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Archive for October, 2021

How To Get Hard Water Spots Off Car

Posted by Rayne Water

Picture a warm, sunny, summer day. You want to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and decide your car desperately needs a bath. You lug the bucket, rags, and hose out to your driveway and spend an hour cleaning your car until it sparkles. The next morning, you look outside and your formerly spotless car is now anything but.

It didn’t rain overnight, so what happened? 

The likely answer is you washed your car with hard water that left spots once the car dried. This is where water softening solutions for your home come in handy.

It can be tricky to get rid of hard water spots once they form. You’ll need distilled water, white distilled vinegar, microfiber cloths, and a lot of patience. In this blog, we cover how to get hard water spots off car with a vinegar solution, why you must remove them, and how to prevent them from forming.

Step #1: Wash Your Car… Even if it’s Already Clean

We know—you’re probably thinking why do I need to do this again? It might be a bit of a hassle but will make the final results shine. One of the reasons you’re seeing spots could be because you didn’t dry your car properly after the initial wash. Furthermore, it’s always best to start any project with a clean canvas.

You’ll need the following materials for a solid, effective wash:

Once you’ve assembled your materials, you’re ready to rewash your car. Make sure that you’re using different buckets for the wheels and the body of the car. Scrub the visible water spots carefully and you may be able to remove many of them. Those that can’t be removed this way will be handled with the vinegar solution you’ll apply in step four.

What Causes Hard Water Spots On Cars?

Before we move on to drying your car, let’s take a quick moment to talk about those water spots. What are they, exactly? 

The term hard water simply means water that has higher levels of minerals in it.1 Typically, magnesium and calcium are the minerals that leave behind residue. If the water spots appear after you wash your car (and it didn’t rain), the cause is likely your water. If you have hard water, you’ll find white buildup on your kitchen utensils, faucets, and yes, your car. 

These minerals in your water aren’t harmful to humans, but they can cause your things to break down more quickly—this includes the car paint. So, if you’re using the water from your home to clean your car, you’ll be left with white blotches after the water evaporates and leaves behind mineral traces.

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Step #2: Dry Your Car Thoroughly

Not all of the spots on your car are necessarily from hard water. Some may be the result of not drying the car’s surface correctly after washing. If you don’t use a microfiber cloth, you’ll leave swirl marks on the car or even damage the car paint.2 

You should start with the roof and work your way down. As the cloth becomes saturated, you’ll need to wring it out or switch to a new, dry towel. This step is tedious but will help eliminate some of the pesky spots that appear when you allow your car to air-dry.

Step #3: Mix a Water and Vinegar Solution

Once your car is dry, take a step back and look for hard water spots. You’ll target these spots with your vinegar and water solution.3 To make the solution, you’ll need:

Mix equal parts of the distilled vinegar and water in the spray bottle and shake it. Now you have a spot-removing solution. This is also the same solution to use on how to clean stainless sink hard water stains.

Step #4: Apply Vinegar Solution on Spots

Next, you’ll spray the vinegar mix onto the areas where you see hard water spots. This might take a while because you can only cover a small area at a time. After you spray, leave the solution on for 60 seconds.  

Step #5: Rinse Off the Vinegar Solution

Then, you’ll need to rinse the solution off. Don’t wipe as this may create streaks. We suggest having a bucket of clean, distilled water handy. You can use a small cup to get water from the bucket and pour it over the area you sprayed with the vinegar solution.

Step #6: Dry Carefully

After you’ve thoroughly rinsed the solution from the car, you can dry the area with another microfiber towel.

Then, you’ll repeat steps three through six for the remaining places on your car that you see hard water spots.

Step #7: Wax Your Car

Once you’ve completed the spot-removal process, you need to wax your car to protect the paint job from the elements. Vinegar removes existing wax so don’t skip this step or your hard work will go to waste.

Alternative Methods to Remove Hard Water Spots

A vinegar solution isn’t the only way to remove hard water spots from your vehicle. There are several products on the market that work with varying levels of effectiveness. Some of the most commonly used include:

As you can see there is no one right method for hard water spot removal. It depends on your preference and the severity of spotting on your car.

Why Do You Need to Remove Hard Water Spots?

