The few who dare, must speak and speak again
To right the wrongs of many. Speech, thank God,
No vested power in this great day and land
Can gag or throttle. Press and voice may cry
Loud disapproval of existing ills;
May criticise oppression and condemn
The lawlessness of wealth-protecting laws
Welcome to May! Not only is this month perfect for basking in sunny and temperate weather, but on one special day we get to celebrate the freedom to speak our minds in print. For May 3 is World Press Freedom Day! On May 3, 1991 in Windhoek, Namibia, participants in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press created the Windhoek Declaration. This document outlined how maintaining and fostering an independent, diverse, and free press is essential to the development and preservation of democracy in a nation. WPFD is a whole 24 hours to reflect on principles of press freedom, take stock of the state of press freedom around the world, commit to defending the independence of media, and honor the journalists who have lost their lives in pursuit of the truth. I include the excerpt above from the poem “Protest” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, because it expresses how crucial it is to protect and fight for our First Amendment right to speak and publish information and opinions about politics and the state of the world in general. Judging from the fact that you are currently reading this article, I’m gonna go out on a limb and assume that you have at least a little interest in the printed word, and you probably, like me, enjoy reading honest reporting about world events. Well, gosh darn it if there hasn’t been a wee bit of an uptick in the encroachment of the government on our inalienable rights lately, including the right to freedom of the press. My guess is that it’s because our current administration is a mite oligarchical, with a dash of authoritarianism. With political shenanigans such as the president banning the Associated Press from the Oval Office for their refusal to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of ‘Merica, and the Department of Defense “rotating out” several major media outlets from the Pentagon, replacing them with more conservative organizations, it is quite possibly more important than ever to stand up for freedom of speech. So sop up every inch of this magazine, knowing that everyone who contributes to it works hard to provide you with honest and quality information—even in the pursuit of providing you with tips for cleaning your formica countertop.
How do I clean my grandmother’s yellowing antique lace table runner?
Oh, that sounds so dainty. Lace adds a little blue to the blood of any dining experience. Fill a sink or other basin with lukewarm water. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water, swish it around, and let it dissolve. Add a tablespoon of castile soap or another gentle detergent. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds is a mild soap that I use all the time for cleaning marble and wood floors, as it’s pH neutral and so is neither overly alkaline nor acidic. Another great detergent for antique-lace-cleaning is baby shampoo! You know the old saying (that I just made up), “If it’s gentle enough for baby eyes, it’s gentle enough for your Maw Maw’s lace!” If the lace is extremely valuable, Orvus is a great soap. It’s the go-to for professional textile companies and museums. Let the lace soak in the water for three hours, then check on it. If it’s still yellowed, let it sit for another hour. Once you’re satisfied with the result, drain the sink and rinse away all the suds. Now fill it with cool water, and place the lace inside. Let it sit for an hour. Repeat this process until there are no more suds in the water. Lay the lace flat on a white towel, and place another towel on top. Apply light pressure to remove the excess water. Finally, lay the lace on a clean, flat surface until it is dry. If any yellowing remains, place the lace in some sun for an hour. I hope this helps!
How do I remove a rust stain from my formica countertop?
Ugh, I hate when this happens. You unknowingly place your metal utensil holder onto a damp countertop, and, dern, rust stain. Luckily, removing the stain is pretty easy. Pour some baking soda into a bowl. Squeeze enough lemon into the bowl to create a paste. Dip a rag into the bowl and gently rub the stain. The rust spot should readily lift. If it’s being a stubborn a-hole, slather some of the paste onto the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. When the time is up, wipe away the glop with a wet rag. Voila! The stain should be gone.
How do I clean my cast iron skillet?
I’ve learned how to do this by watching others, for I don’t cook. I’m too impatient. For the rest of you, washing a cast iron pan is pretty easy. First off, make sure to clean it immediately after using it, while it’s still warm. Don’t soak it, because this can cause the pan to rust. There is a fiery debate about whether or not to use soap in the execution of this cleaning task. Some people are adamant that using soap will remove the pan’s seasoning, whilst others feel that a squirt of mild dish soap, warm water, and a light scrub with a soft sponge works like a charm. I am neutral and advise you to choose your own adventure. For either option, first remove any stuck-on food with a plastic food scraper tool or spatula. If you decide to forgo soap, sprinkle a little kosher salt into your pan that’s filled with hot water and scrub it using a hard-bristled brush (no steel wool). After the scrub, dry the pan with a lint-free towel. Finally, drizzle a little vegetable oil into the pan and spread it around with a lint-free cloth, until all of the oil has been absorbed by the pan. Good luck!
Got cleaning questions? Email isabel@antigravitymagazine.com
illustrations by Ben Claassen III | @dirtfarm
