Q: You can easily locate the North Star by using the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper contains stars known as "pointer stars," which can be used to locate the North Star.  To start, locate the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is a constellation made up of seven stars. The constellation is found in the northern sky. In the spring and summer months, the Big Dipper will be somewhat high in the sky. In the autumn and winter months, it'll be lower in the sky.  The Big Dipper is given its name because it's shaped somewhat like a bowl with a handle. Four stars form a trapezoid-like shape, the bowl portion. Stemming off of these four stars are three more stars, forming the shape of a slightly bent handle.  Once you've located the Big Dipper, you can use it to find the North Star. To do so, look at the two bright stars that form the side of the bowl farthest away from the handle's tip. These are the "pointer stars." Draw an imaginary line connecting the pointer stars. Extend that line five times the distance between the pointer stars. You should eventually reach a somewhat bright star. This is the North Star. Note that you do not actually have to see the North Star with this method.  If clouds or trees or mountains are in the way, the North Star is still there near the end of the fifth pointer length.  That point is less than three degrees from the North Star and the North Celestial Pole. The Little Dipper is the constellation that contains the North Star. The tip of the Little Dipper's handle is the north star. If you're able to locate the Little Dipper, you can easily spot the north star.  You can use the Big Dipper to find the Little Dipper. Once you find the Big Dipper, look away from it as if water was coming out of the "open" part of the dipper. The Little Dipper will appear as a mirror image of the Big Dipper. It is also a constellation made up of seven stars. Four stars form a trapezoid base, and three extend out from this base to form a handle. The last star extending outward is the North Star.  If you live in an urban area, it can be difficult to locate the Little Dipper. It is also difficult to discern on bright moonlit or hazy nights.  You may be better off trying another method. Using the Big or Little Dipper are the most common means to locate the North Star. However, if the Big Dipper is low in the sky it can be difficult. Fortunately, you can use the constellation Cassiopeia to locate the North Star.  Cassiopeia is a constellation that consists of five stars. They form an "M" or "W" shape. Cassiopeia is located in the north sky. In earlier hours, the constellation looks more like an "M." Between midnight and dawn, the constellation looks more like a "W." In the months of February and March, Cassiopeia is especially likely to appear as a "W."  The three stars that form the middle portion of the "M" or "W" can be used to roughly locate the North Star. Look at this point as if it were an arrow. Follow the direction of the arrow forward. You should eventually land on a somewhat bright star. This is the North Star.  Note that you will have to actually see the North Star for this method to work.
A: Use the pointer stars of the Big Dipper. Locate the tip of the Little Dipper's handle. Rely on the arrow in the Cassiopeia constellation.

Q: You can wash any pillow by hand as long as the label doesn't say that it's dry clean only. Memory foam and latex pillows usually can't be washed by hand and you'll only be able to spot clean them. If you have a memory foam or latex pillow, it's important to use a zippered pillow protector in addition to a pillowcase. This will extend the life of the pillow. Pull the pillow out of the pillowcase or unzip it first to remove it from the pillow protector. You can usually toss the pillowcase or protector in the washing machine or wash it by hand along with the pillow. If the pillowcase is stained, you may need to pre-treat it before you wash it. If you're using a sink, ensure that it's big enough to hold the pillow. Run very hot water and then put the plug in the sink or bathtub. Turn off the water once it's half full. Hot water will kill dust mites that are living in the pillow. You can use a standard laundry detergent even if you'll be washing the pillow by hand. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of laundry detergent for each pillow into the hot water. Then use your hand to swirl the water around vigorously. This should make the water become bubbly. To make it easier to rinse the pillow, consider using low-sudsing laundry detergent. Put the pillow into the hot soapy water and press down so it absorbs water. Then use your hands to squeeze the pillow and massage the filling. Continue to do this for several minutes so the soapy water reaches the middle of the pillow. If the water is too hot or the soap irritates your skin, wear a pair of gloves. Remove the pillow and squeeze out the soapy water. Then hold it under a faucet with running water and squeeze the pillow once it feels soaked. Keep it under the water until the pillow doesn't feel soapy.  Plan on rinsing the pillow for 1 to 2 minutes to completely remove the soap. Leaving soapy residue will stain the pillow and make it harder to dry. Turn off the water and squeeze the pillow with your hands. Then lay the wet pillow on a dry towel. Fold the towel over the pillow and press down to remove excess water. Although you can twist the pillow to get even more water out, you should avoid wringing out feather pillows since this will damage the feathers. the pillow in a dryer or hang it from a clothesline to air-dry. If you have a dryer and the care label on the pillow says to tumble dry it on low heat, put the pillow in the dryer. Add dryer balls to speed up the drying process and turn on the machine. If you don't have a dryer, clip the pillow to a clothesline that's in direct sunlight. Leave the pillow to hang until it's completely dry. The amount of time it takes to dry the pillow will depend on how hot it is and how thick your pillow is.
A:
Check the label to determine if you can wash it. Take the pillow out of the pillowcase. Fill a sink or bathtub with hot water. Stir in a gentle laundry detergent. Submerge the pillow in the water and massage it for a few minutes. Rinse the pillow until the water runs clear. Press out excess water using a dry towel. Dry