Eliminate Hard Water Stains and Discover the Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Water Filters

One of the easiest ways to prevent hard water stains from forming around the home is to install a reverse osmosis filter. These industry standard devices can reduce water stains and limescale by eliminating up to 95% of the calcium and magnesium found in a hard water supply.

As anybody who lives in a hard water area will know, water deposit stains can be a pain if they are not dealt with fairly quickly. Not only do they leave ugly white marks on sinks, shower doors, faucets, toilet and glass, but they are also very difficult to remove, which his costs time and several hundreds of dollars over a year.

Many people have discovered the easy way to remove water stains is to consider an easy to install device to their home that provides hard water mineral free water as well as ultra pure water that is free from other contaminants that are potentially toxic in high concentrations.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Filters:

Not only do these devices remove up to 95% reduction in calcium and magnesium, they also remove many other unwanted chemicals from a water supply. By simply adding a reverse osmosis filter to the home, they have discovered that it can help when dealing with water spot removal, as well as getting rid of tough limescale deposits from fixtures and fittings.

The reason that these industry standard devices are so effective at eliminating limescale is because the reverse osmosis membrane is comprised of microscopic pores which allow the pressurized water molecules, among the smallest molecules known to man, to pass through contaminants, and even minerals dissolved in the water, such as calcium and magnesium are left behind.

So, if you are researching a water treatment device that can help with water deposit removal as well as purifying your home water supply, considering a reverse osmosis water filter is a wise decision. They have been proven to work to reduce hard water stains and will also give you the peace of mind that your water is the best quality it can be for you and your family.

If you are looking for a top quality reverse osmosis filtration system, then the Crystal Quest Reverse Osmosis Ultimate is a great one to consider. It recently received 5 stars out of 5 from Amazon customers and its 5 stage filtration system has been proven to prevent hard water stains formation and provide an ultra pure home water supply.

Click on the link below for more details:

Crystal Quest Reverse Osmosis-ULTIMATE

If you have any thoughts on reverse osmosis water filters and how they have helped you, feel free to post a comment below and share your experiences.

Top Appliance - Medelco Glass Whistling Kettle

If you have ever discovered hard water deposit build up on your kettle elements, then you know what a pain it can be removing the scale from them. Plus, most kettles don't tell you when it's full of scale and needs cleaning...however there is one that does!

The Medelco glass whistling kettle is made of glass and, therefore, as you'd expect, you can see through it. So you can watch the water boil if you want to and see the scale gradually build up over time...only if you want to though!

For dedicated tea and coffee drinkers, the taste of the water they use is very important. The glass kettles like the Medelco whistling kettle has a very important quality - they do not contaminate the boiled water with any metallic or plastic smell. Granted that most of us will not notice anything, but these connoisseurs are very fussy people.

As this is a glass kettle, it does not rust. Even the finest quality stainless steel kettle will eventually start to rust, and most kettles are not made from the best stainless steel. You can also clean it with strong vinegar, unlike metal kettles. If you have small hands, you can reach inside the body of the Medelco whistling kettle with a scrub pad to clean it, if not you can use a bottle brush.

The transparent glass body makes it possible to see how much water is inside it, which is convenient. Unlike normal metal whistling kettles, you do not need to lift the lid to peer into the kettle to see if you need to refill it. You can also see the water boiling, which can be quite interesting especially for children. Apart from this, you can also see when the kettle is dirty (for example from the residue of hard water) so you know when to do a more intensive cleaning with vinegar.

Most metal kettles are made of many different parts soldered together, so there is always the risk of leaks or some part falling apart (especially the spout or even the bottom of the kettle). The Medelco glass whistling kettle is made of one whole piece of glass so it does not have this problem.

To learn more about this kettle, click on the link below:



Although it is made from glass, the glass is thick enough to NOT feel fragile yet it is still thin enough to let the water inside heat up quickly. Overall, the entire kettle is quite solidly built.

At $10 to $15, this whistling kettle is cheap. Many people buy two or three at a time and do not think twice about replacing it when it breaks. This is unlike many metal kettles which cost $30 to $100 or even more.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to email me or leave a comment below.

More Cities Eye Water Softeners Over Salinity Issues

A growing number of cities, especially in California, are taking a variety of steps to reduce their local sodium levels and water treatment costs, which can be affected in cases by the number of traditional water softeners in an area.

With that in mind, the city of Woodland, California recently announced that
it is conducting a survey to learn more about the source of some of its salinity levels in wastewater. The city noted that participants will also be entered in a drawing for a GPS unit.

In its announcement, the city notes that higher salt levels can contribute to blood pressure problems and also harm crops, fish and other wildlife. Another problem is higher wastewater and drinking water costs.

The city did mention water softeners in its announcement, noting that the local hard water is safe to drink, but can leave deposits on plumbing fixtures and damage appliances, while also making soap and shampoo less effect.

The attention on the environmental effect of water softeners is gaining more attention nationwide as cities struggle to provide adequate supplies in light of increased demand and factors like pollution and an aging infrastructure.

If you are affected by these new laws and want to soften the water in your home, feel free to get in touch with me and I'd be happy to help.

Or leave a comment below and let me know what you think about them...

Image Source: watervalue.com
Article from http://www.wavehomesolutions.com/content/news/article.cfm?articleID=19448581&catID=438025743

Shower Filters - Top Tips Before You Consider Buying a Shower Filter!

Have you ever taken a shower and felt like you were showering with a trickle of water? Or, have you ever smelled the faint whiff of chlorine or some other strange substance as you wash yourself in the shower? If any of this sounds familiar then you can immediately improve things by installing a shower filter in your bathroom - you'll feel like you having a power shower with spring water!

The build up of mineral deposits in the nozzles can dramatically reduce the flow of water through a shower unit, and can increase heating bills by several hundred dollars per year as the heating efficiency of the shower unit is significantly reduced.

The smells that can be detected when showering are more detectable because the water has been heated, plus that fact that the water is being sprayed in droplets means that it's easily picked up by the human nose. Chemicals such as chlorine (bleach type smell), sulphur (rotten eggs) are not uncommon things to be noticed when taking a shower with poor quality water.

Hard water deposits on skin have also been linked to conditions such as eczema and acne which are exacerbated as the hard water deposits irritate the skin even further. If all the above was not bad enough hard water minerals can also build up in hair causing it to feel dry, lifeless and dull.


