A water softener, also called an ion exchanger, removes minerals such as calcium and magnesium from hard water and replaces them with sodium or potassium. This process, called ion exchange, helps detergents remove dirt and grease from clothes and dishes and makes soap feel slippery on the skin.
A water softener typically has three components:
Mineral tank: A tall tank filled with small, negatively charged polystyrene beads, also called resins or zeolites
Brine tank: A shorter tank that can store up to 300 pounds of salt
Control valve: Controls the regeneration cycle
When hard water enters the top of the mineral tank, it flows over the resin beads, to which the minerals cling, releasing sodium ions into the water. This creates soft water that can be used in your home.
Over time, the resin beads need to be regenerated by flushing them with concentrated brine (salt water solution), replacing the collected minerals with new sodium, and flushing the brine and minerals out of the tank. This regeneration cycle typically takes about two hours, during which time it is not recommended to use the water. Depending on the hardness of your water, water usage, and settings, the regeneration cycle may need to be done once or several times a week.
