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Water

Hard Water

The tap water in Stuttgart is moderately hard due to the calcium level. Hard water leaves a calcium build-up on appliances and can be hard on your skin and hair.

Stuttgart's drinking water is rigorously tested, and the city is incredibly proud of its water quality.

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Hard Water

Myths and facts about hard water. 

 

Image by Photoholgic

Skin & Hair Care

Tips for keeping your skin and hair healthy in hard water. 

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning

Learn the best way to clean your appliances and tips on removing those stubborn water spots. 

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Helpful 
Products

Helpful products to help keep your appliances decalcified and you skin and hair healthy. 

Hard Water Myths

 Myth: Hard water is contaminated.

Truth: Hard water contains minerals. Drinking hard water with abundant essential minerals is good for your health. According to the World Health Organization, calcium and magnesium-rich hard water can help protect against heart disease and stroke.

Myth: Hard water does not taste good. 

Truth: Soft water does not taste as good as hard water. Minerals improve the taste of water. Soft water not only doesn't contain minerals, but the softening process can cause the water to taste a bit salty due to the potassium or sodium ions used to eliminate magnesium and calcium.

Myth: Soft water gets your body cleaner.

Truth: Soft water is a better cleaner for household cleaning and laundry, as it doesn't leave behind the mineral residue that hard water does. When it comes to your body, soft water may not be the superior cleaner. The minerals in hard water give soap something to cling to, so it can quickly rinse away.

Myth: Hard water causes kidney stones. 

Truth: "It can be concluded that there are no scientific arguments not to recommend drinking normal tap water even in so-called "hard" water environments, out of fear that this policy is associated with a higher risk for kidney stones. On the contrary, there is strong scientific evidence that a normal dietary calcium intake, including the calcium provided by tap water, is protective against nephrolithiasis." 

The impact of tap water on kidney stones.

Norbert Lameire, MD, PhD

Eme Prof of Medicine and Nephrology

University Hospital Ghent, Belgium

Hard Water Cleaning

The moderate calcium level in Stuttgart's water leaves spots on dishes and build-up in appliances such as the washer, dishwasher, and kettles that continually use water.

These appliances need to be descaled.

Dish Washer

Dishwashers
 

Image by Filmreal Studio

Showers
 

Laundry Room

Washing Machines

Image by engin akyurt

Coffee Pots & Kettles

Myths
Cleaning

Dishwashers

Adding Salt & Rinse Agent to the Dishwasher

Dishwasher Maintenance

Para ajudar a combater manchas em seus copos e talheres, adicione sal à máquina de lavar louça. Sua máquina de lavar louça terá uma unidade de amaciamento na parte inferior para encher com sal especificamente para a máquina de lavar louça.

Cleaning the Filter 

Dishwasher Filter

Para ajudar a combater manchas em seus copos e talheres, adicione sal à máquina de lavar louça. Sua máquina de lavar louça terá uma unidade de amaciamento na parte inferior para encher com sal especificamente para a máquina de lavar louça.

Washing Machine

É melhor descalcificar a máquina de lavar a cada três a seis meses.

Descalcificar sua máquina de lavar é fácil usando produtos domésticos comuns ou descalcificador comercial ( Maschine Entklaker ).

Defina a temperatura da água para pelo menos 60˚C com qualquer um dos métodos.

Como descalcificar com vinagre branco e bicarbonato de sódio

1. Spray the washer drum with white vinegar. Wipe the drum with a microfiber cloth. 

 

2. Wipe around the rubber gaskets on the door. 

 

3. Pour two cups of distilled White Vinegar into the detergent dispenser.

 

4. Set the washer on the longest cycle at its hottest temperature.

 

5. Add 1/2 cup baking soda directly into the drum. Rerun the washing machine. 

 

6. Leave the door open to allow the machine to dry. 

Dishwashers
Washing Machines
Showers

Showers

O acúmulo de água dura nas portas de vidro do chuveiro pode ser um pesadelo para limpar. Este limpador caseiro torna o trabalho muito fácil.

Magic Shower Cleaner

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Ingredients:

 

Equal Parts of each

 

Blue Liquid Dish Soap 

I do not know why the soap being blue makes a difference, but I have tried green, and it does not work as well.

Distilled White or Apple Cider Vinegar

Directions:

Mix ingredients together in a pot, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let mixture cool. Pour into a spray bottle.

 

Use: 

Spray on shower doors and tile. Let sit for 15 minutes or longer, depending on the level of build-up. Spray with water and lightly scrub. 

Magic Cleaner is also great for cleaning burnt-on food off your flat-top stove. Sprinkle a little baking soda on the area that needs to be cleaned, spray with cleaner, cover with a warm, wet towel, and leave for 15 minutes or more. Then, clean off with a damp sponge, lightly scrubbing where needed. 

Kettles & Coffee Pots

Sua cafeteira ou chaleira acumulará cálcio com a água e precisará ser descalcificada. Quando sua chaleira começar a ficar parecida com a que está abaixo, é hora de descalcificar.

Kettle Pre-Descaling

É fácil descalcificar sua cafeteira ou chaleira com ácido cítrico. Quase todos os descalcificantes comerciais vendidos na Alemanha são ácido cítrico natural. Misture o produto em pó ou líquido com água, agite e deixe por 10 minutos ou mais.

