What does a water softener remove?

A water softener primarily functions to remove calcium and magnesium ions from water. These minerals are responsible for water hardness, which can cause scale buildup in plumbing and appliances, as well as reduce the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. By exchanging calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium ions through a process known as ion exchange, water softeners make water 'softer', preventing these issues and improving overall water quality for use in various applications, including hemodialysis.

Bicarbonate precipitate, chlorine, chloramines, iron, and other heavy metals are not the primary focus of water softeners. Bicarbonate is a different compound that may need specific treatment methods, while chlorine and chloramines are usually removed by water treatment methods such as activated carbon filters. Heavy metals like iron require specific filtration or treatment systems designed for their removal rather than the ion-exchange method used in water softeners. Thus, the focus of a water softener is distinctly on calcium and magnesium for addressing water hardness.