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What To Consider When Buying a Water Softener

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Do you desire cleaner water? Are you tired of finding sediment on your faucets? Are the hard water stains on your clothing driving you insane? If so, it may be time to consider investing in a water softener. The unit works to pull out water’s impurities, offering a supply that is easier on your pipes and your body. It’s an investment, but it’s one that could benefit you for the long haul. Here are three things to consider when interviewing companies.

Filling glass of water from stainless steel kitchen faucet

Warranty

Research before you buy. Go online and look up several water softener companies cincinnati. Read through the reviews, paying close attention to customer service and product value. Then, select three highly-rated businesses to meet with at your convenience. This should give you a good overview of price and item comparison. As this is a major home investment, spend a great deal of time asking questions about how the units work and what upkeep is needed. Don’t hesitate to ask what they’ll do for you. Do they deliver salt? How long is the warranty on the tanks? What is the response time for work calls? You want a business that cares about you and works to keep you happy.

Location

Hopefully whoever built your home had the contractor place a hook up for a water system. If so, your device already has a place to go. Simply locate the area. If this isn’t the case, you’ll need to discuss where installation should occur. Common areas are the garage or an external wall, usually near an outside spigot. Furthermore, since the unit flushes out water every so often, you’ll want to ask about drainage plans.

Capacity

Units hold different levels of water, and they cycle during different time frames. Base your choice on how many people are in your home and how much water you use. Smaller homes could have a unit cycle after seven or eight days. Larger families with the same system might see it cycle in four to five. Does this really matter? It’s personal choice. During the cycle, you may not have soft water. If you don’t mind, it’s not problematic. If you don’t want to shower with hard water, then consider investing in a larger tank. Adding a water softener could offer several benefits for you and your home. Your pipes and appliances may last longer because of the low mineral buildup and your stomach may appreciate less exposure to chemicals.

Tips for Remodeling Your Bathroom

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Your home’s bathroom needs to be efficient in the morning as you prepare to head to the city for the day and comfortable in the evening as you prepare for a reinvigorating sleep. When it comes to bathroom remodeling St Louis MO, look for experts who can give the room an upgrade quickly and at the right price, and keep these tips in mind.

Big Ticket Items Drive Every Project

Decisions about the shower or tub and the vanity will determine the overall direction of your project. Just about everything else is complementary.

The area around the sink is some of the most valuable real estate in the home. Whether on the countertop, in the medicine cabinet or on a shelf, products used every day need to be within reach. It all begins with the vanity, so you should be wrangling the most counter space you can around the sink and storage space beneath it or above it, or both.

With no children at home, empty nesters often take out the tub and make do with a shower. A shower-only option typically can be done in less space, but the potential leftover space might be inconsequential. However, you could also do an oversized shower that allows space for a bench to sit on while drying yourself off. From a cost perspective, the more important shower or tub choice is whether to reline it or to make the more expensive decision to replace it.

It’s a Fresh Start for Fixtures

Unless the sink and shower fixtures are one-of-a-kind pieces that you can’t bear to give up, remodeling is the time to scrap those items since new hardware is relatively inexpensive. The same is true for the lighting fixtures and towel racks. After you’ve settled on the look of the vanity and shower or tub is the time to upgrade to energy-efficient LED lights and updated hardware.

Piling on Tile Can Add to the Cost

Yanking out the floor is usually a given. Fancy tile can be costly, but the secret is to go easy on wall tile except where you need it for the tub and shower surround, and break out the paint brushes instead. Fresh coats every few years can give the look of the room a new life.

If you’re interested in updating your bathroom, having an overall concept in mind is key. The contractor can handle the nuts and bolts.

To Look For In a Contractor

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Whatever project you are wanting to accomplish around the house, finding the right contractor for the job is tricky. If you are having a hard time knowing where to start, keep reading. Here are a few tips to help you choose a professional that will be a great match.

Ask For Recommendations

Your home has a significant impact on your life and well being. So, you want to ensure you are getting your money’s worth out of your renovation cuisine Montreal. Asking for recommendations from close friends and family members is a fantastic way to hire a contractor you can trust. Choosing a renovating team based on a reliable source will also offer peace of mind in knowing you are deciding on a dependable company.

