Sodium And Water Softeners: How They Work Together To Soften Your Supply

Soft water vs hard is more than a matter of taste. There’s a science behind water softening that ensures the levels of certain minerals in the water supply are reduced to create the softer texture and less chemical taste.
If you’ve ever wondered how exactly a water softener works to get the result you love, now is your chance to find out!
Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about the water softening process!

Let’s start with your current supply: Hard water.
Hard water has a high mineral content level, with the minerals in question usually being calcium and/or magnesium.
As the water is piped into your home through the mains source, it can deposit these minerals on the pipes, taps and appliances it passes through – leaving a build up, also known as scale.
This can eventually cause damage to your appliances, could clog your pipes and even affect your cooking and cleaning due to the chalky residue it leaves behind.
Obviously, none of this is desirable, so you’ve probably considered a water softener. Here’s how it works!

What is a water softener and how does it work?
A water softener consists of a tank, which contains thousands of small beads made from resin, designed to hold electrically charged ions. The water softener will regenerate these beads, filling them with sodium ions – created by the salt you add to your softener.
The water from the mains will pass through this system on its way to your tap. During its journey, the resin beads will absorb the calcium and magnesium, removing them from your supply.

Can any kind of salt be used in a water softener?
Not all salts are made equal, so you’ll need to make the right choice in order to ensure a smooth and effective process. While most types of salt will get the job done, choosing the best kind simply creates a better experience.
Rock salt is easy to come by and is not heavily processed, making it an affordable and accessible choice. The downside to this is that it usually contains impurities which can build up residue in your tank, resulting in more maintenance for you.
Another option is solar salt, which is evaporated from seawater. This salt creates some build up but not as much as you’d get using rock salt.
Finally, there’s evaporated salt. This is essentially rock salt that has been much more processed.
This will leave far less residue, if any, and is a great choice if you have very hard water as it is usually found to be the most effective.

Now you know how a water softener works, why not try one out for yourself? EWT offers a wide range of water softeners and filters, helping you get a water supply that’s exactly the way you’d like it.
Check out the range here on our site, or get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more!