Description How do Magnetic Water Conditioners Work Magnetic water softeners work by installing magnets outside of the water inflow pipes. Magnetic fields then separate hard water ions out before water enters the plumbing system. When mineral particles pass through the pipes they pick up positive charges which cause them to stick to the negatively charged pipes as scale build up. The magnets reverse the polarity of these particles which prevents them from sticking to the pipes. M Magnetic water softeners don’t remove the hard minerals from water but change the composition of the water in a process called magnetically induced ionization (IMI). The minerals remain in the water but are held in suspension reducing the effects of hard water.