Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Can you catch head lice from a swimming pool? The answer is a little more complicated than you might expect, so let’s review the facts: Can head lice survive underwater?According to the Center for Disease Control these insects can survive under water for an extended period … Continue reading “Can You Get Lice From a Pool?”
Miscellaneous
Can You ‘Over Shock’ a Pool?
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry When you shock your pool, you add large amounts of chemicals in order to clean the water, and as with any time you measure a substance, there’s a possibility that you might get your measurements off. However, while it is technically not possible to “over shock” … Continue reading “Can You ‘Over Shock’ a Pool?”
Can You Use Bleach in a Pool?
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Using bleach in your swimming pool isn’t as crazy as people might claim. There are a number of benefits to substituting it for other traditional pool chemicals. Here’s some reasons why you should try it and how to use it correctly and safely. Is It Safe … Continue reading “Can You Use Bleach in a Pool?”
How Long Do Pool Pumps Last?
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Your swimming pool pump is an important part of your setup. It circulates your water and keeps it clean. But how long do they last, and what should you do if you need to replace one? Here are some tips to help you know what to … Continue reading “How Long Do Pool Pumps Last?”
How Long to Wait After Shocking a Pool?
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Shocking your pool is a cleaning method in which excessive amounts of chlorine or other cleaning chemicals are added to the water. Although it is an effective way to occasionally deep clean and remove contaminants, some safety factors should be kept in mind after shocking to … Continue reading “How Long to Wait After Shocking a Pool?”
How Often Do You Shock a Pool?
By Joanna Yocampo, MSc in Environmental Science, Biology and Chemistry Maintaining your swimming pool throughout the year can be a hassle, especially when it’s time to clean and shock it. Shocking is the process of adding chemicals or solutions such as chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, salt, and many more. This is to clean the water from … Continue reading “How Often Do You Shock a Pool?”
How to Empty an Above-Ground Pool
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Before beginning to drain, turn your pool’s circulation system off to avoid running air through your system and potentially causing lasting damage. Determine if you have access to a medium-sized water pump or if you will drain using a garden hose siphon; if you choose to … Continue reading “How to Empty an Above-Ground Pool”
How to Get Rid of Green Hair From Swimming
By Charles Ng’Ang’A, Bachelor of Applied Science in Biochemistry Use lemon juice freshly squeezed from 2 or more lemons (use more lemons if you have more hair), then soak your hair with it for about 5 minutes, and the citric acid in the lemon will break down the green tinge (which is due to oxidation … Continue reading “How to Get Rid of Green Hair From Swimming”
How to Increase Hardness in Pool Water
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Soft water, or water that is very low in the common mineral calcium, can be found in many municipal and regional water systems around the world – but it can pose a hidden threat to home owners, corroding the metal of fixtures, filters, and heat exchangers. … Continue reading “How to Increase Hardness in Pool Water”
How to Keep Inflatable Pool Water Clean
By Mae Araneta, B.Eng in Chemical Engineering More people are becoming aware of how blow-up pools are becoming an essential feature in outdoor living spaces these days. Inflatable pools are enjoyed not only by kids but whole families as well. Big blow-up pools are easy to set up and disassemble compared to their in-ground and … Continue reading “How to Keep Inflatable Pool Water Clean”
How to Lower Alkalinity in a Hot Tub
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Proper alkalinity is an important part of hot tub safety. Alkalinity helps keep pH levels stable. A healthy level in a hot tub should be neutral: 7.2-7.8 is the safest range, but 7.4-7.6 is ideal. Levels above this range is a sign that total alkalinity (TA) … Continue reading “How to Lower Alkalinity in a Hot Tub”
How to Lower Alkalinity in a Pool
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Keeping the alkalinity level in your pool balanced is an important part of maintaining your water quality. But what should you do if it’s too high? Here’s some tips on why it might be too high and how to lower it back down: It Could Be … Continue reading “How to Lower Alkalinity in a Pool”
How to Lower Chlorine Levels in Pools
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry What chlorine level is too high to swim in? According the the CDC, your pool only needs a minimum free chlorine concentration of 1 ppm (this minimum rises to to 2 ppm if you use stabilizer). At the upper end industry experts recommend below 4. You … Continue reading “How to Lower Chlorine Levels in Pools”
How to Lower Cyanuric Acid in a Pool
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Cyanuric acid (or pool stabilizer) is necessary to keep chlorine in your pool intact and (as its name suggests) keep it at a stable level, but its short-term effects nearly max out at less than 50 parts per million (with even 10-20ppm being over 85% as … Continue reading “How to Lower Cyanuric Acid in a Pool”
How to Lower pH in a Pool Naturally
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry “Naturally” can mean different things to different people, so this article is going to cover a range of methods including “non-chemical” ones (though technically speaking even pure water is a chemical) and use of household products (and we recommend against most of them, read on to … Continue reading “How to Lower pH in a Pool Naturally”
How to Lower Phosphates in a Pool
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Not sure how to get phosphates out of your chlorinated pool? You have come to the right place: What are phosphates?Phosphates are just a chemical compound. They are made up of the chemical phosphorus, which occurs naturally and is not metallic. They are usually made up … Continue reading “How to Lower Phosphates in a Pool”
How to Raise Free Chlorine in a Pool
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry One of the simplest ways to resolve a chlorine lock is to drain, refill, and then test your pool (repeat the process if necessary) Have the accurate levels of free chlorine, combined chlorine or chloramines and total chlorine before you begin shocking. Only shock your swimming … Continue reading “How to Raise Free Chlorine in a Pool”
How to Raise pH in a Hot Tub
By Charles Ng’Ang’A, Bachelor of Applied Science in Biochemistry Before doing anything to increase the PH of your hot tub, you need to know its capacity. Apart from that, you also need to determine the total alkalinity (TA) and PH level of the water at about 12 inches from the surface using a liquid test … Continue reading “How to Raise pH in a Hot Tub”
How to Take Care of an Above-Ground Pool
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry An above ground pool can last for many years if properly maintained. Check the outer structure Periodically examine the frame that supports the pool for bends or crimps. If it has a PVC frame, check for cracks in the pipe. Check the pool walls for dents … Continue reading “How to Take Care of an Above-Ground Pool”
How to Treat Pool Water for the First Time
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Opening a pool for the first time takes a fair amount of preparation, but the moment you first dive into that cool water on a hot day will make it all worth it. Here are some tips to help you get your pool going. Clean Your … Continue reading “How to Treat Pool Water for the First Time”
Is It Safe to Swim in Green Pool Water?
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Normally, pool water should be clear, but you may have noticed yours has turned green. Why is that, and is it okay to swim in it? Here’s some things you should know about green water: It’s Mainly Caused By AlgaeWhen your pool doesn’t have enough chlorine … Continue reading “Is It Safe to Swim in Green Pool Water?”
Pool is Cloudy but Chemicals Are Fine!
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry If your pool is blue but cloudy and you believe your chemicals are balanced, you should still double-check everything – perhaps by testing with different products and taking samples to different pool stores. A given test kit could be faulty/imprecise and a given pool store could … Continue reading “Pool is Cloudy but Chemicals Are Fine!”
What Causes Foam in a Hot Tub?
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Nothing could be more relaxing after a long, hard day than a nice long soak in a beautiful, well-maintained hot tub – but your hot tub, like all pools, bathing vessels, and recreational equipment, requires proper use and careful maintenance and cleaning to keep it safe … Continue reading “What Causes Foam in a Hot Tub?”
What Does Baking Soda Do for a Pool?
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry There’s a secret weapon that should be in every pool chemist’s arsenal: Baking soda. While it’s something commonly found around many households, you should also keep it with your supply of pool chemicals. Here’s some tips on how you can use it in your pool and … Continue reading “What Does Baking Soda Do for a Pool?”
The Best Time of the Day to Run a Pool Pump
Reviewed by Andrada Simion, Master of Science in Chemistry Pool pumps deliver optimal filtration two full cycles per day. A cycle refers to the turnover rate, which ranges from 6-10 hours. For ideal swimming conditions, the pump should run at least eight hours at a time. One rule for determining the amount of time is … Continue reading “The Best Time of the Day to Run a Pool Pump”
How Much Juice Does One Lemon Make?
By the NFReads.com editorial team Use our science-backed calculator before you squeeze anything (more details and caveats below it). You can calculate by weight or width (the shortest width of the whole fruit not the length between the pointy ends) – entering a 2-inch width lemon calculates a juice yield of about 45.97 grams, 1.62 … Continue reading “How Much Juice Does One Lemon Make?”
How Many Cups and Ounces Are in a Box of Powdered Sugar?
