We may earn a commission from links on this page.Cold weather means more salt on the roads and sidewalksbut also on your floors as it gets tracked in on your shoes and boots and leaves salty streaks behind. Salt is great for dealing with ice outside but it is terrible for your flooring. Even if youre on top of making people remove their shoes when they enter your home, salty dust can still find a way onto your hardwood and other floor surfaces and could lead to permanent damage if you dont deal with it quickly and correctly. Heres what you need to do to get rid of it the right way.Remove salt with something acidicSalt deposits dont emulsify with soap and water, so dont waste your time with your usual mopping routine. What you really need is a weak acid of some kind. Heres where our old friend vinegar comes in.First, you need to get rid of any salt crystals by vacuuming or sweeping them up. You also need to wipe up any melted snow or moisture, so grab an old towel and do a quick dab. Be careful, though: Dont push it around, as any big crystals inside could scratch the floor (and you could push the water into the cracks in the floorboards, which could result in damage underneath). Dab that moisture with a cloth. Next, mix vinegar and warm water at a ratio of a half a cup of vinegar per gallon of water. (If the salty streaks and stains are really bad, you can double the amount of vinegar.) This is what youll use to clean once the solids and liquids are removed and all that's left are those streaks.How to apply the salt cleaning mixtureSpread your vinegar-and-water mixture in the same way you would when washing the floor as you usually would, which will differ depending on what its made of. If its tile or vinyl, for instance, you should coat it with a mop and leave it there a few minutes to dissolve the salt. If youre dealing with wood, use a spray bottle to mist the streaks, then dab up the moisture with a towel after a few minutes.To prevent the streaks from coming back, keep a spray bottle of the mixture handy so you can tackle them as theypop up. Be vigilant about melting snow, too. Check under your door mat for any leaks, wipe up wetness as soon as it happens, and spray the area with your bottle for good measure.The smell of vinegar usually dissipates after a while, but if you really hate it, you can go back through the room with your usual floor-cleaning supplies again after its dried. The best salt-busting cleaning toolsWhen you're spreading that solution around, you need something soft. This isn't the time to scrape, push, or otherwise get too abrasive. Microfiber is the answer. You can use microfiber cloths, which are inexpensive and delicate, but I also understand if you don't want to be kneeling on salty, crusty, dirty floors to gently wipe with a rag. In that case, I recommend a dedicated microfiber mop. You'll want a mop designated for winter entryway and floor cleaning because you don't want to drag salt all around the house when you're cleaning non-salty areas. Instead of spending a bunch of money on a new microfiber mop that you'll only use a few months out of the year, I have a better idea: Pick up this pack of two microfiber mop pads that are designed to fit around the head of a standard Swiffer Sweeper. Unoutur Reusable Microfiber Pads for Swiffer $9.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $9.99 at Amazon For about $10, you get two stretchy covers so one can be used for dabbing up wetness and another can be used for applying your diluted vinegar. They're easy to remove from the Swiffer, so you can pop them in the laundry with ease so you can use a fresh pad every time you need one.

If your gaming plans for this weekend somehow don't involve stomping around as Godzilla in Fortnite, I don't know what to tell you. The legendary titan is dropping onto the island for a limited time starting on January 17, and you even might get the opportunity to take control of him.According to developer Epic Games, there's a small chance that a portal will pop up on the map during Battle Royale matches. The first player to locate and jump into it will emerge as the magnificent beast. Godzilla can use a roar ability to reveal nearby players, use a stomp attack to send 'em flying and tear through buildings with a heat ray.Godzilla is also a de facto boss for other players. They can attack weak spots to deliver extra damage and chip off collectible fragments that provide a health boost and dash charges. Epic has also brought the rail gun back into the game to help players take down the colossal critter. It appears that the event will run until the current season ends on February 21.It wouldn't be Fortnite if there weren't a bunch of cosmetics that tie into the event. Players who have the current battle pass can unlock a reactive Godzilla skin by completing quests. The outfit will start glowing after you secure your first kill in a match and grow brighter after each elimination so it might actually punish you for playing too well if you become more visible to enemies.There's also a Kong and Mechagodzilla outfit bundle coming to the shop. The latter glows when you attack enemy players. The unveiling of that outfit in the event trailer is very funny, with Mechagodzilla stomping buildings until the camera zooms out to reveal a miniature city. I truly hope that's part of a new emote.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-will-let-you-play-as-godzilla-if-youre-lucky-170615837.html?src=rss

Take your music to the max with this all-in-one from MIXX

Nintendo showed off its new Switch 2 console in a video trailer Thursday, featuring a bigger display and joy controllers.

