Even though it may seem counterproductive, you should put salt in your dishwasher. After all, this large appliance is supposed to clean dishes, not cover them in grime.
When used properly, dishwasher salt will enhance the appliance’s resistance to hard water stains, enabling you to enjoy dishes that are spot-free. We’re going to look more closely at dishwasher salt and how it functions this week.
Dishwasher salt differs from regular salt in a number of ways, including size. Because table salt is ground to a smaller and finer consistency, using it in a dishwasher can cause clogged drains. Contrarily, dishwasher salt is thicker and doesn’t interfere with the appliance’s regular cleaning processes.
The chemical composition of dishwasher salt and table salt is another significant distinction. Dishwasher salt is typically made of 100% sodium chloride with no other additives, whereas table salt often contains anti-caking compounds like magnesium The additives in table salt may cause the mechanical parts of the dishwasher to malfunction or encourage the development of hard water stains.
Dishwasher salt does not clean or remove hard water stains, despite what some people may think. Its purpose is to reset the unit’s built-in water softener. Some dishwashers, especially those manufactured overseas in the U. K. , feature water softener baskets filled with small resin balls. These resin balls encourage clean, spot-free dishes by removing calcium and magnesium ions from the water, two substances commonly linked to hard water stains.
The dishwasher salt has a positive atomic charge, while the resin balls have a negative atomic charge. The resin balls are reset by the sodium ions that are drawn to them when dishwasher salt is used, making the resin balls more capable of absorbing calcium and magnesium ions.
Only dishwashers equipped with a separate salt compartment should be used with dishwasher salt. A salt compartment (typically found around the bottom basket) will most likely be present if the appliance has an integrated water softening system. Your unit is prepared when the compartment is filled with dishwasher salt, closed, and latches shut.
Be careful not to accidentally pour detergent into the salt compartment of the dishwasher as this could harm the water softening system. Dishwasher salt should only be used in the salt compartment, and detergent should only be used inside the detergent compartment.
How Often Should You Put Salt in a Dishwasher?
Although there is no set rule for how frequently to put salt in the dishwasher, it is best to do so once per month. However, since many modern dishwashers have a salt refill light, you might not need to remind yourself to do so.
In light of this, if your dishwasher has a salt refill light, simply refill it when you see this indication.
Is It Necessary to Put Salt in a Dishwasher?
Some dishwashers do not have salt compartments. You obviously can’t put salt in dishwashers that do not have salt compartments.
However, it is necessary to put salt in dishwashers that do have salt compartments. The reason is that dishwasher salt facilitates the functioning of the dishwasher’s water softening system, which softens the hard water that flows through the dishwasher.
The water-softening function of dishwasher salt is beneficial because hard water leaves stains when it evaporates. Hard water does this because it is rich in calcium and magnesium ions, and nutrient-rich water leaves behind a residue.
Because dishwasher salt softens hard water, your dishes are protected from this chalky residue in the dishwasher. So, if your dishwasher has a salt compartment, add salt to it to prevent hard water stains on your dishes.
Additionally, you shouldn’t put dishwasher salt in the dishwasher’s detergent compartment if you plan to use it. Since it will never come into contact with your dishes in this compartment, salt should only be placed in the salt compartment of the water softening unit.
It’s not a good idea to put salt in the detergent compartment because it will get on your dishes. To put it simply, for best results, salt should be kept in the salt compartment and detergent should be kept in the detergent compartment.
Putting Dishwasher Salt in Your Dishwasher
Community Answer Your glasses are getting slowly sanded by the powder in your dishwasher. There is nothing you can do to fix it. Using a liquid dishwasher detergent can slow the process, but if you dont want it to happen you have to wash the glasses by hand. 
Community Answer Get as much of it out of the reservoir and clean up what you can; if there is some left, it will not hurt your washer. Table salt will dissolve quicker than dishwasher salt as it is finer. Table salt may not soften your water; however, in small amounts it wont hurt your dishwasher. Once you clear as much of the salt as you can, run a rinse cycle. The salt should be all gone, and you can now add dishwasher salt. 
Community Answer It depends how old and how sturdy you dishwasher is. If its quite old and does frequently need checking up on, then yes. If not, then no. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
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