Oxford
United Kingdom · Europe
The water
280 mg/LVery hard
Source: Thames Water · Published figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What very hard water does to hair
Build-up is fast, especially on porous or bleached hair. Weekly chelation and richer conditioning are worth it on long stays.
The washing routine for Oxford
Set the rhythm tight: a chelating (detox) wash every second wash, gentle shampoo in between, and rich conditioner after every wash. For long stays, a weekly deep treatment keeps bleached or porous hair from going brittle.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): July is the warmest month, averaging 22°C by day, and humidity peaks in December at about 89% on average. In the humid months, frizz is the main event; anti-humidity styling matters more than wash frequency.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type G. Supply: 230 V, 50 Hz.
Sockets are not permitted in bathrooms, expect a shaver point only (BS 7671 allows a full socket only 3 m or more from the bath or shower).
A 120 V only dryer or styler (North American) will burn out on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you plug in.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Oxford properly
The trip planner turns this water profile into a wash plan for your hair type, a chosen kit and a packing list, month by month.