Softener salt with resin cleaner

[GON]

Came across a softener salt that states it has a resin cleaner in the salt. Having used water softener for many decades, this is the first time I have seen a resin cleaner in the sale. I have seen a iron remover in the sale, but not a resin specific cleaner..not sure if this works or is a gimmick. Have only seen this salt that Tractor Supply.

Our water supply post water softener occasionally loses all pressure. Research points to chlorine in the town's water supply causing a cakein of the resin, not allowing water to pass.

I spent about ten regenerations and very expensive treatment chemicals to try and clean the resin. Wondering if this is a better alternative.

SureSoft® PelletsPlus® with Resin Clean® Water Softener Salt https://share.google/B0SG2riw8ovTcBo0w

 

[GON]

Started to read the reviews on this product at Home Depot website. Most reviews are worthless discussing free delivery and wishing the bad had handles at both ends.

One review was interesting and maybe telling- salt reportedly smelled like Clorox.

 

[walterjay]

This is typically used where there is iron present in the water. It dissolves the iron that can stick to the resin.

 

[MNgopher]

If the resin in your softener has actually failed, no amount of cleaners or other magic formulas in a bag or bottle will make the resin whole again.

Solutions are replacement of the resin or replacement of the softener.

The cleaners and such are to remove iron and other deposits on the resin - not to reactivate it or cause it to physically reform into its pre failure physical condition.

 

[Pablo]

I've seen such products at Lowe's and HD. No idea if it works.

Thing is to me, it's all chemistry - not magic - it's in, or going in or near our drinking water. So?

So - what chemistry are they actually using and how much?

As a disclaimer I have used the iron one, and we don't really have high iron, so I cannot claim anything.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I did some research (AI looked at the SDS) and the resin cleaning chemical is likely a food-grade acid or a phosphate-based compound.

Seems like a novel idea. There is always some cross contamination from salt to potable water, something to consider.

 

[researcher]

Maybe I'm captain obvious but isn't the whole point of the SALT is to CLEAN the resin balls from their ion exchange during regeneration? So are they saying something like citric acid or a phosphate-based compound is going to be added to the salt to helps its original job? Seems like clever marketing.

 

[loneryder]

I have lot's of iron and use the iron removal salt. I'm wondering it this is something I could use occasionally to help keep it clean.

 

[KrisZ]

Just use IronOut once a year and save money.

 

[Pablo]

Maybe I'm captain obvious but isn't the whole point of the SALT is to CLEAN the resin balls from their ion exchange during regeneration? So are they saying something like citric acid or a phosphate-based compound is going to be added to the salt to helps its original job? Seems like clever marketing.

Yes, like Cl- ions clean the resin balls.

 

[GON]

This is typically used where there is iron present in the water. It dissolves the iron that can stick to the resin.

In my case, no significant iron in the water. The town puts chlorine in the water, which reportedly causeses the resin to cake.

Many people with chlorine in the water put a chlorine filter prior to the water softener, to remove the chlorine from the water prior to the water being treated by the water softner.

 

[GON]

Maybe I'm captain obvious but isn't the whole point of the SALT is to CLEAN the resin balls from their ion exchange during regeneration? So are they saying something like citric acid or a phosphate-based compound is going to be added to the salt to helps its original job? Seems like clever marketing.

Good question. The job of the resin is to remove minerals from the water. Chlorine, which the town inserts into the water, is not a mineral, and reduces the effectiveness of the resin, and sometimes the chlorine makes the resin prematurely fail.

 

[GON]

I have lot's of iron and use the iron removal salt. I'm wondering it this is something I could use occasionally to help keep it clean.

I have used Iron Out to maintain water softeners that treat water with a heavy iron content. I always used Morton salt for heavy iron water also.

Here is a very quick video on using Iron Out in a water softener.

 

[GON]

If the resin in your softener has actually failed, no amount of cleaners or other magic formulas in a bag or bottle will make the resin whole again.

Solutions are replacement of the resin or replacement of the softener.

The cleaners and such are to remove iron and other deposits on the resin - not to reactivate it or cause it to physically reform into its pre failure physical condition.

No argument from me the resin needs to be replaced due to age or exposure to damaging substances.

I did four treatments of the resin using the following products, and one iron out treatment. After completing, the treatments, the no water flow through the softneor issue did not return. The water seems very soft, very big lather in the shower when using soap, and no residue in toilet bowls.

 

[tom slick]

The additive is citric acid

 

[doitmyself]

The additive is citric acid

In Gon's product above? Where did you find that (I looked). Citric acid is mostly an iron management chemical, just like Iron Out is and just like my "ResCare" (phosphoric acid). All of these are iron management products, maybe a little bit of other chemical resin foulers too? I don't know.

Google "chlorine effects on softener resin"............it's an oxidizer that destroys resin. 10% Crosslink resin handles chlorine better. It will be interesting if Gon's results last for any amount of time. Resin wears out, no matter the care given.

It "seems" that Gon's product in the original post is just a marketing ploy to infer that it is different than rust fighter labeled products?

 

[rszappa1]

If the resin in your softener has actually failed, no amount of cleaners or other magic formulas in a bag or bottle will make the resin whole again.

Solutions are replacement of the resin or replacement of the softener.

The cleaners and such are to remove iron and other deposits on the resin - not to reactivate it or cause it to physically reform into its pre failure physical condition.

I had to replace the resin in mine after about 10 years and the job is very easy to do...

 

[Rob_Roy]

I have used the salt w/ resin cleaner off and on for 10 years and never noticed a difference. I think it might help keep things clean if you have iron, but so will a bit of IronOUT in the brine well. The real solution is to replace the resin, and install an activated carbon filter ahead of the softer to remove the chlorine.

 

[rszappa1]

I have used the salt w/ resin cleaner off and on for 10 years and never noticed a difference. I think it might help keep things clean if you have iron, but so will a bit of IronOUT in the brine well. The real solution is to replace the resin, and install an activated carbon filter ahead of the softer to remove the chlorine.

and it is a easy job to do....

 

[tom slick]

In Gon's product above? Where did you find that (I looked). Citric acid is mostly an iron management chemical, just like Iron Out is and just like my "ResCare" (phosphoric acid). All of these are iron management products, maybe a little bit of other chemical resin foulers too? I don't know.

Google "chlorine effects on softener resin"............it's an oxidizer that destroys resin. 10% Crosslink resin handles chlorine better. It will be interesting if Gon's results last for any amount of time. Resin wears out, no matter the care given.

It "seems" that Gon's product in the original post is just a marketing ploy to infer that it is different than rust fighter labeled products?

I found the sds lists “sulfate” as the ingredient in the salt pellets.
https://www.compassminerals.com/suresoft/resource-library/

Other resin cleaners are often citric acid