Critical Things to Consider:

The effectiveness of today's shower filters perform extremely well. They are capable of filtering up to 99% of hard water minerals which helps to stop the nozzles from becoming blocked, as well as removing other unwanted chemicals. This not only provides cleaner, purer water while showering but is also a much more pleasant experience, as you will soon discover. A good shower unit will contain a filtering block around the spray nozzle which is capable of filtering or to 10,000 gallons.

Many of the shower filters available today are very easy to install and quite often include tools to complete the job. Many have different spray settings that can provide a massage to wherever it's needed on the body. A top tip is to look for an NSF certified shower filter with a good five year warranty. The typical price of a shower filter is approximately 50 to 200 dollars.

Many people have commented on the fact that there dry skin has been much reduced after installing a shower filter. It's also highly recommended for people who have hard water mineral buildup in hair which causes it to feel dry and lifeless. It may also help them improve the quality of curly hair as the shower filter prevents hard water minerals from forming on hair, making it feels softer and smoother. It will also help with hard water deposit removal when cleaning the bathroom as the minerals are unable to stick to surfaces such as bathtubs and sinks.

A great budget shower filter is the one from Culligan below which comes with a 5-year limited warranty Replacement Filter:

If you want the best shower filter for you and your family, then the one below was voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine. This one effectively removes 99% of chlorine, reduces VOCs, heavy metals and other chemicals, and enhances pH - it is considered by some to be Aquasana's best product!

So if you're looking to purchase a shower filter check it's an NSF device, confirm the capacity of the device is sufficient for you, and check to see how long the warranty lasts. Another important thing to consider is how much the replacement of filters will be, as typically these need to be replaced approximately every six months.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me - I'd be happy to help you out. If you have any comments please feel free to add them below.

HardWaterStainsTips Survey Results 2009

Well the results are in and we have gained some valuable feedback from the 2009 Email Survey. We feel we are more able to provide the information and content that is going to be most helpful to you and your family in dealing with hard water in your home.

I'm glad to see that most people like the design of our emails as the vast majority have told us that they like the way they look...we'll keep them as they are then!



Most people would like their email delivered from us to be about once every two weeks...no problem!



47% would like to learn more about water softeners and filters...



Many people would like to learn more about useful products that will help them deal with hard water...we can do that!



We got some valuable feedback about the kind of problems that our community has when dealing with hard water - hard water stains around the shower seem to be the biggest problem.



Our subscribers want more interactive content - especially videos!



I'd like to say a big thank you once again to everyone for the great feedback we received, and the comments from our community on how we can improve things here at HardWaterStainsTips. We'll start working on ways to provide you with the information you've told us will help you the most, and keep you posted on the new developments that will be happening!

If you have any other comments that you'd like to make, please feel free to make a comment below.

Thanks for Your Brilliant Response!

Just a quick post to say a big thank you for the amazing response we got back from the recent Email Survey 2009!

We've got some great feedback that is being analysed by our Customer Care Team here at HardWaterStainsTips, which will help us to help you even more to deal with the frustration of hard water in your home.

Rest assured that the actions we take as a result of the survey will help you to combat the issues that are causing the most problems for you. We know what a pain coping with hard water is, and we are determined to help as many people eliminate the effects of it as possible.

Once again, thanks for your help - I'll get back to you soon with the results!

Image Source: interfolio.com

Hard Water - Top Tips to Easily Test Your Home Water Supply

Discovering whether your home water supply contains hard water minerals is vitally important if you are looking to remove or reduce these minerals for cleaner, purer water from your faucets. There are some excellent hard water testing kits available these days that will tell you exactly what your water contains, however, some methods are better than others...

As a guide, 60% of the UK and 85% of the US population live in a hard water area. This is a big problem, as dealing with hard water costs homeowners hundreds of dollars in expensive heating bills, as well as the headache of dealing with water deposits, and scale that forms around heating elements in kettles, dishwashers, boilers and in pipework.

The most common way to test is by using a hard water test strip, which is basically a small piece of specially treated paper that is dipped into the water to be tested, which then changes colour. This colour change is compared against a chart, where the hardness of water is related to the corresponding colour which is affected by the mineral concentration in the water.

A more accurate way is to use a use a hard water test kit which is usually a small bottle with specially formulated tablets. The idea is to take a sample of your water with the bottle, and then add the tablets to dissolve into the water. Again, there will be a colour change, this time of the water itself, which is compared against a chart indicating how hard the water is.

Probably the most accurate way, however, is to use a test kit which uses liquid drops which are added to the water sample. These have been proved to be most accurate when testing for hard water, and work time and again to reveal the true mineral content in a water supply.

For a comprehensive review of water test kits, have a think about the book below. It includes information on how to test water for an aquarium but also provides great insights into some of the most common ways to test the hardness of your water supply, including the best ways to test pH, ammonia and nitrate.

If all of the above does not work, or you prefer to have someone do it for you, most water companies will be able to test your home water supply for you. Give them a call and see what they can do for you. Once you've tested your water supply, the hardness of your water will be reported in grains per gallon, milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). One grain of hardness equals 17.1 mg/l or ppm of hardness.

So, if you wish to determine the mineral content of your water there are plenty of easy ways to accomplish it these days. Once, this has been done you'll be in a better position to clean hard water deposits and reduce scale formation that could be costing you significant amount of money in unnecessary heating bills for your home.

Hard Water Stains - Top Tips to Improve Your Well Water Supply and Prevent Water Stains.

The water from your well could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year. This is because well water (or borehole water as it is sometimes called) contains high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which cause stubborn hard water stains. These minerals also stick to the elements on kettles and boilers causing them to be much less efficient.

If your water comes straight from a local well it may contain several components that could be potentially harmful to your family. There are many people in the US and around the world who have the same problem, especially the very common and annoying hard water minerals that cause hard water stains, which end up on fixtures and fittings. However, there are some really simple ways to combat these unwanted minerals and by installing a device to your home that will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your water is the best it can be.

Top Tips To Improve Your Well Water Supply:

One of the simplest ways to improve the quality of your water is to install a water softener. These devices remove the calcium and magnesium minerals that cause hard water stains, and replace them with sodium which makes the water much "softer". The advantage of this is it also prevents these same minerals from sticking to the heating elements of kettles, boilers and other appliances in the home.

Water softeners generally contain an easy to install cartridge that must be replaced every few months, or recharged, to keep it in top condition.