Choose Based On Style

Choosing a craftsman that can offer a renovation style that aligns with your mood board will help things go much more smoothly. The best way to be on the same page with your hired help is to be upfront with what designs you have in mind. Offering pictures or examples of previous work that you enjoy is a sound way to start. Your contractor will appreciate you respectfully laying out your expectations, and you will love the results.

Get Several Quotes

If you are planning to spend a large amount of money on your renovation, it is a good idea to get estimates from several reputable options in your area. This way, you can make sure you are not overspending or paying for shoddy workmanship. Most companies can work with you on your budget by finding less expensive ways to meet your needs. Yet another reason why consistent communication with the professional you choose is so important.

Don’t Rush the Process

Rehabilitation projects are time-consuming, and it is common for small bumps in the road to push back a timeline. You don’t want your contractor to feel rushed, which may lead to lower quality work, so try to be understanding of small changes in the finish date. You may also consider how the weather may affect your space being completed on time. With so many qualities to consider in hiring a contractor, it is easy to get overwhelmed. The list above can easily be customized to your situation and help make your decision much more manageable. As long as you remember to be honest and respectful towards your renovators, you will be well on your way to the home of your dreams.

Signs You Need Roof Repair

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Your home’s roof is one of the most expensive and important aspects of the structure. Unfortunately, there are many situations where the signs that roof repair is needed can go unnoticed. Every roof has a set life expectance. For example, asphalt shingle roofs can last for around 20 years.

It is up to you to know when it is time to call for roof repair to extend your roof’s lifespan. For example, you may need storm damage roof repair Denver CO. Keep reading to learn some other signs it is time to call for roof repair.

Damaged Shingles

One of the most obvious signs you need roof repair is if the shingles are damaged. This includes missing shingles, shingles that are curled at the edges, or cracked shingles. When asphalt shingles are damaged, they will also begin losing the granules, which look like black sand. You will probably find this in your gutters.

Clogged Gutters

If your gutters are clogged often, it may be because of serious shingle damage. Clogged gutters are a warning sign that you need roof repair. The next time your gutters clog, take time to figure out what is causing the issue. If there are pieces of shingles or granules in the gutters, it means your roof is deteriorating at a rapid pace. Adverse weather and heavy rain can increase the deterioration process.

Sagging

Watch for a roof deck that appears to dip or sag. This is an issue that can occur as time passes, so make sure to take time to inspect the roof regularly. Look at the roof’s natural lines – do they appear warped or sagging? Most roofs are angled; however, the actual deck needs to be a straight line. If the roof is sagging, it will likely have to be replaced.

Leaks or Moisture

If there is moisture in your home, it is time to call the professionals for help. Roof leaks may be much more serious than they seem and if you don’t take action, they can cause serious structural damage.

Do Not Wait to Call for Repairs

If you notice any roof damage, do not wait to call for service. As time passes, the issue is going to get worse and can lead to even more issues. Finding a quality roofer to help you with the repair process will help ensure it is done properly and that the problem will not reemerge down the road. Being informed is the best way to keep your roof in good repair.

The post Signs You Need Roof Repair first appeared on 2020 Mixture Home.

What You Can Expect of a Home Inspection

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A home inspection is a huge deciding factor in the home buying process. An inspection will help to determine the selling price and point out the repairs that need to be completed before you can close on the sale of your home. If you want to understand more about the inspection process and what you can expect to be checked over in your home, keep reading. Here are a few of the main components your inspector will examine. 

Foundation

A home loan will not be able to close if there any structural foundation issues going on with your home. An inspection will be able to point out if your place needs any slab repairs and how these damages may be affecting your home. Even if there may not be physical damage to your foundation, there are certain factors in your home, like doors sticking, which can mean you have slab issues.  

HVAC

Your heating and cooling system will be checked thoroughly for any cracks or electrical problems that lead to the unit not functioning properly. Before you can list and sell your home, it is essential to have a professional take a detailed report of these structures to ensure everything is operating efficiently for the new owners.

