Meet “greensand”—a natural mineral that looks like a cross between sand and sprinkle-covered donut holes. It’s packed with manganese, which is like a chemical bouncer for iron. Pour water through a greensand filter, and the iron gets oxidized instantly. This stuff is so effective that it’s been used since the 1800s, back when people still believed iron in water caused “melancholy.” (Spoiler: it doesn’t, but having orange teeth will make you sad.)
You can buy a greensand filter cartridge for your whole-house system at any hardware store. Or, in a pinch, toss a handful of greensand into your well and let it sink. It’s like dropping a sponge in your laundry—it just works. Just don’t snort the dust; your sinuses don’t need a metallic makeover.
