Article: Dark clothing requires extra gentle washing and can also bleed onto lighter clothes if they're washed at the same time. Therefore, always separate dark and light clothing before doing laundry. Darker garments should be washed separately. The less exposure dark fabrics get to water and detergent, the better. Turning your clothing inside out before washing it minimizes contact with water and soap. For best results, look for a detergent specifically formulated to wash dark clothes. A basic detergent that's free of additives is your best option. Avoid things like "color-safe bleach," as no bleach is actually 100% color safe. While you should avoid most additives, a built-in fabric softener is a good idea, especially one specifically formulated for dark clothes. Pick the shortest cycle offered by your washer or dryer. A briefer cycle minimizes dark clothing's exposure to water and soap, reducing the amount of damage it accrues. Choose the coldest water setting possible. Cold water does not cause as much fading and bleeding in the wash. Never wash dark clothes in warm or hot water. White vinegar can help prevent the build up of residue from detergent. Detergent residue is a major culprit in dark clothing becoming faded. During the rinse cycle, open your washer and add a cup of white vinegar. The less time dark clothing spends in the dryer, the better. It's best to hang your dark clothes to dry. Do not hang your clothes in direct sunlight, however, as sun exposure can fade color.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Separate dark and light clothing. Turn dark clothing inside out. Pick a detergent for dark clothing. Opt for a shorter cycle. Use cold water. Add a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. Hang dry your clothes.
Article: If you're driving to this event in a group, offer to be the designated driver. Having a reason to stay sober will help others respect your decision. Very few people will offer a drink to someone who's driving people home afterward. If they do, you'll have an understandable excuse. Spend time with other designated drivers when at the party or special event. There is often strength in numbers when it comes to peer pressure. Go with a group to this special event, and let them know beforehand you don't plan to drink. You can tell them why if you feel comfortable, or you can just tell them you're cutting back on alcohol. Your friends can offer their support if others start pressuring you. Choose friends you trust and know will respect your decision. If you have a friend who also doesn't drink, ask them to come. Don't rely too heavily on your friends' support. You may spend time without them at this event and will need your own motivation. Tell the host you do not drink to avoid awkward situations. Your host will them know not to offer you a drink or toast with you. You can avoid hurting their feelings, and they can avoid putting you in an uncomfortable situation. Decide on a few phrases you will say beforehand if someone offers you a drink. If you don't plan a response or two, you might feel tongue-tied when the moment comes. Your response doesn't have to be vulnerable or complicated: even a simple, "I appreciate it, but no thanks!" will do. If you think you might be tempted, stay away from people or places you might give into pressure. Drinking when you've decided not to will only hurt your self-respect in the long run. Prevent putting yourself in a compromising situation by avoiding it entirely. Ask yourself personal questions if you feel pressured: why do I want to give in? What will I lose if I have a drink? What's more important: long-term satisfaction or short-term comfort? Don't let anyone or anything compromise your personal convictions.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Become the designated driver. Let your friends know so you have allies. Give the host an advance notice, if applicable. Prepare a few stock phrases in advance. Avoid situations where you know you'll be triggered.
Article: Shop around for paints in different colors that you think might suit your garage door. Be sure to only look at paints that are specially formulated for exterior use. For most garage doors, lighter shades like white, beige or pearl will work best because they won't fade as much in the sunlight. In general, it's a good idea to match the color of the garage door to the color of the house itself. A contrasting trim color will create the look of depth around the door. Stick to a color that's similar to the one you've been using, or take the opportunity to explore new tones that change the overall aesthetic of your home. The primer will both provide a flat base for the paint and make for greater durability, allowing it to hold better over time. You'll only need to use one thin coat of primer. Make sure the primer is dry to the touch before you attempt to paint over it. Those who are planning on touching up their garage doors in the same shade can dispense with a separate coat of primer. It may be helpful, however, to purchase a paint that includes a built-in primer to ensure the color comes out the way it's supposed to. Allow the primer to dry for at least 12 hours. Begin by painting the hard to reach recessed portions of the panels with a handheld brush. The narrow width and manual control offered by the brush will enable you to penetrate deeper into crevices and molded depressions. Work slowly and carefully, painting each of the inner panels one by one. Look over the door to make sure you haven't missed any thin or bare spots. Depending on the color and general condition of your garage door, you may need to use multiple coats to achieve a solid finish. After you've painted the recessed inner panels, use a wide paint roller to cover the broad outer surface of the door. Painting with a roller is quick and painless compared to manual brushing. A roller also guarantees a consistent finish, and won't leave behind any visible strokes or seams. Paint with long, steady motions, overlapping the rough edges of each stripe. For most basic paint jobs, a single coat of paint will usually be enough. If you're switching to a bolder shade or painting a lighter color over a darker one, it may be necessary to use multiple coats in order to get the color to show up. Let each coat dry for roughly 12 hours before applying additional coats. Set the door's action to manual and raise or lower it as needed to paint a specific area. This will prevent the discomfort of being forced to crouch, stoop and stand repeatedly. Plan on allotting at least one full day for the paint to dry to the touch. During this time, it's best to leave the door in a closed (down) position so that it can receive plenty of airflow. Resist the urge to touch the drying paint, and keep cars, bicycles, tools and toys at a safe distance. Though the paint will usually harden to the touch in a matter of hours, it may take as long as a week for it to completely cure. It may be necessary to park your car outside while the garage door is drying.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Select a shade you like. Apply a primer to help the fresh paint stick. Detail the smaller areas with a brush. Roll on the new coat of paint. Allow the paint to dry for 12-24 hours.