Water filters are also a great way to improve the quality of your well water and there are some great devices available that do an excellent job. Basically, these devices contain a filter that removes the unwanted minerals from your water and makes it cleaner and of higher quality.

One of the best types of filter to purchase is called a reverse-osmosis filters (see image on left). These filters are often considered the best form of water filtration available today. The water is passed through several types of filters including a semi-permeable membrane, which filters out almost every contaminant.

They are more expensive than other types of filters but have reasonably low running costs, very effective filtration and can also be used to filter water to the whole house. These devices are the industry standard and can help to achieve very high purification, so much so that often people comment that they can actually taste the difference themselves once one of these has been installed.

Electromagnetic water conditioners are another way to reduce the level of minerals in well water and are a relatively new invention. The idea is that by passing water through a magnetic field, the calcium and magnesium ions are altered in such a way that they lose their ability to cause scale.

These devices have a number of benefits and many are used in industry; although the water is not technically soft, it has the useful properties of soft water, that is, it may reduce limescale in pipes and may increase heating efficiency as well as lengthening the lifespan of any clothes washed in the conditioned water.

However, the jury is still out on whether these devices work effectively in a residential environment. The magnetic current that passes through the water does not technically remove the unwanted minerals but simply changes the chemical make-up of them. This is supposed to prevent the minerals from "sticking" to the sides of pipes and fixtures around the home - thus reducing hard water stains and scale formation. However, as they are still present in the water, they can still cause problems around the home and are not particularly effective in hard water deposit removal. There was a period of time in the 60's and 70's where many of these anti scale devices were installed in industrial systems, however they are not used as frequently these days.

Summary:

So, if you receive your water from a well water supply then there are some proven techniques for removing the annoying minerals and potentially toxic chemicals that are present in this type of water. Installing a device to filter your water is a great idea and could reduce the formation of hard water stains in your home, as well as making your morning coffee taste even better!

DIY Water Filters - Learn How To Treat Your Own Water!

There are some fantastic water softeners and filters available these days, and they do a great job at cleaning up our water and providing clean, soft water. However, if you're looking to save money or just like the idea of building a water filter for yourself, then a DIY water filter may be what you've just been looking for...as it could save you $250 every month!

If you have hard water in your local area, then it could be costing you hundreds of extra dollars per year in expensive cleaning products and scale caused by hard water deposit build-up in boilers and kettles. This not only adds to the cost of maintaining a household, but hard water does not lather at all well with soaps and shampoo, and also does not have a great taste...as you may already know!

Many people try to deal with the issue for years before they tackle the problem head on and do something about it. We all know how difficult hard water deposit removal can be, and just how much time it can take to get a kitchen and bathroom looking good again.

Some people try to boil their water before they drink it, or let it stand to settle out, or purchase expensive bottled water, or try to disguise the taste in some way...when all along they could have just installed - a DIY water filter for less than $80 - and solved all their problems in one! This also saves the environment as the plastic used to produce the bottled water is saved.

There are some cutting edge technologies that are pushing the boundaries of water filtration these days, and are purifying water to extremely high standards. To learn more about the new developments taking place in the industry, click on the link below:

http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/U3VtbS1aZXRhLVBpZ2ctTG92ZS1GYWx1LUNvdXAtWmVybw==

Top Tips When Considering a DIY Water Filter:

The main benefit of a DIY water filter is the low cost compared to the filters that can be bought in stores. The trick is to find a good filter media (tip: granular carbon is an excellent filter media) as it's this that will filter and purify your water of many of the impurities and chemicals that are contained within it. Sand is also a great material for removing the unwanted toxins that can be present in a home water supply.

If you've been considering a water filter for a while and are unsure about the cost of installing one or just want more information about how they operate, then building one for yourself gives you a great insight into the precise way these devices actually work. When you then decide to purchase one over the counter in the future, I can guarantee you'll be well armed with the facts to pick the right one for yourself!


If you're looking to learn more about consider this easy, step-by-step guide for making you own home water filter and save up to $250 a month, then click on the link below for more information:

Click Here!

And of course, if you have any questions or queries about DIY water filters, please don't hesitate to email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com. I'd be happy to hear from you.

Have any comments about this post, put them down below...I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.

Hard Water Stains on Shower Doors - Top Tips That Have Been Proven To Work...

A recent technology has been developed that could lead to hard water stains on glass shower doors being a thing of the past. If this interest you, then read on...

A new glass coating has been developed that is resistant to corrosion and discoloration caused by constant exposure to heat, humidity, hard water, soaps and harsh cleaners. As a result, it requires less cleaning materials and maintains its original like-new appearance for years.

The technology is also used in the solar panel industry and looks as though it has a promising future. To read the full article click on the link below:

http://www.glassonweb.com/news/index/10186/

The only downside to this new technology is that it could still be a few years away. I know in the mean time there that this does not really help you remove any stubborn stains on your shower doors. So, if you have them and are determined to have crystal clear shower doors once again that sparkle like new, click on the link below to go to my blog post that outlines a proven step-by-step formula that has worked time and again...

http://hardwaterstainstips.blogspot.com/search?q=shower

Another top tip is to consider installing a shower filter that will actually remove the hard water minerals from your shower water supply. Here are some of the benefits of installing one of these devices:

1. Reduces the formation of hard water build-up in your shower which cause stains.
   
2. Makes your hair feel soft and smooth to the touch - as the minerals don't build up in your hair.
3. Soap and shampoo usage is reduced as you are able to form a rich lather for bathing.
4. Feel cleaner afterwards as there is no residue to rinse off after you have showered.
5. Less risk of itchy skin or irritations as the water is filtered of impurities.

If you are considering the benefits of a shower filter, but are unsure of which one to buy, don't worry. The Aquasana Deluxe AQ-4100 Shower Water Filter below is one of the best around and was voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine. Click on the link below to learn more...

Details:

* Voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine.

* Comes complete with a deluxe adjustable massage-showerhead.

* Replaceable water filter cartridge lasts 10,000 gallons, about 6 months.
* Unique 2-Stage shower water filter uses Coconut Shell Carbon & KDF-55D media to enhance your shower experience.

To learn more about this product click on the link below...

Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead

I hope that helps if you have any hard water or limescale issues with your shower doors. And of course, if you have any problems or questions, please don't hesitate to email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com. I'd be happy to help!

