Gunther Answers: How Does Salt Work in a Water Softener?
Countless homes and businesses use a water-softening system without a second thought. But others may wonder: How does salt work in a water softener? As a resource for our customers, Gunther Salt banded together to share the science behind water-softening salt and the safeguards that it provides. Read on for the benefits of a soft water system and how to choose the best salt for water softener systems.
What Makes Water Hard?
As water travels through the ground, it encounters rocks and soil that change its makeup. Once the water reaches the municipal supply, it may contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese.
Though perfectly natural, hard water can gradually build up in pipes and appliances throughout your home and business. The costs of hard water can be immense, but many fail to notice until the pipes are substantially blocked. Catching and resolving the problem early on is critical — here are a few signs to keep an eye out for:
Low water pressure
Dingy laundry
Spotty dishes
Scales in sinks, bathtubs and other appliances
High energy costs
How Does Salt Work in a Water Softener?
Many methods may effectively filter water, but a water softener is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve water quality. The benefits of a soft water system are endless — with little effort and maintenance, it eliminates common problems associated with minerals in your water.
But how does salt work in a water softener? The answer is fairly simple. When salt is added to water, it begins the ion exchange process. The positive ions in “hard” minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, switch places with negative ions in “soft” minerals, such as sodium. By the end, the water-softening system releases water free of additional minerals.
The amount of sodium in softened water is directly related to its initial hardness level. As the grains per gallon (GPG) increases, so does the amount of sodium used. Generally, an 8-ounce (237-milliliter) glass of softened water contains less than 12.5 milligrams of sodium, which is well within the Food and Drug Administration’s definition of “very low sodium.” When used properly, water run through a softening system is perfectly safe to use and consume.
How Do You Know It Is Working?
So far, we have answered the question of “how does salt work in a water softener,” but another question still remains — how do you know it is working? There are a few telltale signs that your water is soft, including:
Soap lathers quickly and easily
Water tastes more neutral.
Laundry comes out cleaner and brighter.
Scaling on faucets, sinks and other appliances decreases.
Water pressure improves as scale buildup decreases.
While these signs may be good indicators, the only legitimate way to tell is to conduct a hard water test. Visit the Gunther Salt blog for three ways to test for hard water.
What is the Best Salt for Your Water Softener?
While every company claims to provide the best salt for your water softener, we’re confident in the efficacy of our products. More than that, our team of experts makes us stand apart — we work tirelessly to answer questions, match you with the right product and fulfill your order on time and within budget.
Gunther Salt Company currently offers three options for water softening salt, including:
Utah Solar Salt. Harvested from shallow ponds in Utah, this salt is a cleaner and less expensive alternative to evaporated salts. The high purity in Utah solar salt leaves fewer insolubles in your tank, requiring fewer equipment cleanings long-term.
Louisiana Rock Salt. Rock salt is sourced directly from mines in Louisiana. This option is considered the best value for our consumers. Rock salt is only available in bulk or bulk bags. A great option for industrial customers, water plants, hospitals and institutions.
Evaporated Salts. Everyone has different needs when it comes to their home or facility. For those who need higher purity options, we provide specialty evaporated salts. We offer both pellets and cubes as well as redout/rust out evaporated salts.
Gunther Salt helps you reap the benefits of a soft water system by matching you with the best salt for your water softener. There is a reason we have earned a reputation as a leading provider of water-softening salts in the Midwest. Our team makes the ordering process easy, informative and hassle-free every step of the way.
For bulk water-softening salt, visit our Bulk Ordering page to provide your product and delivery information. For custom pallet deliveries, visit our Other Ordering page to contact a representative.
