What Does Dishwasher Salt Do - Is It Necessary?

So what does dishwasher salt do?

If you live in an area where your water supply supplies you with what is known as hard water, you might notice an annoying white residue on your dishes or cloudy glassware.

This is indicative of a poor wash that is caused by the hard water itself.

If you aren’t careful, it could mean that your dishwasher is being put through the wringer and suffering unnecessary damage from the hard water. If the hardness of the water is above 9°E, the water needs to be softened.

Dishwasher salt is used to regenerate the resin in the ion exchange systems. Dishwashers built to handle hard water contain a built-in water softener that removes calcium and magnesium ions in the water. This lowers the overall concentration of calcium and magnesium that gets into the washing cycle.

Using salt in your dishwasher may sound outlandish and strange, but it can be a reliable method of softening the water to better clean and prevent residue. If you’re a bit skeptical, here is how it works.

Table of Contents

What is Dishwasher Salt?

This type of salt is unlike common varieties, such as table salt, sea salt, and Kosher salt. A more significant difference you’ll note is the size.

The consistency and size of those more common place salts are far finer and smaller, which is why the salt can cause blockage in the drainage of your dishwasher.

Dishwasher salt is much chunkier and looser so it avoids disturbing the cleaning of dishes.

The chemical structure is also an important distinction. Dishwasher salt has the same makeup as other salts – sodium chloride – but it is typically 100% pure, with no additives.

This is opposed to your average table salt, which often contains compounds such as magnesium.

Pure sodium chloride is practically 100% safe to be in your dishwasher, but the additives of table salt can cause damage to the mechanical components as well as help in the creation of hard water stains.

Why Do You Put Salt In A Dishwasher?

The salt ensures that dishes are spotless after they have been cleaned. But what this compound does is soften the water to prevent the formation of spots that show up on the dishes after they have been washed.

Hard water is usually full of calcium and magnesium, and the presence of these elements cause the dishes to have spots that may make you feel like you did not do a good enough cleaning job or like you did not use clean water. You can find out how hard your area’s water is here.

These elements react with dish-washing detergent, resulting in the formation of soap clumps.

These then leave behind a residue that causes the dishes to look less clean even after they have been thoroughly cleaned.

The dishwasher salt forms bonds with the calcium and magnesium, eliminating them from the water and make it “soft.” For this reason, the dishes end up being cleaner.

The dishwasher benefits from this intervention as well, as it ends up providing a longer life of service. That is because the dishwasher salt gets rid of limescale that builds up in the dishwasher.

This substance is present when hard water is used in the dishwasher machine without the use of dishwasher salt.

Its build up can cause parts of the dishwasher to malfunction. The limescale is also the reason why dishes end up with spots after being cleaned with hard water.

However, the spots and streaks the substance causes is most apparent on glassware.

So, dishwasher salt does not clean the stains that would otherwise form without it as some people believe.

Its role is to get rid of the compounds that result in the formation of the water stains in the first place. These compounds are calcium and magnesium ions.

Dishwasher salt also works by restoring the capacity for resin balls to absorb calcium and magnesium ions from the water through a process known as ion exchange.

In this case, dishwashers that feature resin balls, whose role is to absorb calcium and magnesium ions from the water, are mixed with the dishwasher salt.

What Does Dishwasher Salt Do?

If you live off a supply of soft water, you may not be acquainted with the concept of hard water and what it does to your dishes.

Hard water has a higher mineral content, often rich in magnesium and calcium, and less commonly, lime, gypsum, and chalk.

These minerals are responsible for the residue you find on your dishes and inside the dishwasher after you’ve used it.

There is a common misconception as to what dishwasher salt does for you. In areas rich in hard water, such as various countries in Europe, dishwasher salt is used to regenerate the resin in the ion exchange systems.

Dishwashers built to handle hard water contain a built-in water softener that removes calcium and magnesium ions in the water.

This lowers the overall concentration of calcium and magnesium that gets into the washing cycle.

Dishwasher Salt Vs Regular Table Salt

Dishwasher salt is pure sodium chloride, and it, therefore, has a positive atomic charge.

Because the resin balls have a negative atomic charge, they attract the positively charged sodium ions, making the resin balls more effective at getting rid of the calcium and magnesium ions from the hard water in a process known as ion exchange.

The salt is only used in instances where the dishwashers have a dedicated salt compartment. When this feature is present, you can be sure that the appliance has an inbuilt water softening system.

The compartment should be filled with salt and then closed shut, and from there, it is usually ready to use. You should avoid pouring detergent into the salt compartment. This can result in permanent damage to the water softening system.