If you have any thought about this post, why not leave a comment below, I'd be happy to hear your thoughts...

Hard Water Stains on Granite - How To Remove Them...

Many people these days have new kitchens with lovely granite countertops only to see them develop those ugly hard water stains we all know about.

I receive some really frustrated emails from people who have just installed a new granite countertop only to see it be ruined by the hard water stains. don't let this happen to you - there are some tried and tested methods for removing them.

It is advisable not to use acid cleaners on granite. Granite is acid resistant but not acid proof – the top layer can be gradually dissolved and expose the surface underneath and cause a lot of damage. A proven, step by step method is using baking soda and water - see the method below...

Natural Formula to Use:
A mixture of baking soda and warm water

Method to Use:
1.Make up the mixture of water and baking soda

2.Scrub stains with a soft brush or sponge

3.Rinse thoroughly with water to remove all residue

Tip:
When scrubbing the stains be careful to rub gently as once the granite has been scratched it easily picks up any grease, dirt or soap residue. Then harsh abrasives really are necessary to remove debris that has become ingrained within the surface!

For more tips and advice on hard water stain removal, go to http://www.hardwaterstainstips.com/ for a step by step guide.

Do you have a granite countertop? What methods have you used to remove hard water stains? Leave a post and let me hear your thoughts...

Hard Water Stains - What Does The Terminator Have To Do With Them?

I never though I would do a blog post and mention Arnold Schwarzenegger, but here goes... California has recently passed laws giving local officials more power to remove water softeners from peoples homes.

These devices can help to remove minerals that cause the ugly hard water stains that form around the home.

SACRAMENTO, CA — In what one newspaper called “a jab at the Culligan Man,” the California Assembly this week passed a bill, known as AB 1366, that will give local government agencies more power to ban residential water softeners and remove existing ones, The Los Angeles Times reported September 10.

AB 1366, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Feuer, D-Los Angeles, was among “a flurry of measures” that state lawmakers were trying to push through before the end of the legislative session at midnight on September 11, the newspaper said. It could not be determined immediately how the state Senate was acting on the bill. Passage in the Senate would mean it would go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature.

The measure has been opposed vigorously by the water treatment industry, represented by the national Water Quality Association, the regional Pacific Water Quality Association, and dealers, suppliers and manufacturers of softeners.

It has been supported by California’s municipal water and wastewater agencies, which insist that the chlorides discharged by water softeners in their regeneration cycle make wastewater more difficult and expensive to treat and pollute downstream water sources.

Opponents said the bill unfairly singled out residential water softeners as sources of salinity in wastewater. They also tried to persuade lawmakers that a more reasonable solution was to work with the industry in changing consumers’ softener equipment to more salt-efficient designs, and to identify large institutional salinity sources.

The industry sought to persuade the public that AB 1366 was an unwarranted intrusion of state regulation that would only result in hard water for the estimated one-quarter of Californians who now have residential softeners. The Times article said executives of Culligan International, the Rosemont, IL-based manufacturer of water softeners that also maintains a large dealer network, criticized the bill, according to the newspaper, as being “a Big Government grab at private property.”

A similar measure passed both the state Senate and Assembly last fall, but it was vetoed by the governor and never became law.

A few local governments and water agencies in California and across the nation have instituted softener bans or restrictions that apply only to softener owners in those areas.

Source: http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?N_ID=72562


If you are affected by these recent laws, do not worry. There are plently of other devices available these days that are just as effective at removing hard water minerals as well as eliminating other potentially harmful toxins.

For more information, see my blog post link below on the different types of water filters and softeners currently on the market, and how they can improve your water supply.

http://hardwaterstainstips.blogspot.com/2008/12/hard-water-stains-water-filters.html

If the recent ban affects you tell me what you think about it? Leave a blog post below, I love to hear your thoughts!

California Considers Water Softener Legislation

If you live in California the law may be changing soon regarding water softeners. This is because lawmakers will be discussing future legislation that could affect how homeowners use traditional water softeners.

Traditional water softeners use salt to replace the calcium and magnesium in the water with sodium. This effectively prevents the calcium and magnesium causing hard water stains around the home, however when the softeners are recharged, the salt is flushed out and can cause significant damage to the environment.

A recent report on California's 10News.com website says that the legislation would encourage homeowners to replace their traditional water softeners with models that do not use salt and would also compensate those who do replace their old systems.

One of the largest manufacturers of the traditional water softeners is said to be waging a heavy lobbying effort against the bill, and it remains to be seen if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would be willing to sign it if it passes.

Some oppose the bill because they are concerned about untreated hard water, which can also be wasteful because it makes it more difficult for soap and shampoo to work properly.

The controversy is particularly relevant in California because the state is grappling with chronic water supply issues and has faced rising treatment costs in part because of the salt that is released by many traditional water softeners.

Do you live in California, or know someone who lives there? What do you think about the new leglislation - do you think it will help the environment by using softeners that don't use salt? I'd love to hear what you think, why not leave a blog post and tell me your thoughts.

Hard Water - Discover Its Impact on Your Heart Health

The World Health Organization says, "There does not appear to be any convincing evidence that water hardness causes adverse health effects in humans." I may even have a positive health effect and help to reduce heart attacks according to some recent studies.

Some studies have shown a weak inverse relationship between water hardness and cardiovascular disease in men, up to a level of 170 mg calcium carbonate per liter of water - ie: the more calcium in the water the more it could stop heart attacks, up to 170mg!. Other studies have shown weak correlations between cardiovascular health and water hardness. The World Health Organization has reviewed the evidence and concluded the data were inadequate to allow for a recommendation for a level of hardness.

In a review by Frantisek Kozisek, M.D., Ph.D. National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic gives a good overview of the topic, and unlike the WHO, sets some recommendations for the maximum and minimum levels of calcium (40-80 mg/L) and magnesium (20-30 mg/L) in drinking water, and a total hardness expressed as the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations of 2-4 mmol/L.

Hard water is not a health hazard. In fact, the National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences) states that hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietary needs. They further state that in some instances, where dissolved calcium and magnesium are very high, water could be a major contributor of calcium and magnesium to the diet.

Hard water in the US

According to the United States Geological Survey, 89.3% of US homes have hard water. The softest waters occur in parts of the New England, South Atlantic-Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii regions. Moderately hard waters are common in many of the rivers of the Tennessee, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska regions. Hard and very hard waters are found in some of the streams in most of the regions throughout the country. Hardest waters (greater than 1,000 mg/L) are in streams in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Arizona, and southern California which can also cause very stubborn hard water stains.

