Guide to cleaning iron deposits & stains out of a water softener.

We discuss using iron removing products or other chemicals to clean & sanitize a water softener.

This article series provides an owner's guide to water softener cleaning, and sanitizing - two steps in keeping a water conditioner working properly.

We discuss the use of various chemicals & cleaners to sanitize or clean out water softeners and their brine tanks, and we comment on the effect of such chemicals on septic systems.

Page top sketch: adapted from Hellenbrand, shows the components of a typical water softener including the resin tank at right and the brine tank at left.

How to Clean Iron (or other) Sediment out of a Water Softener

Some water softener salt products already include an additive to improve the ability of the water softener to remove iron from the building water supply.

Watch out: if you are using a salt that includes an iron-removing additive, you'll need to use a water softener resin bed cleaner periodically as well. For Sears Kenmore water softeners the company sells a resin bed cleaner:

Sears Resin Bed Cleaner # 42-34426 available from the company.

Question: Using Iron Out™ (sodium hydrosulfite) to remove iron deposits from the water softener resin tank: reduced water pressure traced to water conditioner resin tank fouling

My existing Culligan water softener is 22 years and has in place between it and the water supply an iron filter, which does a good job in removing iron.

[Our photo at left illustrates iron staining on a bathroom sink - Ed.]

But like all filters of any sort do not filter 100% of a substance. Unnoticed over the years, until at some arbitrary point is reached, the flow rate over the years at the tap was reduced. This was found to be iron fowling in the resin in our water softener tank.

But prior to that fact Culligan personnel were telling me that the water conditioner unit should be replaced. I did further research into this problem.

Initially I did not suspect it was iron fouling because I had an iron filter installed ahead of the water conditioner.

The solution to this problem turned out to be simple. From the hardware store I obtained a powder to remove iron from any thing. I followed the instructions on the container for a softener. By repeating the instructions three times, once at each recharging cycle, the problem was solved over about nine days.

The product for removing iron is called 'Iron Out' The principle ingredient is sodium hydrosulfite, which is used in some application as a water conditioner. - M.P.

M.P. continues:

I was not too concerned about residue of the product in the softened water as all water that is used for human and pet consumption is drawn before the softener but after the iron filter, therefore, I cannot answer the question about possible poisoning or resin damage.

Independent of the iron removing product, we prefer not to drink conditioned water because of the sodium content and the lack of calcium and magnesium, of which those two ingredients are in my opinion beneficial to health. My softener is a Culligan Mark 88.

The softener consists of a brine tank and a resin column with the controls on top of the column, probably a unit that's quite standard to others. - M.P.

Watch out: There could be health hazards from drinking or bathing in water produced by a water conditioner or other water treatment equipment after running cleaning chemicals through the system.

Any chemicals used to try cleaning or sanitizing a resin tank should be thoroughly flushed out of the system. It should be easy to do this by repeating enough water softener backwash or "regeneration" cycles. See the Super Iron Out usage instructions from the manufacturer, below, and see the MSDS for that cleaner also found just below.

Watch out: And could the iron remover damage the water conditioner resin? Check with your water softener manufacturer before trying this.

Iron and Rust removing Chemicals & Stain Removers are available from a number of manufacturers including

• Super Iron Out™, Summit Brands, Super Iron Out, 2010 Summit Brands,| 7201 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804-2228, 888-476-6688
  
  Super Iron Out is intended for use as a stain remover; the company's website does however describe using the product in a potable (drinkable) water system, but it does mention water softeners. Quoting:
  
  Super Iron Out Rust Stain Removers clean and prevent rust stains from toilets, sinks, bathtubs, dish-washers, water softeners, white laundry, and nearly all surfaces in and around your home... without the chore of scrubbing.
• Pro Rust Out™, Pro Products, LLC, 502 Incentive Dr., Fort Wayne IN 46825, tel: 800-285-9176, website: www.proproducts.com- web search 08/29/2011, original source: www.proproducts.com/Libraries/MSDS/Rust_Out.sflb.ashx [3]
• [1] North Dakota Standards for Water Softeners, North Dakota General Authority Law, Chapter 62-04-08, Water Softener Units http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/62-04-08.pdf.
  
