Is Dishwasher Salt Necessary? [Yes, It is!]

July 17, 2021

If you know more about dishwashers, you might already be knowing the fact that it requires special salts or softeners…Yet, if you do not know what these Dishwasher salts are used for and why they are necessary, this article is for you!!Dishwasher salts are used to soften the hard water. Softening of water prevents the formation of limescale.

There are many advantages of using dishwasher salt, especially if the water in your locality is hard.

Let’s explore some more information about it.

What is Dishwasher Salt used for?

Where do you reside?

If you live somewhere in the USA, Europe, or the UK, you will require the dishwasher salts as a necessity. 

Not only this but also if you reside in India, there are multiple areas where you will encounter hard water. To soften them while using in Dishwasher, you will require dishwasher salt. 

Dishwasher, can simply not work without generating salt. And this salt will build up limescale layers inside the machine. 

A dishwasher with limescale piles will not clean dishes appropriately. The dishes will remain cloudy and will not shine like before. 

No one entertains this situation as the utensils will always look unclear and misty. So, it becomes necessary to use dishwasher salt while putting hot hard water and avoid limescale.

Can I use Table Salt in my Dishwasher?

A big No!!!

Traditional salt will clog dishwashers and also cause more build-up inside your dishwasher. 

You might have noticed that the regular salt will stick together and form a clump if it comes in contact with moisture. 

The same consequence might happen in dishwashers. If you use table salt in your dishwasher, it will form clumps and ultimately clog the pores in the machine!!

Then what is the difference between TRADITIONAL SALT and DISHWASHER SALT?

The main thing that makes both salts different is:

The traditional salt is made up of sodium chloride crystals that are slower to dissolve and also slower to expel from the machine!

While the dishwasher salts are easy to dissolve and expel from the dishwasher. Hence, it decreases the chances of forming limescale.

What happens if you don’t utilize Dishwasher Salt?

You will have to cop up with:

Film-covered and cloudy utensils, even after wasting energy, soap, and water inside the dishwasher!!

The only solution to avoid this situation is– ‘Using dishwasher salt while using a dishwasher.’

It might happen that you might not be knowing about How to put salt in Dishwater?

No worries, we are here for you!

We have a stepwise guide for clearing your doubt about this query. Let’s begin with it.

How to put Dishwasher salt in Dishwasher?

It’s easy to put dishwasher salt only if you know and follow proper steps. Here are the steps, you can follow them while filling in the salt.

1st Step: Find the Salt Reservoir or Softener Compartment

Generally, the salt reservoir is present at the bottom rack of the dishwasher machine. The bottom rack is easily removable and hence, you can fill the salt compartment easily.

2nd Step: Uncap the compartment or reservoir

Remove the compartment and uncap it to fill in the dishwasher salt or softener.

3rd Step: Only use Dishwasher Softener or Salt

DO NOT utilize table salt or any other softener that is not preferred for your dishwasher.

4th Step: Use a funnel to fill the salt

Most of the time, the compartment or reservoir will be small, and filling the dishwasher salt with hands might spill it around. Hence, go for a funnel that will decrease the chances of the salt spilling around!

5th Step: Put the reservoir back into place

The way you removed the compartment, the same way you have to place it back in its proper place. Now the dishwasher will use the salt while you will turn it on.

How often to refill your Dishwasher Salt Compartment?

Approximated time to refill the dishwasher salt is- Every Month.

However, the answer to this question is different as per the model of dishwasher you are using.

For this query, you might have to look at the manual or user guide that you got with your machine.

For instance, European models have salt compartments while other models have softener compartments. 

Furthermore, there are some models that feature salt indicators that alert us while a low level of salt. Also, we get alerts when the salt is completely empty. 

It actually helps us to remember that you have to refill the salt compartment and add additives.

The best practice is to keep checking the salt compartment every month so that the salt will never get scarce. 

Now the question arises: What if you were not aware of the empty salt reservoir for a long time? We have the answer for it as well. 

Will Dishwasher Stop working if the salt reservoir is empty?

No, nope, never!!

But you will see the change in the cleaning process of your dishwasher for sure.

Utensils will come out having a cloudy film appearance that makes them look unclean. 

Even after a complete cycle of cleaning in a dishwasher, utensils don’t appear to be clean! 

It’s like falling from the sky and getting stuck into a tree! LOL!

To avoid this situation, you have to concentrate on the salt compartment. Do not let it get empty. 

Final Conclusion on: Is Dishwasher Salt Necessary?

While concluding this article, we would like to answer directly. 

Yes, using a dishwasher salt becomes necessary if you are using hard water input in your dishwasher.

Otherwise, by no means your utensils will look clean. You yourself will see the contrast in fully washed utensils with and without salt. 

!! If you are not adding salt, your dishwasher will suffer in near future !!

Cleaning dishes without dishwasher salt will only waste the water, dishwasher soap, and electricity. So, get a recommended dishwasher salt for your dishwasher.  Helpful tips for Dishwasher

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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