Urea sulfate and sodium chloride blend for regeneration of cation exchange resins

A method for treating hard water for use in a cleaning application using an acid regenerated ion exchange resin comprising:

• contacting a hard water source for use in a dilution system or a ware wash machine with a water treatment composition, wherein the water treatment composition comprises at least one ion exchange resin, wherein the at least one ion exchange resin generates a treated water source by exchanging protons on said at least one ion resin for dissolved cations including water hardness ions and total dissolved solids in said hard water source, wherein said ion exchange resin is an acid form or in an inert metal form, and wherein said ion exchange resin is regenerated using an acid salt regenerant;
• generating the treated water source within a ware wash machine;
• and
• providing the treated water source to a chamber into which articles are placed for cleaning;
• wherein the treated water source meets a defined water specification, and wherein the water specification is a softened, acidic water with a total dissolved solids (TDS) of less than about 300 ppm, a hardness level of less than about 2 grains and a pH less than about 6,
• wherein the use of said treated water source improves cleaning efficacy as measured by a reduction in spotting and filming and/or preventing scale build up on articles and surfaces in comparison to cleaning with detergents without using the treated water source;
• and
• wherein the acid regenerated ion exchange resin is integrated into the ware wash machine for in-line use of the softened acidic water.