Water

Sometimes our water smells bad. Sometimes the taste is a little off. Our water builds up mineral scale around plumbing fixtures. Some of us get skin rashes - "hard water dermatitis".

Our water is rich in iron and manganese. Fortunately this is not dangerous, not a health hazard. I've tasted worse in Grays Harbor County. The City of McCleary is in the process of improving our water system.

Vinegar and baking soda, or commercial products, can be tried to deal with the mineral scale. I'm trying a shampoo on my hair that is supposed to help prevent build up of hard water minerals and I'm also rinsing with store bought water. I've developed quite a forehead rash and am now washing my face also only with store bought water, this is slowly helping.

Washing with hard water can make you think that you need more soap, since hard water doesn't lather very well. This is a mistake, don't use more soaps and detergents than you usually would. Chlorine bleach doesn't help with cleaning hard mineral deposits either.

A little diluted white vinegar works well added to detergent for laundry.

How does your water smell?