How to Remove Bathroom Mold

Best household solutions to kill mold and prevent it from returning

If you have a couple of spots in your bathroom where mold is beginning to grow, don’t panic. There are plenty of cleaning solutions that’ll get rid of mold in an instant—and you can make most of them out of some common household ingredients. Keep reading to learn how to make a mold-removing solution and how to use it to clean away mold in your shower, bathtub, sink, and on ceilings and walls. We’ll also give you plenty of tips on how to prevent mold from coming back and how to stay safe throughout the entire process.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Use white vinegar or dissolved borax or baking soda to make a natural mold-remover, or opt for diluted bleach for extra tough mold spots.
• Spray your cleaning solution over the mold and use a clean cloth to wipe it away. Use a scrub brush for stubborn buildups and stains.
• Keep your bathroom well-ventilated by running a fan or opening a window to prevent mold from coming back.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Choosing a Mold-Removing Solution

1. Use white vinegar for a powerful, non-toxic mold killer. White vinegar is incredibly effective in killing mold and removing it from a variety of surfaces. Just pour the vinegar directly into a spray bottle to use it on most surfaces. However, if you’re cleaning mold from tile flooring, dilute the vinegar by adding equal parts water.^[1]
   
   • Although the smell can be unpleasant, it usually clears within 1-2 hours. Open a window or turn on a fan to help the smell disappear faster when you spray the vinegar.
   • Avoid using vinegar on marble or gold-plated surfaces since it’ll likely damage them.^[2]
2. Use a borax solution for a natural mold remover. Mix together 1 cup (204 g) of borax with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water, then pour the solution into a spray bottle.^[3] Borax is a natural fungicide and works wonders in getting rid of mold and preventing it from coming back.^[4]
   
   • Borax usually comes in powder form, so make sure it’s completely dissolved in the water before spraying any mold.
   • Keep borax away from small children and pets, as it can be toxic if swallowed.
3. Make a baking soda solution for a safe, gentle mold remover. Compared to vinegar and borax, baking soda is a more mild cleaning solution, but it’ll still get the job done. Combine 2 tbsp (34 g) of baking soda with 2 cups (473 mL) of water in a spray bottle and shake it vigorously until the baking soda has completely dissolved.^[5]
   
   • Alternatively, combine two parts baking soda with one part water and mix them in a bowl to create a thicker paste to spread over the mold. This is a good method if you have a particularly tough mold stain that needs a more thorough scrubbing.
4. Choose a bleach solution as a last resort. Although bleach is effective at killing mold on non-porous surfaces such as showers, basins, and tiles, it is a toxic substance and must be used carefully. Create a bleach solution with 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and pour it into a spray bottle. Keep children and pets away from whatever surface you spray.^[6]
   
   • Bleach can cause eye, lung, and skin irritations. To protect yourself, always wear gloves, safety goggles, and a disposable face mask.
   • Keep your bathroom well-ventilated if using bleach by opening a window or running a fan.
   • Avoid using bleach on painted walls or ceilings since it can strip away the color.
5. Buy a commercial mold remover. There are plenty of products on the market that are specifically made to target bathroom mold. Some are even made specially for certain surfaces (tile, drywall, ceiling, etc.). To protect your health, avoid buying products that contain no or very little VOCs (volatile organic compounds), flammable ingredients, and fragrances.^[7]
   
   • If you need help choosing a safe product, use the Environmental Protection Agency's safe product search tool to select a cleaner.

[Edit]Removing Mold

1. Spray a cleaning solution onto moldy areas of any surface. Grab a spray bottle with your chosen cleaning solution inside. Generously spray the entire area with the solution so that there’s a visible, even coating. Try not to completely saturate the area since that’ll leave a lot of excess liquid to clean up later. Aim to apply enough of the cleaning solution so that the area is visibly wet but not so much that puddles form.^[8]
   
   • For cleaning mold off of the ceiling, dip a rag or sponge in your solution and wipe it over the moldy spots. This prevents you from getting your cleaning solution into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
   • If you’re using a baking soda paste, apply the paste directly onto the mold with a sponge or cloth.
   • If you’re using a commercial cleaner, read the instructions carefully about how to apply it to the mold.
2. Wipe smooth surfaces like tile, toilets, tubs, and sinks with a cleaning cloth. If you have mold growing in your bathtub, shower, basin, or on any tile, use a clean cloth or sponge to gently wipe away the cleaning solution. The mold should wipe away easily onto the cloth.^[9]
   
   • This also works if you have mold growing on your ceiling or drywall. If your walls or ceilings are painted, be a bit more gentle when wiping these surfaces to avoid damaging the paint.
   • If you’re using vinegar, leave it to sit for 1 hour before wiping it away. This allows the mold adequate time to absorb the vinegar.
3. Use a scrub brush to remove stubborn mold from tiles, tubs, and sinks. If you’ve got some particularly tough stains in your bathtub, shower, sink, or on tile walls or floors, use a cleaning brush to tackle them. Scrub the affected area vigorously until the mold comes away.^[10]
   
   • If you used vinegar, don’t scrub the area. Instead, allow the vinegar to just sit for 1 hour, and then wipe the mold away with a clean cloth.
   • Have a dedicated scrubbing brush strictly for bathroom mold to prevent spreading the spores throughout your home.
   • Avoid this type of harsh scrubbing on painted drywall or ceilings since the paint could be damaged.
4. Scrub grout or caulking with a toothbrush. Move the toothbrush in a back-and-forth motion while applying firm pressure to scrub away the mold. Rinse the toothbrush under running water to remove any mold while you clean, as this prevents the mold spores from spreading throughout the bathroom.^[11]
   
