Interesting note about the water.
We live in North Lincolnshire (just about as far north as you can go in the county) and find we have a high calcium level i.e. hard water. This often leaves a scum on water in the cleaning pots and does not mix well with paint. The bottled water helps for mixing paints though.
My pallets are used CDs - never really liked using them for scenery so I have some around. Ever tried the wet pallet idea?
Good article - I will try the washing up liquid idea once my flow improver dries up (well never going to use it as I bought a BIG BIG tube cheap).
Thanks for the posting
Andrew