It’s important to find a method that you like because hard water marks can damage your car if they aren’t removed. The minerals left behind can soak into the surface of your car’s clear coat on top of the paint. Eventually, this leads to a problem called etching which occurs in several steps, including:

When the paint on your car is damaged, the metal base is exposed. This leaves it open for rust and decay which will reduce the value of your vehicle and can cost you a hefty sum in major repairs. It’s far less costly to spend a few hours removing hard water spots than it is to have your entire car repainted. 

Can You Prevent Hard Water Spots?

It would be difficult to eliminate the risk of hard water spots on your car entirely—rain, errant sprinklers, and more can contribute to spotting. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent the majority of hard water spots. These include:

While it’s impossible to prevent hard water spots completely, these actions will help lessen the impact on your vehicle.

Save Time and Energy with Rayne Water

The process to remove hard water stains from your car is time-consuming and frustrating. However, if not done properly, you risk damaging your car’s paint job. Instead of making more work for yourself, prevent hard water stains with one of our water softening solutions.

Rayne Water has been in business since 1928 and we now serve California, Arizona, and Nevada residents. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you enjoy better water. Next time you wash your car, you can look outside the next morning with confidence that that shine will still be there.

 

Sources: 

  1. Penn State Extension. Hard Water and Water Softening. https://extension.psu.edu/hard-water-and-water-softening
  2. The Drive. How to Dry Your Car the Right Way. https://www.thedrive.com/cleaning-detailing/29839/best-way-to-dry-a-car
  3. The Vehicle Lab. How to Remove Water Spots on Your Car: Types Explained https://www.thevehiclelab.com/water-spot-removal/
  4. WebMD. Distilled Water. https://www.webmd.com/diet/distilled-water-overview#1

How to Clean Stainless Steel Sink Hard Water Stains

Posted by Rayne Water

 

*Reviewed by Ken Christopher, Senior Vice President at Rayne Dealership Corporation

You hate to see your stainless steel sink marred with stains. Unfortunately, hard water will leave behind unsightly blemishes on the shiny surface of your sink and more. 

Hard water is the term used to describe water that has higher than average traces of dissolved magnesium and calcium in it.1 These minerals leave behind white smudges when the water evaporates.

The good news is that hard water isn’t harmful to humans. 

However, it can damage your household items over time. If you are over the hassle, water softening solutions are your answer.

Cleaning hard water stains is quite simple and can be done with many products you already have around the house. There’s typically no need to use harsh chemicals or abrasive tools. Keep reading to learn more about how to clean stainless steel sink hard water stains and why it’s important to do so.

Use Kitchen Staples To Clean Your Sink

Anyone who has ever owned a stainless steel appliance or sink knows that it’s not really stainless. Spots, smears, blotches, and more appear with astonishing regularity. Luckily, you can shine up your stainless steel with natural remedies that you probably already have on hand. 

A few simple stainless steel cleaner you can use include:

Let’s look at each of these and how you can use them to remove hard water spots.

Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is one of the cheapest and most effective agents you can use to clean many areas of your home, including a stainless steel sink.2 To remove hard water stains with vinegar, you’ll need to:

This should leave your sink sparkling clean.

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Lemon

If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, try a different, more scent-friendly, solution. Pure lemon juice is also more acidic than vinegar and may be more effective at removing tough stains. You’ll use the same process as you would for vinegar, and will be left with a fresh, clean, citrus aroma wafting through your kitchen.

Baking Soda

Like vinegar, baking soda is the natural housekeeper’s best friend. It’s useful for countless applications, including hard water stain and limescale removal. The steps for using baking soda include:

This method can help remove tough hard water residue without damage to your sink.

Combination 

If you have particularly stubborn hard water stains on your stainless steel sink, you can combine natural cleaning agents to make a more powerful cleanser.3 The most common is an acid and baking soda. For this method, you’ll need to begin with a rinse of the sink. Then you should:

Alternatively, you can use cream of tartar instead of baking soda. This method should remove even the most stubborn stains. Plus, it costs you very little money and is non-toxic. This is also one of the ways on how to get hard spots off car.

Why Do You Need to Remove Hard Water Stains?