   • Use a dedicated toothbrush for cleaning mold in the bathroom so that the spores don’t spread throughout your home.
   • Another option is to use specialty grout scrubbers that are specifically made to fit in the tight space.
   • A larger scrubbing brush will also work, but a toothbrush is the easiest to use in such small spaces.
5. Dry all cleaned surfaces with a cleaning cloth. Remove the excess liquid from the area that you cleaned to keep the bathroom dry and prevent slips. Run the cloth over all of the smooth surfaces and the grout or caulking to remove any excess cleaning solution. This also removes any mold that’s been scrubbed loose.^[12]
   
   • If you used a baking soda paste, wipe it away with a damp washcloth, sponge, or towel.
   • Pay attention to any small crevices or corners to prevent the liquid from pooling up and more mold from forming.
   • Immediately dispose of any clothes, rags, or sponges you used in the cleaning process to avoid spreading mold around your house.^[13]
6. Replace the grout or caulking if you can’t remove the mold stains. If there’s a large buildup of mold, you may not be able to scrub it all away. In that case, use a grout saw or something like a flathead screwdriver to dig into the grout or caulking and remove it. Apply the new grout or caulking and clean it regularly to prevent the mold from forming more stains.^[14]
   
   • Apply a sealer over the new grout or caulking to prevent it from being stained.

[Edit]Preventing Bathroom Mold

1. Clean your bathroom frequently to stop mold from growing. Mold won’t have a chance to start forming if you make it a habit to clean your bathroom regularly. At least once a week, clean and disinfect the areas where mold is most likely to grow, such as in your sink basin, shower, or bathtub.^[15]
   
   • Spray a vinegar, bleach, or borax solution on flat surfaces to prevent mold from growing.
   • If you’re using bleach, keep children or pets away from the bathroom until the cleaning solution has been cleaned up.
   • Avoid spraying bleach on surfaces where you store things like your toothbrush, cosmetics, or any other personal care items.
2. Keep your bathroom well-ventilated. The number one cause of mold is moisture, and bathrooms tend to get quite steamy and humid. To help reduce this humidity, turn the fan on when you run the bath or the shower, and keep it on for at least 5 minutes afterward to help clear the steam. If possible, try to keep the fan on until all of the steam is gone.^[16]
   
   • If your bathroom has a window, open that as well before and after bathing to keep the steam and humidity at a minimum.
3. Keep surfaces dry to reduce moisture buildup. Mold is especially likely to grow in places that are continuously wet or have a buildup of water. If you find a spot in your bathroom where mold keeps returning, use a cleaning cloth to dry it whenever there’s excess water. Some common places to monitor include along the outside edges of your bathtub, the perimeter of your shower, and your sink’s basin.^[17]
   
   • Be sure to also dry any towels, rugs, and washcloths after they’ve gotten wet. Mold can also form on these materials.
   • Completely dry the bottles and containers for any bathroom products. It’s common to see mold forming underneath product bottles that have water sitting underneath them.
4. Use mildew-resistant paint when painting your bathroom. If you’ve noticed mold spots beginning to pop up on your walls or ceiling, use mildew-resistant paint or a mold-killing primer next time you paint your bathroom. These paints and primers resist water and also contain fungicides that’ll kill any mold spores right away.^[18]
   

[Edit]Staying Safe When Cleaning Mold

1. Use rubber gloves whenever you’re working with mold. Keep yourself safe by avoiding touching mold with your bare hands. If you’re using vinegar or borax to clean the mold, regular household rubber gloves are fine. However, if you’re working with bleach, choose natural rubber gloves or PVC gloves to better protect your skin.^[19]
   
   • If the gloves are disposable, throw them out as soon as you’re done cleaning to avoid spreading mold elsewhere.
   • If your gloves are reusable, wash them thoroughly in warm, soapy water and dry them completely before putting them away.
2. Wear old clothes and wash them in hot water after cleaning mold. It’s best to wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting stained or damaged by the cleaning solutions and hot water wash cycle you’ll use to clean them after. Always use hot water to wash your clothes immediately after you’ve finished cleaning so that the spores trapped in the fabric are killed and don’t spread.^[20]
   
   • It’s especially important that you wear old clothes if you’re using bleach since bleach can remove the color from fabrics.
   • When washing your clothes, it’s recommended to wash them in water that’s between 104ºF and 140ºF (40ºC to 60ºC) to have the best chance of killing any mold spores.
3. Keep the bathroom ventilated while you’re cleaning. Open as many windows are possible and turn on the bathroom fan if there is one. This prevents you from inhaling mold spores and any toxic fumes that may be released by the cleaning solutions.^[21]
   
   • Another option is to put a stand fan in the bathroom while you work.
   • Wear a disposable face mask when cleaning to further avoid inhaling any fumes or mold spores.
4. Hire a professional to remove any large buildups of mold. If you can’t remove the mold yourself, have health issues affected by mold, or if the affected area is larger than , call a professional to deal with the mold. Just make sure that they have experience in removing mold. Ask friends and family for recommendations or do a quick internet search to find contractors in your area.^[22]
   
   • This is especially recommended if you think you may have black mold in your bathroom since prolonged exposure to this type of mold can cause respiratory infections.^[23]