The Nintendo Switch is the Japanese game companys second best-selling product of all time, bested only by the Nintendo DS. Today, it announced the long-rumored sequel, the Nintendo Switch 2.ScreenshotThe Nintendo Switch 2 improvementsSo far, all we have is a wordless teaser video, which instead of telling the story, shows the new improvements in dramatic, 3D rendered flybys (a style introduced years ago by Apples marketing team). The story it tells, however, is still compelling: a bigger screen that will be easier to see, lengthened Joy-Cons that will be easier to hold, and a thinner overall frame.ScreenshotLook closer, and youll see even more: a kickstand that can lounge deep like a Microsoft Surface, a second USB-C port (for accessories?), and a new flange around the Joy-Con stickswhich feels like it must address the Switchs only real design flaw, its fragile analog controllers that were prone to drifting (even if its benefits are largely psychologicalnote how Nintendo highlights this structural reinforcement with the Sony-black systems rare pops of color).ScreenshotOther than that, the dock sticks around (but with rounded corners now, which should make it more comfortable to place in and grab out), and the game cartridge slot is unchangedyes, Nintendo clarfieis it will support Switch 1 games with backward compatibility in most cases.Switch 2s new UX featuresThe Switch excited the world because it was all about flexibilitypay it in your lap, on your desk, on your TV! Pop off the controllers, swing them around, combine them into a new controller. Whereas systems like the Nintendo Wii made motion controls mainstream, the Switch stitched such novel UX into the greater fabric of console play.ScreenshotSwitch 2 pushes the boundaries further, but subtly. Joy-Cons now snap right on and off the Switch rather than sliding inwhich is likely Nintendos version of the iPhone Magsafe. This will make using the device more pleasant day-to-day, but given how fast switching modes looks, maybe it will introduce novel game mechanics.[Image: Nintendo]The video also teases a new use for the Joy-Conslaid on a table, they now appear to work like a mouse. How advantageous will this one UX mechanic be? Perhaps it wont matter beyond one or two games (like the SNES mouse used in Mario Paint). Then again, PC gaming has never been bigger, which still champions the mouse for first-person-shooters in particular. This single tool could make porting some titles more comfortable.[Image: Nintendo]When will we get the Switch 2 and what will it cost?Nintendo announces in the video that the Switch 2 will arrive in 2025. There is no pricing information yet (rumors place it right around the $300 launch price of the original Switch), but the company will share more in one of its Nintendo Direct announcements on March 2nd.

Los Angeles building professionals have developed lists including architects, contractors, and engineers interested in providing their services towards rebuilding and relocation efforts in the wake of wildfires spreading across the city.Design public relations firm Nelson Daly, architect Rachel Shillander and interior designer Adam Hunter are among those in the Los Angeles design community organising resources to aid in evacuation and rebuilding efforts.Over 12,000 structures in the city have been collectively lost to the Eaton, Palisades, Hurst and Auto fire, with high-velocity Santa winds threatening to spread the flames further.LA designers have begun to form aid groups to help in rebuilding efforts. Top image is by Kelvin ChengIn response, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass recently issued the Return and Rebuild executive order, which reportedly will push past bureaucratic red tape to expedite rebuilding efforts.Simultaneously, a number of building professionals are organising aid efforts where they can, with some focused on providing resources for homeowners looking to navigate building a home for the first time when safe."It's a process that unfolds day by day as we understand how policymakers will revise permitting and codes to help people get back into their homes," Los Angeles architect Populous Joanna Grant told Dezeen."Many of these people would not likely engage with an architect in their lifetimes, as they may be in generational housing, wholly unfamiliar with the design process. We want to make this process as easy and streamlined for them as possible and provide oversight so that they can feel at ease that their needs in such a time of need are taken care of."Providing services for those displaced by firesTogether with Meara Daly of the public relations firm Nelson Daly, Grant is compiling a developing master list of volunteer architects, designers, consultants and others interested in offering services.The list of professionals, which Grant and Daly are also vetting for credentials, will be available on a website called Design for LA.Among the signatories are members of local and national architecture studios such as LOHA, GLUCK+, NBBJ and HOK."We want to develop a website, produce pamphlets, and conduct community workshops to help the members of the community understand what the process of rebuilding will be like," said Grant.The pair's effort will also include an ADU resource guide.Other architects are following suit, such as Rhme Architects, whichoffersfree services including consultations, site visits and fire resilience strategies for home builders.Read: Los Angeles mayor issues executive order for "residents to rapidly rebuild"Rachel Shillander of LA LLandis compiling resources, one of which is a Rebuild LA Architecture Slack channel with over 200 people collaborating to "pool resources" to "help rebuild our community and support each other in the process", according to Shillander.Other efforts within the community include providing resources for those displaced by the fires, including the non-profit LA Can Do recently launched by interior designer Adam Hunter.The non-profit collects donated "furniture, homewares, and linens" for those affected."It's about helping people rebuild their lives and restore hope for the future," said Hunter.Close to 90,000 people in the city are under evacuation orders according to NBC Los Angeles, while the New York Times reports many evacuees are shoring up in hotels, shelters, relatives' houses, or cars.Frustrated with irresponsible development practices, LA designers and critics have called for rethinking the typical cycles of rebuilding after disaster, while several landmarks have been lost to the fires in addition to thousands of homes.The post LA architects and designers form aid groups to make rebuilding "as streamlined as possible" appeared first on Dezeen.

