This white powder is called “efflorescence,” and is caused by water in the wall dissolving mineral salts in the brick or mortar. When this leaches to the surface, the water evaporates, leaving a whitish mineral-salt residue. Most efflorescence is water soluble, so it can usually be removed by washing with plain water when the weather and the wall are warm and dry. This helps keep the cleaning water from causing additional efflorescence.

Occasionally, you may see some white stuff on top of our soaps. This is called 'soda ash' and is a harmless substance that forms when air reaches a batch of soap in its first 24 hours of life. You are most likely to see it on our peppermint soaps, and on batches made on especially humid days. It will rinse off the first time you use the soap. See similar questions...

The white powder that you see inside a fluorescent lamp is called phosphor, which is a substance that emits white, visible light whenever it absorbs light waves. Both compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes contain a gas that gives off invisible light when excited by electricity. This invisible light travels to the phosphor coating on the bulb, where it is transformed into light visible to the human eye. See similar questions...

Water carries dissolved alkalis, lime and minerals from the concrete to the surface, where it evaporates and leaves behind white mineral deposits. Sometimes, it "grows" from the pores like fluffy cotton fibers. If left unchecked, this eventually hollows out and destroys the concrete – it is also called "concrete cancer." Extensive efflorescence prevents proper absorption of RadonSeal and consumes some of it, leaving less for sealing. See similar questions...

The first step is a visual evaluation of the chimney crown, mortar joints and flashing. Often we find the crown has cracks caused by shrinkage of the mortar during construction. These start out as hairline cracks but get bigger over the years from freeze thaw-cycles and the natural expansion-contraction that occurs during the spring & summer seasons. If the chimney has darkened from mold and mildew, we recommend cleaning the surface of the brick with a power washing. See similar questions...

It is frit. Glass beads are formed on metal rods. Frit is a power applied to the metal rods that prevents the glass bead from sticking to the rod. Some frit remains in the bead hole and falls off into the bag. On occasion, we re-use bags that have had glass beads in them, so you might find frit in any of our bags. See similar questions...

The white powder is efflorescence, a deposit that may sometimes appear on the surface of the paving stones. Sometimes this appears immediately or a few months after installation. Normal use and exposure to the weather will dissipate the efflorescence, as will normal wear. Efflorescence is a normal occurrence in all cement-based products. As it is a natural reaction to the proper hydration of concrete, we do not consider it a defect and do not replace any materials affected. See similar questions...

EZorb Powder can be mixed with juice or water. If you use water there's a little taste. Most people use juice. There's no need to use a full glass of water or juice. A quarter of glass is enough. The only reason you use water or juice is to get the powder down easier. See similar questions...

The white stains or powder-like material is often the result of water penetration of the chimney. During a rain, snow, or ice storm water is absorbed by the brick and mortar crown. In the case of snow or ice storm the freeze thaw cycles can enlarge the cracks on the top of the chimney mortar crown allowing water to enter the structure this way. The chimney will soon saturate with water. As the chimney dries, lime and salts from brick and mortar are pushed out of the pores of the chimney. See similar questions...

This is probably efflorescence, which is typically a white powdery deposit and almost always harmless. Efflorescence appears due to external salt sources from surrounding materials such as concrete, mortar or salty soils being drawn up through the product by the drying effect. When the water evaporates salts crystallise to form efflorescence. See similar questions...

This is a normal bi-product of combustion in gas fireplaces, and will continue to deposit over time. You will have to regularly clean the glass, logset, firebox, and gas control compartment. Follow the cleaning instructions in the manual or follow our online instructions here. Back to Top See similar questions...

Yes. The lab adds 0.2 mL of a 10% solution of sodium thiosulfate in each bottle during sterilization. Sometimes the sodium thiosulfate solution dries out to leave a powder. The sodium thiosulfate removes the chlorine from the sample and works if it is in liquid or powder form. See similar questions...

The white powder that you see inside a fluorescent lamp is called phosphor, which is a substance that emits white, visible light whenever it absorbs light waves. Both compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes contain a gas that gives off invisible light when excited by electricity. This invisible light travels to the phosphor coating on the bulb, where it is transformed into light visible to the human eye. See similar questions...

Answer: It has not been conclusively demonstrated whether the strange materials David Hudson identified are monatomic or not. Some scientists have suggested that the only way they could have the properties that they have is if they are di-atomic or greater. Since we do not wish to prejudice the scientific process we have decided not to call them monatomic unless this issue is resolved. Instead we call them m-state or ORMUS elements. See similar questions...

Powdery mildew looks like a fine white powder on the leaves and flowers. It's easily disturbed by blowing on it. Powdery Mildew is caused by a fungus, which likes sudden changes in temperature and poor air circulation. In addition to being unsightly, The list below was taken from an actual forum post, the comments are the replies to that post. I've left them anonymous with respect to the privacy of the posters. My thanks to all the wonderful gardeners who shared their thoughts. See similar questions...

When down proof fabrics are woven, they contain a non-allergenic starching agent that is used to fill gaps in the weave that could allow down fill to escape. As the fabric wears and is washed the cotton weave naturally becomes tighter and the starching agent is rubbed out. Loss of starch is a sign that your comforter is aging well and that the fabric is naturally becoming stronger. See similar questions...

Yes, we accept small amounts of brick that is mixed with other inert materials for use in the production of aggregates. Loads primarily comprised of brick are disposed of as C&D (demolition material), which we transport to a licensed disposal facility. Call 883-3325 for a price list for each delivered material. See similar questions...

because being colorblind, I don't see in color, and instead of driving me and everyone around me nuts by constantly asking if one color is the same as what I used last time, I just do DT as line art, occasionally i add some color, or do a special color pic, but otherwise i just say screw color. See similar questions...

No, it's not a white dye. Snow is made of ice crystals, and up close the individual crystals look clear, like glass. A large pile of snow crystals looks white for the same reason a pile of crushed glass looks white. Incident light is partially reflected by an ice surface, again just as it is from a glass surface. When you have a lot of partially reflecting surfaces, which you do in a snow bank, then incident light bounces around and eventually scatters back out. See similar questions...

Answer: People are always asking about the ability of the white powder of gold to act as a sort of "enlightenment pill". An "enlightenment pill" would be some substance that would cause any person who takes it to instantly transcend, ascend, awaken or "see" God. Belief in the concept of an enlightenment pill seems to be rooted in the deeper belief that enlightenment can come from outside of the self. See similar questions...