When was the last time you scrubbed your toilet and bathtub? Were you able to get them clean, or were you left frustrated with difficult bathroom stains?

These are likely calcium stains, which form in areas with hard water and mineral deposits. They’re tough to remove and can be quite the eyesore in your bathroom.

Fortunately, we’ve created a guide on how to remove calcium stains and get your bathroom looking immaculate. 

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar work great as household cleaners, and when combined they can clean just about anything. They’re also safe products that won’t leave you inhaling harmful fumes while you clean. 

To use baking soda and vinegar, you’ll first want to get a spray bottle and fill it with equal amounts of water and white vinegar. Spray your calcium stains with your solution and then pour baking soda over them.

Spray a little more of your vinegar onto the baking soda and the combination should start to foam. Leave the solution for about 15 to 30 minutes, and then scrub it with a cleaning brush and rinse it off. 

Borax and Vinegar

Borax is a miracle cleaning product that is safe to use and works well with vinegar to clean calcium or hard water stains. While there are different ways to mix them, the most efficient method for cleaning your bathroom is by making a paste. 

Wherever your stain is, you’ll want to make sure that it’s exposed to air and completely dry. If you’re using this method in your toilet, you’ll need to shut your water off and drain the bowl first.

Next, you should start with ½ cup of borax and add just enough white vinegar to mix it into a paste consistency. Cover your stain with your paste, and let it harden, and stay on there for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, scrub your paste off with a stiff brush. 

Calcium Lime Rust Cleaner

Calcium lime and rust cleaner, known as CLR cleaner, is a cleaning solution designed to get rid of all of those seemingly impossible stains in your bathroom. CLR cleaner is a safe product for both humans and the environment, but it should still be used in well-ventilated areas.

When you’re using CLR, make sure to dilute it and apply it to the stains using a sponge or brush. Using spray bottles can make a mist that isn’t safe to breathe in. Because CLR is so acidic, you’ll want to spot-test it first and limit the amount of time you leave it on your surfaces. 

Never mix CLR cleaner with other household cleaners! Mixing bleach and acid can make chlorine gas, and mixing other cleaners can produce various toxic gases.

Scrub Brush or Sandpaper 

If you’re struggling to get calcium stains out of your bathroom, you might need something to scrub it more efficiently as well as some extra elbow grease.

A bristled scrub brush or sandpaper are both tough enough to scrub away calcium stains, especially when they’re combined with any of the methods above. 

Say Goodbye to Calcium Stains!

Now that you know how to clean a bathroom and remove calcium stains, you can get it sparkling clean. It’s best to clean bathroom stains as soon as possible because the longer they sit, the harder they’ll be to scrub away. 

If you found this article helpful, follow us on Facebook for more great tips for thrifty living! If you used these methods to clean your bathroom, let us know how it went in the comments below. 

When you hear the word thrift store, do you picture spending countless hours wandering endless aisles of random junk and the funky smell of hundreds of people’s unwashed shoes? 

Saving money doesn’t have to be a drag. Once you know how to thrift, you can snag the best deals without sacrificing your time or sanity. These thrifting tricks will help you dress yourself and your home like royalty–without breaking the bank.

How to Thrift for Clothes

Shopping for clothes at a thrift store is one of the easiest ways to save money. Most major cities have at least a few second-hand clothing shops. 

While you want to keep an open mind, one of the best ways to find great deals is to go into the store with an idea of what you’re looking for. That will keep you from filling your bags with impulse buys.

If you know what you want ahead of time, you can also plan more strategically. For example, if you want to score vintage sweaters for a song, then shopping at the beginning of summer is your best chance for sales on winterwear. 

Remember to check the garments for damage or signs of wear before you purchase them. If it’s a high-quality fabric that will last a long time, it may be worth investing time or money in repairs or alterations. However, if it’s falling apart, it isn’t worth trying to resurrect it. 

How to Thrift for Home Goods

Finding budget home decor is almost as easy as finding high-quality thrifted clothes. Try shopping at thrift stores or antique shops in neighborhoods with a style that you admire. 

Most second-hand stores source their inventory from nearby to cut down on costs. Stores near fashionable neighborhoods are more likely to have a variety of more valuable pieces in good condition for a great price.

