Water that is referred to as "hard" has a lot of calcium or magnesium dissolved in it. A water softener processes the water to reduce the calcium or magnesium - thereby making it "softer". A water softener can be a less expensive option for those with hard water problems when compared to other systems - except when compared to the ScaleBlaster.

The chemical process of a water softener is simple. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are replaced with sodium ions. The water softener then eliminates the worst problems of hard water, which are pipe scale and scummy water. A water softener's Ion replacement is accomplished when house water is run through small plastic beads or through a zeolite. This is the point where the sodium ions soften the water. The water softener beads or zeolite eventually become filled with calcium or magnesium, and then they need to be regenerated. Regeneration of a water softener involves soaking the beads or zeolite in a stream or sodium ions. Sodium chloride is salt and this why water softeners require bags of salt to create brine. The brine displaces all of the calcium and magnesium built up in the water softener. After that, the water softener is replaced with fresh sodium. The extra brine, and the displaced minerals, is flushed down the pipe leaving the water softener clean and ready. Regeneration of water softeners creates a lot of brine, like up to 25 gallons. Not with the ScaleBlaster - it was designed to be an economical, salt-free water softener alternative that is environmentally friendly.