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Warnings

• If anyone in your home has a mold allergy or a compromised immune system, it’s safest that they leave the home while you are removing the bathroom mold. This prevents them from inhaling mold spores.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
2. ↑ https://www.texashealth.org/areyouawellbeing/Health-and-Well-Being/Healthier-Household-Cleaning-SuppliesThat-Actually-Work
3. ↑ https://moldpedia.com/mold-removal
4. ↑ https://www.greenamerica.org/ways-to-clean-green
5. ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
6. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/mold/control_mold.htm
7. ↑ https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem
8. ↑ https://moldpedia.com/bathroom-shower-mold
9. ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
10. ↑ https://moldpedia.com/bathroom-shower-mold
11. ↑ https://moldpedia.com/bathroom-shower-mold
12. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home#TipsandTechniques
13. ↑ https://nchh.org/information-and-evidence/learn-about-healthy-housing/health-hazards-prevention-and-solutions/mold/
14. ↑ https://moldpedia.com/bathroom-shower-mold
15. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home#TipsandTechniques
16. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22309-mold-allergy
17. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/mold/ten-things-you-should-know-about-mold
18. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/paints/should-you-use-mildew-resistant-paint-in-the-bathroom-a2365405198/
19. ↑ http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/community/mold.htm
20. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8231443/
21. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-remove-mold-from-walls/
22. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-10/documents/moldguide12.pdf
23. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24862-black-mold

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How to Make Watermelon Juice

Make watermelon juice to quench your thirst on a warm summer day. You can use one of the recipes below to extract juice from a watermelon by either blending it or heating it. You can also create a refreshing pomegranate and watermelon juice blend.

• Prep time (Blended): 5-10 minutes
• Cook time (blending): 5
• Total time: 10-15 minutes

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Blended Watermelon Juice

1. Gather your ingredients. You will need:
   
   
   • 1 seedless watermelon
   • Powdered sugar or honey to taste
   • Cold water and ice cubes
2. Place your watermelon on a cutting board. Peel the watermelon and slice it into 1" (2.5 cm) chunks using a sharp knife.
   
   
3. Place the watermelon chunks into a bowl, into a rubber container or onto a plate. Use a fork instead of using your hands to prevent messiness.
   
   
4. Place the watermelon in a blender. Add powdered sugar or honey, if desired.
   
   
   • Blend your watermelon chunks and sweetener and check the consistency.
   • Add water for thinner juice and add ice cubes for thicker juice.
5. Blend well until the juice is smooth. Pour the juice over ice cubes in a tall glass. You can strain the juice, if you wish, to remove the pulp.
   
   

[Edit]Heated Lemon Watermelon Juice

1. Gather your ingredients. You will need:
   
   
   • 7 sprigs of mint
   • Juice of 1 1/2 lemons
   • 1 tablespoon of sugar
   • 2 small seedless watermelons
2. Cut the rinds off the watermelons. Slice the flesh into 1" (2.5 cm) chunks.
   
   
3. Blend the chunks, mint, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth.
   
   
4. Pour the watermelon mixture through a sieve and into a saucepan. Press down on the watermelon using a wooden spoon to release the most juice. Mix the juice with sugar.
   
   
5. Heat your saucepan over a medium-low setting. Bring the juice to a simmer, but don't allow it to boil.
   
   
6. Continue simmering the juice. Taste it frequently to see how the flavors are developing. When the juice is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
   
   
7. Pour the juice into a container and chill it. Serve the chilled juice in a tall glass over ice. Garnish the juice with a mint leaf.
   
   

[Edit]Pomegranate and Watermelon Juice

1. Gather your ingredients. For two people, you will need:
   
   
   • 1 1-1/4 lb. (625 g) seedless watermelon
   • 2 pomegranates
   • 7 oz. (200 g) fresh raspberries
   • Ice cubes
2. Peel your watermelon and cut it into chunks. Remove the seeds from your pomegranate, setting a few seeds aside for garnish.
   
   
3. Place the watermelon flesh into a juicer or blender. Add the pomegranate seeds and the raspberries, and blend the mixture until it is smooth.
   
   
4. Pour the juice into a tall glass over ice cubes. Float some pomegranate seeds and raspberries on top of the juice for garnish.
   
   

[Edit]Watermelon Rind Juice

Most of the nutrients in a watermelon are found in the rind. Therefore, it's good nutritional sense to enjoy this part too!

1. Wash the watermelon well. Remove dirt or blemishes.
   
   
2. Peel a seedless watermelon.
   
   
3. Separate the rind from the flesh of the watermelon. Chop it up.
   
   
4. Put the chopped pieces of watermelon rind into the blender. Blend until it reaches the desired consistency.
   
   
   • Add water if needed.
5. Serve and enjoy!
   
   

[Edit]Watermelon 7Up Juice

1. Gather your ingredients. The things you will need are as follows:
   
   
   • Half of medium Watermelon
   • 3 Teaspoon sugar
   • A pinch of salt ( if you like.)
   • 1 Glass of 7Up
   • 1 tablespoon lemon Juice
   • Ice cubes
2. Peel the watermelon and slice it into small chunks using a knife.
   
