Thread: Hard water!

Originally Posted by Geezer

Thanks folks!
Work around established.
Brita water, steam heated by espresso machine added to the puck. Brush soaked in the hot water of the container. Lather as usual.
Good shave accomplished.
~Richard

Good to hear you have resolved your issue, Richard and continued success.

We have a well out back. Installing a water softener system solved our hard water problem along with improving the life of our appliances and facilities.

1970's apartment buildings do not allow for soft water. I may later install a faucet mounted filter/de-mineralizer.
~Richard

[QUOTE=rolodave;1740806]My Bunn is 10 years old All I use is RO water Never had to clean the pot[/QUO

yea but RO water isn't really good for coffee. Good brewing needs some minerals in the water like a good filter or spring water.

Brita filter or other water filters will remove organics and other large solids. It will have negligeble effect on hardness (Defined by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water)

Depending on the type of hardness you have you may see success by boiling or by adding some washing soda (Sodium carbonate). (Boil to drive off dissolved CO2 the temporary hardness will precipitate out. Pour water into another container leaving behind the precipitate.). Probably not worth the effort for every shave but perhaps worth trying once to understand what is causing the issue (Temp or perm hardness)

I have no idea how the washing soda will effect the shave.... this is just some knowledge picked up from my other hobby (brewing beer....)

You can find a wealth of info on this stuff at home brew forums. (Beer and coffee nuts spend a silly amount of time thinking about water)

You can also make an array of magnets (very strong ones) and run water through them. it won't soften the water but the water will act like it is soft for a short period of time.

It has been years since I first heard about that. Thank you for the reminder!
~Richard

I have some snake oil I can sell you that works very well for a beard prep.

Don't even need to lather!

Since I already have a blade in scales, that should do it.........right!
~Richard

With thanks to the member who posted "Proraso !"
I have found that old..pre UPC shave products do very well with hard water. The best , though, are the Central European creams and pucks. They are designed around hard water.
Thanks again!
~Richard
PS, let the soap absorb water for at least 2minutes!