New Ways to Save Water

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

When it comes to saving water around the home, most of us are familiar with the usual advice – choose showers rather than baths, don’t leave taps running and fix any drips. And whilst it’s true that these simple steps can make a big difference; modern technology and clever gadgets now offer a whole host of new ways to save even more water.

 

In the bathroom

Try eco-shower heads to reduce the amount of water used when you take a shower. These devices cause water droplets to be filled with air – giving you a refreshing shower but using less water.

 

In the loo

It’s estimated that 30% of household water usage comes from flushing the loo. Invest in a water-saving device for your cistern and you could save over a litre of water every time you flush.

 

In the garden

Swap your traditional hosepipe for a spray gun. Because the spray gun is operated with a trigger, you only direct the water exactly where you need it, meaning you use less.

 

In the kitchen

If you find you regularly boil more water than you need, you may want to invest in an eco-kettle. These let you fill the kettle but then you dictate how much you want to boil and use at a time. The rest of the water then remains un-boiled in the kettle for use later. This not only saves water as you’re not throwing away the extra water you’ve boiled but also saves energy as you’re only heating the water you need.

 

For more ways to save water around the home, visit: www.futurefriendly.co.uk

Categories: catton, jenny, kettle, nbsp, save, save water, shower, spray gun, Water, water nbsp, written

Sex Questions: We Ask the Experts So You Don’t Have To!

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Categories: blood flow, grenrock woods, nbsp, night stand, one night stand, questions, sexual, sexual health, shower, shower sex, Women

How to Have Fantastic, Steamy Sex in the Shower

Shower sex is one of the ultimate sexual experiences. When you do it right, it can be brilliant for your sexual wellness and wellbeing. When you do it wrong, it can be a bit of a damp squib (pardon the pun!) Read on to discover some brilliant moves to make your shower experience the dirtiest cleansing session you’ve ever had.

 

First of all, start slow. You both know where this is heading so there’s no need to rush into the action. Find a shower gel that you both like the aroma of, and take turns lathering each other up and sponging each other off again. Start with a loofah or a sponge as this helps to increase the anticipation, meaning that when you finally get that skin to skin contact you are more than ready.

 

Don’t rule out taking a sex toy into the shower, either. Many sex toys are waterproof. When your partner is occupied washing his hair, give him a surprise by starting to use it on yourself. When he’s rinsed off, have him help out with the grand finale.

 

As far as positions go, doggie style is a great one to try when you’re in the shower. The walls of the shower give you plenty of leverage and your partner will love the view that he gets when behind you. Do bear in mind, however, that condoms are more prone to failure when you use them in the water, so make sure you use some other form of birth control, and only try this with a partner who has been tested for STIs.

 

The shower is not the only watery environment to get frisky in, either. You can have a very sexy session when in the bath tub. Fill it up with bubbles first, as the excitement of not being able to see what’s going on below the surface can help you to lose your inhibitions.

Categories: nbsp, partner, Sex, sexual, shower, skin, Water

Are You Making This Serious Post-Workout Mistake?

If you are like most of the women in the world, you probably have a super-comfortable pair of workout trousers. You put them on every time you are doing any form of fitness, and no matter how much weight you lose, you still cling to the old, comfortable favourites. These trousers are so very snuggly and comfortable that you wish you could wear them all the time – to business meetings or on a night out. Since that is not really considered socially acceptable, for now you have to settle for wearing them to the gym. After your workout, you will be extremely tempted to keep them on for hours afterwards, to stay cosy and comfortable.

 

If you want to protect your wellness and wellbeing, however, then you should take off your workout clothes and shower as soon as you can. Keeping your workout clothes on when you have finished exercising is really bad for your health, as it can cause yeast infections (in much the same way that keeping a wet bathing suit on for too long can). This is the case no matter where you exercise, whether that’s in a warm and comfortable gym or outside in the cold – both of these are bad for you, as it’s the general dampness of any workout (and the sweaty undergarments) which cause infections.

 

The best advice we can give is to take a shower as soon as you finish working out. This is even more important if you have been working out in the open air and have any allergies, such as hay, grass or pollen, as these stick to your hair and clothes when you are out and about.