By the NFReads.com editorial team Powdered or confectioner’s sugar is often sold in 1 or 2 pound bags or boxes (=16 or 32 oz), but most recipes typically use smaller amounts in varying units of measurement. Below is a table to convert between ounces, cups and pounds, but read on for some caveats on why … Continue reading “How Many Cups and Ounces Are in a Box of Powdered Sugar?”
How Much Chopped or Minced Garlic Equals a Clove?
By the NFReads.com editorial team The “quick and dirty” answer is that a medium-size clove of fresh garlic is around 5.75 grams or ~0.203 ounces (backed by science, more below) which is about 1 teaspoon or 1/3 tablespoon of minced/chopped (many commercial pre-minced ones list ~5g as one teaspoon) and 1/2 teaspoon or 1/6 tablespoon … Continue reading “How Much Chopped or Minced Garlic Equals a Clove?”
Will Dish Soap Kill Grass?
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher Apart from keeping your kitchen squeaky clean, some home gardeners suggest that dish soap combined with household ammonia, beer, soda, and mouthwash can be used as a lawn conditioner. These ingredients are supposed to provide nourishment to grasses, making them greener. That said, most … Continue reading “Will Dish Soap Kill Grass?”
What Kind of Dirt to Fill Holes in Yard?
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher Sometimes you may spot holes across your lawn that seemingly appear out of nowhere. They can come in a variety of sizes, and ignoring them can lead to more lawn problems. Filling any holes in the yard is important not only for aesthetics but … Continue reading “What Kind of Dirt to Fill Holes in Yard?”
When to Mow After Overseeding
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher Green and healthy turf is the pride of homeowners. However, there are instances when lawn grass may look under the weather. You can easily spot if something is wrong when grasses turn brown and patches of dirt appear, indicating grass cover is unhealthy. A … Continue reading “When to Mow After Overseeding”
Why Put Sand on Grass?
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher Sand is a type of dirt with coarse to fine particles. Because it has large pore spaces, sandy soil has very fast percolation, therefore, it tends to dry easily. This results in poor mobilization of water-soluble nutrients needed by all plants. Regardless, certain kinds … Continue reading “Why Put Sand on Grass?”
How to Stripe a Lawn
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher Looking for a way to make your lawn more attractive? Look into striping. It is a mowing technique that adds a decorative effect to the turfgrass and can make the yard a work of art with infinite possibilities. Not only can it make the … Continue reading “How to Stripe a Lawn”
How to Raise a Sprinkler Head
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher All plants need water to survive – plant cells are around 90% water. Without it, plants cannot perform photosynthesis and other normal physiological functions which can lead to diseases and even death. Whether it is a cold-season or warm-season species, grasses require adequate moisture … Continue reading “How to Raise a Sprinkler Head”
Best Mowers for Bermuda Grass
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher Cynodon dactylon, more commonly known as Bermuda grass, is a popular lawn species in the US. It is distinguished by its fine leaves that seem to “wrap around” the lawn due to its dense growth. As a warm-season species, Bermuda grass is green throughout … Continue reading “Best Mowers for Bermuda Grass”
How to Fix Ruts in a Yard
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher After a long day’s work of mowing, you feel like you are well on your way to realizing your dream lawn. The next day, you see some marks on your turf – ruts, or tire tracks from being driven on. Freaking out won’t help, … Continue reading “How to Fix Ruts in a Yard”
St. Augustine vs Centipede grass
By Janine Soriano, Master of Science in Forestry, government environment researcher It is said that the most planted crop in the US is grass. Not surprising when, apart from homes, they fill vast recreational facilities like golf courses and stadiums. Did you know that it took hundreds of years of trial-and-error and research to identify … Continue reading “St. Augustine vs Centipede grass”
How to Lift a Riding Mower to Change Blades
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 Like other cutting tools, the blades in riding mowers can lose sharpness due to friction and rust. Dull mowing blades do more harm to the lawn than good – the resulting ragged edges of the grass can brown. Replacement also brings other benefits: Avoiding overaccumulation … Continue reading “How to Lift a Riding Mower to Change Blades”
Should I Cut Weeds Before Spraying?
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 Note: Check out currently recommended weed killers at Amazon.com. (affiliate link) You are looking at your lawn and want to see lush turf, but what you do see is a crop of weeds. You have decided to spray a chemical weed killer (like 2,4D). Now … Continue reading “Should I Cut Weeds Before Spraying?”
What Motor Oil to Use in My Lawn Mower?
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 You are getting ready to run the lawn mower and your check the oil level. If it is low, you need to add some. The question is what kind of oil should you add: standard motor oil like you use in your car or an … Continue reading “What Motor Oil to Use in My Lawn Mower?”
