how do water softeners work?

Ion-exchange water softeners work by taking the hardness minerals out of the water. The softener contains millions of tiny resin beads which remove calcium and magnesium as the water passes through. The resin attracts and traps these minerals so that only softened water enters your plumbing system. Periodically, a timer automatically flushes the resin clean with brine to regenerate it.

A domestic ion-exchange water softener is the only process specifically designed to completely remove all hardness from the mains water supply. Water softened in this way will also gradually remove existing scale from pipe work, bathroom fittings and heating elements.

Other electronic and magnetic devices do not remove the hardness from the water. Some may have some effect in reducing or inhibiting hardness scale, but they will not soften the water. 

Only with an ion-exchange softener will you enjoy all the benefits of softened water in your home.