Saturday, 28 March 2009

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


Saturday, 21 March 2009

The Ultimate List of Ways to Remove Them

There are some weird and wonderful ways to remove hard water stains and limescale. The methods range from using fizzy drinks to get rid of the stains to vegetables that grow in your back garden!

All of them work to some extent, but they are not all easy and safe to use around the home, and some are downright dangerous. In this article I'd like to outline the entire range of chemicals and ingredients that I personally know of that are used to remove the stubborn white stains that anybody living in a hard water area will know about all too well!

Firstly are the Acids:

- white vinegar
- citric acid
- hydrochloric acid
- oxalic acid
- muriatic acid

The Chemicals:

- bleach
- hydrogen peroxide
- CLR
- Mr Clean "Magic Eraser"
- Lime-Away
- Windex

The Abrasives:

- baking soda
- steel wool
- pumice stone
- clay bars
- scrubbing brush/pads

Food and Drinks:

- coca cola
- lemon juice
- rhubarb (it's the acid in rhubarb that's is the active ingredient that removes stains!)
- salt

It is clear that there a range of methods that can be used to tackle hard water stains and limescale. Before we had all the manufactured chemical products, we still had the same cleaning issues that we do today. There was no way we could go to the cupboard and pull out the latest product we'd seen on TV to solve the problem. We had to used the natural goods around us to get the job done, and they were used because of just that, they got the job done!

If one picks any of the items above it becomes perfectly clear that they work in only one of two ways. They are designed to either remove the stains by dissolving them by the action of the acid, or by an abrasive action and a bit of elbow grease!

And I suppose the next question has to be, "Which is the best and safest method to use?". Well, if one wishes to use a proven technique that has been tried and tested time and again, the one that pops out on top has to good old white vinegar and baking soda. If you would like to order both of these amazing products, you can an our Amazon powered Online Store.

Both of these items have the dissolving and abrasive actions required to remove hard water stains and limescale in no time. The white vinegar is very effective at dissolving away stains while its partner, the baking soda, gently scrubs away the rest of it leaving fixtures and fittings sparkling like new. When used together in specific combinations, they are highly effective at cleaning even the most stubborn hard water stains and limescale.

Saturday, 7 February 2009

Revitalize Your Jewelry - Top Tips to Restore the Sparkle and Make Them Shine Like New in 2 Minutes

If you have ever found that the jewelry you own has become discoloured or dull over time, it may be due to the build up of minerals from your tap water that are the cause. These are the same ones that cause the ugly water stains and limescale build up on bath tubs and sinks around the home.

About 80% of the US has hard water, and as a result many people see their precious jewelry and gemstones dramatically lose their magnificent sparkle that they possessed when they first bought them. The reason for this is due to the build up of calcium and magnesium minerals in the water that they come into contact with, leading to a gradual fading over time and loss of sparkle.

There are some easy ways to ensure that these items stay in good condition. One way is to use ultra pure water that has very little mineral content, it is known as de-ionized or distilled water. This prevents the harmful minerals being transferred onto the items. Using a light mineral oil rub with a very soft cloth is a particularly good idea. Baking soda or a small amount of mild, natural soap has also been proven to work well when mixed with water. This technique also removes the body oils that accumulate over time and that cause a visible reduction in the shine.

Using these cleaning methods about once a month will ensure that your jewelry and gemstones remain in tip top condition. If you have a lot of items that come into contact with hard water, and do not want to clean them regularly, it may be a good idea to invest in a water softener. These devices do a great job at removing the harmful minerals which are often the main cause of sparkle reduction, whilst also help to prevent build up of these minerals around the home on fixtures and fittings.

Thursday, 5 February 2009

Water Filters - Discover the Revealing Reasons Why They Can Improve Your Water

Water filters a have come a long way in recent years and if you have an old device installed in your home already, then now could be the perfect time to consider upgrading to protect yourself and family.

A water filter can dramatically improve the taste of your water, reduce the formation of hard water stains as well as helping the performance of household appliances such as your dishwasher and washing machine. Certain water filters can also purify your water to remove potentially harmful bacteria or sediment that has built up in the network of pipes that distributes the water to your home.

Many people who have fitted a filter have noticed an improved taste in their water. This is because it removes the unwanted minerals such as calcium and magnesium (which also cause hard water stains), as well as others that impart a particular taste. It essentially provides a further, final treatment of the water before it comes out of the faucet and often provides people with the peace of mind that it as safe as it possibly can be.

As previously mentioned, it's the calcium and magnesium that cause the formation of limescale and hard water stains on fixtures and fittings around the home. The installation of a filter reduces the incidence of these stubborn stains forming on faucets, sinks, shower doors and glass. The cleaning time required to clean the home can be reduced. According to a study from The Ohio State University, the average person cleaning a home spends more than six hours a month cleaning tap water spots, streaks and scum alone.

As water containing dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals heats up, it causes scale to be deposited on elements and other surfaces of household appliances. This is why kettles develop a "fur" or scale on the surface of the heating elements and why the efficiency of boilers, dishwashers and washing machines is dramatically reduced over time.

It is also important to bear in mind that water treatment processes have improved over the last few decades and the water supplied is usually wholesome enough. However, there are several occasions when accidents have happened.

The addition of chlorine is typically the disinfection chemical of choice, and this eliminates nearly all harmful bacteria and viruses from the water. But as we all know, accidents can happen, and faults in the process can cause unchlorinated water to pass into the network of pipes that feed peoples homes. While the quality of water is probably still perfectly drinkable and is not a health hazard, there are many people who have decided to reduce the risk to themselves and family by installing a water filter.

