Problem: Article: Although it is very mild compared to other abrasive cleansers, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can still scratch up your sink. Use it only if you can't take off the dirt with soap and water or lemon juice. You can use a repurposed sugar shaker, or make your own shaker by punching a few holes in the lid of a jar. Shake on a generous quantity of baking soda. Make sure the sink is only slightly damp when you apply the baking soda. Baking soda dissolves quickly in water, which makes it ineffective as an abrasive. Use a slightly damp (not soaking wet) scrubber to gently rub away the dirt. The baking soda should form small clumps that take the dirt with them as they come up. Use a non-scratch scrubbing sponge. Avoid steel wool or pumice stones for this purpose, as both can do a lot of damage to ceramic or porcelain sinks. Run some cold water into the sink and rinse away any remaining dirt and baking soda. Wipe down with a clean, dry towel or rag.
Summary: Use baking soda as a last resort. Apply baking soda to dirty areas with a shaker. Carefully scrub with a sponge. Rinse away the baking soda.

Problem: Article: Try to sweep your tiles every day or as soon as you notice dirt, leaves, or grime. Use a soft, natural bristle broom to remove the debris that's on the tiles. Regular sweeping will prevent your tiles from becoming caked with dirt or stained. Fill a 5USgal (19L) bucket with water and a few squirts of mild dish soap. The water should be soapy and bubbly. Dip a mop into the soapy water and wring it out. Mop the tiles until you've removed the dirt. You can use a string mop or sponge head mop. Just avoid using a scratchy or abrasive mop on the tiles. If you're cleaning a large space, take a garden hose and rinse the tiles with clean water to remove any soap residue. If you're cleaning a small area, you can dip the mop in clean water and wring it out. Mop over the tiles so they're rinsed with the clean water. As soon as you notice an oily stain, wipe up whatever caused it. Dip a sponge or soft cloth into soapy water and wash the stain. This might remove the stain on its own. If not, use a deck stain remover that's specifically made for wood or composite tiles. You'll need to follow the manufacturer's instructions. The longer the stain sits on the tile, the harder it will be to remove. That's why it's important to clean up the stain quickly. In addition to keeping your wood and composite tiles swept and clean, you should try to deep clean the tiles in the spring and fall. Buy a tile cleaner developed for wood or composite. It should contain sodium hypochlorite. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Sodium hypochlorite will prevent mold and mildew from growing on your tiles. Your wood or composite tiles may become slightly scuffed over time. These scuffs may disappear on their own, so avoid trying to remove them with abrasive cleansers (like sandpaper or pressure washers). If you place salt or ice on your tiles in the winter, clean it off as soon as the hazardous weather passes. Ice and salt can damage the tiles if they sit on them for very long.
Summary: Sweep the wood or composite tiles every few days. Wash the tiles with soap and water at least once a month. Rinse the tiles. Remove any grease stains. Deep clean your tiles twice a year. Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials.

Problem: Article: You'll only receive a score if you stay on the bull for at least 8 seconds. The time ends when either your free hand touches the bull or you feet touch the ground and starts as soon as the bull's shoulder passes the gate. The rider and bull are both given scores for their performance, which are tallied together to give the overall score. The bull is judged primarily on his difficulty. Judges look for the depth of the bull's drops, the height of his kicks, the directional changes, and the speed of his spins to determine a score. The rider is judged primarily on the skill with which he controls the bull, anticipates the directional changes, and gracefully maneuvers and dominates the animal. Rider and bull are given a score between 1 and 25, which are added together to give either a score out of a possible 100 or divided in half to give a score out of 50. Experienced and skilled bull riders are, in some ways, more like surfers than like wrestlers. It's not so much a test of animal wrangling as it is an ability to feel out the animal's movements and bucking pattern. In general, thinking less and feeling more will allow you to ride the buck more effectively. The only way to do this is to practice like a demon. Ride bulls and stay healthy. " This is sometimes called the bull-rider's mantra. It serves to remind you that most of the control and balance you'll achieve while on the animal comes from your lower body, gripping the bulk of the bull with your thighs and feet, spurring if necessary to control the bull's aggression. Without doing this, you're going to end up with a dirt lunch. Commit it to memory, both mind and muscle. Simply put, the longer you stay on, the better your score will be. 8 seconds is a lot longer than it seems, so learning to channel all of your attention and strength into an extremely short period of time is the biggest challenge to the rider. Practice increasing the length of your rides and getting comfortable negotiating different bulls. Some riders suggest practicing on north-south type buckers before graduating to spinners, which are more unpredictable and difficult to ride. Once you've dominated them, give the spinners a chance.
Summary: Understand how scoring works. Ride the buck, don't ride the bull. "Lose your feet, lose your seat. Stay on as long as possible.

Problem: Article: The best indication that a fig is fully ripe is when it falls to the ground. Rinse the figs with cool water to remove dirt and other debris, then pat them dry with a dishcloth or paper towel. Use a paring knife to cut the figs in half from stem to tip on a cutting board. Cutting the figs in half will help them dry more quickly. Put a layer of cheesecloth on top of any wooden or wire rack, such as those intended for cooling or dehydrating. In order to dry properly, the figs need airflow from above and below, so don't use a solid surface like a baking sheet. Place the figs cut-side up on the cheesecloth. Alternatively, you could put whole figs on wooden skewers and hang them in the sun, using clothespins to attach the skewers to branches or to a clothesline. This will protect them from insects as they dry. Tuck the cheesecloth tightly around the drying rack, securing it with tape if necessary, to make sure it won't come loose. If you hung up your figs instead, you won't be able to protect them with the cheesecloth. This method works best when it is very dry and hot outside. Don't place the figs in the shade, or they won't dry as quickly and may spoil before they're properly preserved. You'll need to bring them in each evening so they don't get spoiled by dew. Each morning, turn the figs over so they dry evenly on all sides and then place them back outside in the sunlight. The figs are ready when the outside feels leathery and no juice can be seen on the inside when squeezed. If the figs remain a little sticky, you can finish them in the oven. Tupperware or Ziploc bags are both options for storing your dried figs. They'll last several months in the fridge, or up to 3 years in the freezer.
Summary:
Rinse fully ripe figs. Cut the figs in half. Lay them on a wire or wooden rack covered with cheesecloth. Cover the figs with cheesecloth. Place the rack in full sunlight during the day. Return the figs to the sun for 2 to 3 days. Store the dried figs in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer.