Why Knowing How to Clean Water Softener Tank Systems Can Save You Money How to clean a water softener tank — quick answer: Put the system in bypass mode and unplug it. Scoop out remaining salt and drain all water from the brine tank. Scrub the inside with a dish soap and warm water solution. Disinfect with a diluted bleach solution (about 1/4 cup bleach per tank). Rinse thoroughly and reassemble. Add fresh salt and water, then run a manual regeneration cycle. For the resin ta