How Does a Water Softener Work?

Hard Water passes through a bed of  specialized resin made up of positive and negatively charged resins.  These resins remove the hardness from the water by means of an ion exchange. This exchange eliminates precipitation and soap scum formation. As the water passes through both kinds of resin, the hardness ions replace the hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions which are released into the water. The "harder" the water, the more hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions are released from the resin and into the water.

What A Water Softener Will Not Do A water softener will not filter sediment or sand out of your water. It will not remove bacteria or nitrates/nitrites from your water. Unless you add anion exchange media to your softener's mineral tank, it will not remove tannins from your water. It will not make your water "healthier" to drink as will Reverse Osmosis, Ultra-Violet, Nano-Filtration, or Distillation Systems will do.

What A Water Softener Will Do AND How It Pays For Itself A water softener will save you a great deal of money on soaps, detergents, and other cleaners you use in your home.  Studies have shown that a water softener will pay for itself due to these savings. And since soft water is soft on your clothes, it will keep your laundry and clothes looking brighter and lasting longer than if washed in hard water. You can also say goodbye to stains on your porcelain surfaces and water fixtures not to mention scale buildup in your water pipes and hot water heater. In many cases even pre-existing scale buildup can be removed by the soft water from a water softener.  And by preventing scale from building up in your water heater and water using appliances, a water softener almost DOUBLES the life of these appliance.  Additionally, soft water makes skin feel softer and more youthful and it also makes hair feel softer and fuller.  What other appliance can do all of these things? Answer: None.  That’s why a water softener is the most important appliance in your home!

Bottom Line To You  A water softener pays for itself by saving you money on soaps and detergents, by keeping your clothes looking brighter and newer, and by preserving your water using appliances.  The bonus is you look better and your skin will feel softer and more youthful and your hair softer and fuller.  What other appliance can do all of these things?  Answer: None.  That’s why a water softener is the most important appliance in your home!