Food | HEALTHY SKIN

Water Soft

Do we get any washing powder which will make the water soft and can be used in the washing machine?

The other day I saw Surf Excel washing powder that makes soft Hard water while washing and also I found another Excel surf which is designed for washing machines. But there something available for the same purpose ie to make use soft water and washing powder.

You can buy Calgon tablets to make hard soft water and put it in your washing machine. There are probably other generic tablets that do the same thing.

Water, Water Everywhere - Water conservation Business Is Everyone's

Water Statistics

Our land is covered by 71% water. Sounds like a lot does not it? With so much water on this planet why are worried about making and using tap as much as we want? Well let's take a closer look at what this 71% is really saying:

Of that 71%, the salt-water marine and other large bodies hold approximately 97% of the total water.
Of the remaining water, 1.6% of water below ground aquifers.
0.001% Is the air as vapor, clouds and rain.
Glaciers and polar ice caps hold 2.4%.
Land surface water such as rivers, lakes and ponds make up only approximately 0.6%.
A very small amount of surface water is located within the biological body and manufactured products.
Of available fresh water approximately 70 percent of freshwater is consumed by agriculture to produce food for all of us.
Some observers have estimated that by 2025 more than half of the world population is facing water-based weakness, a situation which is called a water crisis by the United Nations.

No matter how you adjust the numbers It sounds grim is not it? Maybe. The sad truth is that for most people in the industrialized world, more than enough water to pass within their grasp to meet most of their needs. At least the needs of their external world. Sadly, for most of us in the modern world, it's all quite often taken for granted. We turn the tap and expect it to be there, without so much as a thought of what it takes to get there or from where it came from. Water, more important than oil, fine gems or precious metals sustains life and it is attributed as a gift from both God and the gods (small the "g"). It was fought over, rationed, monitored and carefully controlled. But rarely respected, protected or favoritism.

The scenario

Water appears or by the point in life we rarely give a thought to it, especially after it has served the immediate purpose of which we summoned them. we get a drink from a glass filled with much more than we want consumers, drawn from a tap that we let run until the water afterward cool and pour out, tend to consume more than we, the left missing in our sewers. We wash our cars in our driveways and paved dutifully watch as it runs off into storm drain, taking with it all detracts from our symbol of status or pride as a faithful servant.

In our lifespan health conscious world, we wash our hands and rewash, allowing the strong solvent ability of water to bear all that can cause biological harm us, not giving thought to the fact that the water capacity is far from being utilized. We are honest with our cleansing shower to keep the "acceptable" level of personal hygiene and the process of running countless gallons of water down the drain until the depletion over the shower reached "just right" temperature.

Out, we have carefully planted and manicured expanses of high maintenance grass, watered and fertilized to perfect form and our planting beds are filled with all the most popular non-native and often from overseas plants. Perhaps once the bed is covered with mulch, but it has long since broken down and the grass has become a familiar vision. We sincerely hope to automatic sprinkler systems to keep everything green and healthy so that our piece of the world meets the approval of all around us. The timers are set and everything comes in regular as clockwork regardless of weather or need and plenty of water gets used on the sidewalks and driveways that need it not.

We go back inside because we are hungry. we get lettuce and tomato and dutifully wash them under running water because we are very health conscious and are concerned about pesticides in our food left. We rely on the cleansing power of water to bring everything that we would not consumers and are proud of our conscious decision to live healthy. After finishing our meal, we dutifully put some dishes and utensils we dirtied sa dish washer and turn it on for having dirty dishes sitting around is not cool. Having just come from being in the outdoors for our healthy walking, our clothes were dirty so we change the honest and place them in the washer and turn it so that no dirty clothes pile up.

We are proud the fact that we surveyed the grounds and everything is lush and green as we expected it to so that our neighbors would approve. But we have failed to notice that an outdoor faucet is leaking and that our children failed to kill the other one completely after playing with their toys water. Surveying the surroundings, We also failed to notice the puddles of water left at the bottom of the slope after the sprinkler system off. But everything is green and healthy. What's the big deal? It only water - right?

Sound familiar? Sadly this event is at all familiar in our industrialized society comfortable anymore. All we have often become complacent and expectant of what has become a common commodity of our lives. But the truth is that water is not an unlimited resource and it has its limitations. A fact that many have made increasingly aware through droughts, water rationing and strict management. But some of us have come to the realization that intelligent use water begins with each of us as individuals. We, as individuals are the largest single user of water and how to use starts with us, our use, and expectations. Yes it really is big industry and commerce users. But it is us, the individual use by far the most. Both our personal through life and our hopes.

