Thread: Water temperature

Through some quirk of my house's plumbing, I can't get anything hotter than a mild "warm" out of sink faucets. Showers are fine, just not sinks - three plumbers have looked at it and given up. So my question is, does the water used for the brush and lather need to be hot hot? I wonder about it because I can't seem to get a lather that lasts very long (though I am slow), and the brush cools very quickly, enough so that when I re-lather I have rinse and start from scratch with the brush because the water on the brush is now cold.

Thanks!

No it doesn't. It just feels nice when it's hot. Lukewarm works just as well. Cold doesn't quite work that well (depending on HOW cold) since it can (if it's really cold) close up the pores and have an effect on the hairs. But lukewarm should work just fine.

put water in the microwave to heat it.

Or fill your mug up when you're in the shower. I like to shave after I shower since the hairs are already softened. You can even put some conditioner on your beard. I would, howerer, suggest not washing the parts of your face that you shave. For me, washing and then shaving is more than my skin can tolerate and it gets irritated. YMMV.

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RalphS

Thanks for the help, it is actually very good to know that my lather issue is probably a skill or material thing and it not due to water heat, and the suggestions on how to get hot water are helpful as well. I think if it comes down to it, I'd just put in a small hot water dispenser like the kind you see at chinese markets (I have an old percolator, but I don't think I will ever get the smell of coffee out of it).

`Hot hot' lather may be undesirable as it could dry out more rapidly
on your face. I never use even close to the highest heat available
from my tap (which is very hot).

- Scott

I wouldn't worry about the water temp. I just spent six weeks shaving with water that was maybe 70 degrees at the warmest. I still got great shaves, and I think my skin was better off. I have started shaving with cooler water now that I am home.
Best Regards, Ken.