Plumbing

Your home inspector will have the proper training and certifications to check out all your plumbing for leaks. Any potential buyers would want all plumbing issues fixed before purchasing your home, so there is no water damage or water bill mix-ups. 

Windows and Doors

Your windows and doors will be surveyed for any draftiness that may put a toll on your air conditioning and heating units. Older windows are more likely to put a strain on the efficiency of your home, causing higher than average electric bills. An inspector can point out any complications with both in the inner and outer windows in your home and offer advice on the best way to get these troubles fixed.    

The inspection is undoubtedly one of the many nerve-wracking aspects of selling your house. It is smart to have an idea of where problems may arise in your home, and it is best to have a chunk of change set aside to be able to fix up your house. Minor fixes, like paint touch-ups and new carpeting, are to be expected. Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with any significant concerns, but the ideas above are a few things you can expect. 

The post What You Can Expect of a Home Inspection first appeared on 2020 Mixture Home.

4 ways to Utilize Your Smartphone to Control Your Home

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Gone are the days when you had to operate home devices like your coffee maker or clean the vacuum cleaner directly, today you can use them remotely from your tablet or phone, wherever you happen to be.  [See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com] These devices are starting to creep into homes already – and this is the only beginning. Check out the video below and keep on reading to find more about home connected devices. 
  1. Smart thermostats 
There’s a cool little device called Nest which got a lot of attention lately. If you remember the iPod, then you will be surprised to find that the guys who designed it created this really neat thermostat. It has WIFI incorporated and comes with an iPhone application which means you can control your home temperature from anywhere. If you plan to save this winter, but you don’t want to come home to a freezing home, Neat can solve that problem for you – and long before you get home.  Once you start using it, this smart thermostat will learn your schedule and program itself to optimally save lots of money on utilities. Long are the days when you have to adjust your home temperature before leaving – Nest will automatically change the temperature for you when you leave, turning it back up when you get home. 
  1. Motion-activated security cameras 
A motion surveillance system is a smart system, and it’s almost better than cable TV. There are plenty of applications on the market coupled with compact yet high-quality security cameras that allow you to be aware of anyone in your house. These cameras don’t record everything. In change, they wait for motion to be detected and then switch on. The best part? It can alert you on your smartphone that it’s turning on and you can be anywhere in the world with live footage of your home right in your pocket. 
  1. Security system 
Remember that home security system you had installed a few years back with a control panel strategically placed by the master bedroom or garage door? Now with the availability of mobile computing and Webdrift, you can say goodbye to that old control panel and program everything through your smartphone. Living in an era of webløsninger, everything from receiving notifications to finding solutions to our day-to-day problems is now viable. If you have the newest smart key technology on the market, you will be able to lock and send time-sensitive Filhåndtering to your friends and family if they can’t enter the building. 
  1. New improved lighting 
Philips’s new smart light bulb called Hue allows you to easily control all the light bulbs in your home. This makes a lot of sense if you don’t need to entirely shift to new light switches and lamps. Using these smart bulbs, you can change the colour of the lights, their intensity, set a theme, and of course, turn them off and on. This is more of a modern clap-on and clap-off light.   

The post 4 ways to Utilize Your Smartphone to Control Your Home first appeared on 2020 Mixture Home.

4 landscaping tips for office buildings

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Are you creating an outdoor space for your employees? Here are four landscaping tips for office buildings that will help you create a beautiful landscape.  Creating a beautiful outdoor space for your employees can have many benefits. Research suggests that time spent in nature helps increase productivity as it helps us relax and decrease anxiety levels. Besides that, it can be an excellent setting for your employees to spend some time together, bond, and become a better team. Plus, such an outdoor space is also a great setting for teambuilding activities, which also benefit your business at the end of the day. For example, your employees can play sports, have picnics, or enjoy other activities that are meant to strengthen a team. [See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com] Here are four office landscaping tips you should know about when creating an outdoor space for your staff.

