I am renting a house which has it's own well without a water softener. The water is so nasty, I shower at a friend's when I can. I even give my pets bottled water.
What is the cheapest way to soften the water? Also, what can I use in my hair when I do have to shower at home, something that will soften my hair, and get rid of that metallic smell?
By Suefu from Naperville, IL
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If you are renting either a house or an apartment it's the owners problem to fix the water problem. You should report this to the landlord.
Try putting a gallon of bleach in the well at least once a month. I rented a place along time ago, the water was so bad it changed the color of my hair from blonde to red.
You can buy all sorts of small filters for your drinking water. Some fit right on the tap; others go in pitchers; my son has a large one that sits on the counter, hold about 5 gallons, got it online or from Lee Valley.
For a dishwasher, put in about a cup of vinegar with the rinse.
For laundry, you could try vinegar in the rinse, or use Calgon, a product just for this purpose. You can either use Calgon in the bathtub as well, or purchase a bath product made by Calgon especially for the tub.
Bleach will not soften water. And if your landlord has not so far put in a softener,he is unlikely to do so, although it couldn't hurt to ask. You won't be drinking the softened water, so you will still want a water filter.
You should likely have the water tested; contact public health to find out how to do this.
Here on thrifty fun, I have read of people using vinegar to rinse their hair, but I have never tried that. It might work, and if it is just "hard", the vinegar should work as a final rinse.
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