Hard water in Canada

Prairie provinces (mainly Saskatchewan and Manitoba) contain high quantities of calcium and magnesium, often as dolomite, which are readily soluble in the groundwater that contains high concentrations of trapped carbon dioxide from the last glaciation. In these parts of Canada, the total hardness in mg/L calcium carbonate equivalent frequently exceeds 200 mg/L, if groundwater is the only source of potable water. Some typical values are: Calgary 165 mg/L, Saskatoon < 140 mg/L, Toronto 121 mg/L, Vancouver < 5 mg/L, Charlottetown PEI 140 - 150 mg/L

Hard water in England and Wales

Information from the British Drinking Water Inspectorate shows that drinking water in England is generally considered to be 'very hard', with most areas of England, particularly the East, exhibiting above 200 mg/L as calcium carbonate equivalent. Wales, Devon, Cornwall and parts of North-West England are softer water areas, and range from 0 to 200 mg/L. In the brewing industry in England and Wales, water is often deliberately hardened with gypsum in the process of Burtonisation.

Hard water in Australia

Analysis of water hardness in major Australian cities by the Australian Water Association shows a range from very soft (Melbourne) to very hard (Adelaide). Total Hardness as Calcium Carbonate mg/L are: Canberra: 40; Melbourne: 10 - 26; Sydney: 39.4 - 60.1; Perth: 29 - 226; Brisbane: 100; Adelaide: 134 - 148; Hobart: 5.8 - 34.4; Darwin: 31.

So living in a hard water area may actually help to reduce your risk of a heart attack. Obviously there are a number of other factors that need to be taken into account, but hard water does at least have some positive aspects!

What do you think about hard water and the risk of heart attacks? Why not leave a post here or you can contact me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com.

Hard Water Stains Explained

A few people have asked me recently what hard water actually is, and what the stains are made of. So, I thought I'd lay out exactly what they are, and why they can be such a problem for us around the home.

Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Commonly referred to as "hardness minerals," dissolved calcium and magnesium can cause numerous problems when present in a water supply.

As water falls from the sky in its various forms, it absorbs carbon dioxide in the air and becomes slightly acidic. Water in this weak acid state reaches and enters the ground. Since it is acidic, it absorbs calcium and magnesium, among other things, from the layers of rock through which it passes.

The minerals neutralize the waters acidity but also make it hard. Then the water finds its way into larger bodies of water both above and below ground, and eventually into our homes.

Water hardness is typically measured in "parts per million," an indication of the quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium the water contains. In amounts as small as one part per million, water is classified as "hard" to a certain degree. Most homes use water that is considerably harder.

While many families choose to soften their water by removing the calcium and magnesium with home water treatment equipment, many don't even realise they have it in the first instance, however there are some easy ways to prevent it.

Facts:

Studies indicate that 85% of US homes and 60% of homes in the UK are supplied with hard water. Hard water costs you money, causes soap scum and scale, and reduces the efficiency of water-using appliances. Hard water stains occur when the water evaporates leaving behind the mineral deposits causing unsightly stains around taps, faucets, sinks, showerheads, tiles and on carpets.

To check whether the area you live in has hard water, check out your local regional information.

If you have any questions about the hard water in your area, drop me a line at support@hardwaterstainstips.com, or post a blog comment here and I'll get back to you asap.

4 Quick and Easy Tips for Hard Water Areas

For some quick and easy tips to combat hard water problems around the home, see below for some tried and tested methods that could save you hundreds of dollars!

Use a synthetic body wash to shower:

Some confusion may arise after a first experience with soft water. Hard water does not lather well with soap and leaves a "less than clean" feeling. Soft water lathers better than hard water but leaves a "slippery feeling" on the skin after use with soap. For example, a certain water softener manufacturer contests that the "slippery feeling" after showering in soft water is due to "cleaner skin" and the absence of "friction-causing" soap scum.

However, the chemical explanation is that soft water, due to its sodium content, has a much reduced ability to combine with the soap film on your body and therefore, it is much more difficult to rinse off. Solutions are to use less soap or a synthetic liquid body wash.

Choose a correct laundry detergent:

Some laundry detergents do not produce as many suds in hard water, these are likely to be soap-based products and do not work as well in hard-water as detergent based products. Nowadays, there are washing powders and liquids available for a wide range of water hardness. Make sure you choose the correct detergent for your area; you may also need to use slightly more detergent than the manufacturers recommended amount to compensate for the hard water. In many cases the manufacturer will give specific instructions on how to use the product in hard water areas, look out for these labels on your product.

Reduce the temperature of your boiler:

As the water temperature increases, the more mineral deposits will appear in your dishwasher, water tank and pipes. By reducing the heat of your boiler to about 55ºC, you will have enough hot water for your shower and you will reduce the amount of mineral build-up in your pipes and tanks.

Use rinse agents to remove mineral deposits:

There are many rinse agents available to remove mineral deposits from crockery and dishwasher. Alternatively, you can use white vinegar by using the dishwasher dispenser or placing a cup of vinegar on the dishwasher rack. Boil some white vinegar in your kettle as a useful way of removing hard water deposits

Hard Water Health Benefits - Discover the Secrets to Why it May Improve Life Expectancy

Hard water has some fantastic health benefits that seem to encourage longer life expectancy and improved health. In this article we'll discover why this is so and what areas of the world have some of the longest life expectancy.

An episode of Oprah recently looked at some of the so-called blue-zones around the world. These are places in the world where people live the longest and are the healthiest anywhere on earth. If we can take some of what they do and make those healthy moves a consistent part of our own lives, perhaps we could live a little longer (and be healthier in our old age) as well.

The first stop was the Nicoya Peninsula in the rain forest of Costa Rica. There are lots of very healthy centenarians there, possibly because of the excellent hard water, which is full of calcium and magnesium, keeping their bones and muscles strong throughout their lives.

A lot of physical labor still goes into food production there, from clearing fields to raise crops to picking fruit and grinding corn for tortillas, which is a great upper-body workout. In fact, people who live in this region have some of the best physical stamina in the world because they are always on the move. People eat lots of corn, beans and squash, and there is fresh fruit almost year-round.