  "The objective of this chapter is to provide a standard of quality, capacity, and performance for water softener units. Water softener performance is to be based upon referee tests procedures described in section 62-04-08-09."
• [2] Nitto Denko, Hydronautics, Hydranautics 401 Jones Rd. Oceanside, CA 92058 Tel: (760) 901-2500 Fax: (760) 901-2664 e-mail: info@Hydranautics.com Technical Service Bulletin TSB107.20, July 2010, web search 08/29/11, original source: /www.membranes.com/docs/tsb/tsb107.pdf
  
  Quoting:
  This is a lower pH cleaning solution (natural pH is between pH 4 and 6. No pH adjustment is required) 1.0% (w) of Na2S2O4 (sodium hydrosulfite).
  
  It is useful in the removal of metal oxides and hydroxides (especially iron fouling), and to a lesser extent calcium sulfate, barium sulfate and strontium sulfate.
  
  Sodium hydrosulfite is strong reducing agent and is also known as sodium dithionite. The solution will have a very strong odor so proper ventilation is required.

Water Treatment Solutions using Iron Removing Chemicals (Super Iron Out)

According to Summit Brands in discussing the use of Super Iron Out to clean a water softener system:

Does your water softener make your water taste bad? Water softeners and heater tanks need regular maintenance to operate efficiently and effectively. Rust never sleeps. Using Super Iron Out on a regular basis knocks rust out before it stains your home's surfaces.

Water Softener - First Application — Use 1 cup (250 mL) Regular Use - Use 1/4 cup (62 mL) All softeners treating high iron content water require Super Iron Out as preventative maintenance and to eliminate iron buildup.

First Application of Iron Remover in a Water Softener

1. Add 1 cup of Super Iron-Out to 1/2 gallon of cold water
2. Pour directly into brine well (for softeners with no brine well, pour directly into salt tank when salt level is low)
   
   Watch out: don't pour any water softener treatment or cleaner onto the top of dry salt in a brine tank as the chemical will not be properly dispersed in the system.
   
   Pour into the brine well or if there is no brine well, pour into the brine tank when water is visible above the salt in the tank - as is shown in our brine tank photograph above.
3. Manually regenerate softener
4. Repeat for heavily fouled unit.

Regular Use of Iron Out in Water Softeners

1. Add 1/4 cup per 40 lbs. of salt
2. Repeat regularly for continuous treatment

Note: If taste or odor is detected in tap water, manually regenerate softener again, then run cold water until odor is gone. For cabinet models, use for periodic cleaning only. Follow First Application instructions above.

Please follow cautions and instructions on the label carefully.

MSDS Material Data Safety Sheet for Super Iron Out rust and stain remover.
- Reference: web search 01/31/2011, adapted from original source: www.superironout.com/water-uses.php

MSDS Material Data Safety Sheet for Pro Rust Out, rust and stain remover, Pro Products, contains sodium hydrosulfite & sodium bisulfite. Warnings include against inhalation, eye and skin contact, ingestion (which would include drinking). Overexposure can exacerbate asthma or lung disease. [3]

See RED STAINS from WATER SUPPLY for more about removing iron from the building water supply system.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question: Is it Ok to Use Pro Rust Out as regular water softener maintenance, sodium hydrosulfite and sodium metabisulfite, in a water softener

I have added Pro Rust Out very occasionally in small measures to our water softener as a maintenance measure.

Pro Rust Out contains sodium hydrosulfite and sodium metabisulfite. Will these chemicals make our water unsafe for drinking? Thank you so much for your reply. Jon

Reply: Used as directed these water softener cleaning products should be safe. Here are details, examples of use, usage instructions, & health warnings.

The product you ask about, Pro Rust Out™, is produced and sold by Pro Products [3], a company that distributes a line of water softener cleaning products. Quoting, the company produces:

Water softener cleaners designed to clean, restore and maintain the life of water softeners. These products are formulated to treat water softeners with iron issues or for daily preventative maintenance.

Rust Out softener rust remover chemically removes iron and rust build-up that coats the resin beds and fouls the softener. This iron build-up is not totally removed during normal regeneration of a water softener.

