Water softening

Water softening, process of removing calcium and magnesium from hard water. These insoluble minerals, when left in water, form scale in pipes and prevent the dissolution of cleansers, such as soap. Hard water may be softened by adding soda ash and lime to it. The soda ash and lime join with the calcium and magnesium, making them settle to the bottom of the water container. Water may also be softened by filtering it through zeolites, minerals that contain sodium ions. The sodium ions change places with the calcium and magnesium ions, thereby softening the water. When the zeolites become depleted of sodium ions, a strong solution of common salt can be placed in the filter to replenish the sodium.