   
3. Put the watermelon in juicer.
   
   
4. Add sugar, salt and lemon juice.
   
   
5. Strain it into a glass
   
   
6. Serve it with 7Up and ice cube.
   
   
7. Finished.
   
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Always use a ripe watermelon for juicing. If you like sweetness, select a sweeter variety of watermelon, such as sugar baby.
• Fresh mint makes a vibrant addition to watermelon juice. Add a few clean mint leaves to the juice as it is blending.
• If you can't find a seedless watermelon, cut a regular watermelon into quarters. Find the seed line and cut along the line with a paring knife. Remove the piece that you cut and use a fork to scrape out any remaining seeds that are still attached to the watermelon.
• Leave the white rind intact; it contains more vitamins and nutrients than the red flesh. ^[1]

[Edit]Warnings

• Wear an apron over your clothing when cutting watermelon and pomegranates. Pomegranates in particular can leave stubborn stains.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Bowl, rubber container or plate
• Fork
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Plastic or glass pitcher
• Electric blender or juicer machine

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Grow Watermelons
• Carve a Watermelon Into a Heart Basket

[Edit]References

• Watermelon Juice

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259176510_Comparative_Vitamins_Content_of_Pulp_Seed_and_Rind_of_Fresh_and_Dried_Watermelon_Citrullus_Lanatus

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How to Skateboard

Skateboarding is one of the most popular and iconic street sports. Whether you want to learn the basics to cruise around, or you want to learn to kickflip like a pro, you can learn what you need to get started. From buying your first board to nailing an Ollie, you can learn what it takes to surf the sidewalk.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Getting Started

1. Get some appropriate footwear. Skate shoes are typically sold by brands such as Vans, Airwalk, Converse, or Etnies. They have sturdy sides and flat bottoms, perfect for gripping the board. While you can always skate with regular sneakers, it's a lot easier to maneuver around the board with skate shoes.
   
   • Never try to skate in sandals or flip-flops. You need to be able to move your feet around easily and feel comfortable. Without these, you can hurt your ankle easily and are a lot more likely to fall.
2. Find a board appropriate for your interests. Skateboards can be cheap or expensive and come in a variety of sizes and styles. The two most basic are regular classic skateboards and longboards. Visit your local skate shop or a skating website to check out some affordable options.
   
   • Classic skateboards have curved noses and tails, and have a concave to help with tricks. They come in a variety of sizes, and most are about 31" or 30 in length long and 8" wide. These are the boards to buy if you want to skate at the skatepark or on the street and to do tricks, eventually.
   • Longboards or cruisers have a longer and flatter body. The length of the board varies, but they can be up to twice as long as a classic skateboard, making them much more stable and rideable for beginners. You can't really do tricks, but if you're interested in skating as a way of getting around or bombing hills, it's a great option.
   • Penny boards are good for somebody who wants to leisurely ride a skateboard down the sidewalk, but are bad for somebody who is taller than the average five-year-old and/or want to do tricks. They're small so they're difficult to balance easily on.^[1]
   • A beginner skateboard should cost between $50-$150. Try to have your board set up for you at the skate-shop with the right kinds of trucks and wheels for what you'll be doing. Just remember, NEVER buy a Walmart board. They will snap quickly and are hard to learn on. Go to a real skate shop.
3. Get the appropriate safety gear. When you're first starting out learning to skate, you're going to fall down. Probably a lot. Consider investing in safety equipment such as a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads to protect you from falls and accidents. This is especially important for beginners. Some states, like California, require all skaters to wear helmets on the street.^[2]
   
   • Make sure to get a helmet that fits your head properly. Before you go to the store, use a tape measure to measure the circumference of your head, just above your eyebrows, in a straight line around your skull. Buy a helmet that fits snugly.
   • There's nothing lame/childish about pads. It's important to protect yourself from serious head injuries.
4. Find a good place to skate. A level, concrete driveway or parking lot is a good place to start getting comfortable on the board. Make sure there isn't anything in your way and be wary of cracks, loose stones and potholes. Running over a little pebble can account for a whole lot of crashes, especially with hard wheels.
   
   • When you're just beginning, you can practice balancing on grass or carpet first so your board won't be rolling everywhere.^[3]
   • Skateparks are great places to skate once you've got some experience. If you're just trying to get the board to stay under you without falling down, parks might be a little intense. If there's one in your area, go watch some skaters for tips, but stay on the sidelines.
5. Consider getting someone you know that's good at skateboarding to teach you. Your dad probably can't shove it or anything, so ask someone from a local shop or park if you can watch them. Bring some beginners and ask if what he's doing is intermediate to advanced skating, if it is, perfect. You have a teacher.
   
   • Skating with friends is a big part of what skating is all about. If you've got some skater friends, get help learning from them. Learning from friends is infinitely better than learning on your own or on the internet.

[Edit]Mastering the Basics

1. Stand on the board properly. Put the board flat on the ground and stand on it to learn to place your feet properly, and get your balance without falling down. Stand with your feet angled sideways on the board, your feet lined up roughly with the truck screws that attach the wheels to the board.
   
   
   • Regular foot means that you've got your left foot forward and your right foot in the rear. This usually means that you'll use your right foot to push.
   • Goofy foot means that you've got your right foot forward and left in the rear. Usually, this means you'll use your left foot to push.
   • Rock back and forth a little to see how the wheels move and how much sway you've got on the trucks. Just get comfortable.
2. Try pushing off very gently and placing your feet on the board. Turn your front foot slightly so it's more straight with the board, instead of sideways on the board. Use your other foot to gently push off, going very slowly at first. You don't want to have an accident just because you were going too fast before you were ready.
   
