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Solution Center Revised: September 24th 2025

How Does A Water Softener Work?

Learn about hard water, its negative effects, and how a water softener converts hard water into soft water.

What is Hard Water?

As water travels to your home, it comes into contact with naturally occurring minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals dissolve into the water over time, and the more minerals the water holds, the harder the water becomes. Hard water can vary in intensity, depending on the local geology and the concentration of dissolved minerals in your water supply.

Some common signs of hard water in your home include:

  • Stiff, dingy laundry that feels rough or looks faded after washing

  • Mineral deposits and spots on dishes, glassware, and cookware

  • Increased soap usage and a greater need for fabric softeners

  • Extra effort required to remove soap scum from bathtubs, showers, and sinks

  • Scale buildup in faucets, showerheads, sinks, and appliances

  • Mineral deposits accumulating in plumbing and water heaters, which can reduce efficiency and lifespan

In addition to these household inconveniences, hard water can also affect the feel of your skin and hair, leaving them dry or dull. Installing a water softening system can reduce calcium and magnesium levels, prevent scale buildup, improve cleaning efficiency, and help protect plumbing and appliances while delivering softer, more enjoyable water throughout your home.

Learn More About Hard Water and It's Effects on You and Your Home

Learn More About Hard Water

How Does A Water Softener Work?

As hard water comes into your home, it usually will go directly to your faucet or to your hot water tank then to your faucets, with the dissolved minerals. A water softener removes these dissolved minerals through a process called “ion exchange”.

In this process, water passes through a bed of resin replacing the “hard” calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, that do not have the damaging effects. The calcium and magnesium ions are then stuck in the resin bed. Once the resin bed is filled up with the “hard” ions, it is then regenerated (cleaned) sodium chloride (salt); to start the process over.

Technician Installing Water Softener

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Kinetico water softeners provide your family with plenty of soft water on-demand

Why Kinetico’s Water Softeners?

  • Kinetico’s systems are always ready with a multi-tank approach that allows 24/7 soft water. One tank recharges while one is online for producing soft water.
  • Kinetico’s non-electric systems are driven by the power of the moving water, increasing the quality of your water without increasing carbon footprint.
  • Kinetico’s Water softener systems are easy to use. If you require more soft water, your system will make more, if you do not need as much, the tank will be on standby.
  • Kinetico’s systems are professionally installed by a water specialist and will work with you to make sure your system is a perfect fit for your home and family’s needs.
  • Kinetico offers a variety of water softeners that work with both city and well water supplies to provide a solution for most homes.

Learn More About Kinetico Water Softeners

Kinetico Water Softeners

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