After the soak, you need to rinse. Reconnect the drain hose and run water through the tank for about 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s clean when the water runs clear—like tap water, not tea.
How to Clean a Water Softener: Step-by-Step Guide
Don’t forget to cycle the system. Most softeners have a “regeneration” mode. Run a manual regen with fresh salt to push any remaining vinegar out of the lines. The taste of vinegar in your morning coffee is not a good start to the day.
A side note on frequency
Do this every 12 to 18 months. If you have well water with high iron (look for red stains), do it every 6 months. Your resin beads will thank you by lasting 15 years instead of 5. It’s like flossing—annoying, but saves you from bigger dentist bills.
If you skip this, you’ll eventually need to replace the resin entirely. That’s a messy, expensive job involving a shop vac and a lot of cursing. Vinegar is cheap therapy.