1.     Add plenty of nature

Sure, it may sound obvious, but it’s definitely worth mentioning so that you don’t end up creating an outdoor space with a lawn only. Choose to plant as many trees and plants as possible because the more nature you bring in your office landscape, the greater the benefits from time spent in nature. Trees will offer a cool place to find some shadow on hot days, while flowers will enhance the site with their beautiful colors and shapes. Pro tip: choose to plant native plants because they are often low maintenance and thrive in your area’s conditions.

2.     Create walking paths

Time spent in nature also encourages physical activity and exercise, which, especially in natural surroundings, contributes to your employee’s mental and physical health. So, make sure that you use a Kantklippere to create walking paths and a Gressklipper Oslo to clean them nicely. Next, once the walking trails are built, you can clean them with a feiemaskiner. Walking paths will encourage your employees to take relaxed walks during their breaks, which will help them stay physically and mentally healthy, especially if their job implies sitting in front of the computer all day long.

3.     Add sitting features

Not all your employees want to walk around the landscape during their breaks. Some simply want to sit somewhere and relax in the sun while enjoying nature. So, make sure you add some sitting features such as benches or, depending on how large your outdoor space is, a patio. Sitting features will allow your employees to relax outdoors, and they can also add as places where the team gathers to spend some time together.

4.     Create a space-friendly to wildlife

It’s doubtful that your office landscape will attract abundant wildlife, even if this would be amazing. However, your plants can still be a friendly place to native insects or winged creatures. If you choose to plant native plants, you’ll see that your space will attract pollinators, which are very good for any garden and hummingbirds. Making your outdoor space friendly to the wildlife will ensure that you’ll have lots of visitors that will make your landscape look alive and full of beautiful colors.  

The post 4 landscaping tips for office buildings first appeared on 2020 Mixture Home.

Pool Care Basics -Tips to Keep Your Pool Sparkling Clean

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With summer here, everyone knows what a staple a good pool party is. And everyone wants a piece of the pool fun. But not all are ready to put in the work to have the azure blue, glowing in the sun, just the right temperature kind of pool. The work that goes behind keeping it crisp and clear can be too much when you don’t know what comes first or can’t organize the priorities.

If you want to be part of the few that can pull it off, stay with us to find out the pool care basics.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

So you finally own a pool…

But what comes first? Many assume that owning a pool for the first time is like a movie experience: You buy your house, you prance into the backyard with your towel and Voilà! There you have a perfect swimming pool, all ready for plunging in.

The reality, however, is that there are quite a few steps to follow if you want to live out this dream.

And even if you are not a first-time owner, this can serve as a reminder of what to do.

The process starts with a thorough cleaning, an assessment of the structural integrity to see if it is up to par (and if not – fixing it comes next), checking for any loose fixings – like the ladder steps, installing everything needed for pool safety, treating the water, and this all turns you into a fatigued, but proud owner of an impeccable pool.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

4 Cleaning steps to keep in mind

Skim, brush, vacuum, treat. Those are the absolutely cannot do without steps that make or break the look of the pool.

  • Skimming requires a long rod with a fish-tank like net that helps you scoop any unwanted ‘guests’ like leaves, grass, pebbles, or whatever finds its way in. This way you ensure a mirror rivaling surface that feels inviting to anyone. For a little help, install a skim basket that catches any reappearing nuisances in between your cleanings. 
  • Brushing is done to loosen any unsightly sediments off the pool walls, the ladder, the pumps, filters, you name it. The brushes also come with a telescopic rod to make your life easier and every corner of the pool cleaner. If you have any trouble with brushing, or it doesn’t seem to be going as fast as you would like, just search for the best rated pressure side pool cleaner available and let it do the hard work. 
  • Vacuuming is the final step in debris collection, topping off a job well done by leaving behind a spotless surface. If, by any chance, the pool does have spots, or stains that are hard to remove, simply apply stain treatment and forget they were there in the first place. 
  • Treating the water is the difference between enjoying a hot summer day at the poolside and unexpectedly going to the ER. Why? Any bacteria, algae, germs, and other unthinkable microscopic pests tend to love moist environments. So your pool party can be their pool party too. Check the chemical levels in your water and treat it accordingly with chlorine tablets, algaecide, calcium, or anything it asks for. You’ll thank yourself and so will your guests.
[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

Is your pool unsafe?