The Community First! Village in central Texas provides affordable housing to Austin's homeless population. Developed by Mobile Loaves & Fishes, an Austin-based nonprofit, it currently houses 370 formerly homeless people in tiny-house-style accommodations. Now they're getting an assist from Icon, a construction company that 3D prints houses. With backing from the Lennar Foundation (the charitable arm of Lennar, a production homebuilder), Icon will print 100 houses in an expanded portion of the village. These will be a mix of homes and townhouses ranging from 380 to 1,040 square feet. Icon says construction is currently underway. The news is fairly recent, and Icon doesn't yet have any video on their socials about it. However, if you're curious to hear what it's like to live in one of their 3D-printed houses, here are some testimonials from residents at their Wolf Ranch community in Texas:

Thanks to Apple, popping earbuds in and out of their charging cases almost feels natural these days. That doesnt mean theyre convenient or easy, especially when you have to actually open the case first to get the earbuds out. It shouldnt be that hard, but convention isnt always on the side of common sense, especially when sticking to the norm is more cost-effective.This concept design for a pair of modular wireless earbuds tries to challenge the status quo on many levels. It tries to create an ecosystem that goes beyond just playing audio in your ears, resulting in a few features that are, admittedly, a bit peculiar. Curiously, one of the most interesting parts of its design isnt actually the modules but is instead its equally unconventional charging case.Designer: Dongkyun KimYes, the charging case, which is actually a lot larger than your typical design, still has a cover that you open up to reveal its contents. In fact, it might even be weirder than most charging cases because the cover opens down like a drawbridge. That doesnt matter much, though, because you dont even need to open it to access the earbuds. There are openings on each side that allow you to take them out and put them back in without opening the case at all.Its becoming more common for TWS earbud cases to have screens of their own to display important stats, and the Orbit concept is no different. Where it differs is that the screen is so small to avoid being distracting, though it also raises the question of whether it will be readable at all. Its just a minor convenience anyway, something to add some flavor to the already intriguing design.Created using Luxion Technology (luxion.com)Created using Luxion Technology (luxion.com)Of course, the real meat of the Orbit design concept is its modularity and the modules it comes with out of the box, or rather out of the charging case. Theres a cog-shaped wheel, for example, that magnetically latches onto one of the earbuds to add some tactile feedback for more precise and satisfying controls. Presuming there will be other products in the Orbit ecosystem, this wheel could also be a controller for those.The camera modules are a bit of an odd feature. Theyre supposed to improve motion tracking and spatial awareness, though that could also raise privacy concerns. It could be used to take photos or record videos that are sent to a paired smartphone in a way that looks almost natural because of their proximity to your eyes. Given their size, however, they might not be that capable of recording important memories.The wireless earbuds themselves have a rather unusual design. In addition to adopting an open-ear technology, the buds are meant to clip to the sides of the ear, which could be uncomfortable and unstable. Indeed, the concept has quite a few interesting ideas that go beyond the actual purpose of the earbuds, but its really the case that could be considered to be its selling point.The post Modular wireless earbuds concept has a case that makes removing earbuds easy first appeared on Yanko Design.

Discover how to draw a man in a standing pose with this video/step-by-step tutorial.

New photos of Mercury taken during the joint European and Japanese BepiColombo mission reveal fascinating details of the small rocky planet.