Water softener salts, typically in the form of sodium or potassium chloride, are used in water softening systems to remove hardness minerals from water. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ions, which can cause issues such as scaling, reduced soap efficiency, and pipe blockages. Water softener salts work by replacing these calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions through an ion exchange process. As a result, the water becomes softer and more suitable for household and industrial applications.