Shower Optimization: Keep Your Shower Clean, Efficient, and Safe

Shower OPTIMIZATION Keep Your Shower Clean, Efficient, and Safe! Scrub a Dub Dub: Shower Cleaning Pop the shower curtain liner in the washing machine with mild detergent and hot water (only if the curtain is vinyl, synthetic, hemp, or cotton) Air dry immediately Pull the shower curtain closed so water doesn't gather in the folds and lead to mildew Once every 1 or 2 months, pour 2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 2 cup white vinegar For a chemical-free way to prevent mildew, soak the shower curtain in a salt water bath for a few hours Let the foamy mixture sit for a few minutes to dissolve fatty acids, then pour boiling water down 3 the drain to wash out clogs Use a solution of white vinegar and water to cut soap scum in the tub The Showerhead Showerheads often spray unevenly when mineral deposits clog the openings Clean with Clean with a little vinegar elbow grease 1 Roll a rubber band over the top of the showerhead 1 If vinegar won't cut it, disconnect the showerhead 2 Cushion the wrench with a towel to protect the showerhead's finish 3 Rinse the showerhead by holding it upside down under the faucet 2 Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, then attach the baq to the showerhead with the rubber band 4 Scrub the openings with an old toothbrush and vinegar and use a toothpick to poke out additional deposits 5 If any mineral deposits remain, soak the showerhead in a bowl of vinegar overnight 3 After 1 hour remove the bag and turn on the water to wash away the vinegar O When reattaching the showerhead, wrap new plumbing tape around the threads of the shower arm for a secure seal The Cold Hard Facts: Softening and Filtering Water Hard Water can lead to dry, itchy skin Soft Water makes shampoo and soap more effective = Hard Water = Soft Water DIY Water Test More Accurate Water Test 1 Fill an empty, clear bottle halfway with water Send a water sample to a certified water testing lab or purchase an at-home water analysis kit 2 Add 10 drops of dishwashing soap and shake well x10 3 If the solution foams quickly, the water is not hard SOFT! Hard water is measured as anything above 1 grain of hardness per gallon If it does not foam and instead creates a soapy film on the surface, the water is hard Soft Slightly hard Moderately hard Very hard Hard 1.0 3.5 7.0 10.5 HARD! Water Filtering 16 17 CI Sulfur Chlorine Water filters use a chemical reaction to remove chemicals including sulfur and chlorine from shower water Steam in a shower contains a much higher concentration of chemicals than the water itself When purchasing a filter, look for Tap water often contains at least as much, if not more, chlorine than is recommended for use KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion) in swimming pools OR Chemical Reaction Vitamin C filtration both proven to remove chlorine More chlorine enters the body through the skin and lungs while showering than drinking tap water TIP: Before buying, check the cost of replacement filters (which should be installed every 6 months) Conclusion It may be time to pay a little more attention to the shower and the water it produces. With regular upkeep of your shower and tub, you'll reduce the burden of bathroom cleaning. Sources organicauthority.com agreatshower.com allaboutwater.org ncbi nlm nih.gov allaboutwater.org waterfilters.mercola.com marthastewart.com archive.azcentral.com apartmenttherapy.com bhg.com water.usgs.gov saltlesswater.com homerepair.about.com ultimateshower.net Brought to you by: CReplacementParts In partnership with: .com GHERGICH&Co.