Top 5 Reasons You Should Use a Water Softener

For many of us, hard water is simply a fact of life. Most tap water contains minerals from when it was pumped from the ground, and the combination of these minerals is what makes water hard. Hard water is why you may prefer the taste of bottled water and see limescale and muck in your taps. Water softeners are one way to get rid of the problems that hard water causes. Read on to find out 5 reasons why you should use a water softener.

1. Easier Cleaning

One of the big problems with hard water is that the extra minerals present will often prevent your water to be as effective when you use it in cleaning. Dishes, pots, and pans will often have white soap residue, since hard water doesn’t wash soap off your dishes as effectively. Having a water softener means that your clothes and dishes will be cleaner overall. In addition, since soft water is more effective, you will need less water when doing the dishes and therefore have a lower water bill in the long one.

2. Better For Your Body

This more effective cleaning carries over to the shower as well. Hard water can cause your shampoo and body wash to leave a thin film of soap no matter how long you scrub. In addition, minerals like calcium and magnesium can clog your pores, cause irritated and dry skin, and even strip the top layer off your hair follicles. Bathing in hard water can lead to acne as well. In addition, using hard water in cooking and when drinking from the tap can cause health problems if the water includes certain minerals. Using a water softener will be better for your body no matter what way you look at it.

3. Better Appliance Life

The minerals in hard water don’t just build up on your skin or in your taps. They can also cause clogging, blockages, and inefficiencies in appliances that use water, such as washing machines and dishwashers. The mineral buildup caused by hard water can also mean horrible water pressure, which is one of the leading causes of water appliance burnout. This is because the machine will try to compensate for the lack of water and end up burning out its motor. Getting a water softener will mean a better appliance life and more efficient appliances.

4. Better Water Heating

Another consequence of better and more efficient appliances is better water heating as well. Soft water is also chemically easier to heat than hard water. This holds true whether you have an electric or a gas water heater. In addition, hard water can easily cause mineral buildup in water heaters. This causes poor water pressure in the water heater itself, which makes the heating of the water less efficient. A water softener will make it so you can save water by not having to heat up your shower in advance and can allow you to use more heat-intensive appliances.

5. Less Pipe and Faucet Damage

In addition to the previously stated problems with mineral residue, the minerals that hard water leaves behind can lead to serious pipe and faucet damage. The lime or scale deposits that make your taps look gross will build up over time. This makes it so that clogs are more likely and pipes can become corroded. In addition, the buildup inside of your pipes and finishings can be very annoying when it happens to showerheads and valves. It will lead to poor water pressure and other annoyances. If you get a water softener, you won’t have to contend with mineral buildup in your pipes and faucets.

DIY Home Ideas for Summer 2020

It’s time to get your house in order and ready to enjoy the summer weather. Skip the long construction projects and take advantage of some easy DIY ideas to upgrade your home this summer. 

image credit

The Garage 

The summer is a great time to reinvent areas of your house. What better place to begin than with your garage? Besides a home for your car, your garage is an excellent spot for storage, an enclosed terrace, and even an extra room for entertaining. To help you take advantage of this space, install your own DIY garage screen door, add a few planters and perhaps even a DIY bar. With a screen door in your garage, you can enjoy the summer in the shade, and without the bugs. These doors are relatively easy to install and allow you to open up a whole new room for the season. 

The Sun Room 

When the summer hits, finding the perfect spot to read and relax is always a priority. No matter the space you have, you can create your summer oasis at home. Start by looking at the area and thinking about how you want to utilize it. If you are looking to create a place to relax during the day, you may want to line the area with lush plants and rich colors. For those looking for an evening hangout, a DIY fire-pit creates the ultimate hangout spot to unwind with friends after a hot summer day. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to add some lights so day or night your oasis is ready for you.

image credit

The Restroom 

You may not think about your bathroom in the summer, but whether you are rinsing from a day in the pool or after working in the hot sun, you end up spending more time than you realize in your bathroom. This summer, take the time to invest in creating a sanctuary for you to relax from the heat of the day. To help you get on some of the summer's hottest trends, consider adding bold colors and patterns to give your bathroom a fresh look. Don't forget to add plenty of storage space, so everything you need is available without ever having to leave the room.

image credit

The Kitchen 

During the summer, your menu changes to match the season. As you steer away from hot hearty dishes, you want your kitchen to reflect this switch in dining. Follow some DIY kitchen ideas to help you get the room ready to prepare the best meals possible. Before you get started with any big changes, take the time to update your storage and organization. Then, think about the small touches you can add to brighten up the room. Whether adding a splash of color as a backdrop or accessorizing the counter, there are tons of unique ideas you can do to make it summer-ready. 

