Is there such a thing as a portable water softener?

[MegBusset]

DS's eczema has improved considerably after staying at my dad's where they have a water softener. We've previously been assessed for having one installed and have been told it can't be done without ripping apart our kitchen (not an option, cost-wise). Just wondering if there is any way of just softening the water we use for DS's bath...?

Find out how your dad's water softening system works: does it filter the water to take something out or does it add something, pretty much like salt in a dishwasher? If the former, then it might be difficult to do without installing the system, if the latter, then maybe there is something you could add to the bathwater.