What Is Dishwasher Salt? (Effective or Fad)

So what is dishwasher salt?

If you own a dishwasher and notice a strange residue, streaks, or cloudiness forming on your dishes and glassware, you may well be suffering from an issue with hard water.

Not many people realise what hard water does or what it is, least of all that it could be responsible for your dirty, post-dishwasher dishes.

In this article, we’ll give you a hand by informing you about what dishwasher salt is and why it’s an important thing to have on hand.

What is Dishwasher Salt?

Dishwasher salt is similar to other common salt forms in many ways, but it has some crucial differences that set it apart.

Dishwasher salt is specifically designed to help your dishwasher maintain its water softening abilities.

What is dishwasher salt made of?

Dishwasher salt is typically made of 100% sodium chloride with no other additives. Unlike table salt, which may contain anti-caking compounds like magnesium, dishwasher salt is pure salt without any additives.

Dishwasher salt vs table salt

When you’re cooking, you’ll likely be using a much finer ground salt, and very little of it compared to the amount of dishwasher salt you’ll be using for your dishwasher.

Additionally, it’s also seldom pure, containing anti-caking agents and magnesium salt, making it much better for cooking.

Dishwasher salt is far chunkier, in more grouped clumps, and doesn’t contain additives.

The distinction is important so that you don’t make the mistake of using other salts as a replacement for dishwasher salt.

If you use simple table salt, the additives can get caught up in the wash cycle and clog up the pipes, causing damage. Always be sure to use regular dishwasher salt.

What does Dishwasher Salt Do?

The purpose of the softener is to – as the name might suggest – soften the water.

This makes it more effective at cleaning without causing a build-up of minerals. It does this through a process known as ion exchange.

You’ll likely find the water softener around the base of the unit itself. It’s pretty easy to identify as it looks like a basket filled with balls.

These resin balls are the filter through which the water passes. This attracts and collects the magnesium and calcium out of the water.

This softens the water before it even reaches your dishes. It entirely removes and neutralizes the minerals in the early stages of the wash cycle.

However, over time, the resin balls lose their effectiveness and will need to be recharged. They eventually become negatively charged, and this is where the dishwasher salt comes in.

The negatively charged resin balls attract the positive charge from the salt, effectively resetting the balls to be an effective filter once again.

So, in essence, dishwasher salt is to assist in the softener do its job, rather than acting as a softener on its own, as many people misbelieve.

Thankfully using the salt is pretty simple. If your dishwasher has a softener, you’ll find a compartment dedicated to the stuff.

All you need to do is fill this compartment up with loose salt and seal it up again. Then you’ll be ready to wash your dishes.

Many – but not all – units have indicator lights or some other way of measuring the salt level. This can give a good indication of how much to add.

But if you aren’t sure, fill it up to the top. It’s essential you find the compartment and don’t get it mixed up with a different component.

This includes where you would put your normal detergents. This can mess with the wash cycle and lead to severe complications in the internal mechanisms.

Hard Water effect on dishwashers

In many regions around the world, groundwater passes through mineral deposits.

The minerals in these deposits will eventually wear away through the constant passage of water and end up in the liquid, which raises the mineral count of the water itself.

It also poses a threat to your dishwasher, which is, of course, using the same water supply.

Most modern dishwashers are pretty robust, but water with a hardness of 9°E is what we would consider a danger zone.

So reducing the hardness of the water that gets into your dishwasher is crucial to a longer-lasting device.

The minerals found in the water can quickly begin to collect around the internal components and break them down or even clog up the water drainage, leading to leaking and residue forming on your dishes.

Do i need to put salt in my dishwasher

If you have hard water, which is water that contains a high level of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, then using dishwasher salt can help to soften the water and prevent mineral build up on your dishes and dishwasher components.

However, if you have soft water, which is water that contains a low level of minerals, then you may not need to use dishwasher salt.

It’s important to consult your dishwasher’s manual or contact the manufacturer to determine whether or not your dishwasher requires the use of salt and how much salt should be used.

How to put salt in a dishwasher

Here are the general steps to follow when putting salt in a dishwasher:

1. Locate the salt reservoir: The salt reservoir is typically located at the bottom of the dishwasher, usually off to one side. Refer to your dishwasher’s manual for specific instructions on locating the salt reservoir.
2. Remove the bottom rack: Pull the bottom rack out of the dishwasher completely and set it on your kitchen counter. You may need to lift it up slightly to unclip it from its rollers.
3. Unscrew the salt cap: Locate the salt cap on the salt reservoir and unscrew it. Some dishwashers have a funnel that is attached to the salt cap to make it easier to pour in the salt.
4. Pour in the salt: Using a funnel or a spoon, pour the dishwasher salt into the salt reservoir. Be careful not to overfill the reservoir.
5. Screw the salt cap back on: Once the salt has been added, screw the salt cap back onto the salt reservoir.

How much salt do you put in a dishwasher?

As a general rule of thumb, you should fill the salt reservoir to the brim with salt, which should last for several washes.

Some dishwashers have a float indicator that shows when the salt level is low and needs to be refilled. If your dishwasher has a float indicator, refer to it to determine when to add more salt.

Difference between dishwasher salt and rinse aid

Dishwasher salt is used to soften the water in the dishwasher by removing minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can cause hard water stains and build up on dishes and dishwasher components.

The salt is added to a special compartment in the dishwasher and is used to regenerate the resin beads in the dishwasher’s water softener system.

This helps to ensure that dishes come out clean and free of residue.

Rinse aid, on the other hand, is a liquid that is added to a separate compartment in the dishwasher to help with drying and prevent water spots on dishes.

Rinse aid works by reducing the surface tension of the water, which allows it to flow off the dishes more easily and evaporate more quickly.

This helps to prevent water spots and ensures that dishes come out dry and streak-free.

Can you eat dishwasher salt?

It is not intended for human consumption. Dishwasher salt is a particular grade of granulated, crystalline sodium chloride that is intended for regenerating the water softener circuit of household or industrial dishwashers.

It has not been tested or certified for human consumption and may contain impurities or other substances that could be harmful if ingested.

It’s important to keep dishwasher salt out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.

Best Dishwasher Salt?

Marie & Adam’s Water softener salt tablets

Based on customer reviews on Amazon UK, this product has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with 850 ratings as of August 2023.

Customers have praised the product for its effectiveness in softening water and preventing limescale build up in dishwashers and washing machines.

Customers have also noted that the product is easy to use and provides good value for money. However, some customers have reported issues with the packaging, with some bags arriving damaged or torn during shipping.

Overall, the product seems to be well-liked by customers and offers a cost-effective solution for softening water in dishwashers and washing machines.

Is there dishwasher salt alternatives?

One alternative to dishwasher salt is white vinegar, which can be added to the dishwasher in the same area where you would normally put the dishwasher tablets.

The vinegar can help to break down mineral build up and prevent hard water stains.

Another alternative is baking soda, which can be added to the dishwasher detergent to help with cleaning and deodorizing. Baking soda can also help to soften the water and prevent mineral build up.

Final Thoughts

Dishwasher salt is an excellent resource you should become acquainted with. This is especially important if you live in an area supplied with hard water.

You may have noticed the effects of the hard water on your dishes. This is a tell tale sign that you’ll need to invest in a packet.

Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to use and refill. And if you keep the salt regularly stocked, you’ll get to enjoy crystal clear dishes.

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