For proper operation dishwasher table salt is required. Sodium chlorine is necessary to restore ion exchange filters responsible for purifying and softening water. They prevent the appearance of scale on internal surfaces, which significantly extends the service life of the equipment.
It is important to understand that ordinary industrial or table salt is not suitable for ion exchange filters. There are too many additives in these products. Insoluble iron precipitate, iodine, fluorine - all this quickly clogs the filter channels, and therefore, after several cycles, the machine will no longer be able to do its job efficiently.
Let's take a closer look at how to choose and use salt correctly so that your dishwasher lasts a long time.
Composition of salt for dishwashers
The highest purity salt is used for the dishwasher. It is produced using the technology of vacuum evaporation of brine, which makes it possible to obtain a product with a NaCl content of at least 99.7.
According to GOST R 51574-2000, 75% of “extra” grade salt crystals have a size of no more than 0.8 mm, the size of the remaining 25% does not exceed 1.2 mm.
Distinctive feature of this product is the almost complete absence of insoluble sediment, due to which it is widely used for the restoration of filters in various technological systems.
Extra grade salt is pressed into tablets with a diameter of 20-30 mm, which are used to automatically prepare a regenerating solution of ion exchange resin with a constant concentration of 6-8% sodium chloride. Also in dishwashers, granulated salt made from the “extra” grade is used.
Answers to popular questions
What salt is dishwasher safe?
There are two most popular options:
- The first is to use special salt, which is produced by dishwasher brands and other companies specifically for of this application. These salts are different high degree cleaning and a convenient form for dosing (tablets, granules). The only disadvantage of branded products is their high price, most of which is a markup for the brand.
- The second option is suitable for those who want to save money, but not lose quality - “extra” grade salt, it consists of 99.7% NaCl and has crystals up to 0.8 mm in size. It can be purchased both in bulk form and in tablet form. Tablet salt is more convenient to use; in addition, its consumption is less.
You should not put regular salt in the dishwasher; as noted earlier, the solid impurities it contains can easily damage water purification filters.
Why is salt needed for dishwashers?
The use of sodium chlorine is necessary in order to solve the following problems:
- Security efficient work ion exchange filters. Sodium chloride restores sodium ions in the resin, which are depleted, replaced by magnesium and calcium ions present in the water. If the resin is not periodically restored, it will lose its ability to absorb hardness ions (magnesium and calcium) from water.
- Softening hard water. Quality tap water It can be very different, you can find many impurities in it. It is they that settle on various parts of the dishwashing equipment; to prevent this, it is necessary to add salt periodically. Moreover, its consumption will be higher, the higher the water hardness.
- Cleaning dishes. If you use salt, you can forget about unpleasant stains on plates, mugs and cutlery.
How to properly put salt in the dishwasher?
Method 1: for bulk sodium chloride.
The product is poured into a special compartment for salt. It is better to fill it to a third of the volume recommended in the instructions. This will prevent the formation of a monolithic insoluble mass. If you are using a branded product, then you can download it as indicated in the instructions; in most cases, it is enough to do this once a month.
Method 2: for saline solution.
Dilute the salt with water in a 1:1 ratio and pour it into the compartment, in which case a lump will definitely not form. But the downside is that you will have to make the solution quite often.
Method 3: for tableted and granulated salt.
Tablets are loaded into the compartment in accordance with the instructions. Ready. There is no need to perform any unnecessary actions. The product dissolves long and evenly, does not form lumps and does not fall apart.
How much salt should you add?
The amount of salt depends on the quality of the water and the settings you have made. In fact, it is not so important how much salt you pour into the dishwasher, the main thing is that it is always there.
How often should this be done?
When an additive is needed, sensors determine and they give a signal if the ion exchange filter has run out of sodium chlorine. You can do another 2-3 cycles without salt, but then you need to add it.
Analogues - what can replace dishwasher salt?
