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Hi folks. Down to the last one but need an analysis of the clue/answer.

Basic material for a water softener? (3) I?E (that's an "i" - eye)

Must be ICE and, I suppose, one softens ice to get water. If so, seems a strange clue. Anyone got a better parsing?

ce for Cerium atomic no 58, and I for a.

Just a thought.

must be ice as you say - it was discussed at length on answerbank but no-one could give a proper parse for it.

Thank you SL. Seems a bit implausible, eh?

You may be surprised, but "Chambers Word Wizard" didn't turn up ICE as a word for I?E

Gee Whiz(ard) Chris! A surprise indeed.
There doesn't appear to be a sensible parse out there. I'll have a look-in tomorrow. TTFN

I thought mine bordered on sensible, not great but sensible!

A thousand apologies Andy. Somehow I seem to have missed your "Cerium" post (my ancientness kicking in again?).
Thank you. Doesn't seem like a great clue, tho.