How To Clean a Water Softener

October 16, 2024

Sometimes as homeowners, we take things like our water softener for granted.  We put in the needed salt and never give it much thought.  But to keep your softener operating optimally, you should schedule a cleaning about once per year.  It is fairly easy to do and doesn't take a lot of time and can prevent problems that can end up costing you for repairs or replacement.  

At S & L Water Solutions, our goal is to provide you with clean and healthy drinking water.  We offer many services including water softeners, water treatments, and filtration systems to provide solutions to all your water needs.  

Steps to Cleaning Your Water Softener

Cleaning your water softener can prevent a buildup of minerals in the resin tank.  You may notice your water being discolored if you do not perform maintenance and cleaning as needed.  We recommend cleaning at least once per year to avoid problems and keep your softener operating optimally.  Water that is high in minerals and metals may require more frequent cleaning (some of the water in our area of Hagerstown and Frederick has been found to contain heavy metals, microorganisms, copper, and more!)

If you notice that your water is discolored or if your softener is not functioning like it used to, it may be an indication that a cleaning of your softener is in order.  There are generally two tanks on a water softener:  The brine tank (where the salt goes) and the resin tank.  The resin tank contains small spherical resin beads that hold a negative charge that attracts positively charged ions. Over time the resin can suffer from an accumulation of minerals, most frequently iron.  This buildup of minerals will cause your softener to operate ineffectively and inefficiently.

Cleaning the Resin Tank:

You will need to purchase a resin cleaner.  When choosing your cleaner, you will want to go with a rust remover that is made specifically for water softeners.  If you have trouble finding a suitable cleaner, contact the experts at S & L Water Solutions for a recommendation.  Most cleaners will come with a detailed set of instructions, but here are some universal instructions to use if needed.

1.  Mix your water softener cleaner with water.  Make sure there are no lumps and that the solution is completely dissolved.
2. Open the resin tank and pour in the mixture.  You may see some water in the tank already but that's okay.  Go ahead and add it.
3. Regenerate.  This may be automatic or manual, depending on the model of your softener.  
4. Let the cleaner dissipate, cleaning out the resin bed and removing impurities. Sometimes the cleaner works best when the brine tank is full of salt.  Always read the manufacturer's instructions.

Cleaning the Brine Tank: 

The brine tank is where you fill the softener with salt.  Once annually is generally a good time to clean the brine tank, but if you have really hard water, you may want to do this more often.  

1.  Clean when your salt level is low.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  First, you are going to have to dump out the contents of the tank so you will be wasting whatever salt is inside.  Second, brine tanks can be large and heavy.  The less it weighs the easier it is to lift.
2. Turn off the water going into the softener.  Usually, you can easily do this by shutting off the bypass valve.
3. Remove the grid plate from the bottom of the tank and start scooping out the water.  You will need to drain the tank completely.  When the water level is down lift the tank out and pour the rest of the brine down the drain.
4. Take the tank outside and wash it out using a garden hose to remove all the salt and sediment that is in the tank.  You can use some sink detergent and a sponge to clean the tank, paying special attention to any mold accumulation that may require a special solution.
5. Rinse and refill the tank. Make sure all the soap is gone then place the tank back into position and refill the salt pellets.  Do not forget to turn the water back on and do a manual regeneration cycle if needed.

See if It's Time to Upgrade Your Water Softener

If your water softener is not functioning as well as it used to, it may be time for a replacement.  S & L Water Solutions offers water softeners that provide your home with the latest in technology, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Contact us today to find out more!

Featured Image: Kinek00 / Shutterstock