If you want to save money, there are two most popular options for replacing a specialized product:
- Regular table salt. Under no circumstances should you use sea salt, iodized salt, or coarse sodium chloride. A normal replacement can only be loose fine salt of the “extra” variety. It contains no impurities that could harm the equipment.
- Rinse aid. It can partially replace salt for dishwashers; you should not use it alone, as you risk damaging the ion exchange filters.
Tip 1. Do not machine wash old dishes without a heat-resistant coating, glued dishes, various items made of rusting steel, tin and copper, as well as very small items that could fall out of the tray.
Tip 2. Rinse the dishes before loading them, this will allow you to thoroughly wash away the dirt in one or two cycles, which means you will save on electricity.
Tip 3. To ensure that the appliance works correctly, use only special rinse aids and dishwashing detergents.
Tip 4. Carefully place all items: plates, lids, cutlery should not interfere with the movement of the jet or each other.
Tip 5. Make sure that the mode matches the load of dishes, this will reduce water consumption and not spoil your favorite plates and cups.
Follow our advice and use high-quality salt for ion exchange filters, then your machine will work long years uninterruptedly.
To ensure that the dishwashing machine breaks down less often and lasts longer, the industry produces special salt compositions. These special preparations with sodium chloride are recommended for use in addition to traditional detergents. Let's figure out why dishwasher salt is needed, what its functions are and what manufacturers offer.
What is the difference?
Having examined the packaging of any product positioned as a dishwasher salt composition (DMM), you can be convinced that 98% is ordinary table salt. So, maybe you can put it in the dishwasher regular salt? In no case! Despite the high content of the usual product in the composition of the special product, replacing it with ordinary salt is prohibited. Salt products for dishwashers differ in structure and fraction size from regular NaCl.
Why is it needed?
- Prevents the formation of scale on the heating element and in the tank.
- Softens water and improves the quality of washing dishes.
The harder the water in the pipes, the more salt product you have to pour. Is salt needed where the water is soft? No, not needed. To solve the problem radically, you can, for example, install a special filter with ionized resin at the inlet. It will soften the water.
In regions with low water hardness, you can use special tablets - they already contain salt granules. If hardness readings are high - and a special test strip will help you find out about this - you will have to buy special water softening compounds that are loaded into the PMM separately from the detergent.
More foam!
The softer the water, the better the foam detergent and the better the washing of plates, cups, etc. cookware. Foam not only helps clean contaminated surfaces, but is also easy to wash off.
Soap dissolves in a hard liquid, practically without forming foam, which means it will not be possible to wash the dishes well. For dishwashers, the principle of direct dependence of the quality of washing on the amount of foam applies. It becomes clear why special salt products should be added to the PMM.
Is it possible to use PMM without salt?
Many housewives are interested: will a dishwasher work without special salt? The first time will be. And in the future, problems cannot be ruled out. Our water pipes contain hard water. When it is heated, dissolved magnesium and calcium salts settle on all surfaces with which it comes into contact. This sediment is called scale. A shell of salt deposits interferes with the operation of the heating element - the most important detail PMM.
Manufacturers have provided for unfavorable operating conditions by building into dishwashers a special container in which ionized resin is poured. The liquid flowing through this composition softens. This happens due to the mutual attraction of positive calcium and magnesium ions and negative sodium ions, which the resin is rich in. After purification, the water softens, it is ready to provide active foaming and high-quality washing of dishes.
Gradually, the resin loses its softening properties. To restore its abilities, sodium ions must be added. Where can I get them? In salt. If you do not maintain the ion exchanger with fresh ions, it will cease to perform its functions and purify the liquid. Negative processes will begin that wear out and destroy the PMM parts.
What to buy?
Stores selling household chemicals have big choice salts for PMM: cheap, expensive, from the middle price range. What are their differences, and which should you prefer? Let's go over the most popular brands.
