I'm just curious as to the science behind a water softener. Thanks in advance for any info.
2006-09-04 23:56:48 · 3 answers · asked by mktpjlc 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It adds sodium to the water---a form of salt compound. This gives the water different properties, and the feel we call "soft". It helps to carry away the"hard" minerals like calcium and magnesium that leave deposits on your sinks and showers, and don't rinse out of your laundry.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question99.htm
2006-09-04 23:58:53 · answer #1 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea behind a water softener is simple. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are replaced with sodium ions. Since sodium does not precipitate out in pipes or react badly with soap, both of the problems of hard water are eliminated. To do the ion replacement, the water in the house runs through a bed of small plastic beads or through a chemical matrix called zeolite. The beads or zeolite are covered with sodium ions. As the water flows past the sodium ions, they swap places with the calcium and magnesium ions. Eventually, the beads or zeolite contain nothing but calcium and magnesium and no sodium, and at this point they stop softening the water. It is then time to regenerate the beads or zeolite.
2006-09-05 00:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are little monkeys inside the filter and they beat the crap out of the water molecules to soften them up, just for you! :)
2006-09-05 00:02:33 · answer #3 · answered by -^-Smooth C-^- 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