Here's how to add salt to a dishwasher, based on the provided reference.
Adding salt to your dishwasher is essential for softening hard water, which helps prevent limescale buildup and ensures your dishes come out sparkling clean. Based on the provided information, here is the process specifically for the first time you use the dishwasher.
Initial Salt Filling Process (First Use)
For the initial setup of your dishwasher, you need to prepare the salt reservoir before adding the salt.
Here are the steps:
- Locate the Salt Reservoir: The salt reservoir is typically found at the bottom of the dishwasher cavity, often covered by a screw-on cap.
- Fill with Water: When using the dishwasher for the first time, fill the reservoir with 1 liter of water. This step is specific to the initial setup.
- Add Dishwasher Salt: After adding the water, pour in approximately 1 kg of dishwasher salt. It is crucial to use specific dishwasher salt, not table salt or other types of salt, as these can damage the water softening unit.
- Replace Cap: Screw the cap back onto the salt reservoir tightly.
Using dedicated dishwasher salt helps regenerate the ion exchange resin in the dishwasher's water softener, which removes minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water.
Why Use Specific Dishwasher Salt?
- Purity: Dishwasher salt is much purer than table salt and does not contain anti-caking agents or other additives that can leave residue or damage the dishwasher's water softening system.
- Grain Size: The granules of dishwasher salt are larger, which prevents them from dissolving too quickly and potentially clogging the salt reservoir.
Always check your dishwasher's manual for specific instructions, as the exact location of the salt reservoir and recommended amount of salt might vary slightly between models. However, the principle of using specific dishwasher salt for water softening remains consistent.