7 Items You Should Never Clean with Paper Towels

When we have to deal with a spill or some dust, the easiest solution is using a paper towel. As useful as they are, paper towels are not fit for any surface, and in some cases, using them can result in damage. And like any other paper product, paper towels are not great for the environment, so it’s best to limit our use of them when possible.

To protect your items and avoid waste, we rounded up 7 items that you should clean with a reusable cloth or other cleaning tools, and NOT a paper towel. 

 

1. Windows and mirrors 

The next time you need to clean your bathroom mirror or wash your windows, experts recommend that you reach for a microfiber cloth rather than a paper towel. Since paper towels are made of tiny paper fibers, they can leave lint and fuzz all over the clean windows. If you don't have a microfiber cloth, you can use a newspaper or even a paper bag. 

 

2. Rugs and upholstery  

Accidentally spilled some tea on the rug or sofa? Don’t reach for a paper towel. Scrubbing stains on carpeting and upholstery will leave paper residue on the fabric. On top of it, scrubbing will make the lint go deep into the fibers, and it will be difficult to vacuum it out afterward. 

 

Instead, use a clean dry cloth or a sponge to soak up the stain, let the area dry, and then vacuum. This approach is gentler and will keep your rug and sofa in good condition in the long haul.

3. Electronic screens

When it comes to electronic screens, paper towels can be a little too abrasive. Hence, using them to clean delicate glass surfaces like TV screens, laptops, and even your cell phone is not a good idea. The harsh fibers could cause permanent scratches on the screens of your devices. 

 

There are microfiber cloths specifically designed for these surfaces, but a regular cloth will work just as efficiently. Remember not to apply too much pressure when cleaning these screens, too. 

 

4. Produce 

Rinsing your produce has always been an important part of one's post-grocery shopping tasks, and it is even more common now, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. But a paper towel isn’t the best way to dry these foods, as it can scratch or bruise your fresh fruits and vegetables. 

 

So, what can you do instead? When it comes to small products, such as grapes or blueberries, for example, lay them out on an absorbent towel or a drying mat after washing. You can also use an absorbent towel to hand-dry larger produce items like tomatoes or cauliflower.

5. The Bathtub

Any surface that might have soap stains like your sink, shower, or bathtub cannot be cleaned with paper towels. According to cleaning experts, the best way to remove soap scum or residue is to use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and dish soap to cut through the grime. After allowing it to sit for 15 minutes, wipe dry with a clean reusable cloth.

 

6. Silver

If you’d like to add a bit of shine to your silver - whether it’s formal silverware, home decor, or jewelry - you’d be better off using a tool made specifically for the job, or a soft piece of linen cloth. Paper towels are too coarse and might scratch your precious silverware. 

 

Alternatively, you can dry silver using a hairdryer kept at a distance of at least 15cm (6 inches). 

 

7. Dusty decor

If you try to remove dust using a paper towel, all you will achieve is moving the dust from one spot to another. To get rid of dust efficiently, use a soft brush vacuum attachment and an electrostatic mop to clean the floors, and then dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe down the surface.


This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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This Israeli medical gun uses electricity to produce ‘skin substitute’ for burns, wounds

An Israeli company has manufactured a medical gun that releases a breathable skin substitute to cover burns and wounds, helping patients recover without the need for painful bandage covers.

According to a report in The Guardian, the medical gun, known as Spincare system, has been manufactured by Israeli company Nanomedic.

Spincare uses a technique known as electrospinning that involves using electricity to create nano-fibres from a solution. While this technique has been in use in the medical field for many years, Spincare is much smaller than the large electrospinning machines previously available and can hence be taken to a patient’s bedside.

The company has now applied for regulatory clearance of the device in India. Gary J. Sagiv, president for marketing and sales at Nanomedic, told ThePrint, “We have applied for regulatory clearance in India which we should be receiving at the end of the month.”

Apart from allowing greater mobility, the device also lets patients take showers which can otherwise be difficult with traditional bandages. It facilitates painless dressing, reduces risks of infection, is a one-time application and enables quick healing. While the company claimed the device to be cost-effective, it remains unclear what would be its exact price in India.