Just as important as cleaning is pool safety. Surely you don’t want to spend all your time treating the water only to end up at the ER anyway for overlooking the surrounding area of the pool. Do your rounds in every corner and check the following:

Any loose bolts or rust

On the ladder, the trampoline, the slide, the pool lights, the drain grate, and anything that makes for a risk factor. Other than being unsightly, they are a threat in the form of possible injuries, infections, or electrocution.

Faulty safety equipment

Gate, fence, or pool alarm. In case you have children or pets that you would rather keep away from the pool when they are not supervised, some kind of enclosure or motion detector is required – and if they don’t work properly they need immediate tending to.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

The pool deck

It must be clear at all times. No random screwdriver lingering about, no poolside furniture being a tripping factor, no miscellaneous slip-and-fall aids.

Floating aid

Be certain you have at least 2 or 3 flotation devices – floaties, a pool noodle, a life vest, and also a hook for a quick rescue. Pair those with a first-aid kit and your mind can be at ease.

In the end

After doing a final walk-through of your checklist you can finally sit down on a nice lawn chair, with the breeze in your hair, the sun on your face, and the soft humming of the pool pumps that remind you of the sparkling clean gem you can now pride yourself with at the next barbecue.

Just call your friend and tell them to book this weekend at your house.

The post Pool Care Basics -Tips to Keep Your Pool Sparkling Clean first appeared on 2021 Mixture Home.

Is Finishing a Basement Worth It? – Costs vs. Value

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The basement is usually used as a storage place or left empty, therefore many people decide it isn’t worth investing in getting it finished. And this is a possibly clever idea if your space is a non-walk-out one. This means that it is completely underground, and the possibility of installing a door or full-size windows is inexistent. No one wants to live in a room with poor or no natural light.

On the other hand, if you are lucky enough to own a home with a full-walk-out basement or a partial drop in grade, you can easily turn it into a livable space and add extra square footage to your property. Not to mention that, by covering all the possible cracks and holes and solving the humidity problem, you can reduce mold and pest problems.

But here comes the big question. Will you recover your investment? The costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and there’s plenty of work involved. Not to mention the mess and the noise you will need to bear for weeks. However, the value of a remodeled basement can be measured in more than money, this is why we’ve put together all the benefits and drawbacks of having it finished, along with a complex analysis of costs and gains, so read on to find out how the basement “business” works.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

Why Should You Finish Your Basement?

Remember where your worse childhood nightmare started? Well, basements have evolved a lot since you were little, and now you may be surprised by what you might find downstairs. Here’s a list of the advantages you could enjoy if you decide to upgrade this space.

You will have more space

You’ve been sitting on an entire suite, but tried to squish your guests in the rooms above every time a holiday brought them into your house.  Now you can use your underground space to build a bedroom, a bathroom, and maybe a living room if it is large enough. Think that, at some moment, you may need your parents to come and give you a hand while raising your children, or you may need to be closer to them as they get older. Getting the basement remodeled is like adding an extra store to your home, only in the opposite direction, and with considerably fewer expenses.

Furthermore, if it is high enough to allow you to build a separate entrance, you could rent it and make some extra money without getting through a lot of bothers. And even if no one is going to live there, you will be able now to store more expensive stuff that otherwise would have been destroyed by moisture or vermin.

Your home will stay safer and comfier

As the walls and the floor are permanently in contact with the ground, it isn’t a surprise that most basements are moist places. Even worse, if the landscape’s grading doesn’t work in your favor, the chances of water gathering around the foundation are far from slim. However, if you start by encapsulating your basement, then add insulation and even use waterproof paint, you can have this room as dry as your above-ground rooms. If you also take care of the main cause and use a basement or the top rated crawl space dehumidifiers to remove the excessive humidity caused by condensation, you will reduce the risk of mold growing in the sensitive spots and sending its toxic spores around the house. Plus, a dry foundation doesn’t develop cracks that could chase potential buyers away in case you decide to sell.

