Water softener additive

[iammoco]

We have really hard water here in Indiana so I thought about adding softener each time I fill the fresh tank. I’ve read about folks doing this. Anyone here done it? What kind do you use and where do you get it?

[The Big Toe]

Not sure about all that. How about a portable water softener??

[TitanMike]

If you never use the water for drinking or cooking you could probably add "bath salts" to the tank when you fill it. Will make your shower soap lather up better but not sure you'd want to ingest any.

Water softening is usually done with special filters or installation of an actual water softener that exchanges the hardening chemicals for salt.

A fresh water tank is not the same as a washing machine where adding softener is a regular practice.

[NavyLCDR]

I am not aware of any chemical to add to soften water that is safe for drinking water. Water softening means removing minerals from the water. Typical water softening is by an ion exchange process. Water passes through a tank containing a bead type resin. The resin is charged with ions that attract and hold the minerals from the water. Periodically, the resin is recharged by passing a salt water solution through the resin and out the waste water connection. The salt strips the minerals attached to the resin ions where it is released back into the water that is being discharged through the waste connection.

Chemical water softeners added to swimming pools and hot tubs work by sequestering the minerals to the ions contained in the chemical. The minerals are still there, but they are bound to other ions. I sure wouldn't consider that water safe to drink.

You best bet would be an RV portable tank type water softener.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

I am not aware of any chemical to add to soften water that is safe for drinking water. Water softening means removing minerals from the water. Typical water softening is by an ion exchange process. Water passes through a tank containing a bead type resin. The resin is charged with ions that attract and hold the minerals from the water. Periodically, the resin is recharged by passing a salt water solution through the resin and out the waste water connection. The salt strips the minerals attached to the resin ions where it is released back into the water that is being discharged through the waste connection.

Chemical water softeners added to swimming pools and hot tubs work by sequestering the minerals to the ions contained in the chemical. The minerals are still there, but they are bound to other ions. I sure wouldn't consider that water safe to drink.

You best bet would be an RV portable tank type water softener.

This^^^^^^ We have lived with well water for over 30 years in different homes. In each case we installed a water softener to remove minerals from our water. While I use Calgon water softener to help keep our grey and black tanks clean I wouldn't ever consider consuming it. There's a saying... buy a filter or be a filter.

[iammoco]

Good info, thanks folks!

[Flybob]

Do not add water softener that is meant for laundry use in your fresh water tank. It will ruin your camping trip.