If you have a water softener, you know how important salt is to keep it functioning correctly. But have you ever pondered why sodium is necessary for your best water softeners, click here? The secret is in salt’s unique qualities, which are at the heart of the chemistry behind water softening.

To prevent issues like soap scum and limescale accumulation, water softeners get rid of the minerals in hard water. Water softeners accomplish this through a process known as ion exchange. When water passes through a water softener’s resin beads, the positively charged ions are repelled by the water’s negatively charged calcium and magnesium ions. So instead of the hard water minerals remaining in the water, sodium ions from the salt in the water softener are released.

Then why does the water softener in your home require salt? The secret is found in several peculiarities of sodium. Sodium ions have a positive charge and effectively replace the positively charged hard water minerals. The high solubility of sodium ions in water implies that they can be easily filtered out by the water softener and distributed throughout the plumbing system.

Yet, why can’t you use regular table salt in the water softener? The quality of the salt is the key. You can’t use just any old table salt in your water softener; you need water softener salt, which is 99.9% pure and has no fillers or other contaminants. Ensuring the salt dissolves appropriately prevents water softener or plumbing system issues.

It’s crucial to remember the many advantages of soft water, although the water softener’s salt requirement may seem like a nuisance. Further to preventing wear and tear on electronics, textiles, and hair, soft water facilitates more efficient cleaning. If you want to enjoy the many advantages of soft water, remember that each time you add salt to your water softener, you are investing a long-term investment in the well-being of your family and the value of your property.