If you don’t remove hard water stains you risk causing permanent damage to your sink. Along with magnesium and calcium, hard water often contains iron. Leaving hard water stains on the surface of your sink allows them to oxidize. Oxidation leads to rust.

If your stainless steel sink rusts severely enough, it’ll eventually start to leak. As you know, water anywhere it doesn’t belong is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Regularly cleaning and drying your stainless steel sink will keep it in top shape and prevent a much more serious issue down the road.

However, an even better solution might be to add a water softener to your property to prevent the problems caused by hard water.

Soften Your Water with Rayne Water

Hard water can keep your stainless steel sink surface from looking its best. While you can remove stains easily if you’re diligent, wouldn’t you prefer to avoid the problem altogether? If your home has hard water like many others across the US, you may want to invest in a water conditioning system like a water softener.

At Rayne Water, we’ve been helping homeowners improve the quality of their water since the 1920s. Contact us today to see how we can assist you. We know you’ll be happy with the higher quality water and fewer stubborn stains.

 

Sources: 

  1. United States Geological Survey. Hardness of Water. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/hardness-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
  2. SFGate. How to Remove Hard Water Spots From Stainless Steel Sinks. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/remove-water-spots-stainless-steel-sinks-28517.html
  3. Bob Villa. How to Clean A Stainless Steel Sink. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-stainless-steel-sink/

Expert Reviewer – Ken Christopher

Facts About Drinking Water

Posted by Rayne Water

Apart from breathing, water is just about the most essential element for humans. From making up 60% percent of our bodies1 to being about 71% of our planet,2 water is everywhere, and in nearly everything.

But what do you really know when it comes to facts about drinking water?

Besides the two we already mentioned, this article will guide you through 7 of the most interesting, surprising, and essential facts when it comes to drinking water. Not only will these water facts help you keep your daily fluid intake up, they’ll also lead you to a better way to get cleaner, tastier drinking water. 

Read on to discover more than you ever expected about H20.

#1 Most of Earth’s Water is Undrinkable

This may be shocking, but 97% of Earth’s water is actually saltwater—completely unsuitable for drinking water.3 Take a look at a globe and you might realize most of those blue spots are oceans. 

Not only that, 2% of the world’s water is undrinkable in its current form. This includes:

That last 1% of Earth’s water supply is what we use for everything from agriculture to manufacturing to showering. That’s billions of people only tapping into one-hundredth of all the water on the planet.  

#2 Drinking Water Comes From Two Sources

There are only two main areas in which we source our tap water for drinking, washing, watering, and a lot more:

Of course, there are some exceptions. The process of desalination (the removal of salt or other chemicals from water), is occasionally implemented to create drinking water, though it’s typically expensive and inefficient. Also, some areas of the planet rely on melting ice for their drinking water, but these situations are comparatively rare.

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#3 We Should Consume Two to Four Liters Per Day

If you’re waiting until you’re thirsty to pour a glass of water, you might be missing out on some essential health benefits that come with staying hydrated. 

While medical professionals typically recommend 2.7 liters a day for women and 3.7 liters a day for men, these numbers refer to overall water ingested, including from other beverages and food. All in all, about 20% of fluids come from the solid food you eat throughout the day.6

While it may be obvious that we require water to live, you might not be aware of all the ways your body uses water for various biological functions. Water is a key component of bodily processes like:

The list of how your body uses water is almost endless. As noted above, it’s more than half of your body itself. From saliva to eye tissue, you’re going to need to keep drinking water to feel and function at your best.

If you’re having a hard time meeting your daily hydration needs, it might be because your drinking water isn’t quite up to par. Unpleasant tastes and odors can make hydration harder than it should be. To cut the contaminants and start enjoying water the way it should be enjoyed, look to modern filtration solutions

#4 We Use 82 Gallons a Day

If you’re having a hard time picturing what 82 gallons look like, imagine 82 individual milk jugs—that’s the amount of water the average American uses per day.7 

That accounts for:

Americans use more water than residents of any other nation, and unfortunately, a lot of that water is wasted due to leaks, inefficiency, and unnecessary over-use. You can conserve water when washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or watering your lawn.