Enxágue bem e sua panela estará pronta para ser usada novamente.

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Homemade Decalcifier for your Kettle or Coffee Pot

 

Ingredients:

1 Lemon-cut into wedges

2 Tablespoons coarse salt

1/2 Cup Ice Cubes

Directions:

Add all ingredients to your pot, swirl around until calcification is removed, then rinse with water. 

Skin & Hair Care

Hard water can irritate your skin and hair due to the increased calcium and magnesium. Although drinking hard water is good for your body, bathing dries your skin and hair.

Bathtub and Candle

Skin & Hair Care

Tips for keeping your skin and hair healthy in hard water.

Bath Salts

Body Scrub Recipes

Make your own body scrub with everyday items. 

Image by CDC

Legionella
 

Information about Legionella for those living in base housing. 

Skin & Hair Care
Kettles

Skin & Hair Care

Having a Bath

Hard Water makes soap not as effective and doesn't rinse off thoroughly. Hard water can exacerbate existing skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema.

 

Hard water can build up in your hair, making your hair dry and brittle and even causing hair loss.

 

The best thing you can do to combat hard water's effects is to install a filtered shower head.

Other things to help your skin and hair survive the effects of hot water is:

  • Lower your shower temperature and duration

  • Using clarifying shampoos

  • Moisturize daily and while the skin is damp

  • Using water-based cleansers and body wash 

  • Not using bar soap

  • Use a mild body scrub with oil 2-3 times a week. You can make a body scrub easily. Recipes are below. 

Skin Care
Body Scrub

Body Scrub Recipes

You will need a mixing bowl, spoon, and a container with a lid to store your body scrub. 

Brown Sugar Scrub

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Fine Sea Salt

1/2 cup Oil of Your Choice (Olive/Avocado/Coconut/Jojoba/Almond/Grapeseed)

2-3 drops of Essential Oils (optional)

Directions: 

  1. Combine brown sugar, salt, and oil in a mixing bowl.

  2. Mix thoroughly. If needed, add more sugar or oil to get the consistency right.

  3. If desired, add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir it into the mixture.

  4. When you’re satisfied with the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, spoon it into a container.

Epsom Salt Scrub

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup Epsom Salt

1/2 cup Fine Sea Salt

1/2 cup Oil of Your Choice (Olive/Avocado/Coconut/Jojoba/Almond/Grapeseed)

1-2 Tablespoons of Dried Herbs or Flowers (Lavender/Mint/Basil/Sage) (optional)

2-3 drops of Essential Oils (optional)

Homemade Cosmetics

Directions: 

  1. Combine salts and oil in a mixing bowl.

  2. Mix thoroughly. If needed, add more sugar or oil to get the consistency right.

  3. Finally, fold in the dried herbs. 

  4. If desired, add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir it into the mixture.

  5. When you’re satisfied with the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, spoon it into a container.

Soothing Oatmeal Scrub

Ingredients: 

1 cup Quick Oats

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Oil of Your Choice (Olive/Avocado/Coconut/Jojoba/Almond/Grapeseed)

2-3 drops of Essential Oils (optional)

Blossom

Directions: 

  1. Combine oats, sugar, and oil in a mixing bowl.

  2. Mix thoroughly. If needed, add more sugar or oil to get the consistency right.

  3. If desired, add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir it into the mixture.

  4. When you’re satisfied with the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, spoon it into a container.

Coffee Scrub

Ingredients: 

1 cup Fine Ground coffee

1/2 cup Fine Salt

1/2 cup Oil of Your Choice (Olive/Avocado/Coconut/Jojoba/Almond/Grapeseed)

2-3 drops of Essential Oils (optional)

Ground Coffee

Directions: 

  1. Combine coffee, salt, and oil in a mixing bowl.

  2. Mix thoroughly. If needed, add more sugar or oil to get the consistency right.

  3. If desired, add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir it into the mixture.

  4. When you’re satisfied with the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, spoon it into a container.

Legionella

Legionella

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems like

  • Showerheads and sink faucets

  • Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air cooling systems for buildings or industrial processes)

  • Hot tubs

  • Decorative fountains and water features

  • Hot water tanks and heaters

  • Large, complex plumbing systems

 

After Legionella grows and multiplies in a building water system, water containing Legionella can spread in droplets tiny enough for people to breathe in. People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contains the bacteria.

Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of drinking water containing Legionella. This happens when water accidentally goes into the lungs while drinking. People at increased risk of aspiration include those with swallowing difficulties.

People do not generally spread Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever to other people. However, this may be possible under rare circumstances.

Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. People at increased risk of getting sick are:

  • People 50 years or older

  • Current or former smokers

  • People with chronic lung disease (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema)

  • People with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy)

  • People with cancer

  • People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure

Courtesy of the CDC

Se você mora em uma casa baixa, eu recomendo comprar este filtro para o seu chuveiro. Este filtro é um dos poucos que filtra bactérias, incluindo Legionella. A base tem um sistema de água fechado e a água testou positivo várias vezes para Legionella. Eles testam a água com frequência e, se o teste for positivo, eles empregam todas as estratégias de mitigação para garantir a segurança da água.

Helpful Products

Helpful Products

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