Another important piece of the longevity puzzle in Costa Rica and elsewhere is a sense of community and family ties. Older people live with their younger relatives, and those connections help keep people feeling young and in touch with their surroundings.

The World Health Organization says, "There does not appear to be any convincing evidence that water hardness causes adverse health effects in humans."

Some studies have shown a weak inverse relationship between water hardness and cardiovascular disease in men, up to a level of 170 mg calcium carbonate per liter of water. So again a small amount of these calcium and magnesium minerals can actually be helpful for improved life expectancy. Other studies have shown weak correlations between cardiovascular health and water hardness. The World Health Organization has reviewed the evidence and concluded the data were inadequate to allow for a recommendation for a level of hardness.

In a review by Frantisek Kozisek, M.D., Ph.D. National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic he gives a good overview of the topic, and unlike the WHO, sets some recommendations for the maximum and minimum levels of calcium (40-80 mg/L) and magnesium (20-30 mg/L) in drinking water, and a total hardness expressed as the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations of 2-4 mmol/L.

Hard water is not a health hazard. In fact, the National Research Council states that hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietary needs. They further state that in some instances, where dissolved calcium and magnesium are very high, water could be a major contributor of calcium and magnesium to the diet.

So although hard water can cause those annoying hard water stains around the home we all know about, the minerals contained in it may also be helpful to build strong bones and may improve cardiovascular disease.

What do you think of this post, let me know what you think by posting your own comment!

Water Filters - Discover How They Can Dramatically Improve Your Water Supply

Why are there more and more manufactures introducing water conditioners and filters onto the market these days? Is there something that they are recommending homeowners to do to improve the quality of the water, and the big question I suppose is - why?

Over the last 30 years, scientists have become more aware of the effect of chlorine that is added as disinfection by- product to the water, and how it affects those people who consume it. Also, as public awareness increases more and more people are

While the addition of chlorine has reduced cholera rates by 90 percent, typhoid by 80 percent and amoebic dysentery by 50 percent, there are certain by- products formed by chlorine that are some cause for concern. One of the main issues is when chlorine reacts with organic matter and forms trihalomethanes (THM's), which scientists are still investigating but which some studies have linked to cancer.

Is it a Risk to You?

There are many disinfection by-products that are formed and worryingly only a few have been studied to evaluate the risk to humans. There are some that do not even have to be ingested but are able to make their way into the body through the skin or by inhalation.

In some investigates, it has been found that epidemiologic studies have shown that a lifetime exposure to chlorinated water through showering and bathing and also swimming is associated with an increased risk for cancer, especially of the bladder and colorectum. In addition, recent studies have raised the issue of potential adverse reproductive and developmental effects.

What Can I Do About it?

As discussed above, manufactures are introducing several different varieties of filters and conditioning devices these days. The devices are indeed a very effective way to reduce the potentially harmful effect of chemicals found in your drinking water, which reduces the risk significantly to humans.

Today's filters have experts on their side. Clifford P. Weisel, an Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute professor at the RWJMS/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and co-author of a study that measured inhalation and dermal exposures to DBPs, said, "If an individual lives in an area where there are high DBP levels in the water and there are other risk factors for cancer, installing a filter will reduce the risk."

As well as the health problems it may cause, chlorine also dehydrates the skin, making it more susceptible to irritation and disorders such as eczema. According to Leslie Baumann, MD, professor of dermatology at the University of Miami and director of the University of Miami's Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, "Filters are a must for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, especially if they live in a city with hard water or high amounts of chlorine in the water."

To learn more about how water filters can help you achieve the highest quality water supply, click here.

What do you think of this post? I'd love to hear your feedback...email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com

Laundry Advice - Top Tips For Super Soft Clothes - Even in Hard Water Areas!

If you live in a hard water area and have tried to your wash clothes in hard water, you will know what a terrible state they come out of the washing machine in. Do you get dingy or graying clothes? Do you get stiff or harsh feel to fabrics, or how about yellow or gray streaks on white shirts?

The quality of the water used when washing clothes is an important factor, and one that is frequently overlooked. A high level of minerals in a water supply can cause several laundry problems. Hard water contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium minerals. It's these that wreak havoc when washing clothes, and cause the unsightly stains and streaks on precious items of clothes. Continuous laundering in hard water has been shown to damage fibers and shorten the life of clothes by up to 40 percent.

It is a fact that hard water does not clean as effectively as soft water (which has low amounts of dissolved minerals) and most of the detergent added to the washing machine actually goes to soften the water instead of cleaning the clothes. As a consequence more detergent must be used with hard water compared to soft water. Using more detergent is not only expensive, it is also a major pollution hazard. As detergents contain phosphates they can cause water pollution when they pass into the water course.

If you have any of the above symptoms on your clothes you may live in a hard water area yourself. But do not worry; there are some easy solutions to combat these symptoms. Take a look at the areas in the US that suffer from hard water!

According to the United States Geological Survey, 89.3% of US homes have hard water. The softest waters occur in parts of the New England, South Atlantic-Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii regions. Moderately hard waters are common in many of the rivers of the Tennessee, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska regions. Hard and very hard waters are found in some of the streams in most of the regions throughout the country. Hardest waters (greater than 1,000 mg/L) are in streams in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Arizona, and southern California. There are many areas where the water is completely unsuitable for washing clothes, and it is a common problem that most people will have to cope with and some time in teir lives.

The Solution for Clean Clothes!

• A water softener or conditioner is the best long term solution to resolving the issue as it will soften the water and remove the hard water minerals that are the main cause of the problem.
• If this is not possible try using water that is as hot as the fabric label recommends. Water that is at a higher temperature will work clean much better than at a lower temperature.
• Add the correct amount of low-foaming phosphate detergent or heavy duty liquid detergent.
• Another top tip is to use a powder or liquid softener that will help the water form a lather and increase the efficiency of cleaning while also causing less damage to the clothes themselves. This ensures clothes coming out of the washer are brighter and cleaner.

Do you have other issues that your hard water is causing you, such as hard water stains on fixtures and fittings, or water that tastes unpleasant? Would you like to know how to test your water, or learn easy-to-follow solutions to eliminating hard water problems completely?

If so, then go to our popular website at Hard Water Stains Tips and find out about my popular ebook that has helped hundreds of people with the hard water in their area.

Leave a comment about this post or email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com.