Finish
Products from domestic manufacturer. It ranks among the market leaders. Sold in one and a half kilogram packs for 200-300 rubles. This package will last for about three months. If we translate into the number of washes, then 1.5 kg is enough for 25-30 cycles. Its properties:
- softens water, prevents scale formation;
- promotes the formation of foam - there are no unsightly smudges left on the plates after washing;
- improves the quality of dishwashing.
Magic Power
A budget product with excellent properties. It costs half as much as “Finish” - about 150 rubles, but it works no worse. The crystals are different large size, due to this, the drug is consumed sparingly. The harder the water, the higher the consumption. Under the same brand you can find washing tablets that contain salt granules. If your machine can use a three-in-one product, then this tablet product will do.
Sodasan
From ordinary purified salt. There is nothing superfluous in it, no additives. For environmental friendliness you have to pay for the quality of washing - it is lower than when using other products. Sold in packs of 2 kg. The cost is about 500 rubles. The pack is used for about a year - consumption depends on the hardness of the water.
Often, products with marks indicating environmental friendliness are unreasonably expensive. The “eco” and “bio” signs are nothing more than an advertising ploy.
Yplon
Rare product. Sold in a pack weighing 4 kg, and costs only 500 rubles. Good softener. Prevents the formation of smudges.
Topper
Available in tablet form. Contains NaCl crystals. 1.5 kg of tablets are sold for 450 rubles.
How much and where should I pour it?
There is a separate container for salt compositions in the PMM. It is located at the bottom of the machine. After opening the door, remove the dish boxes, find a container and pour in the powdered product. To prevent it from falling apart, use a funnel. Put as much money as will fit in the compartment. Each model has different sizes. The machine itself will use the required amount of granules, which is calculated using a special program.
After several washing cycles, look into the powder reservoir to see whether the added substance is dissolving or not. Do not mix salt granules with dishwashing detergent.
Useful video:
Now you know what dishwasher salt consists of and how it works. By spending a few hundred rubles on a pack of special detergent, you will improve the quality of dishwashing and extend the life of your equipment.
The cost of salt for automatic dishwashing is several times higher than regular food salt. Therefore, the question arises: is it permissible to use cheap analogues of a special product? I’ll tell you how you can replace salt for dishwashers.
Functions of salt
I suggest you familiarize yourself with the table that answers the question of why salt is needed in the dishwasher:
| Image | Description |
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Function 1. Softens hard water.
The substance is consumed in proportion to the water hardness indicator: the higher it is, the greater the consumption. |
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Function 2: Cleans metal parts.
This product delays and eliminates the formation of scale and plaque on the internal elements of dishwashers. |
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Function 3. Cleans dishes.
Stains will not form on dishes if you use sodium chloride. |
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Function 4. Ensures smooth operation of the ion exchanger.
Why is salt needed in an ion exchanger:
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Nuances of use and dosage
In order not to clog the filtering and water softening channels of the unit, consider the nuances of using salt products:
| Image | Description |
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The quality of water and the set hardness parameters affect the consumption of the substance.
It doesn’t matter how much salt you pour into the dishwasher, the only important thing is its presence in the washing equipment. |
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Sensors determine when to add salt to the dishwasher.
The sensor gives a signal if there is no sodium chloride in the ion exchanger.
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What salt to put in the dishwasher:
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Replacement options
You can replace regenerating sodium chloride with table or tablet salt. Just keep in mind that in case of any breakdown, the warranty will be void if a specialist discovers a replacement. So, switch to analogues after the warranty period ends.
Option 1: table salt
Types of ordinary table salt (rock or evaporated) differ in the amount of impurities. A product without additives and extra-class processing is suitable for use in the unit:
| Photo | Characteristics |
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1. Cooked boiled extra.
This type of regular salt is best option replacements:
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2. Stone kitchen.
Suitable for rare use as it may damage the dishwasher:
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3. Sea food.
Cannot be used:
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So, to the question: is it possible to replace a special salt remedy, the answer is yes. Only the analogue must be evaporated and without impurities.
