How to Clean a Water Softener

How to Clean a Water Softener's Media Beads

1. Mix the Cleaner

   Mix the water softener cleaner with cold water in a clean container according to the manufacturer's instructions. Some cleaners are pre-mixed and do not require dilution.

2. Open the Brine Well

   Open the brine well container cap inside of the water softener. Set the cap aside outside of the water softener so that it does not get lost in the salt pellets.

3. Pour in the Cleaner

   Pour the water softener cleaner mix carefully into the brine well container. Some spillage onto the salt pellets is fine but generally you'll want to keep all of the mixture in the brine well container.

4. Replace the Cap

   Replace the brine well container cap and close the top of the water softener. 

5. Recharge the System

   Press the activation button on the water softener to begin the cleaning process. Typically, the button is labeled "recharge."

How to Clean a Water Softener Reservoir Tank

1. Empty the Reservoir Tank

   Let the system use up the rest of the salt in the reservoir until the slots in the brine well are visible.

2. Turn Off the Softener

   Unplug the water softener at the wall socket.

3. Remove Loose Chunks at the Bottom

   Dislodge and remove any loose chunks of salt crust at the bottom. Poke the crust gently with the broom handle or dowel.

   Tip

   It's not necessary to force the crust loose at this point since later steps will help to dissolve the salt.

4. Fill With Water

   Use the hose to fill the salt reservoir with water until it reaches about four inches below the brine well cap. If a hose and faucet are not available, use a bucket.

5. Let the Water Sit

   Let the water sit in the salt reservoir for between two and four hours.

6. Remove the Water

   Remove the water in the salt reservoir with the shop vacuum on wet mode. Or you can use a hand pump, submersible pump, or siphon, or you can bale out the water with small containers such as measuring cups. Remove as much water as you can.

7. Loosen the Salt Crust

   Gently chip away any loose salt at the bottom of the reservoir with the broom handle or dowel. Go easy to avoid damaging the floor of the reservoir. 

8. Vacuum the Bottom of the Reservoir

   With the shop vacuum on wet mode, remove everything else from the bottom of the reservoir such as large chunks of salt, dirt, and other debris. Wipe the bottom and sides clean with a towel.

9. Clean the Brine Well Intake

   Clean the slots on the brine well container by hand if any obvious debris is clogging them. Remove the debris by hand or with a nozzle attachment on a shop vacuum.

10. Restart the Water Softener

    Add salt to the reservoir to its proper level, plug in the water softener, and turn it on.

How to Clean a Water Softener Nozzle and Venturi

1. Deactivate the Water Softener

   Turn off and unplug the water softener.

2. Turn on the Bypass

   Switch the water softener's bypass valve into the bypass position to prevent the water from flowing through the venturi and nozzle while you are working on them.

3. Turn on Soft Water Cycle

   The water softener must be in the soft water (service) cycle when you're cleaning it to eliminate water pressure at the nozzle and venturi.

4. Access the Nozzle and Venturi

   Open the top lid of the water softener and completely remove it. Set it aside.

5. Unscrew the Cap and Remove Parts

   Hold the dome-shaped nozzle and venturi housing with one hand. Use the other hand to unscrew the cap. Doing so will loosen the parts inside, so be careful not to lose parts in or behind the water softener.

   Tip

   Parts in this section are small and complicated. As you remove parts, lay them out in progression on a towel. Take photos of the area, too. The water softener instruction manual may have an exploded diagram of this area, as well.

6. Disassemble the Parts

   Place the parts on a clean towel. Once the cap is removed, you can lift out the screen support and screen. After that, remove the nozzle and venturi disc, gasket, and flow plugs. If this area is clogged, you will likely see wet debris in the disc and screen.

7. Clean the Parts

   Fill a bucket about halfway with warm water and dish soap. Let the parts soak for a few minutes. Then reach into the bucket and clean each part with your fingers or with an old toothbrush. Once all items are clean, rinse out the bucket and fill it with cool, clean water. Rinse the parts. Unfold the towel to a dry section and lay out the parts to dry them.

8. Replace the Parts

   After the parts have dried, put them back together. Make sure that the O-ring seal is lubricated with silicone before putting it back. Once the O-ring seal is in place, install and tighten the cap by hand. Tighten carefully to avoid breaking the cap.

9. Return the System to Service

   Switch the bypass valve back to the service (soft water) position. Plug the softener in again.

Tips to Keep Your Water Softener Clean Longer

• Break up salt bridges in the tank with a broom handle or dowel.
• If salt levels are running low, add salt to about the halfway level.
• Always use water softener salt designed for your system and never substitute it with rock salt or other materials.
• Add a prefilter located ahead of the water intake to keep water within the softener cleaner.

When to Call a Professional

Cleaning the nozzle and venturi is a detail-oriented task, and it's easy to lose parts or reassemble them incorrectly. You may want to have a professional do this project for you. If resin beads need to be replaced, have professionals do this for you.