check your local drug store for saline solution that is meant for use with neti pots. Use a clean metal spoon to stir the salt into the water. Keep stirring until the salt is completely dissolved. Once the solution looks clear and has cooled to room temperature, it is ready to use. Place a lid on the container if you do not plan to use the solution right away. However, be sure to use the solution within 24 hours. Discard any unused solution at that point since bacteria may begin to grow in it.

Summary: Wash and dry your hands Measure out 32floz (950mL) of sterilized, distilled, or boiled water. Mix 2 teaspoons (11 g) of finely ground non-iodized salt with the water. Stir until the salt is dissolved and wait for the solution to cool.

Many people find that it is easier to play the trumpet while standing, but this is not always practical, especially when playing as part of an ensemble. Whether sitting or standing, be sure to keep your back straight. Slouching will affect your air flow, making it harder for you to play sustained notes and maintain a steady volume. Even when you're sitting or standing with your back straight, try to relax your shoulders. This will help you to take deeper breaths. It will also help prevent neck pain and tension if you're practicing or performing for long periods of time. You don't want the bell of the trumpet pointing at the floor, because then the sound won't travel as well. A downward slope of the trumpet will also restrict some of your airflow, which can affect the pitch and volume of your playing. The valve casing of your trumpet should always be vertical. Rotating the trumpet can put strain on your wrists and will prevent you from playing notes quickly and accurately. Don't tuck your elbows into your body, as this creates strain on your neck and shoulders and can restrict your airways. Instead, hold them slightly out from your sides at an angle that feels relaxed and natural. If you're holding the trumpet correctly, your forearms should come together at a right angle in front of your body.

Summary: Sit or stand up straight. Relax your shoulders. Point the trumpet straight ahead. Keep the trumpet straight up and down. Keep your elbows out from your body.

Purchase an orchid fertilizer and add it to your watering can as indicated by the manufacturer's instructions. Use the fertilizer infused water for 3 waterings, and then use plain water for the fourth watering to wash out any built-up salts in the soil. Then, repeat the cycle with 3 fertilizer-infused waterings followed by 1 plain water one.

Summary: Fertilize the orchid 3 out of 4 times when you water it.

If you have a puppy, it's fairly easy to determine its age by examining its teeth. Teeth start developing during a puppy's first year. The stage of teeth development is tied to a puppy's approximate age. At one month old, teeth will have just started pushing through the gums. At two months, a puppy will have a full set of deciduous (baby) teeth near the front of the mouth. At four months, adult canines and incisors will start to come in. By seven months, a puppy will have a full set of adult teeth and will have developed molars in the back of the mouth. When a puppy reaches a year old, you should notice ridges or bumps on both the lower and upper top front teeth. Keep in mind that teeth tend to erupt later in toy dog breeds. As a dog ages, their teeth change. Changes in teeth can help you assess a dog's approximate age. Ridges on the incisors change as a dog ages. By the time the dog is three years old, the ridges will have worn off the bottom incisors. By five years old, the ridges will have worn off the upper incisors as well. A small amount of ridges on the upper front four teeth indicate your dog is between three and four. By seven, a dog's teeth are completely smooth. Older dogs tend to be less energetic than younger dogs. Senior dogs often have small benign lumps on the body. They will also be less interested in playing than younger dogs. They are generally less muscular than younger dogs. Cloudy eyes are a sign of natural hardening of the lens as the dog ages, and this is called lenticular sclerosis. If your dog shows other signs of aging, such as smooth teeth and low energy, lenticular sclerosis can help you confirm your dog is older than seven. Lenticular sclerosis and cataracts are not the same thing. Cataracts are white and opaque and they are also common in senior dogs. However, some dogs develop cataracts young due to genetic reasons. Cataracts will affect your dog's vision, whereas lenticular sclerosis will not. Fur color often changes as a dog ages. However, fur color is not the best means of determining age. However, when taken into account with other factors like teeth, fur may help determine a dog's age. Most dogs have some graying fur past the age of five. Graying hair is typically found around the muzzle. Some dogs gray as early as two, depending on their environment and genetic makeup. Fur color can help confirm a dog is older when taken into consideration alongside other factors, like teeth and activity level. It should not be used as the sole means to determine a dog's age. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans. They may show signs of aging younger than smaller dogs. Great Danes, for example, typically live around seven years while Chihuahuas often live well into their teens. A bigger dog may show signs of aging early. In general, you can assume a big dog showing significant signs of aging is around seven or eight while a small dog can be assumed to be ages 10 or up.
Summary: Look to teeth to determine a puppy's age. Note changes in teeth for an older dog. Look for signs of aging. Examine your dog's eyes. Use fur color to determine age. Take your dog's size and breed into account.