Determine product purity: dilute the portion in water (approximately 1:1). If the resulting saturated solution is transparent, it can be used. If it is cloudy and contains sediment, then such a replacement will damage the device.
Option 2: tableted salt
6 Benefits of Using Compacted Substance:
- The special composition for filters is dishwasher safe.
- Table sodium chloride contains no additives and does not form sediment.
- Has a high ability to enrich with ions.
- The price is about 400 rubles for 25 kg of product.
- Long-term use - the substance will last for 2 years.
- The tablet dissolves gradually and does not form a stone lump.
Application: 3 ways
Here is a table on how to use dishwasher salt:
| Image | Instructions |
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Method 1. For loose crystalline sodium chloride:
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Method 2. Saline solution:
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Method 3. For tablet product:
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Conclusion
By becoming familiar with alternative salt products, you can ensure your dishwasher performs well. My recommendations and visual tips in the video in this article will also help you save your money. For clarification (if you have a question), please contact us in the comments.
When buying a dishwasher, people assume that they will only need a special detergent to wash their dishes. But when they read the instructions, they begin to understand that not everything is so simple. It turns out that washing dishes requires some kind of dishwasher salt. What kind of salt is this, what is it for and where to get it? You will learn about all this after reading our review. In it we will tell you:
- What is dishwasher salt?
- what salt does in the dishwasher;
- how to choose the right salt;
- how much and where to pour it.
After reading this material, you will receive answers to all questions regarding the selection and use of salt in dishwashers.
What is salt used for in the dishwasher?
We all understand perfectly well that a dishwasher does not wash each plate individually. And she does this not with her hands with a dishwashing sponge, but with the help of flowing water, to which detergent is mixed. Under the influence of surfactants contained in the detergent, dirt is slowly removed from the surface of plates, spoons, forks and other items.
The cleaning properties of soap and other products are best demonstrated only in soft water.. The same soap foams in it literally immediately, giving a rich and powerful foam. After all, it is the foam that actively removes dirt from the surface of the dishes. It also washes off very easily with plain water. If the water is very hard, then the soap will simply dissolve in it, practically not giving the foam we need. A dependence is revealed - the less rigidity, the more foam.
In a dishwasher, foaming directly affects the quality of dishwashing. The water in most regions of Russia is quite hard. And if at hand wash If this hardness is not so noticeable in dishes, then in a dishwasher the water hardness will be critical. What should those who have very hard water flowing from their tap, literally saturated with insoluble salts? Under such conditions, the quality of washing dishes in a dishwasher will be far from ideal. And in order to correct the situation, you will need dishwasher salt. What is it for?
- Dishwasher salt removes calcium and magnesium ions from water, replacing them with sodium ions - as a result, harmless and soluble salts are formed, and the water becomes soft.
- Salt improves cleaning properties products used in dishwashers.
- Salt significantly improves the quality of dishwashing - this is achieved due to better foaming.
- Salt prevents the formation of scale on the elements and parts of dishwashers, thereby extending the life of household appliances.
Thus, dishwasher salt is a very important component for successful dishwashing. And it is almost impossible to do without it. And the harder the water, the more salt you will need.
Is it possible to do without dishwasher salt altogether? Of course you can - to do this you need to connect the dishwasher to a source of soft water. For example, you can install a special filter containing resin with sodium ions in your home water supply.
What kind of dishwasher salt is there?
What is the composition of dishwasher salt? When we hear the word “salt”, we involuntarily remember the most common table salt used in cooking. In fact, there are a lot of salts in nature - detailed information on this issue should have been obtained at school. That's why Dishwasher salt or salt substitute should not be confused with regular table salt., in most cases these are two different chemicals(or specially purified table or sea salt).