   
   • After you get some momentum, practice putting your back foot into place on the back of the board, just ahead of the tail curl, around the trucks. Get your balance and ride, bending your knees some to keep your balance.
   • Mongo foot means that you feel more comfortable pushing off with your lead foot, and riding with your back foot. Some people see it as acceptable, but it will hinder you later and it's an awkward motion to swing your front foot around. If you find yourself pushing mongo, try switching from regular to goofy or vice-versa.
3. Give yourself another push when you slow down. Keep practicing, making little push-offs, and pivoting your feet to ride on the board until you slow down. Then pivot your riding foot straight, push off with your other foot, and pivot back. The more you do this, the more comfortable you'll become at riding the board.
   
   
   • Try speeding up, but just a little. Like a bike, some riders find it actually quite a bit easier to keep your balance when you're moving a little quicker.
   • If you start speed-wobbling, you can tighten your trucks. This will make it harder to turn but you can practice with tight trucks until you get your speed wobble under control. Shifting your weight forward usually helps.
4. Flex your ankles and shift your weight to turn. Once you've got the hang of pushing off and riding some, try turning the board gently by shifting your weight. Ride with your knees flexed, keeping your center of gravity low to the ground. Then, shift your weight forward some to turn right (if you're riding regular foot), and rotate your ankles back to turn the board left.
   
   
   • Depending on how loose your trucks are, you may have to only shift your weight very gently, or really bend into it. You can loosen your trucks by turning the large bolt in the center of each truck (lefty loosy, righty tighty). This puts more (tight) or less (loose) pressure on the bushings and makes turning easier (loose) or harder (tight).
   • If you have trouble balancing or falling while turning, shift your upper-body weight in the opposite direction. What really matters is that your feet pivot the deck so the trucks do the turning.
5. Put your foot down to stop. To stop, you can simply put your pushing foot down when you've slowed down some, and halt your momentum. However, don't just jam your foot down hard at a fast speed. Start by dragging lightly and drag harder when you're going slow. Keep your riding foot on the board, or it'll just keep going.
   
   
   • You can also shift your weight back and scrape the tail against the ground if you want to stop. Some longboards have built-in plastic "brake" pads along the back lip of the board, while others won't. This is usually a bit more difficult, and will scrape away at the back of the board. An alternative that won't damage your board is to put your heel behind with your toes still on the tail when you do this. Your heel will drag on the ground instead of the tail.
   • You should practice getting on and off before you start skating at high speeds. One exit strategy if you're riding on flat without pads is to take your back foot off in front of you and walk or run away from the board.^[4]
6. Try riding switch. Once you get very comfortable just riding your board, try switching around and riding with your back foot in front and your front foot in back. If you want to be a really good skater, you'll learn to skate equally comfortably from both directions, if you get switched around for a trick. This comes in handy when you try a half-pipe, or any number of different types of skateboarding tricks.
   
   
7. Learn to fall properly. All skaters fall early and often. It's a part of skateboarding. It's important to wear the proper safety gear at all times, and learn to fall properly. To keep yourself from getting injured more seriously than the regular scrapes and bruises that are the skaters calling card, you can learn a few little tricks to keep yourself safe.
   
   
   • Put your arms out, but keep them loose. If you're very rigid, you risk breaking wrists and ankles more seriously than if you use them to cushion your fall.^[5]
   • Roll out any time that you fall. You might scrape yourself up, but it'll hurt a lot less than if you're landing with a splat.
   • Bail out if you see something going bad. If you're going too fast and can't control your board, just jump off and land on your feet, or roll into the grass. Don't stick on a board that you've lost control of.
8. Watch more experienced skaters to learn tips and tricks. Find some other skaters to skate with. It helps you to learn from their styles or different skill levels. If you don't know anyone, just talk to some other skaters at the local skate park. They are usually friendly, and will help you out. Experiment, make a higher ollie, read about how to do another trick, whatever your heart desires. Your teacher is more a friend than an instructor now, share skills with him, and anyone else you want to show off to.
   
   
   • For tips on how to do the moves, you can always watch a move in a video in slow motion and pay attention to the foot movement. Sequential photos are another great way to learn.
   • The more you practice, the better you will be. Don't get discouraged because you can't land a trick the first or second try. Just practice and have fun, and you will get the trick eventually.

[Edit]Learning to Ollie

1. Start by popping the front up with your back foot on the tail. An ollie involves popping the board up into the air and landing on it safely. The first part of this trick is to get comfortable shifting your back foot for the tail of the board to hit the ground, so you can pop it up and into the air. Get used to this motion, it can't be stressed enough.
   
   
   • As you stand on the board, practice rocking back, popping the nose up into the air and staying balanced. You can even try it in motion if you work up the nerve.
   • Before you even try the first motion of an ollie, it might be a good idea to just stand beside the skateboard and practice popping it up into the air. Use your foot to stomp on the tail and see how much pressure it takes to pop it up in the air. This is also useful to pop it up to your hands and pick it up easily.
   • One common mistake is to push too hard down on your tail, which prevents your board from going up in the air. Instead, flick down with your ankle to send the board to the floor, then lift later.^[6]
2. Try to pop up the board while you're stationary. Stand on the board and flex your knees quite low, shifting your center of gravity down over the trucks. Shift your back foot back so it's on the tail. Pop the tail back, as you would while you're doing a manual, except all the way to the ground. Then pop it up into the ollie.
   
   
   • Don't start in motion just yet. Before you can nail an ollie on the ground, it's quite dangerous to try one while you're skating. You'll probably wipe out.
3. Pop the board up into the air and jump. To get the board to pop, you want to simultaneously slide your front foot backward just a little and leap into the air, bringing your knees up to your chest, while you stab down on the tail with your back foot.
   
