The salt used specifically for dishwashers is sodium chloride, chemically identical to table and sea salts but processed into larger granules.
Dishwasher salt plays a crucial role in the performance and longevity of your appliance, particularly in areas with hard water. Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can build up on dishes and inside the dishwasher, leading to spots, cloudy glasses, and reduced efficiency.
Why Use Dishwasher Salt?
Dishwashers equipped with a built-in water softener unit require special salt. This unit uses resin beads to attract and capture the minerals causing hardness. Over time, the resin becomes saturated and needs to be regenerated. This is where dishwasher salt comes in.
- Softening Water: The sodium ions from the dissolved dishwasher salt flush out the calcium and magnesium ions from the resin beads, regenerating the softening unit and allowing it to continue removing hardness minerals from the water.
- Preventing Limescale Buildup: By effectively softening the water, the salt helps prevent limescale (calcium carbonate) deposits from forming on heating elements, spray arms, and other internal components.
- Improving Cleaning Results: Soft water allows detergent to work more effectively, resulting in cleaner, shinier dishes without spots or residue.
Dishwasher Salt vs. Other Salts
As the reference states, dishwasher salt is sodium chloride, the same chemical compound found in table and sea salts. However, they are not interchangeable for use in your dishwasher.
| Feature | Dishwasher Salt | Table Salt / Sea Salt |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Sodium Chloride (NaCl) | Sodium Chloride (NaCl) |
| Granule Size | Larger, Coarser | Much finer |
| Additives | Pure, typically no anti-caking agents | Often contains anti-caking agents, iodine |
| Purpose | Regenerate dishwasher water softener | Culinary use |
| Dishwasher Use | Recommended and necessary | Should NOT be used |
Why shouldn't you use table salt or sea salt?
The reference clearly warns against using finer salts: "You shouldn't use table salt though as it is much finer and can block and cause damage to your dishwasher. Dishwasher salt granule size is larger and ensures the salt dissolves slower without blocking the softener unit."
- Blocking: Finer salt particles can clump together, especially when wet, potentially blocking the salt reservoir or the narrow tube leading to the water softener unit. This can prevent the salt from reaching the softener and could cause damage.
- Dissolving Rate: Larger granules dissolve slower and more evenly, which is ideal for the regeneration process. Finer salts dissolve too quickly, which may not be efficient for the softener and could also contribute to blockages.
- Additives: Table and sea salts often contain additives like anti-caking agents or iodine. These substances are not intended for dishwasher softeners and can potentially interfere with the softening process or leave residues.
Therefore, it is essential to always use salt specifically labeled as "dishwasher salt" in the salt reservoir of your dishwasher. Consult your dishwasher's manual to locate the salt compartment and understand how often it needs to be refilled, as this depends on your local water hardness.