 

If you know for sure that you haven’t got time to have a shower afterwards (if you have to do errands or something) then at least make sure that the clothes you work out in are made from synthetic materials that are designed to keep the sweat away from your body.

Categories: Clothes, comfortable, mistake, nbsp, post, shower, Workout, workout clothes

How to Prevent Dry Skin This Winter & All Through Year

Dry skin is, ironically, a real dampener on your wellbeing. When your skin is flaky and itchy, all you can think about is getting fast and effective relief, and never having to go through that irritation again. This means you might find yourself reaching for a moisturiser with a hefty price tag, but enhancing your skin wellness isn’t just about slapping on a cream and being done with it; it depends on all kinds of factors, such as how you clean your skin, the air around you, and even your clothes. Try our top tips for soothing your dry skin:

 

1. Don’t get overheated: According to dermatologist Andrea Lynn Cambio, MD, even though that steamy shower feels good, the hot water is actually drying out your skin. If your shower or bath is hot, rather than warm, it strips your body of its natural oil barrier that otherwise works to trap moisture and keep your skin smooth and hydrated. As well as turning down the temperature, you should also dial it back on how long you spend in the tub. Skincare experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than five to 10 minutes, and you should gently pat dry and moisturise your body afterwards.

 

2. Cleanse gently: When you’re in the shower, make sure you use a gentle soap that doesn’t contain any fragrances, deodorants or antibacterial additives, as these can be harsh on your skin. Dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD, notes that cleansers that contain ceramides help your skin to hold in moisture, as these fatty molecules make up the outer barrier of your skin. However, you lose ceramides as you age, making products containing the molecules essential to your anti ageing wellness. You should avoid any toner, peel or other astringent that has been made with alcohol, as this dries your skin, and Jacob warns that exfoliating too much or too hard can irritate and thicken your skin, so be gentle.

 

3. Shave smartly: When you shave unwanted hair away, you also scrape off natural oils, which is why shaving can irritate dry skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends shaving after a shower, as it is during this time that hairs are softer and more pliable. Make sure your razor is sharp and you clean reusable blades with rubbing alcohol between uses. Never neglect to use a shaving cream or gel, and make sure you shave in the direction the hair is growing.

 

4. Shun the sun: Dry skin, wrinkles and roughness are all caused, to a large extent, by sun damage, and so wearing an SPF 30 sun cream every day can help to reduce the sun’s impact on your skin. Dressing correctly can also help you lessen sun damage, and Cambio points out that during cool weather you should ‘dress in layers to prevent overheating and perspiring excessively; both can irritate the skin.’ In winter, you can also prevent dry lips by using a lip balm with SPF 15 sun cream. When summer rolls around, light, loose, long-sleeved shirts and a wide hat can help to shade your skin.

 

5. Get the right moisturiser: Dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, advises, ‘Petroleum jelly makes a great moisturiser.’ However, you can also use mineral oil or your favourite cream or lotion – just find one that works for you. Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at the University of Miami, recommends rich moisturisers containing shea butter, ceramides, stearic acid, or, her personal favourite, glycerin, as she says, ‘All are rich moisturisers that will help you replenish your skin barrier.’

Categories: Cleanser, cream, Dry Skin, Hot Water, nbsp, prevent dry, rich moisturisers, shower, skin, skin nbsp, Sun Cream

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices That Benefit the Planet

We all know that we should be doing more to help the planet, but it isn’t always easy knowing where to begin. There aren’t many of us who can afford to replace our washing machine or dryer to more energy-efficient models. However, it’s not all bad news – even small changes can mount up and make a big difference. If everyone on the planet made these small changes, we could make an enormous impact on global warming. For example, take shorter showers by installing a waterproof timer in your shower. Set it to five minutes, or better yet replace your shower-head with a low-flow or water-saving model.  It’s better for the planet, as switching the shower-head could help you save almost 15000 gallons of water per year. It’s almost better for you, as hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils – you may notice that your skin is better hydrated after you’ve been going with this routine for a while.  You can also  clean clothes at home instead of buying clothes which are dry clean only. This is because cleaners use hazardous chemicals to clean garments – these eventually break down into other chemicals which damage the ozone layer. You may be able to hand wash many dry clean items in cold water, too. This works out better for you too, as these chemicals have been linked to dizziness, nausea, skin irritation and headaches.

