Page 8 - Tom Reding

It’s often frustrating when you put on your favorite t-shirt and realize that it doesn’t fit as well as the last time you wore it. While some might wonder if they’ve gained a couple of pounds, the most likely answer is that the shirt has shrunk a few sizes. Trying to stretch the shirt out with your hands or feet often results in tears or weakening of the fabric. We want to share with you a few laundry tips on how you can keep your t-shirt from shrinking and keep it looking as good as the day you got it.

Water Temperature

Most t-shirts are made out of cotton, or a cotton-blend, and it tends to shrink due to the tension that’s applied during the construction process. Heat—whether by water or air—will release this tension and cause the fabric to shrink back to its original size. The very first time you wash your shirt is when most shrinkage can occur; this is why you should always wash your shirts in cold water as it won’t release the tension of the individual shirt fibers. When it comes to

As the World Series winds down and basketball season starts to wind up, that can only mean one thing: it’s time to figure out what costume you’re going to wear to the Halloween party this year. If you’re a true sports fan, dressing up in a simple sports uniform simply won’t cut it. It’s been done a million times over—not to mention it won’t win any costume contests. If you’re looking for inspiration for a sports-themed Halloween costume, here are 8 ideas that will be sure to turn heads and might even win you the grand prize! #1. The Rock If you’ve got the sculpted physique to pull of this costume, why not? It won’t cost you more than a pair of wrestling briefs, two fabric elbow guards, a $.99 Bic shaving razor for your dome, and a black sharpie marker to replicate the tattoos. As for the belt, we’ve seen them on eBay for as low as $50 and as high as $150. Do you smell what the Rock is cooking? #2. Bruce Lee While Bruce Lee appeared in many different costumes throughout his film career,

Even though we’re still in the middle of football seasons, there’s no better time to take a look at the safety gear that keeps you protected. When a 350lb linebacker comes running at you full speed, the last thing you want is a defective helmet protecting your head. A properly functioning football helmet is essential to player safety and helps prevent concussions and other injuries. Even a small hairline fracture can cause a failure, which will lead to a severe head injury. We’re going to look at the lifespan of a football helmet, whether or not they expire, and things players can do to help ensure their safety.

How Often Do Helmets Need to Be Replaced?

Each athletic organization has its own standards regarding when a helmet should be replaced. Assuming there are no cracks or other internal damage, The National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA) states that football helmets must be reconditioned and recertified every two to ten years. The NFL takes safety to the next

Very few things in the world of clothing are more frustrating than throwing on a great shirt only to discover that it's too big. Maybe you've recently lost some weight. Or perhaps you grabbed up the wrong size. Whatever the reason, don't assume this otherwise perfect tee is automatically bound for the next garage sale or donation bin. Although we can't call this plan foolproof (more on that in a minute), it's often possible to shrink your shirt down to a much more fitting size. All it takes is a washing machine, time and some hot water.

Does Shrinking a T-Shirt Work?

As mentioned earlier, we can't promise results. If you've lost 100 pounds and hope your favorite, XL band tee can turn into a size small—you're probably out-of-luck. Instead, accept that it's now your favorite, roomy nightshirt. Also, many tees now come pre-shrunk so that they're relatively true to size at the time of purchase. Though accurate sizing is typically a perk, it's not if you're hoping for the shirt to shrink a size

Since vehicles were first vinyl wrapped nearly thirty years ago, this method of making any car, truck or van stand out has taken the road by storm! Vehicle wraps are one of the most visually striking and cost-effective ways to advertise your team or business—or just show off your ride in style. Aside from appearance, this mobile marketing method can potentially reach thousands of people in a single day. Just think about how many people drive past your non-descript car every day. Now, imagine if that same car stood out from traffic and displayed whatever information you wanted to the world? Overall, vinyl wraps are a nearly foolproof way to attract more eyes. Still, there are a few things anyone considering a wrap should know before covering their car.

Why Should I Wrap My Car?

We could probably come up with hundreds of great reasons to wrap your car. But neither of us has all day, so here are a few of our favorites:

It’s Customizable

With traditional car paint, there's a limit to how you

We all know why it's crucial to put on our football helmets before hitting the field. Without them, players run a much higher risk of head serious injuries, concussions—or worse. However, have you ever stopped to think about what's really behind this fundamental piece of athletic wear? If you're like most people, the answer is probably no. Instead, you grab that helmet, throw it on your head, and trust it'll thoroughly protect that precious noggin. But, now that you're thinking about it, aren't you getting a little bit curious? Believe it or not, well over a century of safety, highly-technical innovations lie under that hard, plastic shell with each adjustment made to enhance the wearer's protection. Let's find out what a football helmet is made of, what technology is used to enhance protection and how the helmet has evolved into the safety device it is today.

A Brief History of Football Helmets

Before we get into the nitty-gritty behind what makes up a modern football helmet, it's essential

When your crew’s hitting the field, the last thing any football player wants is for their team to look boring. So, if you’re determined to distinguish yourself from the rest of the competition—what can you do? Wear great, eye-catching helmets and decals. Just by donning a flashy piece of protective gear, everyone from the kicker to the quarterback will stand out against the opposition and make their adoring fans proud. However, sometimes it’s hard to find inspiration when it comes to designing the perfect look. To help jumpstart your creativity, take a look at our ten favorite football helmets and decals from the NFL, College Football and beyond. Minnesota Vikings Who wouldn’t want to hit the field while looking like a Norse God? By using two simple decals, the Minnesota Vikings have created one of the most iconic football helmets in NFL history. In this version, the helmet’s style has been amplified thanks to the use of metal flecks added into the purple paint. We’re pretty sure even Thor

Has your car outlived the love of the stickers you’ve stuck on it? Over time, tastes change, elections end or that quote you thought was hilarious in high school doesn’t quite hold up when you’re driving into your corporate job. Thankfully, you have options beyond selling your beloved car or forever promoting your favorite candidate from 2004. Instead, just finally learn how to remove those pesky stickers. It may sound like a challenge, but it’s actually much easier than most people think. There are several simple, fool-proof ways to remove vehicle stickers from your car without risking damage. Whether you’ve stuck them on the windows or covered every inch of the car’s paint, we’ll walk you through our favorite method—plus a few extra options that might involve a quick trip to the store.

Removing Stickers from Car Windows

If you scour the internet, you’ll find several different techniques people for removing stickers from car windows. Though we won’t debate against most of these methods,

If you’re an athlete with a love of sports like football, hockey, biking, skateboarding—or really anything with a dose of danger—then you probably have a pretty close relationship with your trusty helmet. Just like your tight-knit teammates, your helmet has probably helped you, or even saved your life, on more than one occasion. As most athletes know, helmets are part of your identity. From officially bonding you to your team to creating a customized look to express your unique personality, empty helmet space screams to be covered in something special. However, this desire for extra flair also comes with some words of caution. After all, professional helmets are masterfully designed to protect your head as built and without modifications. Even adding minor changes can potentially cause damage your helmet—and make head injuries far more likely. But don’t think this means that helmets must be left plain, colorless and boring to maintain their safety. There are many ways to design an attractive,