As for the composition of salt for dishwashers, in many cases it is completely different from chemical composition table salt. It contains sodium salts of various acids, for example, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and many other types of salts. The term “dishwasher salt” should be understood as a special salt composition designed to soften water in dishwashers. Dishwasher salt can also be created from purified table salt.
Each manufacturer of dishwasher salt comes up with its own composition. After all good salt should not only soften water, but also help remove the resulting chemical reaction other salts. And some manufacturers simply achieve complete purification of ordinary salt without using additional components. As for measuring the level of hardness, this is done with special test strips for manual determination of hardness or sensors built into the dishwasher (they are only available in expensive models equipped with an automatic hardness determination function).
If your dishwasher does not have an automatic hardness detection feature, you will need to manually determine the hardness and also manually set the salt level in the programs.
Let's now look at some types of salts sold in household chemicals departments. There really are a lot of salts, and the price range is quite wide – it’s easy to get confused about which one is better.
Perhaps this one trademark one way or another known to all dishwasher owners. It produces not only salt, but also other Finish preparations for dishwashers - these are Finish rinse aids, Finish powder and 3 in 1 tablets. Finish dishwasher salt is different high efficiency and affordable cost. One pack weighing 1.5 kg costs about 200 rubles, and it will last for a long time. What are the properties of this salt?
- Finish salt softens water and prevents scale formation on the heating element.
- This salt helps improve the quality of dishwashing.
- Finish salt does not cause smudges.
Reviews show that This dishwasher detergent is highly effective. It is not for nothing that this salt is so popular among consumers. And it is relatively cheap.
Inexpensive coarse salt for the Magic Power dishwasher is characterized by good efficiency and low cost. One and a half kilograms of this product cost about 130 rubles. Large crystals provide convenient dosage and promote accurate consumption. Salt effectively softens water, significantly improving the quality of dishwashing and preventing the formation of limescale on heating elements and other elements of dishwashers.
In addition to salt, special tablets are produced under this brand - they contain detergent, rinse aid and softening salt. Their use is possible only if the manufacturer allows the use of such universal tablets.
Sodasan regenerating salt for dishwashers is based on regular table salt that has undergone a purification and evaporation procedure. No additional components are added here. On the one hand, this is good, since excess salts help reduce the service life of individual dishwasher components. But on the other hand, the quality of mitigation may suffer - there is no concrete solution on this issue.
This salt is supplied packaged in packs weighing 2 kg. It costs between 400-450 rubles, and this a pack is enough for almost a year of use, depending on the water hardness level. The manufacturer guarantees the high environmental purity of this product and the use of environmentally friendly technologies in its production.
Without any doubt, all these environmentally friendly technologies only leave a corresponding imprint on the cost of the product. Otherwise, it is the most ordinary purified and evaporated table salt.
If you are lucky enough to find this salt on sale, you can save a lot of money. This special salt for dishwashers comes in packs weighing 4 kg, and the low cost of one pack ensures that you save money in your wallet - the price of such a pack of salt is only 500 rubles. Salt softens water well and prevents the formation of smudges on dishes to be washed. An excellent and inexpensive product for all dishwasher owners.
You can buy dishwasher salt in any supermarket, in the household chemicals. Specialty stores and online stores will be able to offer you the lowest prices.
How much salt to put in the dishwasher
New dishwasher owners are tormented by the question: how much salt should be poured into the dishwasher? The answer to this question is very simple - Exactly as much salt is poured into the machine as will fit into the compartment specially designated for this.. The capacity of the salt compartments in dishwashers varies, so it all depends on the specific model.
Dishwashers automatically remove the right amount of salt per wash cycle. They measure the quantity either independently or in accordance with the water hardness value specified by the users. You will not be required to weigh the salt on a pharmacy scale and measure out the exact amount - trust this process to the dishwasher. The main thing is to put the salt in the correct compartment and not add it to the detergent.
