Article: Prepare your hoodie for washing by closing the zipper to protect your fabric from snagging. This also prevents damage to the zipper teeth. When washing by hand, you need something to hold enough water to wash your clothing. Great options include your sink, a bucket, or a large cooking pot. As you pour water into the wash container, pour in your soap. Gently stir the soapy water to mix it well. Don't add too much soap. While you want a clean hoodie, too much soap will be hard to rinse out. Plus, excess soap attracts dirt and bacteria, keeping it in the fabric. Remember that laundry detergent is formulated for a full load, so don't measure out a whole cup of laundry detergent. A teaspoon is recommended for small items. If you have a thicker hoodie, add a little extra. Place your hoodie into the water after you have mixed in the soap. Press it down with your hand until the entire hoodie is under the water. Let your hoodie sit in the container of soapy water for a few minutes so that it will absorb the detergent. Gently move your hoodie around the wash container. Be careful not to scrub the fabric because you may damage it. Lift your hoodie from the wash container and gently squeeze out some of the excess water. Avoid twisting your hoodie because that can damage it. Using a colander will help you rinse the soap from your hoodie without risking damage to the fabric. A colander is a bowl that has holes so that you can drain water. If you don't have a colander, check if your pots came with a basket to steam veggies. If you lack kitchen supplies, you could try a large funnel. While your hoodie is still in the colander, run cold water over it to rinse out the detergent. If you can't find anything to rinse your hoodie in, just fill the wash container with clean water and rinse it that way. Check to make sure that you've washed out all of the detergent by smelling the fabric. If you catch a strong whiff of soap, rinse your hoodie again. Gently squeeze your hoodie to remove the excess water. Don't twist it because twisting will damage the fabric of your hoodie. Keep in mind that handwashed items usually take longer to dry because they hold onto more water. Find a flat surface that won't be damaged by dripping water, such as a countertop.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Zip up your zipper. Find a large container. Add mild detergent to your water. Submerge your hoodie. Soak your hoodie. Use your hands to agitate it. Remove your hoodie from the soapy water. Put your hoodie into a colander. Rinse your hoodie. Squeeze out the water. Lay your hoodie out to dry.
Article: Quakers are not the largest or most colorful of parrots, but they are among the smartest and (depending on the individual bird) most talkative. Familiarize yourself with the following general details before considering an acquisition: They average about 11-13 inches in length, and are typically grayish-white and green in color. They can live for 30 years in captivity, so consider this a long-term addition to your household. Quakers hail originally from temperate parts of South America, but seem to thrive in just about any climate. Concern about escaped Quakers' ability to thrive and overwhelm native ecosystems is part of why ownership of the species is banned or restricted in over a dozen states, including California. Check your home state's current policies before moving forward with any acquisition plans. Terms like "smart," "fearless," "curious," and "mischievous" pop up frequently in descriptions of quakers, and with good reason. Living with one is akin in many respects to living with a small child. They are typically fast learners and gifted mimics, so quakers usually make very talkative avian companions. (Never assume that any individual parrot, regardless of species, will be a talker, however.) Despite being talkative (and "squawkative," for lack of a better term), however, they are not usually overly loud compared to other parrot species. Quakers build nests in the wild that are akin to apartment blocks, with multi-room "apartments" built adjacent to those of other surrounding "tenants." For this reason, they are naturally adept borrowers (or thieves, depending on your perspective). Quakers will take anything from eyeglasses to pens to paper scraps and stash them away in their cages, as part of their instinct to collect materials for their elaborate nests. Quakers often cost between $50 and $200 to purchase, making them manageable for most interested buyers. Not only the price but the personality of the bird you're getting may be determined by where you acquire it. Common places include: A responsible breeder. This will cost more than alternatives, but is your best bet for getting a loving, hand-fed baby. A parrot rescue. Quakers may not be commonly available here, but if you are lucky, you might be able to find one. You will not get a baby, but the cost will be less, and the parrot will be in a needful and loving home. A shelter. It is unlikely that you will find your quaker here, but check nonetheless. You probably will not have any idea of your Quaker's history if you adopt from here, and the shelter route is only recommended to experienced bird owners. A pet store. Do your homework before considering whether to buy from here. The prices might be cheaper, but you may be getting an unhealthy bird that is less than your money's worth. Not to mention that many pet stores buy their parrots from disreputable sources that use inhumane methods for acquiring and breeding their birds. From the newspaper, online, etc. Some people may be re-homing their quakers, and this is a fine place to get one, but remember to check that they are not rehoming their parrot because of medical or behavioral issues. It may be tempting to think that an adult bird that has already been trained and socialized would be easier to care for, especially for a novice, but that may not be the case. The best chance of training the bird, establishing good habits and handling the bird is with a youngster. Quakers can develop a strong attachment to a particular individual, so an adult quaker may have trouble adjusting to a new home and "parent." Also, unless you are sure of the bird's history, you may be acquiring one with a history of behavioral issues, perhaps even because of neglect or abuse. It is a noble gesture to take in a rescue quaker, but it may present too great a challenge if you do not have previous experience. As indicated in the previous step, acquiring a baby quaker that has been hand-fed is probably the safest route (if likely most expensive), especially if you don't have much experience caring for birds. There are no guarantees, of course, but a quaker that has been cared for responsibly since birth is most likely to become a well-adjusted, loving adult. If you do choose a baby quaker, set up your home with its cage, toys, etc. prior to its arrival, like you would with a baby's crib and such. Be ready to welcome it to its new home.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Learn about the species. Know quaker parrot tendencies. Consider where you should acquire one. Decide whether to choose a baby or adult bird.