Dishwasher Salt

Dishwasher salt is a type of salt that is used to soften hard water in dishwashers. It is made of 100% sodium chloride with no other additives, unlike table salt which often contains anti-caking compounds like magnesium. Dishwasher salt comes in coarse granules to prevent clogging the dishwasher salt tank while table salt is finely ground. Using table salt in a dishwasher could damage the water softening system.
Dishwasher salt works by regenerating the resin beads in the water softener unit of a dishwasher. Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can leave spots and streaks on dishes. The resin beads in the water softener unit attract these minerals, removing them from the water and preventing them from sticking to dishes. Over time, the resin beads become coated with minerals and lose their ability to attract them. Dishwasher salt helps to regenerate the resin beads by replacing the minerals with sodium ions.
To use dishwasher salt, the salt tank in the dishwasher must be filled with salt. The tank is accessed via the dishwasher floor, and a dishwasher salt funnel is used to pour in the salt. It is important to run a load right after filling the salt tank to prevent residual salt from corroding the dishwasher's metal interior. The refill light or symbol for salt on the dishwasher control panel illuminates when the salt needs to be topped up. Many all-in-one dishwasher tabs contain dishwasher salt, but if you live in a hard water area, it is essential to use dishwasher salt.