Understanding Resin Composition and Hard/Soft Water for Window Cleaning
Why do the windows I clean have spots after they dry?
If you have ever cleaned windows with a waterfed pole and noticed spots after drying, you understand the frustration that accompanies washing with impure water. TDS (total dissolved solids) in water mix in a solution and therefore never “fall” out of water. These particles remain in your water until it evaporates and leaves these solids behind in the form of spots on the glass you are cleaning. In order to avoid this, we suggest the use of a filter system (Small DI Tank, Single DI Tank, Dual DI Tank, Flow Red+ RO-DI System). These tanks contain replaceable resin that is formulated to attract and hold the molecules of these dissolved solids, create more clean water molecules, and output pure water with 0 parts of TDS. to read the levels of TDS in your water supply, use a classic style TDS meter, or the inline Check-iT TDS meter.
What is DI resin?
DI (deionized) Resin is made of Polymer Beads that are 0.5-1mm in diameter. These beads are either positively charged Cations or negatively charged Anions. Our Atomic Resin comes in a 50:50 ratio for regular (soft) water, or a 65:35 (Cation:Anion) hard water ratio. Minerals dissolved in water have either a positive or negative charge, and the resin is designed to capture these minerals through an ionic attraction. Regular soft water with high levels of TDS is relatively balanced in positively and negatively charged minerals, which is why a standard 50:50 ratio is commonly used.
Why can't I just use regular 50:50 ratio resin to clean hard water?
Calcium Carbonate in hard water is attracted to the positively charged Cations in resin. Because hard water contains high levels of Calcium Carbonate, a resin with a higher ratio of Cations is required. Here's why: Calcium Carbonate consists of 1 part Calcium, 1 part Carbon, and 3 parts Oxygen. The Calcium element has a 2+ charge, and the Carbon element has a 4+ charge, totalling a 6+ charge. 3 Oxygen elements with a 2- charge each total a 6- charge to create a balanced compound. Calcium Carbonate is ionically drawn to the positively charged Cation in the resin. The Calcium and Carbon in the Calcium Carbonate are drawn to and attach to the Cation portion of the resin. When bonded to the Cation, the Calcium releases 2 Hydrogen elements, and the Carbon releases 4 Hydrogen elements (6 Hydrogen total). When the 3 Oxygen elements are released, 3 water molecules are created (each consisting of 2 part Hydrogen, and 1 part Oxygen each). Other minerals in the water are attracted to the Anion in the resin, but at a lower percentage than the Calcium Carbonate levels found in hard water, hence the 65:35 Cation to Anion ratio of the hard water resin.
Do I have hard water?
Hard water detection can be achieved using water hardness test kits, but you can typically find out by googling water quality reports done by your local municipal government. If you want to perform a real time test that does not require purchasing a test kit, you can alternatively half fill a bottle with water, then add a few drops of (preferably) detergent free soap, and vigorously shake the bottle. Soft water will create soap suds up to the lid of the bottle, where hard water will only produce a very fine amount of suds, if any. Although this method does not tell you the level of hard water particles, it will show if you have hard water.
