Thread: Hard water!

I used a jug of distilled water during my synthetic knot trials and it wasn't a hindrance outside having a gallon of water loitering outside my bathroom door. If I was suffering through hard water issues for an indefinite time I would consider it a legitimate option.

Keep in mind that in dealing with hard water the two primary approaches is distillation/de-ionization and ion exchange. The first pair are used to remove impurities from the water, with de-ionized water being considered the more pure product. Water softeners rely on ion exchange in which calcium ions are replaced with sodium or potassium ions, which, in the concentrations we are usually talking about, are less damaging and troublesome than calcium. In any event the Brita filters and similar products use filtration through an activated carbon medium. This results in cleaner tasting water, particularly if your water is coming from a treated municipal source instead of a well, but effectively does nothing to remove the elements that cause hard water.

Another long term and cheaper approach is to experiment with some different soaps. I know that Fine advertised that their soaps were formulated to perform well with hard water (unverified by me personally). I've also had good luck with Sterling's Margaritas in the Arctic while staying with my in-laws and I am of the opinion that their water is so hard that it might be usable as a building material.

What GreenRipper said plus, unfortunately, you can now expect to have to clean your espresso
machine more frequently, to remove the minerals from the heating element.

We have highly mineralized, highly chlorinated municipal water here. We have to filter the water
to remove the awful taste and smell, and the coffee maker needs a cleaning with white vinegar
about once a month.

PITA

Welcome to my world Richard

I have found HEAT works, I have also weeded out the soaps that don't play well with my water and sent them to my BiL in Loveland

Also soaking the top of the soap with hot water while I am in the shower helps..

I don't have much of an issue with Creams because it is easier to adjust the amount of product to water ratio


To give you an idea our tap water is set at 145° on the hot side,, Yes I stuck my cooking Thermometer in there

Originally Posted by rolodave

Most of the stores in the upper mid-west have Reverse Osmosis water for $0.39/gallon. We use it for coffee and tea. The house water is softened but it makes terrible coffee/tea.

Yep, 25 cents here. If not, I go through a coffee pot a year. Haven't figured out which is cheaper though.

Richard having to travel all over the world, I have encountered some rough water,, and the worst was SE New Mexico, I just use my bottled water and its just fine after that, I keep a bootle in the Bathroom for brushing my teeth and so it gets used for the shaving too,, easiest solution I have found. it is kinda a pain, but living in RV,s And Man camps with water that you don't know where it came form, bottled water is what I use for everything but showers and toilet water,, and even then I add bleach to the tanks,,

so I know you have an issue with your water , but believe me mine is worse and good ole, Ozarka bottled water to the rescue! Tc

My water is as hard as Chuck Norris!

You could install a water softener that will help in all your water appliances.

As mentioned hot water and soaking the top until it blooms a bit helps, I also find I need to load more product and spend more time building the lather on my face.

You could buy a water distiller (around $240) makes about 4 gallons a day which you could use for many things. Otherwise just buying a jug of RO water at wally World is your best bet.

Originally Posted by rolodave

Most of the stores in the upper mid-west have Reverse Osmosis water for $0.39/gallon. We use it for coffee and tea. The house water is softened but it makes terrible coffee/tea.

The RO water for steam irons and friends is one good choice. You only need half a tumbler or so.
for the lather.

A pea size bit of Proraso on any hard soap, even Williams should lather nice enough.

It is worth the time to practice lathering again: too much water, too little, hotter, colder, more shave soap, less shave soap.

Clean your brush more often as needed.

Some hard water is marvelous drinking water.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

The RO water for steam irons and friends is one good choice. You only need half a tumbler or so.
for the lather.

A pea size bit of Proraso on any hard soap, even Williams should lather nice enough.

It is worth the time to practice lathering again: too much water, too little, hotter, colder, more shave soap, less shave soap.

Clean your brush more often as needed.

Some hard water is marvelous drinking water.

Touche....!!

How about rain water or melted snow? I usually don't pay attention to this but have never seen them mentioned.

How far are you off the river or lake?