Water Softeners - 3 Critical Things to Consider Before Buying a Water Softener

When considering which water softener to purchase there are some important factors to consider including some significant health issues. This is because water softeners actually use sodium to alter the water. As we all know, sodium is a major cause of increased blood pressure and other serious health problems.

Sodium is an essential mineral because it's necessary for fluid and electrolyte balance in your body. However, consuming too much salt (also known as sodium chloride) may lead to high blood pressure, a condition called hypertension.

How Do Water Softeners Work:
Water softeners or whole house water treatment systems use a process called ion exchange to remove minerals from a water supply before it enters the home. This involves passing the water through a tank filled with resin beads that are coated with ions of either sodium or potassium chloride.
In simple terms, the sodium or potassium ions in the water softener swap places with the calcium or magnesium ions (which are the hard minerals that cause hard water stains and limescale) in a domestic water supply.

What To Consider Before Purchase:
• Firstly, sodium chloride is usually less expensive than potassium chloride although the latter is better for the environment. This is because the system has to have the brine solution discharged to recharge the ions on the resin beads.
• If the potassium solution is discharged it has less impact on the environment and can actually be put on lawns as potassium is a key plant nutrient!
• Contrary to a common misconception, using sodium salt in your water softener will not adversely affect your plumbing. Most modern plumbing is made of PVC plastic and is not affected by increased levels of either sodium or potassium chloride. Sodium salt can, however, reduce the amount of maintenance required for your brine tank.
• For those concerned about the health issues of how much sodium is put into the water by a water softener, the answer is, it all depends. The harder your water supply the more sodium ions are needed to soften it. That said, studies indicate that even water softened with sodium chloride has a low concentration of sodium.
• The costs of water softeners are usually far outweighed by the benefits and cost savings obtained, through using softened water.
Your local health department can tell you the sodium and other mineral content of your community's water supply.

Options if Your Tap Water is High in Sodium:
• Consider switching to another type of water-purification system.
• Buy demineralized water for drinking and cooking.
• Softening only the hot water and using unsoftened cold water for drinking and cooking.
Ultimately the choice between sodium or potassium salts in your water softener is a personal one, depending on the presence of potential health issues with your water supply, cost, and environmental priorities.

Whichever one you decide on, the advantages of a water softener far outweigh the disadvantages. As well as all the above they can also be helpful in reducing cleaning time by preventing hard water stains and limescale forming around the home.

One of the best water softeners on the market is the 5 stage under water filter system from Crystal Clear Supply. To learn more about the recommended water softener click here or on the image below:

Hard Water Stains - The Top 7 Worst Things to Remove Hard Water Stains and Limescale

There are some things that should definitely not be used to remove hard waters stains and limescale. They can seriously damage your fixtures and fittings and cause them to look worse than when you first started cleaning!

I have seen many people try to remove hard water stains with just elbow grease. While this is certainly one way to remove them it's not the easiest and can make you feel like you've had a good workout! Using something to scrape the stains off is also a common method or even bleach or other toxic chemicals that can harm your children or pets.

Below are just some of the worst ways to remove hard water stains and limescale from your fixtures and fittings:

Scour pads: these can cause significant damage as the scour pad can scratch the finish of metal faucets, sinks, tubs and toilet bowls.

Pumice stone: while these are slightly less damaging than scour pads, they can still cause a lot of damage to toilet bowls and cause ugly scuff marks on the surface.

Sand paper: this is possibly the worst way to remove hard water stains and limescale and I have seen terrible damage caused to porcelain sinks and tubs by the coarse, abrasive action of sand paper.

Razor Blade: these need no explanation as to why they are completely unsuitable for removing hard water stains. Not only will they destroy any finish that a surface may of have had, they are totally unacceptable to have lying around the house for children to pick up and play with.

Bleach: while this is good to kill bacteria, it just doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to removing stubborn hard water stains and limescale. Some people say it works, but there are easier ways than using a potentially harmful chemical such as bleach.

Hydrochloric Acid: some people have tried strong acids to try and melt off the stains hoping they will just disappear. They sometimes do, but in the process you have just inhaled hydrochloric acid into your lungs...not good.

Chemical Cleaners: there are many on the market these days which we all know about. They do have some success at removing hard water stains. The only thing with these is that again they are potentially harmful if used too much; I know I have ran out of the room gasping for breath more than once in the past! Plus they can be rather expensive for what they actually are.

There are some much easier ways to remove stubborn hard water stains and limescale than this.

There are some tried and tested methods for removing even the most stubborn of hard water stains that have been proven to work that will leave your fixtures and fittings sparkling like new.

To discover the secrets to removing those annoying hard water stains try our popular ebook that has helped hundreds of people on a no risk 30 day trial ...

Another Award For Hard WaterStainsTips.com - Submission to BestEzines

Good News! We are very proud to have been recently submitted to Best Ezines.com - "The Email Newsletter Review & Ezine Award Site." This allows people and subscribers to vote, rate and comment on the quality of ezines they receive.

We've helped hundreds of people over the last few years remove the stubborn hard water stains and limescale that build-up all around the home. We have received lots of positive feedback and emails - which we are always happy to receive.

So, we would be very grateful if you have found the hints and tips here on this blog site and via our regular emails useful to leave a comment with BestEzines.com - which will allow other people to benefit from the hints and tips we provide here at HardWaterStainsTips.com and combat the effects of hard water.

If you would like to vote and rate us or leave a comment about HardWaterStainsTips, go to:

http://bestezines.com/?Hard-Water-Stains-Tips&id=13879 and leave your comment.

Thank you.

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Top Shaving Tips - 10 Razor Sharp Tips For the Perfect Shave - Even in Hard Water Areas!

Achieving a close shave is a fine art, but can be difficult to pull off, especially in hard water areas, which contain high levels of calcium and magnesium. Water containing these minerals can cause a morning shave to result in unsightly cuts, nicks and skin burn.

The perfect shave is what all men strive for every morning when they bring their razor up their chin, an effortless shave that's baby smooth, and without any of the usual skin irritation, redness, and that burning sensation most guys seem to feel is par for the course when it comes to shaving.

However, living in a hard water area can make this perfect shave tricky and can cause irritating razor drag leading to an uncomfortable shave and even nicks and cuts. This is because the minerals in hard water actually prevent soaps and shaving products forming a good lather. Many people around the world have the same problem, especially in the US where 80% of the water is classed as hard.

