Started making mead a couple months ago, and I've done a few small batches now (pictured are batches 5, 6, and 7). A couple of beginner questions:

1. Adding Fermaid O -- for those that use it, do you dissolve it in something before adding it? It clumps like hell if I add it directly. The package just says to add it, doesn't give a method. Today I tried dissolving it in a small pull from each batch, but it felt like a lot of work. I was going to just dissolve it in some (unchlorinated) water when I add it tomorrow. What do y'all do for that?

2. With my very first batch, the first time I added the nutrients I got with my kit, I earned my carboy-overfloweth badge (a gentle shake resulted in a delightful fountain display). I bought Fermaid O for subsequent batches, and I've gotten no significant reaction when adding it, even after a shake. Should I be getting more of a reaction?

3. Sanitizing--once something is sanitized, like a spoon for instance, do you think it's okay to rinse it with tap water and set it on a paper towel, then use it again? Or in a more general sense, are a few drops of tap water going to affect a gallon of mead significantly?

Thanks!