Haha, oatmeal soap strikes again... learned that lesson the hard way myself. Thought I was doing the planet a favor until my pipes started protesting. Switched to clear biodegradable stuff and added a lint trap—problem solved. Good call on the filter suggestion, definitely worth the small hassle upfront to avoid plumbing nightmares later.
Haha, oatmeal soap... been there, done that, still traumatized. Honestly though, between greywater and rainwater harvesting, I'm leaning towards rainwater. Greywater systems can get pricey fast with filters and maintenance. Rain barrels are cheaper upfront, simpler to DIY, and you don't have to worry as much about what soap you're using. Plus, free water from the sky? My wallet approves. Just make sure you have a decent screen to keep leaves and bugs out—trust me on that one.
Rainwater's great, but relying solely on it can get dicey during dry spells. Greywater systems might be pricier upfront, but once set up properly, they're pretty hands-off—no oatmeal soap required, promise. Just something to think about...
Rain barrels worked great for me at first, until we had that crazy drought a couple summers back—my garden basically turned into a dust bowl. After that, I bit the bullet and invested in a basic greywater setup. Yeah, the upfront cost stung a little, but honestly it's been worth it. Way less maintenance, and I don't have to stress about the forecast anymore. If you're on a tight budget, maybe start small and expand later...worked for me.
"Way less maintenance, and I don't have to stress about the forecast anymore."
Totally agree on the maintenance angle. Greywater systems are usually set-and-forget once dialed in. Rain barrels can be finicky—clogged screens, algae growth, mosquito breeding...been there, done that. Greywater just feels more reliable long-term.
