Someone must be good at chemistry ...

[blamebrampton]

Is there anyone out there who is genuinely good at chemistry? I have a writer who assures me that using Epsom salts in the bath will cut down on soap scum. This seems crazy to me, because the addition of magnesium to water will harden it, which I would think would lead to more, not less, scum. Am I secretly insane? Am I missing something? Is there a clever cunning trick that means the Epsom salts will harden the water but stop the scum sticking to the bath?

Is there any way of stopping journalists using internet gossip sites as their sole sources of information? Is there any way to make the internet more accurate? Is there any way I can be issued with a blanket immunity to prosecution for throwing things at journalists who say 'No, that's right, it was on the internet!'

Also ...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY marinelle24 ! I hope you have a lovely day!

Comments

[noeon.livejournal.com]

Not a chemist. I did once do a chemistry project on soap scum, but it's been a long time.

Epsom salts do seem totally counterintuitive. The Germans use extra distilled vinegar for hard water residue in teakettles and waterheaters. That works beautifully but smells.

Perhaps the nature of the residue is also an issue. Sometimes it's calcium buildup and sometimes it's surfectants and other things from water processing.