   
   • This needs to be done in one swift motion, and it's somewhat difficult to get the hang of at first. You want to jump up into the air and off the board at the same time as you pop down with your back foot.^[7]
   • You'll leap with your front foot just a little before you leap with your back foot. Imagine you're running sideways and trying to jump over a cone. You want to do that kind of motion.
4. Drag your front foot forward to catch the board. After the board pops up in the air, drag your front foot forward to flatten the board back out and keep it under control. You'll need to start doing this pretty much as soon as you jump into the air.
   
5. Push the board down by straightening your legs out. After you've straightened the board, push it back to the ground by straightening your legs and landing on the board in riding position. The most important thing to remember is to land with your feet over the bolts and knees bent, this improves your chances of rolling away successfully and keeps the board from breaking as often, as well as avoiding injury.
   
   
   • No shame in bailing out. If the board hasn't stayed straight, or it just doesn't feel right, don't try to land on it. Land on your feet instead.
   • In fact, it's probably a good idea to practice your first ollie by just jumping off the board and landing beside it.
6. Try an ollie in motion. Once you can land ten stationary ollies in a row, try doing one in motion. Push off and start skating at a low to moderate speed, then crouch down and pop the board up just as you would when you're standing still.
   
   
   • One way you can progress from doing an Ollie is to Olly over small items, like.a stick or a curb.^[8]
   • This is the fundamental skill to learn, which most other popping style tricks are based on. For more information and links to specific trick articles, check out the next section.

[Edit]Learning Other Tricks

1. Try a pop shove it. Do an ollie as high as you can, then as you level off your feet, give a nudge with the front foot on the board so it spins 180 degrees. You may want to use a little "scoop" motion with the back foot to make it spin easier.
   
   
2. Try a kick-flip. Do the same thing as a pop shove it, except when you nudge the board, kick the little area where the side of the board rises. Try out a few different motions until you get it to spin. This is not an easy trick, so practice and don't give up.
   
   
3. Try to grind. Start with a fairly low rail (equal to or less than one foot.) This is not easy, so take it in steps.
   
   
   • Start out simply rolling up to the rail, then jump off of your board and land with just your feet on the rail, letting the board roll away.
   • Next, practice popping the board up as you jump, but don't worry about where it goes after that. Just make sure that your feet land on the rail.
   • Make sure you roll up to the rail at a slight angle, not completely straight. This way, there's less risk of one truck getting caught on the start of the rail.
   • Now it's time for the real thing. Ollie as high as you can, in the direction of the rail. Land with your feet on the bolts and the board balanced on the rail.
   • If the deck is sliding sideways on the rail, it's a board-slide. If you stay in the direction of the rail so your trucks lock in and grind it, it's a 50-50 grind.
   • Once you get to the end of the rail, turn the board around if you're in a board-slide (so it faces the right direction) and land over the bolts. If you're doing a 50-50 grind, lift the front wheels slightly (by pushing on the tail, again slightly) to the front of the board doesn't plummet down. An alternative is to ollie off.
4. Head to the skatepark and learn to drop in. Dropping in takes guts, but it's worth it.
   
   
   • Start with your tail on the coping (the metal on the top of the half-pipe) and your foot just behind the bolts, but far enough back to balance.
   • Put your front foot over the bolts, and slam the board down. Don't hesitate, or you will fall. It takes confidence and power.
   • Be sure to lean forward in this motion. If you don't, the board will slide out from under you. Your shoulders should always be parallel to the board.
   • Don't worry about coming down on the other side, just hop off of your board at the top.
5. Do some lip-tricks. Some good ones are a Rock to Fakie, Axle Stall, and Nose Stall. These look impressive, but are not that difficult to learn if you have several months of experience. When you go to the skatepark always be aware so you don't get hit.
   
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Always have your weight slightly forward. Leaning backwards may cause the board to come out from underneath you.
• Skate on smooth streets, not old and rough ones.
• Always keep your feet apart, keeping them together will make you lose balance.
• Squatting low keeps your center of gravity low which means you won't fall over as easily.
• Good trucks like Thunder, Independent, Tensor, Grind King, royal, etc.. allow you to turn more easily and with more control. Good wheels like Force, Darkstar, Ricta, Autobahn, Spitfire, Bones and more, and good bearings like Bones (Bones Reds are often called the best), Swiss, Rockin' Rons, Ninja and more, allow you to get up to speed quickly and maintain that speed. Good decks like Revive, Mini Logo, Mystery, Almost, Black Label, Element, Real, Girl or Chocolate and more, allow for more control, feel and durability.
• Spend some time on your skateboard in place and experiment with positions,it helps you a lot later on to keep your balance. You can move your feet and rock about. You are basically familiarizing yourself with the board.
• When picking a deck, know what kind of skating you want to do. If you want a stable board that's easy to land on, grind with, and cruise on, a width of 8 to 8.5 inches could be good for you. If you want flip tricks and technical skating to be easier and require less movement, you may like a width of 7.5 to 8 inches. However, this is completely personal, so stand on several sizes before making your pick.
• Skateboarding is all about balance, practice going down slightly slanted hills with only one foot or while shifting your weight from one foot/leg to the other.
• Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move around. You don't have to follow the latest trends but skate shoes are a good idea.
• Keep leaves out of the way. They mess your tricks up.
• Know how to land when you fall. It even helps to practice falling.
• Always bend your knees.
• Do not keep your phone or other breakable objects in your pockets.
• Always look in front of the board to see where you are going.
• When landing a trick, always stomp on the bolts so the board doesn't slide out from under you.
• Don't be embarrassed if you fall, it's normal. Even experts fall.
• Make sure to pick out the right skateboard for your body size, level, and height. It could be dangerous to use one that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• If you are told to leave a spot, then leave. Try to skate in a safe and legal spot. Your driveway, a car park, a garage, a dead-end street or a local park are all great places.
• Give way to pedestrians and drivers.
• When on a "Penny Board" you must remain with most of your weight on the front and keep a low center of gravity.
• Wear protective gear, like a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, etc.
• Buy some good quality skate shoes to properly protect your feet and aid in grip when skating.
• If you can't turn easily when you lean, loosen the trucks from the large bolt in the center.
• Cheap boards will be okay for beginning but once you learn to Ollie, there's no other tricks you can do without the board snapping.
• Be safe and keep distances from children, animals etc.
• Find a skating buddy. If anyone you know is starting skateboarding like you, meet up with them and talk about your technique, or how fun or hard it is. Skating is a lot more fun with friends, and more is better.

