If your water softener has an automatic backwash feature, you can usually set the backwash cycle to run once every two or three days. The backwash cycle removes accumulated dirt and minerals from the resin beads in the unit.
To set the backwash time on your water softener, first locate the control valve. The control valve is typically located near the top of the unit, and has a number of dials or settings on it. One of these settings will be for the backwash cycle.
Use the manufacturer's instructions to determine which setting controls the backwash cycle on your particular model of water softener. Once you've located this setting, use a pencil or pen to mark down what time of day you want the backwash cycle to run.
Most water softeners have a 24-hour clock, so you'll need to convert any desired time into military time (for example, 1pm would be written as 1300). Then, simply set the timer on your water softener to match this time.
It's important to note that running the backwash cycle uses a fair amount of water - typically between 25 and 50 gallons (depending on your specific unit). So, if you're trying to conserve water usage in your home, you may want to choose a time for the backwash cycle when nobody will be using much water elsewhere in your house (like late at night or early in the morning).