I'm near quiting :(

So that's the reason why I flunked chemistry :ashamed001

 

sodium carbonate (calcium carbonate is not going to do anything other than add more calcium ions to the water - which is the opposite of what you want)

 

I added a dash of baking soda to my brush water and noticed a considerable improvement in lather. I will be doing this from now on.

 

what about a Brita water pitcher if you dont have a filter on your fridge water or sink?

 

Just an update, Even with baking soda my lather is still collapsing but lasts a little longer. I find I'm having to keep lathering as I go. Also last night I tried a shave with just hot water. Not to bad ! Only a touch of discomfort as I shaved but no irritation afterward. Not bbs but still a dfs. Anyone else shaved with just a wet face before?

 

I've shaved with just water before. My WTG passes were fine everywhere but my chin and moustache. Even my neck was fine WTG. However towards the end of the first pass the razor started sticking to my skin (on the neck) even after adding more water. No irritation after but not a close shave either (at least my one experience).

 

The last time I shaved with just a wet face, I was in the Marine Corps, the water was cold and I was :mad:

 

I wont be using cold water anytime soon I hope. Never know though. When I was a young man I lived in a car for a time and I remember eating porridge made with just water for a few weeks. Cold porridge cake in the day, nasty. Anyway, I've got used to the mega hard water problem to a point now. Its kinda forget shave soaps and face lather shave cream instead. I have to lather as I go pretty much. I may do a video to show how to cope with hard water later. Also to show how bad the problem is.

 

Try Calgon.

Read about it here:

http://www.homesolutionsnews.us/calgon/index.shtml

 

Boil your water! That removes the hardness.

Do what i do... Before doing anything in the morning, i put some water in the coffee pot to boil (no coffee-just water). Take your morning shower. Then when you're done the boiled water will be in your coffee pot. Pour the boiled water into the sink and shave.

 

I am not a chemist by trade, but from what I remember from elementary school science class, boiling water will not remove the minerals that harden the water but will actually concentrate those minerals as the water molecules evaporate, making the water less suitable for lathering.

 

Sorry guess i should clarify.... it really depends if it's permanent or temporary water hardness.

""Temporary hardness is caused by a combination of calcium ions and bicarbonate ions in the water. It can be removed by boiling the water or by the addition of lime (calcium hydroxide). Boiling promotes the formation of carbonate from the bicarbonate and precipitates calcium carbonate out of solution, leaving water that is softer upon cooling.

Permanent hardness is hardness (mineral content) that cannot be removed by boiling. It is usually caused by the presence in the water of calcium and magnesium sulfates and/or chlorides which become more soluble as the temperature rises. Despite the name, permanent hardness can be removed using a water softener or ion exchange column, where the calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged with the sodium ions in the column.""

Verified by wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_water) and few other sites.

 

You guys are fantastic! Thanks for all the feed back. I have been getting on with the shaves any road, Man I'm glad I have a good brush and a fast arm. I've been face lathering lately. The Bicarbonate of soda helps some way, Takes a little while for the reaction to work but the water becomes just about usable. I'm yet to try a boil up and the bi-carb. I've a feeling what the bi-carb can't do a boil up won't do either.
I'm waiting for my friend to come back from Ireland to do a little bit of filming for me. You'll laugh at the effort that needs be put in to making a decent lather. With creams and a face lather it a fair effort, soaps I have found its best to make the lather up on the soap then a mad face lather session as well. Maybe when I do a video you'll be able to tell more and see if I'm doing something wrong.