Where to put salt in the dishwasher
So we come to the main question - where, exactly, should you put salt in the dishwasher? Everything is simple here, since the salt compartment is in most cases located at the bottom of the dishwasher. To add salt, open the door, remove all trays from the machine, find a container and pour salt into it using a special funnel. That’s the whole procedure, after which all you have to do is determine the hardness level of tap water and enter the indicator into the machine’s memory. If your car can determine the level of hardness itself, just start washing.
Please note that many machines have a salt indicator. As soon as the indicator beeps, load the next portion into your dishwasher.
What kind of salt should you put in the dishwasher: special salt or food grade salt? March 4th, 2015
To maintain your dishwasher, you need salt and rinse aid in addition to dishwashing detergent. Both salt and rinse aid are rarely added and poured into the dishwasher. We have hard water and it turns out like this: a kilogram of salt for a month, 500 ml of rinse aid for six months.
The stumbling block is the price.
An analogue of the rinse aid has not yet been invented. But the main component of special salt is NaCl, the same as that of table salt. Just a kilogram of “Extra” table salt costs about $0.5, and a kilogram of special salt costs from $1.5
The question is - why pay more?
Answer
In fact, the difference between food and special regenerating salt for dishwashers at first glance is very insignificant and is as follows:
1) “Extra” table salt (the purest) is very fine, it dissolves quickly. Dishwasher salt comes in large granules or tablets and dissolves slowly in the water over many wash cycles, maintaining a certain salinity level in the water.
2) The degree of purification of dishwasher salt is higher than table salt. It's strange, but it's true.
The NaCl content of the special regenerating salt for dishwashers is 100%.
The NaCl content in "Extra" table salt is 99.8%. In addition to NaCl, table salt contains an anti-caking additive, no more than 0.001%, and some other substances that are present in the salt during extraction and remain after purification.
In terms of NaCl content, I don't think there is much difference between 100% and 99.8% in a dishwasher. So the question is, is it ok to add salt that contains E-536 (or similar) and unknown contaminants? Does this tiny amount matter? Does it affect the condition of the dishwasher, the quality of washing and safety for humans?
I really didn't like what I read. There is an opinion on the forums that the standards for food products should be stricter than for household chemicals, but in fact it turned out to be quite the opposite. Manufacturers, like the valiant state, care much less about the health of citizens than about the serviceability of equipment.
What happens to it when it is in the dishwasher is unknown. But there is (I hope) salt without this additive. So the next question is about impurities.
To deal with impurities, you will have to understand a little why salt is needed in the dishwasher at all.
Used in dishwashers ion exchange resin to soften water. Roughly speaking, the resin pulls calcium ions out of the water and replaces them with sodium ions. Due to this, insoluble calcium salts are not deposited on heating element and dishes. Salt problem- restore the ion exchange resin, i.e. pull calcium ions out of it, replacing them with sodium ions. The harder the water in the tap, the more salt is consumed. That is why the salt must be special, i.e. purified - the usual one will spoil the ion exchange resin with its impurities.
The presence of impurities is very detrimental to it. Those who constantly use regular salt may as well not use it anymore, because... The resin died long ago.
In addition to the impurities in table salt (harmful to the ion exchange resin), its crystalline form does not correspond to that required for dishwashers.
When converting table salt into dishwasher salt, you will spend more than the difference in price between table salt and dishwasher salt.
To bring it back to normal, you will need to dissolve table salt in water and boil it at certain temperatures and mechanical stirring. Then you will need to properly grind this resulting salt preparation, or rather chop it, to create broken bonds crystal lattice. Only in this case, when poured into the dishwasher, this salt will create a very cool brine, and not a mixture of water and grains of salt (porridge) and will not clog the ion-exchange resin mesh with salt crystals.
However, there are a lot of reviews on the forums in the style of “I always sprinkle regular salt, it’s been working for... years, nothing has broken and I’m happy with the quality of the wash.”
So whether to use the information from this post or not is everyone’s personal choice.
In any case, may your equipment serve for a long time and never fail!