Suggestions To Start

There will come a day for all of us appreciated this little thought and common wealth is no longer a resource to be taken lightly and for some, time has come. Smart water use, like all green living is not something to do, but rather a way of thinking has been developed over time and transformed into action. This is not a One thing that might just turn a switch, take a tablet, or purchased. But rather it is developed over time. Below is a list of suggestions to help started. Think of it like a test. How many do you do now? Some make you fail? How many can you do?

Bathroom

When you are washing your hands, do not let the water run while you lather.
If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, and then replace it with a low-flow shower-head. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.
Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. Need to save up to 1000 gallons a month.
Install low-volume toilets.
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into toilet bowl, you have a leak. It is easy to fix, and you can save over 600 gallons a month.
Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
Make sure your toilet flapper does not stick open after flushing.
Make sure there are aerators on all your faucets. This decreases the flow of water and increase its effectiveness when the washing hands, etc.
Install an instant water heater on your kitchen or bathroom sink so you do not have to let water run while it heats up. It will also reduce heating costs for your household.
Bathe your young children together.
If your bathroom was installed before 1980, place a toilet dam, place a brick or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for per flush. Make sure that the device does not interfere with operating parts.
Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair and you to save over 50 gallons a week.
Turn off the water while you shave and you can save over 50 gallons a week.
To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use water to flush toilets or water plants.

The child

Teach your children to turn faucets off tightly after each use.
Do not buy recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.

Garden

Plant during spring or fall when watering requirements are lower.
Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
Choose a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers. Watering sa roots is very effective, be careful not to over water.
Water your plants deep, but more often to create healthier and stronger plants.
Groups of plants in the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
Start a compost pile. Using compost when you plant adds water-holding organic matter in the soil.
More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Make sure only to water plants when necessary.
Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.

Hardscape and Construction

Use of porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.
Direct downspouts and other runoff shrubs and trees, or collect and use for your garden.

Utilities and Home

In many places evaporative coolers are a popular form of cooling, but they require a periodic maintenance review. For more efficient cooling, check your evaporative cooler annually.
Check your water meter and bill to track your water intake.
We're much more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but do not forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons a week.
Make sure you know where your the master water shut-off valve was located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe was burst.
Winterize outdoor spigots when temps dip to 20 degrees F to prevent pipes from bursting or freezing.
Insulate hot water pipes so you do not have to run more water to get hot water tap.
If you have an evaporative cooler or air conditioner, catch or direct the water drain with a garden, trees, or your lawn.
Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt through running a minimum number of regenerations necessary to maintain the water tin.
Listen for the big bathroom faucets and flush their themselves. Repair a leak can save 500 gallons each month.
Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and garden rather than letting it run into the sewer line. Check with your city code, and if it is not allowed in your area, start a movement to get that changed.

Houseplants

If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, do not throw them in the sink. Drop them into a house plant instead.
Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.
If you have ice left in your cup from a restaurant take-out, throw it in the trash, Dump it into a plant.

Kitchen

When washing dishes by hand, do not let the water running while rinsing. Fill a sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
Use garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time.
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running tap for cold drinks, so to drop each goes down you are not the drain.
Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
When you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down the number of times you run your dishwasher.
Do not use running water indigestion.
Soak your pot or pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
Make sure there are aerators on all your faucets. It decreases water flow and increase its effectiveness when washing hands, etc.
Install an instant water heater on your kitchen or bathroom sink so you do not have to let water run while it heats up. It will also reduce heating costs for your household.
Snip back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
Cook food in as little as water as possible. This will also retain more nutrients.
Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent from using waste disposal.

Scene

Plant during spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.
Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds the gallons of water a year.
Choose a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers. Watering roots is very effective, be careful not to over water.
Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger plants.
Groups of plants the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
Next time you add or replace a flower or bottom, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons per year.
Landscape with Xeriscape trees, plants and ground covers. Call your local conservation office for more information about plants in water thrifty.
Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the ground. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Make sure only to water plants when necessary.
Water only as rapidly as the ground can absorb the water.

Laundry

Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you can save 1000 gallons in a month.
When you shop for a new appliance, consider an offering cycle and load size adjustments. These are more water and energy-efficient than older appliances.
When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.

Lawns

Avoid planting turf in areas that are difficult to water such as steep inclines and some strips along sidewalks and driveways.
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
Water Your summertime lawns one inch per week and your winter lawn one inch every 2-3 weeks.
Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
Do not water your lawn in windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways not need water.
Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water. Consider installing moisture sensors.
When watering grass in steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff.
Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
Use a tuna fish can or buy a rain gauge to track how much rain or irrigation your yard received.
Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, not water. Proper lawn watering could save thousands of gallons of water annually.
Avoid winter overseeding your lawn mower. Once established, rye grass needs water every 3-5 days, but do not grow Bermuda grass needs water only once a month.
Water only as rapidly as the ground can absorb the water.
Air your lawn. Punch holes on your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach roots rather than run off the surface.

