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What causes soap scum in hard water?
For a technical answer to the above question, see here. For a quick general discussion, please read on.
Karen S. sent us an email recently with a very good question. She asked, "Because we have hard water here, is that why soap scum is all over the tub?"
Yes, Karen, it is. Hard water can cause soap scum when you use all-natural soap. Fortunately there is an easy way to eliminate this film and continue to enjoy the pleasures of pure, natural soap.
Soap scum occurs with natural soap in hard water because of what's NOT in natural soap. We're talking in particular here about synthetic detergents. (Ugh!)
Karen also said when she uses "store soap" there is no hard water soap scum, and she's right. How does commercial soap (store soap) manage to avoid the hard water and soap scum problem?
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Our answer comes from the link at left: "Synthetic detergents, however, may be soluble in both acidic and alkaline solutions and don't form insoluble precipitates [soap scum] in hard water." Which means that most commercial 'soap' is actually a synthetic detergent and not true soap at all.
This is why many such products don't even claim to be soap, they are "bath bars", "beauty bars" and the like. Of course these products are not promoted as synthetic detergents, but that's what they are.
So, how can you use natural soap in hard water and not have soap scum?
It's easy. Immediately after bathing, wipe down the shower door, walls and floor (or bathtub) with the same towel you just used to dry your body. It takes only seconds and you're done. No soap scum, no harsh chemicals, and no hard scrubbing. No kidding!
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