Don’t be put off by items that are a little dirty or out of style, either. If you can clean it up or upcycle it, you could have a trendy piece of furniture or decor for a fraction of what you’d pay for a similar new item. 

How to Thrift for Large Items

Budget shopping for larger items, like home appliances or home gym equipment, might seem impossible. However, you can find great deals on these items with just a little bit of planning.

When you can’t find them at a second-hand store, check local swap meets or online groups. If someone you know is replacing an appliance, ask if you can take the old one off their hands.

Your local appliance repair shop is likely to have the parts and expertise to get the appliance into working order. The cost of repairs will be significantly less than purchasing a brand new appliance. 

Get Out There and Save

The cardinal rule of how to thrift is to put in a little work. With some creativity and planning, you can curate the wardrobe and home decor of your dreams even if you don’t have the salary of your dreams. 

For more advice on how to save money without sacrificing style, check out the rest of our budget-friendly blog posts!

Early detection of cancer is crucial. Cancer is life-changing, but catching it ahead of time (either before you have it or in its early stages) will make a big difference when it comes to getting treatment. This is a life or death situation. 

Doctors know how to detect cancer early, but you have to go to your regular appointments so they can help you. If you know that you have a family history of cancer, it’s even more important that you seek out early detection.

Keep reading to learn all about the basics of detecting cancer early.

Can Early Detection of Cancer Help?

Cancer is a debilitating and sometimes fatal condition. When caught early, though, the prognosis is much better.

Cancer is measured in stages. Stage 4 cancer is considered by doctors to be an “end-stage” cancer, meaning that there’s no longer anything that they can do to fix it. 

If you catch cancer early, though, you can take preventative measures to manage it or get rid of it entirely (depending on the situation). Some cancers can be removed with surgery before they cause more damage.

Too many people don’t know that they have cancer until it’s too late. Many warning signs of cancer are easy to overlook, or they seem like symptoms of something else entirely. 

What Kind of Cancers Can You Detect Early?

Some cancers are more easily detectable than others. Breast cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, and colon cancer all have signs that can pop up with regular testing. If a doctor suspects that cancer is present, they can ask for follow-up tests.

You should do some of your own work when it comes to early cancer detection. While you don’t have the technology to do everything on your own, you can do things like feeling your breast tissue for lumps, looking at suspicious moles, and noticing differences in how your wounds heal. 

If you notice that something is wrong, don’t jump to conclusions. Talk to a doctor about cancer screening.

How do Doctors Detect Signs of Cancer?

Often, doctors can spot signs of cancer while they’re still in a pre-cancerous stage. This means that there’s no cancer yet, but it’s likely that there will be soon. 

After a certain age, most doctors will suggest that their patients do some type of cancer screening. People with breasts get mammograms for early detection of breast cancer, people with prostates get prostate exams for early detection of prostate cancer, and so on. 

If you’re someone with a vagina, your doctor will do a pap smear every few years. These start early. Read more now if you’ve never gotten one in the past.

Sometimes signs of cancer can appear during routine checkups or blood draws. This is one of the reasons that it’s so important for you to go to a yearly doctor’s appointment if you have the ability to do so. 

See Your Doctor for Cancer Detection Today

Even if you feel as though you’re in good health, there could be cancer lurking somewhere in your body. Make sure that you visit a doctor soon if you haven’t seen one in a while. Ask about early detection of cancer so they can screen you and make sure that you’re safe.

For more helpful posts all about health and more, visit the rest of our site.

As your child develops, you’ll have followed development milestones with interest. You’ve watched their first steps, seen them hit their reading milestones, and seen baby teeth come and go.

But parents are often left wonder what to do if their child needs braces. What is the best age to get braces? What are the signs you need braces?

Read on for our guide to the best age to get braces.

When to Get Braces

There are many significant benefits of braces. The most obvious is the aesthetic. All of us want perfect, glowing smiles. None of us want our child to be embarrassed by crooked teeth and shy away from beaming.

This concern aside, braces are also important if your child has any of the following issues:

• overbite
• underbite
• overcrowding
• uneven bite

Issues to do with bite are known as malocclusion. They need treatment from a specialist orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of jaw and teeth alignment issues.

Age to First Visit Orthodontist

It’s usually best to first visit an orthodontist when your child’s adult teeth come through. This usually happens at around the age of 7.

