Article: You should do this even if you are working outside. Wood stain can be difficult to clean, so this is definitely not something you want sinking into your driveway or sidewalk.  You can buy drop cloths at home improvement stores and paint-supply stores. If you can't find any drop cloths, use cardboard, newspaper, plastic tarp, or cheap tablecloths. As long as you cover the ground, you're set. If this is for siding on a house, double-check the caulk around your windows and doors. Reapply the caulk if the old one is worn. Don't wait until the end to apply the caulking, or it won't stick to the wood due to the stain. with water and wood cleaner, then rinse it. Spray the wood with water from a hose. Apply some exterior wood cleaner, then let it sink in for 2 to 3 minutes. Scrub the wood along the grain with a stiff-bristled brush, then rinse it clean with more water. You can use a pressure washer, but be careful, as it may damage the wood. How long this takes depends on how warm the day is and how thick the wood piece is. The hotter and drier it is outside, the faster the wood will dry. It would be a good idea to wait 24 to 48 hours just to be safe, however.  Just because the wood is dry on the outside does not mean that it is dry on the inside. Be patient and wait; if you try to stain damp wood, it may rot. It can be hard to tell if the wood is completely dry all the way through. If the piece feels softer or heavier than it did at first, then it's still damp. Ultimately, this is up to you. A primer will change the color of the wood, so it is not recommended for semi-transparent and transparent stains; it is a great option for solid-colored stains, however.  An alkyd primer will only help the stain last longer. It is not absolutely necessary. Omit the primer if you're applying a semi-transparent or transparent stain. You will simply have to reapply the stain more often. Make sure that you use an alkyd primer, as other primers may not work on cedar due to the tannins. If you chose not to apply the primer, then you are all set for the next part of the stain application. If you did choose to apply the primer, however, double-check the drying instructions, as some brands may have different drying times.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Cover the floor with drop cloths. Reapply the caulking, if needed. Clean the wood Let the wood dry completely. Apply a coat of alkyd primer with a wide, natural paintbrush, if desired. Wait 24 to 48 hours for the primer to dry, if you applied it.

The cause-and-effect relationship between winter weather and dry, damaged skin is easy to understand — cold, dry outdoor air (or, worse, hot, dry air from your heating system) sucks the natural moisture away from your skin, leaving it arid and cracked like parched desert earth. One of the best ways to keep this from happening is simply to keep the air from touching your skin. If you can, try wearing long sleeves, long pants, and any other skin-covering accessories to keep your skin protected. Gloves are an especially smart choice — since your hands are often exposed throughout the day, covering them when you can goes a long way towards protecting their skin. Try slipping on a pair of mittens or driving gloves early in the day before you head to work or begin your commute, slipping them off only when you need to type, write, or otherwise use your hands. Lotions and other "moisturizers" essentially work by supplying moisture directly to the skin and holding this moisture in with a layer of oil or grease — this is why heavy balms, like vaseline, work excellently as moisturizers, but produce an unpleasant "greasy" feeling. If you're suffering from dried out skin in the winter, try giving yourself a quick rub with your preferred lotion to stay moisturized. This should help ease any skin that's already dried out and protect your skin from future damage for at least an hour or two.  If your skin is already irritated, try to use an unscented lotion or balm. Some fragrances are known to cause inflammation or rash when applied to already-irritated skin (especially if you're allergic to the fragrance).  There are few lotions that flat-out won't protect your skin's moisture at least somewhat — nearly all will work basically the same way. As a very general rule, however, thicker "creams" and "balms" will give a greater moisturizing effect than thinner, liquid-y lotions. Even if the skin on your face and hands goes unscathed during the winter, there's a decent chance that the delicate skin on your lips may become dry, cracked, or flaky. To fight this, try using lip balm (or similar alternatives like chap stick, lip gloss, etc.), which works according to the same basic principle as ordinary lotions and balms for your skin. In a pinch, you can even use most high-quality thicker skin balms (like Vaseline or products containing beeswax or shea butter) on your lips to get the same effect, though the taste may be unpleasant. Don't believe myths that claim that lip balm is addictive or contains ground glass — these have been proven to be false. Ironically, getting wet when you're out in cold weather can cause it to become dry and irritated later on. Wet clothes (especially gloves and socks) can cause irritation when they rub against the skin, leaving it chapped, sore, and vulnerable to further irritation. For this reason, try not to spend much time in wet clothes when it's cold outside. Heading inside for a fresh set of clothes is definitely worth it if it keeps your skin safe in the long run. If you're outdoors for a long time in cold weather (for instance, if you're on a wilderness hike), try to pace any exercise you do so that you don't sweat heavily. Not only can this cause chapped, irritated skin, but, in extreme conditions can also lead to frostbite and hypothermia by making it difficult for the body to keep itself warm. Many people assume that because it's cold outside in the winter, they won't need sunscreen. In fact, the skin is extra-vulnerable to sun damage in the winter. The earth is actually closer to the sun in the winter than it is in summer, and, in addition, the ozone layer (which absorbs some of the sun's harmful UV rays) is typically at its thinnest in the winter. On top of this, snow and ice can actually reflect up to 85% of the sun's rays, allowing the rays to hit your skin both from above and below. For these reasons, it's important to remember to apply sunscreen during the winter when you intend to spend lots of time out in the sun. Note that this need for sunscreen is especially urgent at high altitudes — the higher you go, the greater your exposure to the sun's UV rays. Keep this in mind as you pack for your winter skiing trip!
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One-sentence summary --
Cover up! Use a moisturizer. Wear lip balm. Stay dry. Don't forget sunscreen on clear, cold days.