[Edit]Warnings

• It's best to skateboard in groups and around several people. If something happens, you got your back covered. Plus it's more fun to be around friends.
• Don't do what other people do just because they're doing it. Only do what you feel comfortable with.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Find good skate shoes that will be comfortable and last a long time.
• Wear protective gear. Knee pads can be restricting but are essential for skating vert.
• Hold the board in its center. The grip tape should be on your body side and the graphics of the skateboard facing out.
• Don't throw your board when frustrated, this can often cause irreparable damage.
• Wear a helmet. You may not think it's cool, but it will save your head from getting cracked. Skateboarding is fun, but be aware of injuries or deaths that may occur without a helmet.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Stand on a Skateboard

[Edit]References

• Videos provided by Mikey Leven

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ [v161433_b01]. 5 June 2020.
2. ↑ https://www.warehouseskateboards.com/help/Helmet-Sizing-Buying-Guide
3. ↑ [v161433_b01]. 5 June 2020.
4. ↑ [v161433_b01]. 5 June 2020.
5. ↑ http://www.skateboardhere.com/skateboard-fall.html
6. ↑ [v161433_b01]. 5 June 2020.
7. ↑ https://www.kidzworld.com/article/4445-how-to-ollie-on-your-skateboard
8. ↑ [v161433_b01]. 5 June 2020.

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How to Teach Your Dog to Speak

Your dog won’t be reciting Shakespeare anytime soon, but teaching a dog to bark on command is actually one of the easiest tricks to teach. Barking is a natural behavior for a dog, so they should pick up on this one in no time. Teaching a dog to “speak” is a fun little trick, but it’s also useful if you want to show your dog when it’s appropriate to make noise, or get your dog to bark when they want something. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about teaching your pup to talk on command.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Begin training with high value treats or a clicker handy.
• Make use of situations in which you already know your dog will bark. Reward them with a treat or the clicker immediately after they make a noise.
• Introduce the 'Speak' command once your dog associates barking with a reward.
• Reinforce training over time to tie together the word and the behavior. Make use of short, repeated training sessions to prevent fatigue.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Hold a high-value treat.

1. Grab some training treats that your dog enjoys. If you have a normal, prepackaged treats that your dog enjoys, use those. You can also use their normal kibble if they’re a hungry little puppy and you’ve been weary of using unhealthy treats yet. Whatever it is, pick something your dog really loves; the better the reward, the easier it will be to teach your dog.^[1]
   
   • If your dog loves to play, you can try using their favorite toy and playing with them when they bark. Most people, however, will find that treats are the most effective way to teach a dog.
   • Try to avoid using processed human food as treats. A little organic turkey meat or carrot is fine every now and then, but relying entirely on human food can mess with their diet and reinforce their love of human grub.
   • As you practice over time, mix it up every now and then. Use a variety of treats to keep your dog from getting bored by the same reward.

[Edit]Grab your clicker if you're clicker training.

1. If you are clicker training, use the clicker instead of a treat. Clicker training is entirely optional, but if you’ve been using a clicker to train your dog, use it here. Instead of the treat, use the sound of the clicker to reward your dog. If you’re still in the early stages of clicker training where you’re using treats and the clicker, continue to use both as your reward.^[2]
   
   • Clicker training is just as efficient as non-clicker training—it’s just a matter of personal preference.^[3]
   • If you’re new to clicker training, stick with it and start by using the clicker and the treat. Your dog will slowly start to associate the clicker sound with the treat and they’ll eventually mean the same thing to your pup.

[Edit]Get your dog’s attention.

1. Show them the treat and bring them to you. Your dog needs to see the treat and be intrigued by it. Once they come over and realize you’ve got a treat, hold the treat away from them and give them a second to relax in front of the reward.^[4]
   
   • If your dog isn’t interested enough by the treat that they wander off after a few seconds of you not giving them a treat, your reward isn’t high-value enough.
   • If you’re building on other skills, get them into a “sit” position for this so that you reinforce two behaviors at once.

[Edit]Wait for them to bark.

