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.