What Are the Different Types of Water Softener Systems?
Water softener systems use a process called ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium, which are the trademarks of hard water. Overly hard water can make household cleaning difficult, as it often leaves scum on kitchen and bathroom fixtures, dulls clothing, and leaves spots on dishes. Water softening must be used with care, however, because it exchanges sodium for the minerals that give water hard characteristics, and it may be harmful for people on low-sodium diets. Sodium produced by softening water can also be harmful to plants. The different types of water softener systems all utilize ion exchange, but they vary in the amount of input they require from the operator.