Using Rust Out softener rust remover in a water softener will eliminate rust and foreign matter from the resin bed. This increases the life of the softener and reduces rust staining on household fixtures and other surfaces. Use the softener rust remover regularly as preventative maintenance to ensure the softening and recharging efficiency of the softener's resin bed.

Usage Instructions for Pro Rust Out™ water softener cleaner:

Water Softeners: Rust Out softener rust remover dissolves the iron in the mineral bed and is rinsed from the softener much the same as salt brine.

First Application: Dissolve 1 in 1/2 gallon cold water. Pour directly into brine well (softeners with no brine well, pour directly into salt tank when salt level is low). Manually regenerate softener. Repeat for heavily fouled unit.

Preventative Maintenance: Add 1/4 cup for every 40lbs. of salt added to brine tank. Layer to ensure a continuous dose with each regeneration.

General Purpose Cleaning: Our softener rust remover works on dishwashers, dishes, glassware, white clothes or fabrics, and water softeners - follow directions on the back of the package.

Information about the use of sodium metabisulfite and sodium hydrosulfite in water treatment equipment:

Sodium metabisulfite (Na₂S₂O₅) is an inorganic compound used as a disinfectant, antioxidant, or preservative. Its uses include both as a food additive and as a sanitization and cleaning agent. It is also used in some medical applications such as in the EpiPen. [4] Sodium hydrosulfite (Na₂S₂0₅) is used as a cleaning agent for reverse osmosis water treatment equipment. [2]

In sum, the company's instructions indicate that used as directed (1/4 cup for every 40 lbs. of salt added) for regular water softener maintenance, the product should be safe. Certainly it would appear that the concentration of sodium hydrosulfite and metabisulfite will be very low in the building water supply.

Concentration of sodium metabisulfite and sodium hydrosulfite in water processed through a treated water softener

If we use a guesstimate of 4 pounds of salt used per water softener regen cycle (check your machine's actual salt dosage level) that would place an average of about 0.025 cups (1/4 divided by 10) of chemicals in the water used to clean and regenerate the water softener during a regen cycle.

Furthermore, as that water is supposed to be flushed through and then out of the water softener resin tank during the regen cycle, only a low level of salt + Sodium Hydrosulfite and Metabisulfite would be expected to remain inside that resin tank and to come into contact with drinking water during subsequent use.

Watch out: that analysis presumes that a water softener is adjusted and working properly and that you are using the cleaning agents as recommended by the manufacturer. To do otherwise could be unsafe. For example, used in concentrated form, sodium metabisulfite is even used to remove tree stumps! [4]

At WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING (above) we have provided further comments on the use of sodium hydrosulfite on water softeners and on the safety of drinking or bathing in such treated water.

The bottom line advice on water softener treatment using sodium hydrosulfite and metabisulfite

The bottom line is that while such chemicals may be effective in cleaning out iron and sediments, it is very important to thoroughly flush the system before returning the water softener to operation, or there could be health hazards from chemicals that enter the water supply from chemicals left in the resin tank.

That article includes recommendations for safe levels of usage of several water softener cleaners and treatments. We also include links to health and safety information (MSDS forms) and information for the chemicals involved. I've checked and added information about the second chemical you name, sodium metabisulfite.

In general, should a more harsh treatment or cleaning be needed at a water softener, it may be acceptable do to so provided the system is adequately flushed and cleaned afterwards.

It's possible to thoroughly flush and clean out a resin tank if it has first been emptied of all salt (and any dirt and debris are of course first manually cleaned.

On the other hand, it would be quite difficult to thoroughly flush cleaning or treatment chemicals out of a water softener and brine tank if the tank remains full or partially full of salt. So many repeated flush cycles would be needed that you'd be wasting both water and salt.

And if the building is served by a private septic system there could be a risk of flooding or damaging the drainfield by that added water and salt volume as they would exceed normal usage levels.

Also you'll note that we warned that some water softener resins might be damaged by some cleaning chemicals. Check with the manufacturer of your water softener or its resin content.

On 2024-08-09 by Kendal - I ad 1/4 cup of Iron Out per 40 Pounds of Salt in my Brine Tank? But never see water in the tank.

