hard and soft water

[lyn]

I've just read a reply on the blog, from Zed, about hard and soft water.

Where I live the water is very hard - I've admitted defeat in the limescale battle in the bathroom and kitchen - but I've heard it's good for my heart?

I know that soap lathers up easily in soft water, so I wonder if the water softness/hardness does have an effect on the time it takes to felt?

[Shepherdess]

I don't know about time but it takes more soap then soft water. it also seems to kill the soap much faster as well. I remember being told that the water will effect it but haven't found the different waters I have used when I am teaching make any difference.

[koffipot]

Don't know how it affects wool, would think that the increased alkalinity would help the felting process.

They do say it affects our cup of tea though, and some tea companies make special blends for hard water areas. We have hard water and I'm with Lyn, trying to keep the limescale at bay, but we can relax with our cuppa, happy that it's good for the old ticker! And perhaps the felt too

[Shepherdess]

I am on a well with very hard water too. I go through a lot of vinegar to keep the coffee maker working. I don't like city water for my tea, makes it taste funny.

[MTRuth]

We have hard water but use a water softener. But I think the water in the kitchen is not filtered. I'll have to check on that because I could do a test to see if I notice any difference. I always use the kitchen water for felting. Someone asked the question about salt and I remember someone swearing by using salt because it speeds up the process. I never tried it though. Anyone else tried salt in the water?

[koffipot]

I'd forgotten this until Ruth mentioned salt.

I once did some samples using :- a) salt, b) baking soda, and c) control. I didn't notice any difference at all!

[MTRuth]

Good to know Judith. I think water content would affect dyeing much more than it would felting.

[koffipot]

I'd say so Ruth.

[lyn]

Thanks Ann - if you've used different waters and noticed no difference, then that's my question answered.

[Shepherdess]

it definitely effect dye. I bought a water barrel at the end of the year to collect water for dyeing. I don't know if it will really help. the rain comes off my metal roof. I will try it this year

[MTRuth]

Love to hear how that works Ann and if you see any differences.

[Shepherdess]

I should go melt some snow to see how that works......maybe tomorrow.

[MTRuth]

Snow dyeing is on my list of things to do but definitely not tomorrow...

[zed]

Nothing to add re water for felting, but Yorkshire tea blended for our area tastes awful, I had a brew in Hebden Bridge the other day and it was gorgeous