Anyone got any good tips for shaving in very hard water

[Feek]

The water here is described as "very hard".

Apart from 'more product' are there any other tips for building a good lather in very hard water? To give an idea of how much product I need to use, I'm going to get less than ten shaves out of a 50gm tub of CF Lime cream!

Fitting a full house water softener really isn't an option.

 

[weizemanner]

• Use a water filter pitcher that provides water softening for drinking water. These are available in many retail stores under many brand names. Some of these filters provide water softening to help drinking water, coffee, tea and other beverages retain their flavors and aromas.
  
  
  
  
  

Put a similar type of filter on your kitchen and bathroom sink faucets to provide softening for water dispensed through the tap. This is the easiest method if you want to filter water for cleaning. Some models have switch-off valves so you can draw water from the tap without running it through the filter if you choose.

 

[one cut]

Yes, I would let it melt.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

When I visit my Sister in Law, in NW Missouri I use bottled water to shave and make coffee. They have one of the Hot/Cold dispensers that takes a 5 Gal jug. Nobody drinks the municipal water.

I don't know of a filter that takes hardness out of water. Most of the filters I'm aware of just take out solid particles not dissolved solids. IIRC Water softeners use ion exchange resins or reverse osmosis to remove minerals.

 

[blzrfn]

If you want tips on lathering with the hard water as-is, load more product and be patient in building your lather. I deal with moderately hard water and just take my time and enjoy the lather building process. It can take a couple minutes of vigorous agitation, but the lather will be just as beautiful and slick as can be.

 

[dcobranchi]

Glycerin soaps are not as affected by the hardness of the water. VdH makes a decent glycerin shaving soap.

 

[retiredguns]

VDH Luxury will lather well with hard water. TABAC is also a winner for less than perfect water. My well water is insanely hard but I do have a softener. I can tell when it is nearing the end of it's duty though.

 

[Brew Swain]

Distilled water should do the trick. Either that or boil your kettle or a large pan of water and then store the water in a container. When you want it you will have to stick it in your microwave (probably quickest) and be careful getting it to where ever you shave.

That Essex water always was hard.

 

[pipskicks]

I have very hard water but it's not annoying enough to come close to needing to use bottled water etc. Maybe I just put up with more.

 

[jamesspo]

Give Arko shave stick a try..it's great in hard water. Best would be a softener, but it sounds like that's not an option for you. A filter (at least the standard pitcher and sink type) won't do anything for hard water. You need ion exchange to do that job.

 

[pipskicks]

Give Arko shave stick a try..it's great in hard water. Best would be a softener, but it sounds like that's not an option for you. A filter (at least the standard pitcher and sink type) won't do anything for hard water. You need ion exchange to do that job.

Barring that you'd have to use bottled drinking water!!

 

[ackvil]

Distilled water should do the trick. Either that or boil your kettle or a large pan of water and then store the water in a container. When you want it you will have to stick it in your microwave (probably quickest) and be careful getting it to where ever you shave.

That Essex water always was hard.

+1 as to distilled water.

 

[Foyle]

I used to have very hard water. My best advice is: load your soap like you hate it. Load for at least a full minute, and stick to soaps that work well in hard water. Tabac, Proraso, and Cella all work well in hard water.

 

[celestino]

As stated, distilled water would be the best option. Good luck.

 

[Feek]

Thanks, distilled water seems to be the way to go. Now to find a local supplier, or one who doesn't charge stupid amounts for delivery.

 

[hedonist222]

I don't know of a filter that takes hardness out of water. Most of the filters I'm aware of just take out solid particles not dissolved solids. IIRC Water softeners use ion exchange resins or reverse osmosis to remove minerals.

Even on Brita's site they explain that this only makes it 30% Distilled water. Remaining 70% hard water is there.

I use Distilled water. I buy a 20 liter bottle every 10 days or so.

 

[Tonimus]

I live in an area of Phoenix where we have well water. To say it's hard is an understatement. My clear glass shower doors end up looking frosted a week after they've been cleaned. And this is going to sound very odd, but I LIKE showering in hard water. I haven't run into lather issues with my VDH Deluxe soap. Seems to work just fine.

 

[pipskicks]

I livie i an area of Phoenix where we have well water. To say it's hard is an understatement. My clear glass shower doors end up looking frosted a week after they've been cleaned. And this is going to sound very odd, but I LIKE showering in hard water. I haven't run into lather issues with my VDH Deluxe soap. Seems to work just fine.

I have very hard water too and I don't know if I've ever tried soft water, but I don't mind that much, guess I've learned on hard water so I'm used to it.

 

[Feek]

A work colleague has a water softener fitted at home so she's going to decant me a few pints to try and I've also got some distilled water on order from a local pharmacy. I'll report back once I've tried them.