 

Air fresheners may make your home smell more pleasant, but they could be causing damage to your health and your surroundings. Indoor air may be up to three times more polluted than outdoor air, so open the windows and let fresh air circulate rather than relying on air fresheners. If you’d rather add a scent to your home, place orange peel and sage leaves in little bowls around the home for a nice smell to each room. Air fresheners contain chemicals which have been linked to birth defects, reproductive problems and hormone abnormalities. Even those which are labelled as unscented or natural aren’t chemical free. They also contain allergens and cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde. Organic coffee is better for the environment as it uses no pesticides or chemicals which would ordinarily filter into the soil and damage water supplies. They also contain fewer synthetic agents which means that they’re healthier beans for you too. When it comes to your morning shower, skip the liquid soap and opt for the bar form instead. Although they may be more convenient, liquid forms contain triclosan which is toxic to wildlife. It’s also easy to overdo it with liquid varieties, which means your skin can be dried out more easily.

Technology is an easy way to overdo it and waste energy. For example, try switching your computer to sleep instead of leaving it active for ages – you can adjust it to switch itself off to sleep mode after five minutes of inactivity. Animated screen savers use energy and are unnecessary, which means that they’re bad for the planet. Even such a small gesture to environmental wellness can make a difference. Other ways you can improve your carbon footprint is to switch off lights when you’re not in the room, turn off electrical items such as TVs when you’re not using them, and by switching to energy efficient light bulbs and products where you can. While you may think it won’t make a difference, small gestures all add up to make a positive impact on both the planet and on your health too.

Categories: air fresheners, Carbon Footprint, chemicals, energy, energy efficient, Environmental Wellness, Home, planet, shower, shower head, Water

Is Having Sex in the Shower as Hot as it Looks?

Having sex in the shower is often touted as an amazing sexual experience – but is it really? Trying new things is undoubtedly good for your wellness and wellbeing, and movies such as Blue Valentine and Skyfall build up sex in the shower to be some kind of sexual highlight. It seems very daring and romantic, and – best of all – can be done in the comfort and safety of your own home (unlike joining the mile high club!)

 

So what is the truth about sex in the shower – is it really as sexy as it seems? In truth – the answer is no. Whilst steamy, in a literal sense, and providing a bit of a thrill as you try something new, having sex in the shower is cramped, dangerous and overall rather anticlimactic. It’s one to avoid, unfortunately.

 

Shower sex comes with a big risk of slipping and falling. When you are wet (and possibly soapy) and attempting to do acrobatics under a stream of water, the risk of losing your footing is fairly high. Think about it – do you want to be naked and covered in soap when the paramedics arrive to deal with your broken leg?

 

In addition to this, water actually dries out the vagina and therefore you have to use a silicone-based lubricant in order to make things comfortable. Whipping out a lubricant halfway through a steamy shower session is hardly part of the romantic picture that you conjure up for yourself when you imagine shower sex. Having sex in the shower also makes using a condom far more difficult, due to the water, the positioning and the acrobatics involved with attempting to put one on under a stream of water and in a small room filled with steam. It also rather interrupts the ‘flow’ (if you will) of the traditional romp in the shower scenario.

Categories: high, nbsp, risk, Sex, shower, shower sex, truth, Water

Killing Your Swimmers:How to Protect Your Sperm from Toxins

They say it’s a man’s world, but, unfortunately, it’s filled with sperm killers. Nasty toxins threaten male wellness every time you take a shower, go shopping or drive your car, causing low sperm counts, sperm mobility problems, and DNA sperm data mix ups. You might already know that a narrow bike seat can affect your wellbeing with erectile disfunction (ED) or that antidepressants may cause damage to your sperm DNA, but some of your seemingly normal everyday habits are silently killing off your best swimmers – so how do you sidestep this sneak-attack?