This doesn’t mean that this is necessarily the best age to get braces. In fact, most children will not need to have braces until they are in their teens. The reason to take your child early is for the orthodontist to spot problems early. With regular monitoring and early treatment, outcomes will be more successful for your child. 

Signs You Need Braces

We often focus on braces as a means of correcting crooked teeth. Crooked, twisted, or otherwise misaligned teeth are certainly a sign that your child may need braces.

Signs of malocclusion – jaw alignment issues – can be harder to spot. They include chewing difficulties, grinding teeth, noticeable overbite or underbite, and mouth breathing.

Raise these concerns at your regular visits to the family dentist. They will be able to advise you if you need a referral to an orthodontist.

How Much Do Braces Cost?

There are now many options on the market, from traditional metal braces to clear, plastic braces.

There is no standard price, as the amount of time the child needs to wear them, conditions they are treating, and other factors will all play a part. However, research suggests that the average cost for metal braces is between $3000-$7000.

Saving on braces is not easy, but can be done. Some options include shopping around for a cheaper deal, buying dental insurance, and exploring no or low-interest financing options. You may be able to apply for financial assistance in certain cases.

Right on Time – The Best Age to Get Braces

There isn’t one answer to the best age to get braces -that will depend on your child and their needs. But getting to an orthodontist early is key. That will set your child on the road to good oral health for the rest of their life.

Enjoyed this article? Please share it with other concerned parents to help them get the right treatment for their children. For more helpful information on everything from saving money to family life, check out the rest of our blog!

As we get older, it can become difficult to take care of ourselves, our homes, and all of the other obligations that come with being an adult. Naturally, many seniors decide to move into retirement communities to lighten the burdens of everyday life. 

However, that doesn’t mean seniors need to accept a lower quality of living. Nor do they need to compromise on their activities or their social life. 

The key is learning how to choose retirement homes that suit your lifestyle, your budget, and all of your other preferences. We’re here to help. Keep reading for five factors to consider when searching for homes for seniors. 

1. Location

Choosing retirement homes in the right location is paramount to your happiness. A retirement home located near family, for example, will help seniors keep in touch with their loved ones. 

Alternatively, you may prefer to relocate to another state to enjoy better weather. For example, many seniors travel down south to explore retirement home options in warmer climates. 

2. Level of Care Provided

Next, you need to consider the level of care you need to maximize your happiness and comfort. There are countless retirement home options with varying levels of staff support. 

Some retirement communities are primarily independent, while others have on-staff nurses and other medical professionals. Decide how much care you or your older relative needs to find the right facility. 

3. Retirement Home Amenities

Next, let’s talk about staying active and content through a retirement community that offers plenty of amenities. This includes productivity options, as well as activities and social events. 

For example, many seniors prefer to remain as independent as possible. Therefore, choosing retirement homes that allow them to do their own laundry, cook, and take care of their physical health is important. 

In terms of entertainment and socializing, retirement home options that have swimming pools, game rooms, theatres, and holiday get-togethers are ideal.

4. Quality of Staff

The quality of the retirement home staff cannot be overlooked when choosing retirement homes. This is especially important if you or your elderly relative has a lot of physical or medical needs. 

Find a retirement community that takes time to hire the most qualified staff. The quality of care you or your elderly relative receives will play a vital role in their experience in the community. 

You’re looking for staff members who are adequately screened and trained during the hiring process. They should be friendly, patient, compassionate, and attentive. 

5. Costs

Finally, let’s go over comparing home costs. You must always assess your budget before choosing retirement homes. Some are far more expensive than others. However, more costly retirement homes probably have better amenities, better facilities, and higher quality staff. 

There are a number of ways to pay for retirement homes, including:

• Veteran’s benefits
• Long-term health insurance
• Family resources
• Personal savings
• And more

Do some research to find out how to pay for a retirement community for you or your elderly relative. It may take a collaborative effort from the whole family. 

Are You in the Process of Choosing Retirement Homes?

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing retirement homes. Whether you’re looking for yourself or someone you love, heed the advice above to make an informed decision. And remember, it’s okay to take your time to find the best community. 

For more personal insight, retirement tips, or consumer advice, stick around. Read through some of our other articles to find more helpful information.