#5 Water Has a Neutral pH

When you drink water, what do you taste? Ideally nothing. That’s partially because pure water has a pH of 7, the absolute neutral between acid and basic.

pH is the measurement used to determine how acidic or basic a substance is. Those terms can be broken down as:

Acidity is considered an aesthetic quality by the EPA, so it’s not specifically regulated. Still, the agency recommends drinking water between 6.5 and 8.5 pH.8 If your water has an off-putting taste it may be useful to check the pH—it could be the culprit making your drinking experience less than stellar. 

#6 Water Makes for a Happy Heart

While you may already think about the benefits of water flushing out toxins from your body, did you know it could help your heart? Research suggests that a steady regimen of daily hydration throughout your lifetime could decrease your risk of heart disease.9 

Specifically, staying hydrated acts to do the following:

In short, proper hydration is a simple way to do something positive for your health every day. 

#7 Water Helps You Look Your Best

Water can keep you feeling at the top of your game, and it can help you look at the top of your game too. As you pour your next glass of water, consider the benefits it has for:

There’s a direct connection between looking good and feeling good when it comes to hydration—just one more reason to smile after gulping down a glass of water.

Facts, Figures, and Filtration with Rayne Water

Now that you’ve picked some information when it comes to our most precious natural resource, you might find yourself getting a little thirsty. Before you pick up your next glass of water, ask yourself if it’s as clean and refreshing as it should be?

If you’re ready to up your water game, here’s another fact to consider—there’s no better way than with Rayne Water

Our water filtration solutions work for residential and industrial spaces of any size and on any budget. From water softeners to reverse osmosis systems, you can find exactly what you need to make your next glass crisp, clear, and thirst-quenching. 

 

Sources: 

  1. USGS. The water in you: water and the human body. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body?qt-science_center_objects=0# 
  2. USGS. How much water is there on Earth. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects 
  3. EPA. All the water in the world. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-08/documents/mgwc-ww-intro.pdf 
  4. NGWA. Information on Earth’s water. https://www.ngwa.org/what-is-groundwater/About-groundwater/information-on-earths-water 
  5. EPA. Facts and figures about the great lakes. https://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/facts-and-figures-about-great-lakes 
  6. Mayo Clinic. Nutrition and healthy eating. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20National%20Academies%20of,fluids%20a%20day%20for%20women 
  7. EPA. Statistics and facts. https://www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-facts 
  8. Healthline. What pH should my drinking water be? https://www.healthline.com/health/ph-of-drinking-water#acceptable-ph-levels 
  9. Science Daily. Drinking sufficient water could prevent heart failure. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210824104113.htm
  10. ADA. Statements on community water fluoridation. http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/fluoridation_article03_statements.ashx 
  11. Everyday Health. New study suggests drinking water could help prevent heart failure. https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-failure/new-study-suggests-drinking-water-could-help-prevent-heart-failure/ 

 

Is Well Water Safe to Drink?

Posted by Rayne Water

Have you been taking a closer look at your drinking water? If you’re one of the 43 million Americans using well water, you might be wondering what’s really in your glass.1 From visible particles to discolorations to unpleasant smells, several factors might bring you to ask, “Is well water safe to drink?”

The short answer: maybe.

Unfortunately, there are too many considerations to make a general statement about the safety of well water. Every well is different. That said, this article will dive into the details when it comes to contaminants, risk factors, and well water conditioning systems and solutions, so you’ll be able to answer the question for yourself.

Not only will you have a clear picture of well water safety and some facts about drinking water from the well, but you’ll also find the information to guarantee your next glass is clear, clean, and risk-free.

Private Wells vs Municipal Water

Those living in highly populated metropolitan areas typically rely on municipal water treatment facilities. These facilities are monitored and regulated by public officials to make certain the water quality meets the required criteria for public safety and consumption.

This regulation is not extended to those using private wells. There is no EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) oversight when it comes to the health and safety risks of private wells—ultimately, the responsibility falls squarely on the property owner to make sure their well is providing safe water.

That means it’s your responsibility to:

Water Testing

The best way to get acquainted with what’s in your water is through water testing. While there are at-home kits available, it’s often best to contact a professional.