So I can use Iron Out in my tank where the salt is stored. I just have to use 1/4 cup per 40 lbs of salt pellets.

Then I have to regenerate the softener? I am confused about whether I have a brine tank.

I have a large white round tank that I was told to keep full at all times and I never see any brine or water in it. Is it in the bottom of the tank and I would have to take all the salt pellets out to see it?

Reply by InspectApedia Publisher (mod)

@Kendal,

When you say ther's a large white round tank that you're supposed to keep full - full with what? Usually you'd have a brine tank that's filled with salt pellets or crystals. Is that what we're discussing?

If it's really full of salt pellets, you would not expect to see water or brine since the water/brine level (water pumped into the tank to make brine that is then pumped back through the softener to regenerate it) is not going to be all the way up to the top of the tank.

But

Watch out: if you've not been adding salt to your tank or even if you have, you softner brine tank could have a "salt bridge" - a hard crust of salt pellets or crystals forms and stays "stuck" so that when you look into the tank you think it's full of salt but actually the salt level has fallen.

I simply poke at the top of the salt to be sure it's not a mere crust.

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I would not use iron-out to clean your softener unless first:

1. You know that the water is high in iron or there are iron stains that you need to clean in the softener system

2. You've either let the salt level run quite low so that it's not much trouble to remove the remaining salt

OR

You remove the salt from the brine tank

then you'll want to

3. Follow the instructions that come with your Iron Out product or with your water softener or as described above on this page.

If you're not sure about your softener equipment, post a photo so that we can see what you've got.

Keep me posted.

Daniel

On 2022-12-16 by Charles J Cialella Jr - are Iron-Out and Rust-Out the same?

Are iron out and rust out the same?And do they clean the resin the same way?

Reply by InspectApedia (Editor) (mod) - essentially, yes

@Charles J Cialella Jr,

Basically yes, they are both chemical processes. List and compare the ingredients on each product.

On 2022-11-03 by JJ - Iron Should be Removed from the Water Supply AHEAD of the Water Softener

The removal if iron from well water is an often overlooked problem area that results in poor water system performance.

Iron will foul softener resin and cause rust stains & damage to plumbing system and appliances.

Proper treatment & as needed removal of Iron ( and Manganese as needed) is a necessary pretreatment before a softener or domestic water use. Cleaning (mechanical & chemical) of fouled softener resin can be done in order to restore the exchange capacity of softener resin.

The cleaning is not intended to improve water quality as much as it will restore proper run lengths of the softener system.

The only way to know is to test the system.

Hardness testing is easy and really useful to helping understand the softener process to enable optimization.

Reply by Mod

@JJ,

Thank you so much for the helpful comment - we'll keep these with the article

On 2021-03-21 14:55:12.498714 by Anonymous - My Water Softener is Clogged - How do I fix it?

My softener is blocked up. no pressure in house. bypassed softener and have plenty of pressure. softener is only 6 months old and i'm not sure how to clear it

Reply by danjoefriedman (mod)

@Anonymous, you will want to follow the procedures

at WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING

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Continue reading  at WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• RED STAINS on BRICK - RUST?
• WATER CONDITIONER / SOFTENER MANUALS
• WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING
  • BRINE TANK BRIDGING or CRUSTING
  • DIRT & DEBRIS in BRINE TANK
  • SOFTENER BRINE TANK CLEAN & DISNIFECT
  • SOFTENER RESIN TANK SANITIZE / DISINFECT
  • SANITIZE NEW WATER SOFTENER
  • WATER SOFTENER IRON & SEDIMENT REMOVAL
  • WATER SOFTENER RESINS & CLEANING COMPOUNDS
  • WATER SOFTENER SANITIZER IMPACT on SEPTICS
• WATER SOFTENER OPERATING CYCLES
• WATER SOFTENER MANUAL REGENERATION
• WATER SOFTENING METHODS - OTHER
• WATER SOFTENER / TREATMENT TURN-ON - returning a water softener to service
• WATER STAINING CONTAMINANTS
• WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT DISINFECTION

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER SOFTENER IRON & SEDIMENT REMOVAL at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

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