1. Tantalize them with the treat until they finally make some noise. Keep the treat visible and easy to see. Your dog may be confused for a minute, or whimper a little. They may even try to sit, lie down, or roll over to get the treat. Just hold out and keep the treat visible until they bark.^[5]
   
   • Don’t tease or mess with your dog; just hold the treat up. If you induce an anxiety-related bark and then reward your dog, you may accidentally reinforce the idea that barking when they’re scared is a good thing.
   • If your dog doesn’t bark at all here, you have two options. One is to simply put the treat away (at least for a minute) and try again once your dog stops paying attention. The other option is to do something that makes your dog bark (ring the doorbell, make an abrupt noise).

[Edit]Reward your dog with the treat.

1. As soon as your dog barks, give them the treat and praise them. After one bark, give them the reward, pet them repeatedly, and say, “Good dog!” or, “That’s so good!” Really make a show of it to get your dog excited about what they’ve just done.^[6]
   
   • If you wait too long to give them the treat, they may not immediately associate the bark with the treat.
   • If you’re clicker training, press the clicker as soon as they bark. If you’re still using edible treats, give the treat and press the clicker at the same time.

[Edit]Continue reinforcing the behavior.

1. Practice in short bursts and keep giving your pup love for barking. You don’t need to engage in giant training sessions to reinforce this one. Barking is a natural behavior for a dog, so little 5- to 10- minute training lessons are just fine.^[7] Show the treat, wait for your pup to bark, and then give them the treat as the reward.
   
   • If you had to make a noise or do something to get them to bark, slowly transition to simply showing the treat without the other stimulus.
   • If you’re working on other commands and tricks at the same time as you’re teaching “speak,” go ahead and start incorporating “speak” once your dog understands that you want them to bark when you just show them the treat.

[Edit]Introduce the command word.

1. Use “speak” or “talk” to start tying the behavior to the command. Now that your dog knows barking will get them treats, name the behavior. Say "speak" or "talk" just before they bark. You might also consider adding a hand signal (like pointing up, or making a fist), since dogs can learn visual cues just as easily as sound-based cues. Practice several times saying "speak" or "talk" just before your dog barks.^[8]
   

[Edit]Reinforce the command word with practice.

1. Keep using the treat and the command word to train your pup. Now that your dog is starting to associate a word with barking, say "speak" or "talk" and wait for her to bark. Be sure to say the command only once to avoid changing the command. When your dog barks, offer the reward. Do this over and over again until your dog seems to be catching on.^[9]
   
   • You never want to repeat the command because it can trick your dog into thinking the command word is “speak speak speak” instead of just “speak,” for example. If your dog doesn’t get it the first time, pause, look away, lower the treat, and try again in a few minutes.

[Edit]Fade the treat out over time.

1. Swap the treat out for the command word as they master the move. Whenever your dog fluidly interprets “speak” to mean “now is the time to bark,” you know it’s time to remove the treat. Continue to verbally praise your dog, but remove the food-based treat. As your dog gets better at the maneuver, you can fade the praise out, too.^[10]
   
   • If you’re clicker training, now is the time to slowly stop using the clicker.

[Edit]Practice in increasingly more distracting environments.

1. This will reinforce the command so your dog really internalizes it. Take your dog to the front porch or sidewalk and practice “speak” out there where there are birds and other ambient noises. Once they master the move out front, take them to the park where they’ll be tempted to run around. Then, you can practice the move in front of other dogs or toys. Once your dog knows “speak” everywhere, they’ve 100% mastered the command!^[11]
   
   • Now, you can start teaching your dog to bark at specific threats or whenever they want to go outside. Use the “speak” command whenever a stranger approaches, or whenever you’re about to let them out to use the bathroom to teach them how to let you know they need to go.

[Edit]Move on to other commands, like “quiet.”

1. Once your pup masters “speak,” you can move on to something else. Return to “speak” periodically to ensure that your dog doesn’t forget about it. Now is the perfect time to teach the “quiet” command! This works basically in reverse—present a stimulus that’ll make your dog bark and then wait for them to be quiet. Then, reward them!^[12]
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Avoid teaching your dog new commands or tricks if you’re in a hurry. Giving them your undivided attention can help them stay focused.^[13]
• Teach “speak” after you teach other commands like “sit” or “lay down.” If you teach “speak” first, your dog may start barking up a storm every time you try to teach them to a new trick.

[Edit]Warnings

• If you’ve already got a dog who is prone to barking, teaching them “speak” before you’ve got the problematic barking under control is potentially a bad idea. Your dog may start barking expecting you to give them a reward.^[14]

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Walk a Dog
• Teach Your Dog to Drop It
• Teach Your Dog to Sit
• Teach Your Dog Tricks

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/positive-reinforcement-training
2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/clicker-training-your-dog-mark-and-reward/
3. ↑ https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/about.illinoisstate.edu/dist/6/45/files/2019/10/Chiandetti-Avella-Fongero-Cerri-2016-Can-Clicker-training-facilitate-cond-in-dogs.pdf
4. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_dg_how-to-make-a-dog-bark
5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/train-your-dog-to-speak/
6. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/train-your-dog-to-speak/
7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teach-your-puppy-these-5-basic-commands/
8. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/train-your-dog-to-speak/
9. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_dg_how-to-make-a-dog-bark
10. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_dg_how-to-make-a-dog-bark
11. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reliable-recall-train-dogs-to-come-when-called/
12. ↑ https://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/dog_commands_quiet.pdf
13. ↑ [v161987_b01]. 5 October 2021.
14. ↑ https://www.thrivingcanine.com/should_i_teach_speak_to_eliminate_dog_barking_problems

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