“Spincare is the same sort of concept — the idea of protecting a wound and letting nature do what it will do. Although it’s not absolutely novel in the sense that it’s a stick-on dressing that stays stuck, it’s a novel way of applying it. And in some respects, it’s probably a little bit easier,” UK-based doctor Baljit Dheansa, who has treated five patients with Spincare in Sussex’s Queen Victoria hospital, has been quoted as saying in The Guardian report.

Mimics human skin

Spincare is a contactless device and had been used for facial wounds too.

“One hospital in Germany had used the product for facial wounds, where large bandages could be burdensome. Others had applied it to wounds on people with diabetes, who can develop chronic foot sores that can lead to amputation,” Sagiv has been quoted as saying by The Guardian.

“With this kind of dressing, in the right circumstance, it just means the patient doesn’t have to learn about how to do dressings, and they are bit more flexible and don’t have to worry so much. And sort of relax a bit more,” Dheansa told The Guardian.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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‘Recently recovered Covid-19 patients produce virus-specific antibodies'

Most newly discharged patients who recently recovered from COVID-19 produce varying virus-specific antibodies and T-cells, according to a study that has implications for designing an effective vaccine against the deadly disease.

14 patients examined in the study, published in the journal Immunity, showed wide-ranging immune responses.

However, the results from 6 of them that were assessed at 2 weeks after discharge suggest that antibodies were maintained for at least that long.

The study also indicates which parts of the virus are most effective at triggering these immune responses, and should therefore be targeted by potential vaccines.

The researchers, noted that it is not clear why immune responses varied widely across the patients.

The variability may be related to the initial quantities of virus that the patients encountered their physical states or their microbiota, they said.

Other open questions, the researchers said, include whether these immune responses protect against COVID-19 upon re-exposure to SARS-CoV-2, as well as which types of T cells are activated by infection with the virus.

It is also important to note that the lab tests that are used to detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in humans still need further validation to determine their accuracy and reliability, they said.

These findings suggest both b and T cells participate in immune-mediated protection against the viral infection, said co-senior study author.

Our work has provided a basis for further analysis of protective immunity and for understanding the mechanism underlying the development of COVID-19, especially in severe cases. It also has implications for designing an effective vaccine to protect against infection, he said.

Relatively little is known about the protective immune responses induced by the disease-causing virus, SARS-CoV-2, and addressing this gap in knowledge may accelerate the development of an effective vaccine, noted a scientist.

The researchers compared the immune responses of 14 COVID-19 patients who had recently become virus-free to those of 6 healthy donors.

8 of the patients were newly discharged, and the remaining 6 were follow-up patients who were discharged 2 weeks prior to the analyses.

The researchers collected blood samples and assessed the levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, which are the first to appear in response to an infection, as well as immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies-- the most common type found in blood circulation.

Compared to healthy controls, both newly discharged and follow-up patients showed higher levels of IgM and IgG antibodies that bind to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein-- which encapsulated the viral genomic RNA-- as well as the S protein's receptor-binding domain (S-RBD), which binds to receptors on host cells during the process of viral entry.

These findings show that COVID-19 patients can mount antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 proteins and suggest that these antibodies are maintained for at least 2 weeks after discharge.

5 newly discharged patients had high concentrations of neutralising antibodies that bind to a pseudovirus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, the researchers said.

Neutralising antibodies prevents infectious particles from interacting with host cells, they said.

All except one follow-up patient had detectable neutralising antibodies against the pseudovirus, according to the researchers.

Compared to healthy controls in 5 newly discharged patients had higher concentrations of T cells that secrete interferon gamma (IFN?)-  a signaling molecule that plays a critical role in immunity-- in response to the SARS-CoV-2 nucelocapsid protein they said.

These are the same patients who had high concentrations of neutralising antibodies, the researchers said.
 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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How to Maintain Lymphatic System Health

Your body is designed to heal and find balance, and one of the ways it clears waste and maintains healthy circulation is through the lymphatic system. Symptoms range from cellulite to bloating and it can all be related to congestion within the lymphatic system.

But what does the lymphatic system do? It is made up of tissues that produce, store, and transport white blood cells, including a complex network of vessels, ducts, lymph nodes, the spleen, the thymus, the adenoids, and the tonsils. This expansive system is found throughout your body, removing waste from every cell while helping to regulate the immune system.