Local, state, and federal employees are trained and equipped with the best scientific equipment for taking accurate measurements and readings of what’s in your water.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends well-owners conduct a water test at least once a year.2 They can also provide a list of certified labs capable of doing the work necessary to assure your safety. Often it’s as easy as mailing a few small bottles of tap water.

Reverse Osmosis Systems starting at only $25/mo. Try before you buy!

High-Risk Contaminants

Before you can start taking the steps toward cleaner, safer water, you need to know what you’re up against. Anything that isn’t H20 is a water contaminant, and many contaminants have the potential for health issues.

It’s important to note that not all contamination poses an immediate danger to your health. Some are harmless, though they may have the side-effect of bringing an unpleasant taste or smell to your water.

High-risk contaminants that pose serious health risks can be broken down most easily into two broad categories: germs and chemicals.

Germs

Germs are small but mighty. They have the potential for major health risks. While there’s no way to completely avoid these pesky microorganisms, there are a few variations that can cause problems when they enter your drinking water. 

Hazardous germs include:

While it’s not pleasant to even think about the possibility of any of these germs in your drinking water, it’s worthwhile to note that all of these bacterial contaminants can be safely removed from your water. Through yearly testing and proper filtration, these germs won’t stand a chance.

Chemicals

As opposed to the infectious organic matter of germs, these chemicals are not alive, and you can’t spread any illnesses simply by ingesting them. That said, they can still pose a health risk if they show up in your drinking water.

The serious chemicals to watch out for include:

Keep these chemicals in mind as you move through the article. They’re the red flags that you can catch early to prevent any potential damage to your health. 

Low-Risk Contaminants

It’s not all gloomy. What’s in your water isn’t always life-or-death.

As noted above, not all contaminants are harmful, though that doesn’t mean you necessarily want them in your water. Odd tastes and smells can ruin the taste of your water and leave freshly laundered clothes with a distressing smell.

The following are some of the most common contaminants that won’t harm your health but might harm your enjoyment when it comes to your drinking water.

You might notice filmy build-ups, drier skin, an itchy scalp, and other minor discomforts associated with these contaminants. It may be worth it to make an investment in filtering out these materials as well as the truly toxic ones, for an overall excellent water experience.

Causes of Contamination

Where does it come from? Groundwater contamination can stem from any of the water source but the most common include:

Water is a powerful solvent. That means it can dissolve and absorb most substances that it comes in contact with—leading to bacterial contamination. 

You should also keep in mind that one of the quickest ways to water contamination is through a damaged well. If cracks or ruptures have occurred in your water system, any number of water contaminants might begin seeping into your water. If you’re dealing with a damaged well, you may need to do some structure maintenance before your water is drinkable.

Filtration Solutions

With the full knowledge of what you’re looking at regarding well water safety and bacterial contamination, it’s time to start seeking out solutions.

Water filtration is a broad and diverse field, but the most basic information regarding filtration systems can start pushing you toward understanding what you need to remedy your specific water situation.

These broad categories of filtration are a perfect jumping-off point when looking for a way to ensure you’re drinking water is clean and safe. We just have one more piece of advice to consider as you work to make your drinking water goals a reality.

Never Stress About Safety with Rayne Water

Understanding contamination and filtration are the pillars of well water safety. That said, for something as essential as water, it might be helpful to consult with someone with experience and expertise, before trying to solve your issues on your own.

That’s where we come in.

With nearly 100 years of experience solving residential and commercial water issues, we’d like to think of ourselves as the foremost experts in water safety. Whatever your needs and your budget, we have a specialized water filtration solution to make your water as pure as possible. 

Let our expert team at Rayne Water bring you better, cleaner water every day.

 

Sources: 

  1. LHSFNA. How safe is your well water. https://www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm/lifelines/july-2016/how-safe-is-your-well-water/ 
  2. CDC. Drinking water frequently asked questions (FAQs). https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/drinking-water-faq.html 
  3. CDC. Groundwater awareness week. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/groundwater-awareness-week.html 
  4. EPA. Is your well water safe to drink.
  5. https://www3.epa.gov/region1/eco/drinkwater/pdfs/ME-Private-Well-Testing-Brochure.pdf 
  6. EPA. Potential well water contaminants and their impacts.
  7. https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/potential-well-water-contaminants-and-their-impacts