Recommended soaps for hard water?

[ccrowder]

So I have very hard water and have a hell of a time getting my AoS soap to lather well. While I can use bottle distilled water it is a bit of a pain to have to microwave the water every morning just to shave (not to mention having to pay extra for the water).
It would be great if I could just use hot tap water so I am wondering if anyone knows of some good soaps that still perform well with hard water.

 

[bluemantra]

I would think AoS would perform well in hard water. I thought I was never gonna find a soap that lathered well in hard water. Then as time went on and I got better I was able to get great lather from soaps I wasnt able to previously. I've come to the conclusion that technique and skill becomes even more critical when you have hard water. That said soaps that work well for me are Cade, palmolive, Speick, tabac, DR Harris, and Arko. Those are mostly tallow soaps same as AoS. Hope that helps you and don't give up on AoS yet, keep playing around with the ratios. Try starting with a very dry brush and adding water one drop at a time. It may take a little while, but it produces fantastic results for me. Load the brush for a long time and use tons of product too.

 

[Optometrist]

I live in a very hard water area and have absolutely no trouble getting good lather from AoS soaps. It could be simply that not enough soap is being loaded on the brush. Start with a soaked, then squeezed brush, so almost dry and load for a min of 1 minute. I find it also helps to soften the soap with a little hot water on the soap then tip off after 15-20 seconds.

David

 

[Fortitudo Dei]

Try VDH or Col Conk. Both are in fact soap / detergent "hybrids" with the detergent part (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) not really affected by the mineral content of the water. This is the same reason why detergents will lather in sea water and soaps won't.

 

[Bobtrumpet]

Saint Charles Shave soaps also work pretty well in hard water.

I do have to agree with the technique comment. I went back and tried SMFZach's method (see his video at youtube) - it will make lather with any decent shave soap. It is a little wasteful, but once you learn it you can dial back on product and still get a great lather.

Also stick with one soap for a while - really learn it. After you've mastered it, move on to something else if you want.

 

[pelicano]

P.160 Morbido is the easiest soap to lather that I've ever encountered. I can't imagine it not lathering under any condition.
It is discontinued, but there's some stock left over being sold at the moment.

 

[djh]

Depending on where you are located, there are a number of great soaps that perform well with hard water and are relatively easy on the pocket. Euro Palmolive, Speick, Arko and Wilkinson Sword Shave Sticks are all fantastic and Tabac and MWF pucks also provide great lather.

 

[mblakele]

I think some members have also recommended a pinch of baking soda or salt to help with hard water. Good luck, and let us know what works for you.

 

[BCatl]

Do a search for hard water and lather. Bluefoxcity had some good advice on it. You might try 1/8 teaspoon of sodium carbonate (washing soda) in your mug. It might not even take that much. You are very likely to find washing soda at your grocery store.

 

[BlackBard]

I have to add my support to AOS as a good-lathering soap in hard water. I rate it as the best of my soaps. Good advice has already been given about how to improve your lather, so I won't make any further comment in that regard.

Practice and patience are key.

 

[Not The Original Kermit]

I'm not sure about where you live but my city lists its water quality. and from that its always been hard.

I've never had an issue getting a great lather from any of my soaps and I use DR Harris, Tabac, MWF, Mama Bears and I even get a great lather from Williams.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Another vote of VDH.. I find that it bursts into creamy lather with minimal of efforts. I too live in an area where hard water is a problem.

 

[DSB]

I have very hard water, and have never had a problem with any of my soaps except MWF (which may or may not be a result of water quality). AOS lathers like a charm for me. If you're looking for other soaps to try, I highly recommend: T&H Luxury, Tabac, Czech & Speake, La Toja, Speick, Gold Dachs, just to name a few.

 

[njpaddy]

I have hard water but prefer creams. The only soap I occasionally use is Tabac and I need to work the brush on the soap for at least a full minute. Early on I struggled with all lather, using bottled water at times, but I finally cracked the code. What works for me is to use more product, start with a drier brush, add about 1/2 tsp of water at a time and when I think it's ready add a little more water.

 

[du212]

La Toja gives lather in salty water

 

[grump]

I would think AoS would perform well in hard water. I thought I was never gonna find a soap that lathered well in hard water. Then as time went on and I got better I was able to get great lather from soaps I wasnt able to previously. I've come to the conclusion that technique and skill becomes even more critical when you have hard water. That said soaps that work well for me are Cade, palmolive, Speick, tabac, DR Harris, and Arko. Those are mostly tallow soaps same as AoS. Hope that helps you and don't give up on AoS yet, keep playing around with the ratios. Try starting with a very dry brush and adding water one drop at a time. It may take a little while, but it produces fantastic results for me. Load the brush for a long time and use tons of product too.

I live in a very hard water area and have absolutely no trouble getting good lather from AoS soaps. It could be simply that not enough soap is being loaded on the brush. Start with a soaked, then squeezed brush, so almost dry and load for a min of 1 minute. I find it also helps to soften the soap with a little hot water on the soap then tip off after 15-20 seconds.

David

Depending on where you are located, there are a number of great soaps that perform well with hard water and are relatively easy on the pocket. Euro Palmolive, Speick, Arko and Wilkinson Sword Shave Sticks are all fantastic and Tabac and MWF pucks also provide great lather.

+1

I have had very good luck with most of the tallow soaps.