Lymph flows throughout the lymphatic system. It is made up of different components as it goes through different parts of the body. At times it contains proteins, while at other times, it contains bacteria and fats. Regardless, lymphs must flow freely ensuring that waste products do not build up in the tissues.

This network of lymphatic vessels and nodes acts like a giant drainage and filtration system for the body, and much like the plumbing in your home, it needs to stay unclogged and flowing well for it to work properly. When it becomes stagnant and congested, wastes and toxins begin to build up, leading to weak immunity and a wide variety of health issues. When lymph vessels are congested you may experience:

    Fatigue
    Bloating
    Water retention
    Stiffness, especially in the morning
    Brain fog
    Itchy and dry skin
    Cellulite
    Stubborn weight gain
    Chronic sinusitis, sore throats, colds, and ear issues
    Breast swelling with the menstrual cycle
    Swollen glands
    Cold hands and feet

Decongest Your Lymphatic System to Rebalance Your Body

So, if you are experiencing any of the above signs, decongesting your lymph system may hold the key to rejuvenation and rebalancing of your body. Here are six ways to rebalance your body: 

1. Stay Hydrated
Lymph is made up of 95% water. For this reason, adequate hydration is necessary to keep it flowing freely. Stay well hydrated by sipping warm, purified water which you can sip throughout the day to keep hydrated. You can also add freshly squeezed lemon to your water first thing in the morning. This will help flush out toxins. In addition, avoid soft drinks, processed juices, sports drinks, and alcohol, all of which add an additional metabolic burden on the body. Stay clear of too much caffeine too. 

2. Heal Your Gut

A sluggish digestive tract can also contribute to congestion within the lymphatic system. For this reason, good gut health is fundamental. Healing and maintaining a healthy gut requires removing factors that cause irritation and imbalance, repairing the gut lining, and balancing the microbiome within the gut. Follow a nutrient dense, anti-inflammatory diet that is individualized for your unique needs and sensitivities. Be sure to include omega-3 fatty acids, leafy green vegetables, vitamins A and D, and balanced probiotics, which can help heal the lining, reduce inflammation, and provide a diverse array of beneficial bacteria, making the digestive tract more resilient to the impacts of stress.

3. Eat Lymph-Cleansing Raw Red Foods

According to ayurveda, naturally red foods like pomegranates, cherries, cranberries and beets, they all help to keep the lymph moving freely. The enzymes, antioxidants, and bioflavonoids in these raw fruits and vegetables help break down toxic buildup and combat free radicals, all while the fiber in the produce promoted regular elimination and cleansing of the intestinal villi, ensuring a healthy intestinal lymphatic system. Beets have been shown to be especially promising in reducing inflammation. Try a fresh raw beet juice or grated raw beets in your salad. 

4. Dress Smart
Because the lymph does not have a mechanical pump to propel it through the body, it relies on unrestricted flow and natural muscle movement, keeping it flowing. A simple way to prevent restricting lymphatic flow is to avoid tight clothing.Wearing anything fitted or restraining like a bra with an underwire, or even tight briefs or jeans can restrict the drainage of lymph fluids from surrounding tissues. Opt for looser-fitted clothing. 

5. Move Your Lymph Naturally

You can boost the natural movement of the lymphatic fluid with physical activity and massage. Fluid tends to build up in your legs, which can get swollen when you sit for long periods of time, This is due to stagnation of lymph flow and can be prevented by frequent moving, massage and stretching, The rhythmic tensing and relaxing of the muscles during physical movement compresses the tissues to propel fluid through the lymphatic channels. Try dry brushing which will help support healthy lymphatic flow in the skin associated lymphatic tissue. The bristles of a dry brush encourage movement of the lymph and the blood in the underlying tissues, helping to increase circulation and move out built-up toxins. Aim to brush or massage the body gently for 10 minutes each morning, moving toward the heart. 

6. Breathe and Remain Mindful

Physical and emotional stress contribute to lymph congestion, so it is important to have an effective routine to help you manage your daily stress. Two ways to relax and boost lymphatic flow are laughter and deep breathing. Slow, deep breathing helps relieve tension and anxiety and moves the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to push lymph through the vessels. In addition to deep breathing, you can try meditation and yoga too, tai chi, or spending time in nature.  

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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