How Early Can I Mow My Lawn?
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 People often wonder how early can you mow the lawn and if it is different on weekends rather than weekdays. Dangerous When Wet First, it is best to wait until there is no dew left on the grass before you begin to mow. The same … Continue reading “How Early Can I Mow My Lawn?”
How to build a leveling drag
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 A leveling drag is a tool to even out a surface like a driveway, parking area, or lawn. Before we begin, realize that a lawn should not be perfectly flat. There are two important times to have high or low areas in your landscape. Swale … Continue reading “How to build a leveling drag”
Best way to cut sod
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 Many people opt for sod for their landscape versus seeding. It depends on your starting point. If you only have a few bare patches, that is quite different from an entire yard of dirt. There are a number of advantages to using sod. Instant gratification … Continue reading “Best way to cut sod”
Best Grass Seed for Virginia
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 When you speak with professionals about turf in Virginia, you will usually hear the term transition zone. That means a combination of hot and often dry summers coupled with cold and sometimes wet winters makes it a difficult choice. In general grasses are classified as … Continue reading “Best Grass Seed for Virginia”
How to Overseed Lawn Without Aerating
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 If your otherwise lovely lawn is marred by patches of thin or bare spots, it would seem you are due for some overseeding. Overseeding is when you plant grass seed in an already established lawn. Don’t just throw some seed in the area, walk away … Continue reading “How to Overseed Lawn Without Aerating”
How to Put a Ball Hitch on a Lawn Mower
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 It is always nice to work smarter, not harder. It is also nice to get full value out of your investments. This includes putting your riding mower to do more than just cut the grass. With a hitch on your lawn tractor, you can attach … Continue reading “How to Put a Ball Hitch on a Lawn Mower”
What Are the Dirt Mounds in My Yard?
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 It may seem like piles of dirt have appeared in your lawn overnight. They are a mystery and frustrating. In order to rid yourself of the pest, you need to determine which animal is the culprit. Let’s start with basics: If there is a visible … Continue reading “What Are the Dirt Mounds in My Yard?”
When to Dethatch and Aerate Your Lawn
By Donna Dolinar, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardener since 2006 Homeowners are often confused about landscaping maintenance. Many of the terms and procedures seem the same or similar and it can be bewildering. Here are a couple of items that you should understand: dethatching and aerating. Thatch First, you need to know what thatch is. … Continue reading “When to Dethatch and Aerate Your Lawn”
Home Canning Q&A
This article was reviewed by the following canning experts gratis:– Tracy Falbe, author of Home Canning Guide for Everyone Who Eats– Jennifer Gomes, author of Steam Canning for Beginners: Get Started Using the Best, FASTEST Way to Can! Contents How to know if canning jars are sealed Should all jars pop when opened? How to … Continue reading “Home Canning Q&A”
All You Ever Wanted To Know About Bathroom Scales
By the NFReads.com editorial team Note: Check out currently recommended bathroom scales at Amazon.com. (affiliate link) Can digital bathroom scales be stored vertically? It seems like you are trying to save space. Generally it depends – its internals are quite resilient, though there are a few other things to consider. Obviously if the instructions tell … Continue reading “All You Ever Wanted To Know About Bathroom Scales”
30 Tips For Better Bonsai
This article was reviewed by the following bonsai experts gratis:– Jerome and Mari Kellerhals from The Bonsai Supply in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Don’t over-water your tree if the soil still has moisture at the top half inch or so – too wet can be even worse than too dry (not only can it drown the … Continue reading “30 Tips For Better Bonsai”
23 Things You Wanted To Know About Yoga Mats
By the NFReads.com editorial team Yoga mats and pilates mats are not the same, the main difference being that yoga mats are thinner (by about a half) and stickier/grippier than pilates mats. While pilates mats can be used for yoga, the reverse is not necessarily true. Exercise mats that you see in the gym and … Continue reading “23 Things You Wanted To Know About Yoga Mats”
42 Scuba Pet Peeves (With Tips/Trivia To Offset The Negativity)
By the NFReads.com editorial team 1. Stuck up divers with big egos who think they know everything. Divers like this tend to be less experienced. More experienced divers know that you never stop learning. 2. When someone puts the cap back on an empty tank and you accidentally gear up with it. It’s not good … Continue reading “42 Scuba Pet Peeves (With Tips/Trivia To Offset The Negativity)”