INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Most manufacturers offer oils specifically formulated to treat their gloves. Applying a small amount of conditioning oil will soften, enrich, and preserve the leather in the pocket of your glove. You can use some shaving cream with lanolin in it as a cheap alternative to conditioning oil. Do not use too much oil or cream on your glove. Applying too much can cause the leather to deteriorate. Use just enough to apply a light coating all over the pocket. They're not the same thing. Softball gloves have slightly larger pockets to fit the slightly larger ball. Put it in the "sweet spot." The sweet spot is where you would ideally catch the ball, in the lower part of the webbing between the thumb and forefinger. The bands should be tight so that the ball rests snugly in the pocket of the glove and not be able to move around. This is to shape the pocket to fit the ball. Don't use string for this. Tightly wound string or twine can leave an odd-looking imprint around the outside of the glove. The sunlight will make the leather warm and flexible. Do not leave the glove on a hot surface. You don't want to cook it. Shape the glove by punching your fist into the pocket and opening and closing the glove. Throw the ball hard many times into the center of the glove's pocket, and close the glove over the ball as soon as it hits the webbing. The more you do this, the better the ball will fit and the more you'll develop a feel for catching and retaining the ball. Store it for a day or two in a dark, dry spot. Choose an out-of-the-way place away from pets and small children (who might disturb the process). Remove the bands and ball. Your glove should be ready for action. The more you use it, the more the glove will conform to your hand.

SUMMARY: Purchase baseball glove conditioning oil. Use a baseball glove or a softball glove. Put a ball in the glove. Wrap several large rubber bands around the glove with the ball inside. Leave the band-wrapped glove out in direct sunlight for a few hours (no more). Take the glove out of the sun, remove the bands, and take the ball out. Close the glove around the ball and wrap it with the bands again. Retrieve the glove.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If the boots are loose around your leg, they will definitely bunch up. Pick boots that are snug around the ankle and calf, but make sure they aren't too tight at the very top, either. Try on several pairs and select the ones that contour to the curves of your foot, ankle, and calf the best. Though you may love the look and feel of soft, suede boots, the supple material is going to slouch at the ankle. Choosing boots made from a more sturdy material can help prevent the material from bunching around the ankle. Rigid leather boots or boots with ankle support are the least likely to slouch. Boots that have zippers or laces will stay up better than those you simply pull over your foot and leg. Zippers and laces are natural supporters that will help the boot fit your foot and leg better, leading to less slouching. Ensure the laces or zipper tightens around your ankle to keep your boots standing tall.

SUMMARY: Choose boots that fit snugly. Select boots made of a sturdy material. Pick a pair of boots with zippers or laces.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to remove dust, dirt, grease, and wax from the faux leather. Dampen a cotton ball and wipe the entire surface of the material. A clean surface, free from dirt and grease, will allow the paint to strongly adhere to the faux leather. Prepare a paint palette so you can easily and efficiently access your desired paint colors as you work. You can buy a wooden or plastic artist's palette at an arts and crafts store, or you can use a sheet of aluminum foil, a newspaper, or a magazine to house your paint. Squeeze your desired paint colors onto your paint palette and add a few drops of acetone to the paint if you are working with acrylics. The acetone will thin the paint, making it smooth and easier to work with. Gently mix the paint and the acetone together with a small paintbrush. Be sure to only add a few drops or up to a teaspoon of acetone to your paint so that the paint does not become too watery. Acrylic paint can dry quickly, so do not squeeze too much paint onto your palette at once. Gradually add a few additional drops of acetone if the paint is too thick. If you are painting a large surface in a uniform color, you will want to apply an even base coat of paint to the surface. Use the paint you selected for your project and apply it to the surface. This is ideal if you are working with furniture or clothing. Lightly press the sponge into the paint from your paint palette. Use long, vertical strokes to distribute the paint across the faux leather surface. Acrylic paint can dry rapidly, so you will need to work quickly if you are working with this medium. Focus on creating long strokes when painting a large surface to avoid creating streaks. If you are working on upholstery, plan to paint only one side at a time. Before adding additional coats, the paint will need to dry completely. Place the item in a safe place where it won't be disturbed, damaged, or moved. Wait for about 15 to 20 minutes for the coat to dry completely. After the first coat of paint has thoroughly dried, add another layer of paint to enhance the brightness and saturation of the color. As you add additional layers, be sure that the previous coat is dry before you apply another coating of paint.

SUMMARY: Clean the faux leather. Use a paint palette. Mix a small amount of acetone to your acrylic paint. Apply a base coat for large surfaces. Apply paint to one side of a sponge. Allow the paint to dry. Enhance the color with additional layers of paint.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Just blot. If you rub the stain, you could lock it into the clothing. Do this if your cat has just urinated on the clothes. You'll have a better chance of removing the smell on the first wash if you can do it while the stain is fresh. Take the affected garment to the sink. Run a stream of cool water over the stain for a few minutes. Blot the stained area dry. Fill a sink with warm water. Add a scoop of oxygen bleach. Place the clothing in the sink. If the clothing is colored, allow it to sit for at least one hour. If it's white, soak it for up to four hours. This product may be sold as Oxiclean, Vanish, or simply oxygen bleach. Avoid using chlorine bleach. When it combines with the ammonia in urine, it can create harmful gases.

SUMMARY:
Sop up excess liquid with a cloth or paper towels. Rinse the spot. Pre-treat the stain with oxygen bleach.