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

Hope this helps!

[absynthedrinker.livejournal.com]

I asked my mother's housekeeper how she does it and she says she has used Epsom salts for years. That doesn't answer your chemistry question, but it verifies your friends contention.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/profile.ldml?profile=thr329634

http://www.ehow.com/how_2123412_keep-soap-scum-bathtubs.html

Peace,
Bubba

Re: Hope this helps!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Oh good grief ... now I am terribly confused.

Does she use it with the soap powder? It looks as though it contains a phosphate, which would interfere with the depositing of the scum on the bathtub surface, so that would make sense. Alone, and with soap, I can't see the mechanism it works my, which is not to say there isn't one!

I knew I should have spent more time paying attention to chemistry. It's like that terrible moment the other year when I did need to know the capital of Niger, and all that came to mind was the cranky voice of Mr Fitzpatrick telling me I'd regret not paying attention to that class some day ...

Re: Hope this helps!

[absynthedrinker.livejournal.com]

Yes she uses soap powder and she says that it leaves the tubs spotless!(and scumless)

Niamey dear and here is a photo of the Great Mosque there.


Peace,
Bubba

Re: Hope this helps!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, dear! On both counts. I have always been rubbish at western Africa, anything past Chad is a mystery to me.

Re: Hope this helps!

[absynthedrinker.livejournal.com]

Me too! I've spent time in Kenya with my aunt and once went to see the flowers of Namaqualand which is tecnically on the west coast but not Western Africa.

Sweet dreams darling.

Peace,
Bubba