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Seattle

United States · North America

The water

22 mg/LSoft

Source: Seattle Public Utilities · 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 Seattle

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 26°C by day, and humidity peaks in January at about 84% 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 A and B. Supply: 120 V, 60 Hz.

Type A plug
Type A
Type B plug
Type B

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 Seattle 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.

Open Seattle in the trip planner →