Here are 10 proven tips for a great shave, even in hard water areas:

1. Allow at least ten minutes from getting out of bed in the morning to beginning to shave.
2. Use a facial scrub to remove any dead skin and dampen your face with warm water, before starting to shave. A face cloth is ideal.
3. Use a good quality pre-shave oil which will lubricate your face, providing the perfect base for a close comfortable shave, reducing razor burns, rashes and blotchy skin.
4. Always use a shaving brush - work the brush into your shaving soap.
5. Lather the face in a circular motion to lubricate the skin and get under the beard stubble.
6. Ensure that you use a sharp blade.
7. Shave with the grain of the hair on your face, shaving against the grain can cause redness, razor burn and rashes.
8. Rinse the head of your razor in warm water after every stroke.
9. After you have finished your shave, rinse your face in warm water
10. Apply an after shave balm or moisturizer, to sooth and protect the face.

As mentioned above, if you live in a hard water area, the above techniques are extremely difficult to put into practice. Many people instead resort to using bottled or distilled water when shaving to get a good lather making the above tips much easier. However, this can start to be expensive if shaving every day! There are some great shaving products that can prevent nicks and cuts that hard water causes. Click here to learn more...

Another top tip is to install a water softener or filter that removes all of the troublesome hard water minerals (the calcium and magnesium) from the water. Once removed from the water a thick lather can be formed increasing the chances of a flawless shave every time.

Water Testing - Top Tips on How to Easily Discover What's Actually in Your Water Supply

The fact is that your water supply may contain many potentially harmful contaminants and they can be easily tested for - so why not literally test the water? It may help you and your family to discover what is really in there...!

I know many people who have wondered what is actually in their home water supply. We tend to assume the water is clean or pure unless there is an obvious odor or discoloration present.

However as many people know, nearly all water contains contaminants (dissolved minerals or organic compounds). Whether a contaminant is a problem depends on how much is contained within the water and whether it poses a health risk to you and your family.

1. Some contaminants, such as iron and manganese, are an annoyance but not a health threat. Excessive amounts of iron in water can cause orange stains to form on bath tubs and sinks and also laundry or dishes that are frequently exposed to the water.
2. Manganese can result in an ugly brownish-black stain and can cause water to turn cloudy - again it's not a health hazard though.
3. Other nuisance compounds such as hydrogen sulphide and sulphate-reducing bacteria can give a distinctive rotten egg odor. Hydrogen sulphide is especially noticeable when running water from the tap, however after exposure to the air it evaporates quickly. However, the problem with high hydrogen sulphide levels is that it can cause corrosion to pipes due its acidic nature.
4. Hard water, with high levels of calcium and magnesium compounds, can be a particular pain. Soap not lathering well is one indication of hard water. Other clues include greasy, grimy rings in tubs and sinks or dingy laundry with a harsh feel. The excessive calcium and magnesium cause scale that can build up in water heaters and clog pipes causing major problems that require several hundred dollars of repair work.
5. High levels of chlorine can also be a problem and can give water a distinctive "chemical" taste. While chlorine is an effective disinfectant and kills most bacteria, high residual amounts have been associated with cancer causing compounds and other potential health hazards.

However, the frightening concern arises from the possibility that harmful contaminants can be present without any clear sign that there's a problem. Low pH causes corrosion of copper pipes, resulting in high copper levels. Excessive sodium in water can result in significant problems for residents battling hypertension. Many people worry about what is contained in their water because:

• They are concerned about the sodium content it may contain and how it may affect their blood pressure.
• Their water supply has a strange smell.
• They have ugly hard water stains and limescale build up due to hard water minerals.
• It has a faint taste of bleach.
• They just want the best quality water possible for themselves and their family.
• They have discoloured water or cloudy water.

The Easy Solution:

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to ensure that water supplies are safe - performing periodic laboratory analysis is a simple way to ensure your water quality meets the highest standards. For public water systems, testing is done on a regular basis.

Federal law requires water utilities to regularly monitor and test the water to ensure a safe supply to customers. The testing results are public information and freely available. If you'd like to find out the state of the water in the area you live in, you can find out just how hard or soft the water is by contacting the water company in your particular area, they should be able to let you know. This doesn't ensure that problems are eliminated within your household system, but it does ensure monitoring by the supplier.

Private Wells:

Residents with private wells should definitely test their water to monitor its quality. Private well owners are solely responsible for the safety of their wells and any recommended testing. A laboratory analysis of your water supply will provide you with the information needed to take immediate and long-term corrective measures, if necessary, to provide a suitable and safe water supply.

If you have a private water supply, you can easily have the water tested for hardness and check whether your water contains the minerals that cause hard water stains and limescale. Most water testing laboratories offer hardness tests for a fee, including the Environmental Quality Center. Also many companies that sell water treatment equipment offer hardness tests. When using these water tests, be certain you understand the nature of the test, the water condition being measured, and the significance of the test results. An approximate estimate of water hardness can be obtained without the aid of outside testing facilities.

If you prefer to do it yourself there are a number of water hardness testing kits that are available for purchase through water testing supply companies.

However, if more accurate measurements are required, it is advisable to contact an authorized testing laboratory.

To learn more click here...

Even Martians Need Hard Water Stain Removal Help!

If hard water and limescale did not cause enough problems on Earth, it has now been proven that it also exits on the planet Mars as well!

Nasa's Phoenix lander which touched down on Mars recently has shown the presence of several salts and minerals in Martian soil - one of them being calcium carbonate which as we all know is responsible for the dreaded hard water stains and limescale. While Mars is much colder than Earth and water usually exists as ice, under certain conditions liquid water can exist on the surface in specific places.

"It's probable that in a warmer, wetter climate, as when the obliquity (the extent to which Mars is tilted on its axis) changes, this could be a place where liquid water is found. That doesn't mean it's a lake. It just means that the soil is wet," Professor Smith, from the University of Arizona, explained.

Further more, the discovery of calcium carbonate in the soil is also suggestive of the past action of liquid water. The substance is found in rocks all over Earth and is the main component in limescale.

Peter Smith said it occurred at levels of 3-5% at the Phoenix landing site, probably forming as carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere dissolved into liquid water, forming a weak acid which leached calcium out of the soil.

I have helped many people remove stubborn hard water stains and limescale here on Earth since 2007. However, maybe in the not to distant future I might be helping those people living on the planet Mars do the same thing...I think I'll just stick to Earth for now though!

To read the full article go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7958471.stm