If you have hard water and wish to treat it, start with a water softening shower head before thinking about installing a larger system. These shower heads use replaceable filters to purify water and are available online or in hardware stores. Installation is as simple as replacing your old shower head, and the filtration works immediately to provide soft water in your shower. If you wish to soften the water throughout your home, buy a whole-house system. Ask neighbors or colleagues for recommendations, and read reviews of local companies providing this service. Note that professional installation of such a system is required to keep warranties, and systems cost a minimum of $1,000 before additional costs. Get quotes from different companies and compare prices before making a purchase. Some municipalities do not allow these systems because of their use of salts and resins to remove contaminants. Call your local municipal office to find out what regulations are in effect in your area. Contact local companies to inquire about the possibility of renting water softening systems. This may be a more cost-effective choice for smaller homes, apartments, or vacation homes. Renting a system may also be a good way to see if buying a whole-house system is a worthwhile investment for your home.
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One-sentence summary -- Buy a water softening shower head. Install a household system. Rent a water softening system.

To crochet you simply need a crochet hook and yarn. You can find both of these items at your local craft store or online. The best type of yarn to use when you are first starting out is 100 percent acrylic yarn in worsted weight. The best hook to use when you are first starting out is an aluminum crochet hook in size H (five millimeters). If you are an expert at crocheting, then use the supplies you already own. Insert the hook through the loop, and then take the loose end of your yarn and pull on it, until the loop is pulled tightly around the crochet hook. You will do 20 single crochets for each row and then 20 rows. Repeat these steps -- placing the hook through your chain, pulling the yarn through the two loops, continuing down the chain, turning your work and starting again on the next set of chains -- until you have completed 20 rows. If you mess up, that's okay! Simply, take your hook out of your yarn and begin to pull your yarn to unravel it, until you've reached your mistake. Then, stick your hook back through your yarn and continue to crochet. If this is your first time crocheting and your work looks like a mess, don't stress. Crocheting is an art that takes practice, so continue to practice until you get the hang of it.
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One-sentence summary -- Purchase your supplies. Insert the crochet hook into the loop. Repeat these steps until you have finished.

Lightly coat a 2-quart (1.89 liters) casserole dish with some butter. Set the dish aside. Fill a large pot with 4 quarts (3.79 liters) of water and bring it to a boil. Add some salt and macaroni, and cook it for about 5 to 7 minutes. The macaroni will continue cooking in the oven. Place a large strainer or colander in the sink and pour the macaroni into it. Shake the strainer a little to get rid of any excess water. Melt the butter in the saucepan and stir in the flour, salt, and pepper using a whisk. Cook the roux over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the flour turns a light brown and bubbles start to form. The saucepan has to be large enough to hold the milk, cheese, and macaroni. You will be mixing everything in this. Pour in 1 cup (240 milliliters) of milk and stir it with a whisk to combine. Pour in the remaining milk and continue stirring. Be sure to break up any lumps or clumps of flour. You are ready for the next step when the milk mixture starts to bubble and thicken. The most popular cheese to use is cheddar, but you can also try other types of cheese as well, including sharp cheddar, fontina, gruyere, cheddar, and parmesan. You can even use a combination of different cheeses. Switch the whisk out for a wooden spoon for this so that the macaroni doesn't get caught in it. Tilt the saucepan over the casserole dish, and use your wooden spoon to help spread it in an even layer across the bottom. of the dish. If you'd like, you can sprinkle some extra cheese on top for that extra-crispy layer. The top will turn bubbly, crispy, and golden. If you do not want the top to be crispy, cover the dish with a sheet of tin foil for the first 30 minutes of baking. Once the casserole is baked, put it out of the oven using oven mitts. Cover and store any leftovers in the fridge, and reheat them the next day in the microwave.
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One-sentence summary -- Preheat the oven to 350F (176C) and prepare your baking dish. Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the package until it is just cooked. Drain the macaroni and set it aside. Prepare the roux in a large saucepan. Whisk in the milk a little bit at a time. Cook the milk mixture, covered, for about 6 minutes. Stir in the shredded cheese, and cook until it is melted and smooth. Add the macaroni and stir it again until the cheese sauce coats it evenly. Transfer the macaroni into the casserole dish. Bake for it for 40 to 45 minutes. Let the macaroni and cheese cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

If the sleeping bag gets dirty, wash it in a front-loaded washing machine. Run it through the dryer until completely dry. If you have a synthetic sleeping bag, check the tag for special instructions before you do this. Down sleeping bags get clumpy in the wash. To make them even and fluffy again, add a tennis ball to the dryer near the end of the cycle. Never wash a sleeping bag in a top-loaded machine. The agitator may tear the fabric. Never store a sleeping bag while it is wet or even a little damp. If the sleeping bag doesn't need a visit to the laundromat, just spread it out to dry instead. Some people turn the bag inside-out and hang it so that the inside airs out (that's often what gets smelly over time). Storing a sleeping bag in a stuff sack may compress the material permanently (he stuffing inside can separate along where it's folded and this makes it colder and less warm to sleep in). Let it expand between trips with one of the following storage methods: Place it in an oversize, breathable storage bag made from cotton or nylon. Spread it out under the bed. Hang synthetic (but not down) sleeping bags on a large clothes hanger. If you're storing your sleeping bag in a damp room, place it in a bone-dry, airtight tub. Keep it away from areas with a known insect problem.
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One-sentence summary --
Wash the bag if necessary. Air out the sleeping bag after each trip. Leave it uncompressed during storage. Protect it from insects and water.