Other advantages of water filters include the improved water for bathing. Washing hair in hard water is particularly susceptible to a build up of hard water minerals, and causes hair to feel dull, limp and lifeless. As soap does not form a good lather, skin can also feel dry and flaky due to the minerals not being washed off causing blocked pores and an unhealthy feeling.

To learn more about top quality water filters click here...

Sunday, 1 February 2009

Dishwasher Tips - Top Ideas to Prevent Hard Water Build-Up And Increase Efficiency

Hard water supplied to your home can have a serious effect on household appliances - especially dishwashers which can accumulate a hard water scum or limescale film on the elements. This can increase household bills dramatically, as well as effecting the life of the dishwasher itself.

Fortunately there are some techniques that have been proven to work which will save you time and money maintaining your dishwasher. If you follow these steps you'll be guaranteed the great performance from your dishwasher and reduced energy bills!

One easy way is to add a solution of white vinegar to a complete cycle periodically. This should keep your dishwasher fresh and ensure food soils are broken down and washed away during the washing cycle. Combined with the very hot water and the mechanical action of the dishwasher, white vinegar ensures a high standard of cleanliness than could be achieved by hand washing. As a result, harmful bacteria that might otherwise remain unseen on dishes are destroyed.

Other top dishwasher tips:
  • Use the 50°C to 55°C or lower temperature programs instead of high temperature programs when running your dishwasher. It could save you 84kWh in power and save you hundreds of dollars on electricity bills.
  • Load dishes according to the dishwasher manufacturers instructions to allow for proper water circulation.
  • Check and clean drains and filters regularly to ensure efficient operation.
  • Take a few minutes to check in the machine users guide for the most efficient program according to the size or type of load in your dishwasher.
By performing these regular tasks, you will ensure that your dishwasher remains free of hard water build-up that can cause serious problems with your appliance. It will reduce the need for hard water stain removal from your dishes and cutlery and save you time and a lot money in the long run.

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Natural Homemade Cleaning - Discover Why We Don't Need Toxic Chemical Products Anymore

We all like to use the best products to help us complete our cleaning jobs, like removing hard water stains and limescale around the home.

However, can we use natural homemade formulas that contain non-toxic chemicals? Are they as effective? Are they cheap to make? The answer to all these is yes, and potentially poisonous chemical products are often not necessary.

Lots of chemical cleaning products on the market produce volatile organic compounds (VOC's), which escape into the atmosphere. If used correctly they are usually perfectly safe, but when small amounts are left on surfaces (which we all know can happen), or left to float around the room that was just cleaned they can be harmful, particularly to children and pets.

Although rinsing the chemical off surfaces or wiping down with a clean cloth afterwards is a good idea, it doesn't get rid of all of the chemical from the room. As they often use solvents in these products, it causes gassing off, which is the reason why when we get a whiff of some of them, we get the rush of lightheadedness and nausea that comes when we get too close! Young children, the elderly, and those who are sensitive to chemicals are particularly susceptible to the effects of these noxious chemicals.

Chemical residue on wooden, tiled or vinyl floors are particularly significant. This is because although the floor is probably free from germs and dirt after using the chemical products, children can end up playing on the surface soon after picking up the residue on their skin.

We all know children love putting objects in their mouth, but cleaning everything that they pick up before they do is not a great idea either. While attempts at intense cleaning are admirable and surely with the best intentions, this may simply be filling childrens mouths with harmful chemicals.

We hear a lot about "green products" these days and why we should all use them, but are they really effective? Well, before we had all the manufactured chemical products, we still had the same cleaning issues that we do today. There was no way we could go to the cupboard and pull out the latest product we'd seen on TV to solve the problem. We had to used the natural goods around us to get the job done, and they were used because of just that, they got the job done!



We can still use them today if we wanted to, and more and more people are realizing the benefits of using natural homemade formulas using white vinegar to tackle household cleaning, particularly in removing hard water stains and limescale in a much cheaper, safe and non-toxic way. Discover how my step-by-step ebook guide can help you remove hard water stains and limescale in a completely natural way, without using harmful chemicals.

Saturday, 24 January 2009

The New Online Store!

The brand new HardWaterStainsTips service has now arrived! Click here to go to straight to the brand new online store now!

We've listened to what our community thought would really help them most to remove hard water stains and limescale. We've received hundreds of emails from people who have had to suffer the annoying effects of hard water in their home.

...and so, we decided to take action...to help our community get their own back on hard water!

We are proud to announce that we have teamed up with Amazon (...yes Amazon!) to bring you our new dedicated shopping area for all things hard water related.

It has all of the most helpful and powerful products that will eliminate the effects of hard water and have your hard water stains and limescale begging for mercy!!

Drum roll please....introducing the amazing HardWaterStainsTips Online Store!

Check it out at www.hardwaterstainsips.com/store.html Make sure you bookmark this right now as the site is exclusive to our community and cannot be found anywhere else online.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of our new service will bring you:
  • Recommended, proven products to remove hard water stains & limescale!
  • Selected Amazon best buys with robust product details and editor reviews!
  • Saves you time and money buying products that don't work.
  • The security of the most trusted online store powered by Amazon!
  • Easily find specific proven-to-work products that help you out the most.
  • Improve the quality and taste of your water supply for you and your family!
  • Quick and easy navigation so you can order your product in a snap!
  • Informative product descriptions and helpful images!
  • The knowledge that you can contact me if you need advice or guidance!
The online store is still being tweaked and optimized, so there may be extra products that are added or the layout altered slightly over the coming weeks as I receive feedback from the community.

I really hope it helps you decide which products can eliminate the hard water in your area - please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any advice - I'd be happy to help.

And of course if you have any suggestions please don't hesitate to e-mail support@hardwaterstainstips.com. I'd be happy to hear your comments!