Problem With Table Salt

Table salt which is primarily sodium chloride, should not be used as a substitute for dishwasher salt. The problem is not the chemical composition, but the fact that table salt is very fine.

For this reason, it can block the dishwasher and cause it serious damage.

Dishwasher salt does not come into contact with the dishes. Instead, it flows separately through the softener before going away with the wastewater.

Additionally, table salt usually contains additional compounds such as anticaking agents and even magnesium salts.

And since the role of dishwasher salt is to get rid of magnesium as well as calcium ions from the waster, using table salt would defeat the purpose of using dishwasher salt to make water more appropriate for washing dishes.

How Does Dishwasher Salt Work?

Inside the filter we mentioned earlier, you will find a filter of sorts consisting of a basket and small resin balls.

When hard water containing magnesium and calcium passes through this filter of resin balls, the resin balls absorb the particles and soften the water, creating much cleaner, dishwasher-safe water.

Over time, the resin balls will become negatively charged and will thus require resetting. This is where the dishwasher salt comes in.

The negatively charged resin balls attract the sodium ions in the positively charged salt, resetting the resin balls to be an effective filter and softener once again. This entire process is well-known as ion exchange.

White granulated Dishwasher salt to soften water, Salt in wooden spoon

How To Put Salt In Dishwasher

You should never use dishwasher salt in a dishwasher that does not have a dedicated compartment for it. A dishwasher with a water-softening system built into the components will more than likely have a salt compartment.

You’ll likely find it somewhere around the bottom basket.

To use it, all you need to do is fill the compartment up with the salt, up to the specified capacity for the particular model of dishwasher you have, close it, latch, and then you’ll be ready to go.

If there is still water in the reservoir, you should still be able to add some dishwasher salt safely. But be sure you always check the manual for your particular model for specific directions.

How much you add also depends on the hardness of the water. The packaging of your dishwasher salt should tell you how much to use.

The salt indicator is an excellent way of measuring how much salt is required. However, not all machines have one of these built-in, making it more difficult to gauge how much is needed.

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re unsure, simply fill it up.

It’s crucial you don’t put the salt anywhere where you would put your normal detergents. This can cause a lot of damage to various components, including your dishes.

The salt never actually gets close to your dishes and only affects the water going in. Putting it into a different part of the rinse cycle can cause it to leave your dishes dirty and with salt build-up.

How Much dishwasher salt should I use

A general guideline is to fill the salt reservoir until it’s about two-thirds full. However, it’s always best to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific dishwasher model.

Do I Need Dishwasher Salt in Soft Water Area

The whole point of dishwasher salt is to reset the water-softener in your dishwasher. Naturally, if you already have soft water coming from your water supplier, it would render the point moot and a waste of money.

If you are unsure of the hardness of your water, contact your water supplier to find out if softening the water is necessary.

Remember that hardness of around 9°E is considered too much for most machines. You will require a water softener.

Do I Live In A Hard Water Area?

To determine if you live in a hard water area, you can check the water hardness level in your location. There are several ways to do this, including:

Contacting your local water supplier: They can provide you with information on the water hardness level in your area.
Using an online water hardness map: There are several websites that offer water hardness maps for different regions. You can enter your location to find out the water hardness level in your area.
Using a water hardness testing kit: You can purchase a water hardness testing kit online or from a local hardware store. The kit will help you determine the water hardness level in your home.

Dishwasher Salt Full Of Water

The salt reservoir in a dishwasher is typically located at the bottom and positioned to one side. To refill the reservoir, you need to remove the screw cap on top. However, it’s common for water to flood out as you pour salt into the reservoir.

There’s no need to worry if this happens, as it’s perfectly normal for the reservoir to contain water after the first use. When you add new salt, it displaces the water and causes it to spill out.

The salt reservoir is an integral part of the dishwasher’s water softening system, as it mixes with water inside the machine. As a result, some excess water may accumulate in the reservoir.

Can You Use Dishwasher Salt For Anything Else

Yes, dishwasher salt can be used for other purposes besides its intended use in dishwashers. For example, it can be used to de-ice paths during winter, as it helps to melt the ice faster than regular salt.

It can also be dissolved in water and used to prevent weed growth in patio cracks or around the house. Some people use dishwasher salt as a body scrub or in household water softeners.

However, it’s important to note that dishwasher salt is not recommended for consumption and should not be used for cooking or seasoning food!

Wrap Up

If you live in an area with hard water, having a dishwasher that can soften water is essential. If your dishwasher doesn’t have the capacity for it, seriously consider investing in one.

It will help remove any residue you may be suffering from. Additionally, it will keep your dishes and glassware cleaner than ever before, eliminating all squeaks, streaks, and build-up.