As a seasoned appliance technician and home appliances guru, I can assure you that dishwasher salt plays an indispensable role in the efficiency of your dishwasher. Here’s why.
Dishwasher salt is essential because it softens hard water, allowing your detergent to perform better. By doing so, it prevents lime scale buildup, reduces spots and watermarks on dishes, and extends the lifespan of your dishwasher.
Dishwasher salt has an important role in keeping your dishwasher working properly. So if your dishes aren’t as clean as they used to be, then this might be the cause.
Breaking Down the Importance of Dishwasher Salt
The Magic Behind Dishwasher Salt
Dishwasher salt isn’t your average table salt. It’s a special type of salt that is designed to eliminate ions of magnesium and calcium, the two main culprits behind hard water. By softening the water, it allows the dishwasher’s detergent to work to its maximum potential.
Dishwasher salt is sodium chloride. Sodium chloride helps to soften hard water which can be tough on your dishes while also preventing the dishwasher softener unit from getting clogged up. By stopping limescale build up in your dishwasher filter, using it regularly will affect how clean your dishes are. Limescale is particularly a problem in London due to hard water conditions so using dishwasher salt will help your dishwasher to run more efficiently.
If you need to add dishwasher salt then you may notice
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Streaky plates
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Cloudy glasses
When should I top it up?
Some appliances have a dishwasher salt indicator that will tell you when it needs a top up, but if you don’t have this, then you may find a float indicator in the drawer. Generally speaking, it’s good to get into the habit of refilling the salt in your dishwasher once a month. Remember, dishwasher salt isn’t the same as regular salt, so make sure you choose the right one, or you will risk corroding or clogging up the pipes. You can usually find it in your local supermarket or shops.
A dishwasher without salt can often result in dishes that come out with white residue or spots. Over time, hard water can also create a lime scale buildup in your dishwasher, which can reduce its performance and lifespan.
How do I add dishwasher salt?
To add dishwasher salt to your dishwasher, you will have to pull out the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Once out, you should be able to identify a cap on the bottom of the machine. Unscrew it and remove the cap. Then pour in the dishwasher salt until it’s full. Using a funnel when filling it up may help you to keep the salt from going everywhere. Wipe any spills up, then screw back on the cap, making sure its tight. Always make sure that the cap is screwed on tightly as failing to do this could break the machine if the detergent gets in there.
What if my dishwasher still isn’t cleaning properly?
If you’ve checked that your dishwasher has enough salt, but your dishwasher still isn’t cleaning properly, then there may be a further fault that requires an engineer.
Faq’s
Can I use table salt in my dishwasher?
No. Table salt is different from dishwasher salt and can damage your dishwasher.
Where can I buy dishwasher salt?
Dishwasher salt can be found in most supermarkets, home appliance stores, or online.
How often should I refill dishwasher salt?
It largely depends on how hard the water is in your area and how often you use your dishwasher, but generally, you should check once a month.
How do I add dishwasher salt to my dishwasher?
Dishwasher salt can be added to a specific compartment in your dishwasher, usually located at the bottom. Always consult your dishwasher’s manual for specific instructions.
