You never known when a natural disaster or other crisis may occur that could adversely affect the safety of your drinking water supply. Be prepared. Know where the closest water source is located and how to purify water for your family in the event of an emergency. Please Note: Never use floodwater for drinking, even if it has been treated.
Boiling water for drinking is the preferred way to destroy harmful organisms. If needed, water should be filtered and settled to remove as many impurities as possible prior to boiling. Filtering can be done through clean pieces of cloth. Once settled, the clear water should be boiled vigorously for a full minute in most areas and three minutes at high altitudes. (more…)
Keeping houseplants healthy is not difficult. In fact, houseplants are more likely to suffer from too much kindness than from neglect. To ensure that your houseplants live a long and healthy life, follow these simple care guidelines.
Optimal Growing Conditions
For each plant, try to mimic the natural environment as closely as possible. For instance, place plants that come from a tropical environment in a humid area such as the bathroom. Conversely, a cactus will thrive in low humidity.
Proper Watering
Over-watering of houseplants is a common problem. Each plant variety has specific watering needs. Avoid watering all plants on the same schedule. As a general rule, water plants thoroughly once the top of the soil is dry and never let pots sit in standing water. (more…)
Spring is approaching and it’s time to begin thinking about the garden. When planning the garden this year, consider giving plants an advantage by starting the seeds indoors. This will ensure that plants are ready to be placed outside and will also reduce the amount of time required before flowers bloom or produce is ready to harvest.
Choosing Seeds
When selecting seeds to start indoors, consider which plants require the longest growing season. There is no sense wasting valuable indoor growing space on plants with an early maturity. Choose those that require extra time. Once seeds are selected, make sure to provide ample light, proper soil, and adequate water and nutrients. (more…)
Hard water is a widespread problem in the UK that affects over 60% of British homes. The term hard water simply refers to water that contains minerals. There are three possible solutions to the problem of hard water – chemical cleaners, a conventional water softening system and an electronic or magnetic descaler.
Chemical Cleaners
Various chemical cleaning products are available to deal with the problem after it occurs. Designed to dissolve the residue that hard water leaves behind, these products must be used regularly. Not only are chemical cleaners a lot of work, requiring frequent scrubbing, they also cause wastewater pollution. (more…)
The year has ended and for many people January is the time for summerizing stuff. That’s why we have decided to remember 5 posts that you have liked the most on our blog in 2009. The subject: eco tips and water.
What’s the difference? A water softener filters out dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, while a water filter removes particulate matter and some pathogens. Water contaminants tend to be specific to certain areas; for more information, check out the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s database of regional water quality reports.
Hard Water
If you find that your water combines with soap to form a scummy grey film instead of suds, or if your water tends to leave “rings” in the tub, you may have “hard water” full of minerals. (more…)
Ironing can be a real drag for those who are assigned to this task. When paying for a laundry service is not an option, look for ideas that can bring a positive change to the dreariness of ironing wrinkles out of clothes. The challenge is not in the skill of ironing but how to sustain a good attitude while attending to this matter.
• Make a change of scenery to create a refreshing new atmosphere by relocating the equipment needed for this chore. On warm, sunny days, iron on the patio, porch, or deck, and while sprinkling the clothes with water, keep your body hydrated with some sprinkles too.
• Tackle the equipment for a cheap facelift to keep your spirits high. Spray paint the legs of the ironing board a hot red, or a soothing blue as a quick fix for a boring board. Further enhance this piece by stripping off the old cover and smoothing on a new do with a chic new pattern and color. (more…)
There are many options available to help keep water pipes from freezing during bouts of cold winter weather.
One of the most important things that can be done is to install insulation in areas where cold air can seep in around the pipes. Securely installing rigid foam insulation around all floor joists, foundation walls and vents will block out any cold air drafts that can lead to frozen pipes. Make sure no gaps are left around the insulation-even the smallest hole can allow in freezing weather. (more…)
Anybody that has grown up with and become accustomed to soft water in their home will most likely never choose to go without it. However, is it really necessary to have a water softener? Absolutely necessary? No. A great idea? Definitely. And here’s why:
Hard water contains a significant amount of dissolved minerals in it. That may not seem like anything worth giving much thought to. In reality though, these minerals can be the culprits of many common issues and problems with everything ranging from the cleanliness of your bathroom to the look and feel of your clothing (more…)