If you buy, you will actually save money

Buying a house that has an already finished basement would cost you more than remodeling yours. So, if you can choose, go for the one with the unfinished basement and take upon yourself to turn it into inhabitable space. Also, make sure to make the remodeling before you actually move in, as once you do, you will need to deal with the noise and mess daily.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

You will get more money if you decide to sell

Although basement space is not as valuable as above-ground space, you are offering more rooms, and this is taken into consideration when the price is established. Nonetheless, as we have explained, this depends a lot on the way your basement is built. People appreciate natural light, and they are right not to want to pay full price for a prison that comes with tiny windows, no matter how fancy has it been decorated.

You will spend less on heating

Heat gets out of the house through any cracks and openings it can find. This is the main reason we insulate the walls, so why should the basement be an exception? The renovation will help keep the hot air in, contributing to heating savings. Furthermore, the basement itself will feel warmer in the winter and colder in the summer, so when the heat waves strike, you will be able to find some coolness and peace in your nicely decorated underground leisure place.

You can organize your dream retreat room

If you have ever dreamt of having a home office, a movie theater, or a gym, now it’s time to accomplish it. Raising it above ground will cost you considerably more, as you will have to build the walls and the ceiling. With the basement already built, the only thing you will need to do is to add some improvements and finishing touches and bring in the furniture and equipment. This is a pretty fast job compared with lifting a new construction from the ground, so you will enjoy it sooner.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

What Can Hold You Back?

Here are some disadvantages that come with this decision:

The upfront cost is considerable

You will be dealing with major expenses that are rarely fully recoverable. You will need to buy materials and have professionals do the walls and the flooring. If you are building a bathroom or a kitchen, you will need to do the plumbing and have the walls tiled. Furthermore, before adding finishes, you may have to solve humidity problems and mount insulation. The electrical installation will also need to be set up by a professional.

If you are up for a DIY project, you can save some money, but it will take you longer. Not to mention that less money out of your pocket will mean more work from your part, which can prove exhausting if you are working full time in parallel.

You won’t fully recover your investment

Here’s a trap that you should avoid. Some real estate agents will promise you to sell your home at a higher price than it is worth. This often happens of negligence or lack of experience. Your agent may assess the square footage of the entire property and then multiply it with the price that is usually asked for above-ground rooms. This is not how value is calculated. Basements are worth less money than regular rooms, which means that you may have your home overpriced and actually find it more difficult to get it sold.

The truth is that you will never recover your full investment in money unless the market goes through a change and the value of your entire estate grows. But, if you are not looking to sell as soon as the renovation is ready, you will have other gains that have to do with comfort and safety. Not to mention that customers find homes with a remodeled basement more attractive, so, if you price it correctly, you will sell it faster.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

How Much Value Can You Expect It to Add to Your Property?

The cost of remodeling can go from 10 dollars to 35 dollars per square foot. This means that your investment can reach an average of 18,000 to 19,000 dollars for a medium-size basement, but you can expect the price to jump way higher, if you are going with high-quality finishes and equip it with first-rate gear. Not to mention that plumbing and other works necessary to build a bathroom can raise the costs even more.

With this in mind, now consider that you will only get back 75 cents per 100 cents you spend. So, there’s no profit here. You will actually not even get all your money back if you sell. This is the reason why it isn’t a very good idea to invest in the basement if you are planning on moving. The only justification for spending all this money arises if you are doing it for your own comfort.

Conclusion

Beautiful basements that have been turned into living spaces make homes more desirable, there’s no doubt here. However, people are not willing to pay for a space that is positioned underground, possibly away from sun rays and fresh air, the price they would pay for a room with full-size windows and a door that opens outside. This is why, if you are thinking of having your damp space downstairs made inhabitable, do it for your family, who may need more space. If you are going to sell, it is just not worth the money.

The post Is Finishing a Basement Worth It? – Costs vs. Value first appeared on Mixture Home.

Make Crystal Clear Ice Cubes at Home Basics

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Ice has been used forever for cooling beverages and even though it might seem like a pointless detail, the aspect of the ice cubes can impact the aspect of the entire drink. Whether you are serving a glass of scotch on the rocks or a fancy cocktail, you will surely notice the design difference after adding a couple of clear cubes of ice. But getting the perfect ones is not as simple as freezing water because there are a few details that interfere with the transparency. To avoid that, you must get the hang of a few tips that will bring you to the perfect result. And you can do all that at home, too.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

What makes ice cubes cloudy?