Miscellaneous

When kept Your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
Encourage your school system and local governments to help develop and promote a water conservation right to children and adults.
Do something each day that will save water. Although savings are small, each counts drop.
Drop that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.
Make suggestions to your employer to save water (and dollars) at work.
Support projects that use reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other uses.
Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community.
Pick-up telephone and report significant water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the owner of the property or your water management district.

Cleaning out

Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons or more of water per hour.
Wash your car on the grass. It will water your lawn at the same time.
Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons.

Patio And Pool

Install pool covers and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
Regular check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.
Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water in the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation.
Use a grease pencil to mark the water level in your the pool skimmer. Check the label for 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 1 / 4 inch per day.
Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
When back-washing your pool, consider using water your landscaping.
For hanging baskets, planters and pans, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool to drink water and help eliminate water overflow.
Regardless of size, when you drain pool, use water for lawn and landscape plants. Concerned with chlorine and other pool chemicals? Leave the pool open for a few days and add a round bomb (like a bomb fountain) to diffuse and shake water. The chlorine and other pool chemicals are naturally fade so the water can be safely used.

Pets

When you give your pet fresh water, do not throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
Bathe your pets outdoors in an area that needs water.

Sprinklers

Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Reduce the evaporation of watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
Divide your watering shorter cycle time to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.
Use the sprinkler for larger area of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good shape.
Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
Teach your family how to turn off your automatic watering systems. Turn sprinklers off if the system is malfunctioning or when a storm is approaching.
Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.
Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often disappear before they hit the ground.
Fix your watering schedule on time. Summer lawns need more frequent watering than lawns in the spring and fall and winter lawns even less.

Travel

While staying at a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.

Grey Water

Grey water is a term not heard much now, but older people will no doubt understand what it is. It definitely means any water is not suitable for human consumption, but not biologically hazardous to humans. In more simple terms, bath, laundry and water dish are all classified as "gray water". Toilet water is not, and should only go to public sewer or septic system. Today gone by, new government wanted to control every facet of our lives, gray water is treated separately from the toilet water. It is considered that "reusable water" and taken different from the "sewer water". Now, the alleged interest of public safety, all "non-potable" water is taken to our public sewer or septic system.

The truth is that gray water poses no threat to humans and in fact surrounded U.S., partly as washing hands or dishes, or all, as in a bath at some point in his life. water can be reused in normal water lawns and gardens without damage to either plants, animals or people. In fact, the soaps found in normal gray water is often an effective insect deterrent. The only potential damage comes from the additives that we have grown accustomed to being in our shampoos and soaps. It comes in the form of fragrances, conditioners, colorings, etc. The thing is that quite often can be desirable to us, but not necessarily the product they came in. In fact, some proven potentially dangerous that. But we still want the results of any costs and manufacturers will spend countless millions of dollars annually to make us think they are a magic ingredient that deviate the pattern of our lives.

In the days before chemicals, most soaps are ways of lye soap (even for clothing), which left little or no perfume or conditioners, etc. They are applied afterward to form or plant-based scents and other homemade recipes. In many studies and surveys, the results of the old ways are equal, or superior results to any chemically induced seen today and posed little potential harm to users, manufacturers or the environment. So effective are these and many manufacturers are now attempting to return to the simple product, but in a chemical way.

Consider using unscented products and company the least amount of conditioners, colorings, etc. While perhaps not as convenient, they can be applied or used after bathing us, so if we feel it is quite necessary. Typically, the end result of the use of less toxic products (or none at all) then we will dip far superior to the results obtained by using products with additives included. The atmosphere will certainly benefit from it.

Conclusion

Ours is a world of comfort. A comfort that one day may be a luxury we can not afford. As demands on our water resources increase with the cost of doing so, feeding our vanity and comfort can be completely impractical. It is irresponsible for all of us and not achieve for many. But change will come not come quickly or easily. It requires a dedicated effort of many small steps by all us to be good and wise consumers water resource. What do you want to be "water wise" and a responsible manager of this valuable commodity? Are you ready to start taking small steps towards the efficiency of water or you are one of the millions who will wait until you are forced to do it? Are you part of a cure, or a part of problem that our children and young children will have to face and correct? The selection yours and mine. Choose wisely.

About the Author

The Hillbilly Gardener was born Lyndell G. Miller and can be found at
http://www.jerrysplantsonline.com/about_us.htm where he resides as the driving force and inspiration for all things gardening and outdoor living. There are few things about gardening that he hasn't tried and after spending almost 50 years with his hands in the soil, he gets some of his greatest pleasures from helping others learn the joys of gardening and learning how to do more with less.