What is resin, and how does it work?

Resin is the bed of small polymer beads inside a water softener’s mineral tank. These beads carry electrically charged sites that attract calcium and magnesium as hard water passes through them.

Through a process called ion exchange, the resin holds the hardness minerals and releases a small amount of sodium or potassium in their place. Regeneration later removes the collected minerals and restores the resin’s ability to soften water.