Reusable water softener system for clothes washer

摘要

A water softening system utilizing a reusable, self-contained water softener device for an agitator type clothes washer. The water softener device includes a quantity of cation exchange resin contained in a chamber. The water softener device is placed in the clothes washer in association with the agitator and water is percolated upwardly through the resin by a pump to thereby effect hardness reduction by the removal of calcium and/or magnesium ions from the water. After the softening operation, the water softener is removed from the washer and detergent and soiled fabrics are placed therein. The resin may then be regenerated by treatment of the device with a salt solution.