No matter how you update your house, make sure it reflects your personality. Keep in mind where you will spend the most time, and enjoy your home this summer.

Protect Your Mattress With A Ghostbed Mattress Cover Protector

Have you ever had a time where you were casually sitting in bed watching TV, having a snack, and you grab your drink then you spill it all over yourself and your bedding? Or perhaps you were changing your baby's diaper, and they had a pee pee accident? I have had both happen numerous times in the past. Let's face it, we are all human, and do a lot more than just sleeping on our bed. You invest your hard-earned money for a good mattress, so it's important to provide good protection against those everyday life occurrences.

If you have a mattress from GhostBed, then you might be familiar with their line of bedding items as well as the best mattress for back pain. The GhostBed Mattress Cover Protector is the perfect choice to provide superior protection.

I've dealt with mattress covers in the past that were awful, because they have that annoying fitted-sheet-that-didn't-actually-fit thing going. The GhostBed protector has a 2-inch thick elastic band that encases the entire bottom for maximum stability. I'm telling you, the band goes way under your mattress so you do not have to worry about slipping. This makes me SO happy because I always get annoyed when I see my husband's side of the bed with the sheet or cover off the mattress. And he says that I am the wild sleeper! 

The super soft knit top provides quiet breathability. As soon as my son saw it, and felt how soft it was, he dove on top of my bed. I had to tell him that it was just the mattress cover and not the actual bed sheet. I'm happy to have a total water-proof barrier with long-lasting durability after every wash. It also offers non-migrating antimicrobial technology which helps eliminate allergens. I do love that it makes no sound when you are in bed.

Your GhostBed Mattress Cover Protector comes with 10 year limited warranty and FREE shipping! Who doesn't love FREE shipping?! They come in all sizes including: twin, twin xl, full, queen, king, and cal king.

We are so pleased with our new mattress cover, and now I can sip my beverage with no worries. We highly recommend the GhostBed Mattress Cover Protector, and it works best with the GhostBed mattress.

One last thing: GhostBed is excited to celebrate their 3rd Birthday on Halloween! To kick off the celebration, GhostBed (bigger, better mattresses built to keep you cool all night) is giving away a FREE GhostBed Mattress. Enter here.

8 Housewarming Gift Ideas Under $20

*This post contains affiliate links

If you are trying to figure what to give someone who is getting a new apartment or house, it can be a challenge. You don't always know a person's specific taste, color schemes or overall style. I like giving and receiving practical gifts that people will actually use. I have put together a list of great ideas that all cost under $20.

1. A cast iron skillet- I say it all the time that every person needs one of these in their kitchen. It's versatile and can be used to saute, fry, broil or bake just about anything savory or sweet. You can even include of of these silicone handle covers. 

2. Kitchen towels and dish cloths- You can go with neutral colors or even holiday-themed designs depending on what time of year you buy them. Anyone can use kitchen towels and I feel like you can't ever have enough of them. 

3. A baking sheet- If you are buying for someone who bakes and cooks often, this is a must have! My favorite one that I have 2 of is the commercial baker's half sheet size. It's perfect for baking cookies, pastries, fish, chicken, and roasting veggies. I cover mine with foil and parchment for less clean-up. 

4. An automatic soap dispenser- It can be used in either a bathroom or kitchen and is touch-free. 

5. Stemless wine glasses- These are a no-brainer for your wine-loving friends. They come in different colors, shapes and sizes. 

6. Wine cork holder- I have one of these and love it! It serves as a cute decoration for any living or dining area. Since they are affordable, you can even grab an inexpensive bottle of wine to go with it. 

7. Glass storage containers- These are a better alternative to the plastic ones and can be used as storage for leftovers or even to take lunch to work or school. 

8. A cutting board set- I love having a few different sized cutting boards for cutting specific items by group. One for meats, one for veggies, and one for fruit.