Everybody knows that water is transparent, clear, with no taste, color, or smell. So, how come, after it freezes, the cubes aren’t as clear as you would expect? The main cause is that, microscopically, the water has small particles of sediment and even minerals that, once frozen, affect the transparency of the cubes. When it freezes from the exterior to the middle, the water drives those tiny particles to the center, thus creating a clouding effect. Aside from the aesthetic impediment, frozen cubes made with unpurified water can change the taste of the drink, reasons enough to make you want to find the secret to perfectly clean and transparent ice cubes.

[See image gallery at www.mixturehome.com]

How to get clear ice cubes?

Ok, when you go to a bar, you are not surprised when you are served impeccable ice cubes, but how do you make clear cubes of ice at home? Luckily, this phenomenon can be avoided through some steps that are certain to guarantee frustration-free clear cubes.

  • Before you start, make a list of the items you will need to have at hand: water, whether it is tap or distilled water, ice trays of various sizes and materials, an ice cooler, and a freezer. These are the basics of making ice cubes at home.
  • You can use distilled water for optimal results. Distilled water is that type of water that has been cleaned of small debris and impurities, including mineral deposits, through the process called distillation. This involves boiling water and trapping the steam that evaporates in the process into another vessel where it will cool down and become liquid again. By cooling the steams back into a liquid state, the small particles remain at the bottom of the pot, leaving the steam free of sediment and debris. This way, you will have clear water to work with. Also, distilled water freezes faster than tap water that contains salts and impurities that lower its freezing point.
  • The size of the ice tray you use can impact the way the cubes look like. It’s recommended that you use large trays because a bigger cube is more likely to turn out much clearer and it will melt slower so it won’t dilute your drink too fast. As for material, feel free to use whatever you want: silicone, plastic, with or without a lid, you can even experiment with interesting shapes like spheres or diamonds. The market is nowadays filled with eye-catching ice cube trays.
  • Inside the freezer, it’s where the magic and chemistry are unleashed. There are numerous techniques that can be used, but we will depict two of them that are more intuitive and successful. The first method you can choose is called “top-down freezing” and refers to making ice cubes starting at the top and working their way to the bottom of the tray. For this, you will need an ice cooler, like the one you take with you at a picnic to keep your drinks cold. Next, place the tray on the bottom of the cooler and fill with water without exceeding the tray. Place the cooler in the freezer but let the lid off, with the temperature at approximately -17-25 °F (-3 -8 °C) for about 24 hours. After you take away the cooler from the freezer the next day, you might notice that the cubes have a thin layer of cloudy ice on top, but that is going to melt away in a minute.
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  • As surprisingly as it might seem, there is also a technique called “high-temperature freezing” but it doesn’t involve heat, it just refers to using a – 1°C temperature in the freezer, which is the lowest point at which you can set the freezer. This freezes the water slowly, thus forcing the debris and sediment to come out, the result being clear and clean icy cubes.
  • In case you want to go the easy way and have hassle-free perfect cubes, you can invest in a clear ice maker, a machine that delivers optimal ice cubes with no effort from you. Their convenience is unmatchable as most models can deliver between 30 and over 60 pounds of ice in 24 hours. To be more precise, you can have your first batch of ice in 15-20 minutes, which is less than having a trip to the store. You can either go for a regular size unit or an undercounter version, depending on the space you have available. With this, next time you are having a garden party or friends are coming over, you will serve delicious beverages with commercial-like ice cubes.

Conclusion

It’s a known fact that perfection rests in the details, so no wonder that small aspects like the ice you put in your glass can interfere with how your drink looks and tastes. Ice cubes are usually cloudy, especially the ones that you buy from stores, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t easily have clear ice cubes at home. If you know the basics of the procedure, you can enjoy delicious and perfect ice cubes made at home.

The post Make Crystal Clear Ice Cubes at Home Basics first appeared on Mixture Home.




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