 

1. Till receipts: How many times in a day do you end up with a receipt in your hand? You have one from your morning coffee, your fill-up at the petrol station, that trip to the supermarket, picking up the bill at dinner and going to see that movie. We live in an increasingly consumeristic world made up of seemingly endless transactions and the problem is about 40% of receipts today are coated with the hormone-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). Previously, BPA has been linked to fertility problems and heart disease, but a new study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, has just found out that higher levels of BPA in your urine lowers your sperm count and sperm quality. Until electronic receipts become the norm, turn down the receipt when you’re at the till or store it in an envelope or folder, rather than a pocket or in the wallet you’re constantly breaking open. As BPA can contaminate water and recycled-paper products, it’s better to keep them out of the recycling bin and in with the regular waste.

 

2. Canned food: It’s not just your receipt you have to worry about when you reach the till; it’s the tins in your shopping bag too. Food packing is believed to be the biggest source of BPA contamination, as almost all metal cans are coated with a BPA resin. This toxin leaches into your food, especially when it comes to acidic canned products, such as tomato paste or sauces. Protect yourself from tinned toxins by opting for fresh or frozen food wherever possible. You can also buy foods like pasta sauce sold in glass jars rather than cans.

 

3. Sex toys: I’m not going to be a massive kill-joy and order to you to send your entire stash of adult toys to the dump, but you do need to watch out for vinyl sex toys. Whether your pleasure is dildos, vibrators or male pleasure devices, you can protect yourself and your partner by avoiding these products if they contain vinyl. This type of plastic unleashes phthalates, which are plastic-softening chemicals that have been linked to cancer, allergies, birth defects, and infertility. You can still spice up your sex life by using green foreplay products made of high-quality medical silicone, or, for non-plastic pleasure, try a glass dildo.

 

4. The shower: Phthalates are everywhere in your shower, from scented soaps, shampoos, and cleaners to your vinyl shower curtains. Not only are you surrounded by the chemicals, but the heat from your shower makes it easier for the phthalates to be released. Make sure the products you use are simple, plant-based, unscented and free of harmful phthalate-containing products. Moreover, you should avoid buying vinyl shower curtains every month or two and instead invest in a long-lasting hemp shower curtain.

 

5. Heated car seats: Nothing beats a heated car seat during winter, but that luxury toastiness may come at a price: damaged sperm quality. As well as heated car seats, heating pads and prolonged time in the tub heats your testicles to the point where they produce fewer sperm. Therefore, if you’re cold in the car, ditch the direct heat and just boost the heater and let the air circulate around the vehicle.

Categories: car seats, heated car, heated car seats, products, Sex Toys, shower, shower curtains, sperm, sperm quality, till receipts, vinyl shower

Cleaning Tricks You Never Knew Existed Until Now!

Housework is a bore at the best of times, but when it comes to cleaning the trickier areas of the home, it can be daunting too. If you’re looking for some inexpensive ways to clean those stubborn parts of the home, from the showerhead and beyond, here are some tricks you’ll be eternally thankful for.

1 – Washing your fruit and veggies can be tiresome, especially if you buy in bulk. Put them in a clean sink topped up with water and a dash of white wine vinegar and let them soak for a minute or two to kill off the bacteria and leave your produce ready to eat in no time.

2 – You can magically remove floor cuffs easily with the use of WD-40 – this unknown household trick could save you plenty of time scrubbing the floors to no avail. Simply spray a little on the mark and scrub with a dry brush for a few minutes to lift the stain.

3 – For a clean shower head that’s free of limescale, mix 1/3 cup baking soda with a cup of white wine vinegar and put in a plastic storage bag. Place the bag carefully over the head of the shower and tie to the shower pipe, leaving for a couple of hours to let the solution break down the build-up. Be careful when putting the solution in the bag, as it’s a chemical reaction. Once it’s had time to sit, remove the bag and rinse the solution off the shower head.

4 – Got a spare sock and some white wine vinegar? If you have blinds which gather dust and can be tricky to clean properly, simply add a splash of vinegar to an old sock and place over your hand – you can now grip the bars of the blind carefully and slide the sock over the plastic to remove the grime and dust easily and effectively.

5 – If you’ve lost an earring behind the sofa or kitchen cupboard, don’t consider it lost forever. Simply tie the foot of a pair of tights over the end of your vacuum tube and switch it on – you’ll be able to suction it back up without losing it in the vacuum.

Categories: cleaning, Family, household, shower, shower head, simply, solution, Vinegar, White, white wine, wine vinegar