When your snake begins shedding, you'll notice flakes of skin beginning to come off. During this time, add a warm basin of water to your snake's cage. You can help your snake shed by placing a basin of warm water inside its enclosure. Your snake will be able to bath in the water, allowing its skin to come off more easily.  Pick a basin that is big enough to hold your snake's entire body. Add enough water that your snake can get its entire body wet. However, do not add so much water that your snake will be submerged under water when it enters the basin. Snakes can also rub skin off by crawling over coarse material. Uneven materials, like tree branches and stones, can be very helpful to shedding snakes. You can also use patches of tree bark, pine cones, and other coarse materials you find outside. If your snake is rubbing its nose against objects in the cage, it is trying to get its skin off during the shedding process. If you notice your snake doing this, it is particularly important that you add coarse materials to your snake's cage. If your snake is struggling to shed on its own, you may have to assist. Get several layers of paper towels damp. Then, remove your snake from its shed and place it between the towels. Allow your snake to crawl and squirm between the towels. The combination of humidity and friction should help remove excess skin. After your snake completes shedding, you will notice excess skin throughout the cage. Skin may appear in small, crumpled piles. It may also be in dry and tube like sections throughout the cage. Remove any excess skin from the cage after your snake finishes shedding. Snakes frequently defecate after the shedding process. Use gloves when cleaning the cage, as you may have to pick up fecal matter as well. Snakes often consume large quantities of water after shedding. Keep an eye on your snake's water dish. Make sure you refill it frequently after your snake finishes shedding. It is not unusual that you will find yourself refilling the water dish more than usual in the days following a shed.

Summary: Place a basin of warm water in your snake's aquarium. Add coarse materials to the snake's container. Put your snake between several layers of paper towels. Clean the cage after shedding. Provide extra water.


Combine 1⁄2  c (120 ml) of white vinegar and 1⁄2  c (120 ml) of plain water in a cup or bowl. Set your solution aside for now until you are ready to clean. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works like a mild bleach and can be used to clean many types of materials. Flatten it out as much as possible. You can place heavy objects on the corners to stretch it out and keep it flat and stable. Remember that the sooner you start working on the oil stain, the easier it will be to remove. Gently and carefully dab the oil stain with the moistened cotton ball or swab. Be careful not to use too much of the cleaning solution as you could damage the paper you are cleaning if it gets too wet.  If the oil spot looks like it is getting too wet, dab it dry with a paper towel or let it air dry so that you don’t create a hole in the paper. Keep dabbing rather than letting the vinegar soak in, until the stain appears to be lifted, then you can dry the area. Once the spot is completely dry you can see if the stain was completely removed. If there is still an oil stain, repeat the process to remove as much of it as possible. Keep in mind that this method will work better the fresher the stain is, older stains may not come out completely but you can reduce their visibility.

Summary: Create a cleaning solution with half plain water, half white vinegar. Lay the affected piece of paper out flat on a hard, waterproof surface. Moisten a cotton ball or swab with the cleaning solution and clean the spot. Dry the cleaned area by dabbing it with a dry paper towel and letting it air dry.


When you are near a cat that you are friendly with (e.g. your own, or a close friend's cat) wait for it to approach you. Even cats that are normally friendly have days when they do not wish to be disturbed. Wait for it to demonstrate signs of affection (e.g. rubbing up against your leg) before greeting it. To properly greet a friendly cat, move to an area where you can settle in to pet, play, or cuddle the cat. Move away from the doorway, which could provide an unplanned exit for an excited cat. A cat will develop positive associations with whatever happy greeting spot you choose. Sit or kneel on the ground to allow the cat to greet you on its own level. The cat may want to rub its nose on you, which is a bonding exercise and a sign of affection. Your cat may also be comfortable greeting you from a high spot (e.g. the top of the couch, a tall windowsill). If the cat wants to rub its nose on you, don't let it rub it's nose on your face on the first meeting, as this can be dangerous for you if the cat gets upset. Once a cat is comfortable with you, feel free to pet it gently. Start with the back and neck, spots that most cats enjoy being pet. Avoid petting the cat's tail, which is a sensitive area and may evoke a negative reaction. Cats blink slowly to show affection, and you can do the same thing to show the cat that you're a friend. If the cat also blinks slowly and seems calm, then you can continue the interaction. These are also called "cat kisses."

Summary: Wait for the cat to approach. Move to a comfortable area. Get down to the cat's level. Pet the cat. Blink slowly at the cat to show it you're friendly.


Storing your mop while it is still wet encourages mold and bacteria to grow. Let your mop head dry completely before you store it so that your mop head will last longer. Dry mops, sponge mops, and other mops with flat heads should be stored with the head up. This keeps their heads off the floor and away from dust and debris while not in use. It also helps them better maintain their shape. Traditional wet mops should be stored in a way that allows their strings or strips to hang down naturally. If possible, the best way to do this is to hang the head off of a hook or rack on the wall, separate from the handle. If you cannot store your wet mop head separate from the handle, store the mop with the head up. This may cause some misshaping, but it is more sanitary and will help your mop last longer. To help avoid mold and mildew growing on your mop head, keep it in a dry place. A closet or another indoor space generally works just fine. Garages that aren’t temperature-controlled and laundry rooms aren’t always the best idea, though, as these can get humid. Exactly when you need to replace your mop will depend upon how often you use it and what you use it for. In general, though, a mop head will last about three months. If your mop smells even after disinfecting or if it has continued problems with mold growth, replace it immediately.
Summary: Let your mop dry completely before storing it. Store dry mops and sponge mops with their heads up. Store string and strip wet mop heads separate from the handle. Keep your mop in a dry place. Replace your mop as necessary.