Portland
United States · North America
The water
9 mg/LSoft
Source: Portland Water Bureau · Official figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What soft water does to hair
Expect easy lather and a clean rinse, with almost no mineral coating wash to wash. The common complaint in soft water is the opposite of damage: hair that feels too soft, flat at the roots and quick to fly away.
The washing routine for Portland
No special rhythm is needed. Keep your usual shampoo and spacing, lighten the conditioner if hair feels coated, and save the clarifying wash for the odd occasion rather than a schedule.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): August is the warmest month, averaging 30°C by day, and humidity peaks in December at about 86% on average. Day to night swings reach 15°C, which dries hair out between washes; the plan adds moisture and a sealing leave-in when a stop spans those months. In the hot months, sun and sweat do as much damage as the water: shade, a hat and a rinse after swimming carry the routine. In the humid months, frizz is the main event; anti-humidity styling matters more than wash frequency.
Local note: Rises in summer when Columbia South Shore groundwater supplements the Bull Run watershed supply.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type A and B. Supply: 120 V, 60 Hz.
Full sockets by the sink are standard (the National Electrical Code requires one within 3 feet of each basin, GFCI protected).
A dryer or styler wound for 230 V only will run weak on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you travel.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Portland 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.