Dishwasher salt: what is it for and where to fill it, Bosch dishwasher, why and how much, how often. What is dishwasher salt and why is it needed

14.06.2019

Tap water has different additives, depending on the region. But it always contains potassium and magnesium. They settle on the heating element, forming limescale. From oxides - rust of plumbing systems, iron is released, it cements lime deposits, making them fragile, like eggshells, strong, like a stone.

Salt for quality work dishwasher just not replaceable

Why do you need special salt in the dishwasher. Maybe it can be left out or replaced with another emollient, which is much cheaper. To neutralize potassium and magnesium, an ion exchanger with a special resin is inserted into dishwashers. It breaks down molecules and replaces them with sodium ones. Starts the ion exchange process only in salt water. If nothing is added to the dishwasher water, the ion substitution process will not occur. There will be no free radicals left in the resin for connection, the crystal lattice will simply clog, and water with all additives will flow past. As a result:

Hard water will limescale the heating elements. Heat transfer will be broken, and the heaters will burn out.
The quality of dishwashing will be significantly reduced.
Scale will clog the tubes and holes of the rocker, and the pressure of the jets directed at the dishes will be weaker. Working with overloads, the pump will quickly fail.
On glasses and plates, instead of glitter, there will be streaks and streaks.
The drain system will constantly clog old fat, which did not decompose under the action of detergents due to the hardness of the water.

If you want to buy a new dishwasher and don't know how to get rid of the old one, just don't put NaCl - dishwasher safe salt in the container. And soon you will have problems in the operation of the equipment.

Failure to use salt automatically voids the dishwasher warranty. Replacing it with other substances has a similar effect.

The hardness of the water also greatly affects the cleanliness of the dishes that are loaded into the machine. In soft water, fats and other dirt dissolve faster and leave the surface of the dishes. When adding rinse aid, lime deposits are not deposited on the surface of the plates, and after drying everything shines with cleanliness.

Through the drainage system along with dirty water softened fats, proteins and other substances leave. They do not harden when cooled and do not create blockages by sticking to the walls. The low viscosity of the waste water does not create problems for the drain system pump, and even old sewer pipes will freely pass the entire mass of liquid.

Where to put salt in the dishwasher, how often to do it and how to determine the dosage. This is the most FAQ housewives, mastering new equipment. The instructions for the machine describe in detail the process of filling the container with salt, detergent and rinse aid.

Detergent for dishes is poured into a special container, which is pulled out on the machine door, at each start. Dishwasher tablets are placed in the same or adjacent compartment, depending on the model of the machine.
There is a container for rinse aid. inside doors. It is filled in full and added when the corresponding indicator on the panel lights up. One filling can last for several months, and even a year.
The container for NaCl - sodium chloride, is located in the tray of the dishwasher. A pack of substances is immediately poured into it. With daily use of the dishwasher, it lasts an average of 3 to 10 weeks, depending on the hardness of the water. The fact that there is already nothing in the container is indicated by a signal on the panel. At the first filling, a little water is poured into the container so that the NaCl will immediately begin to dissolve when the machine is started.

To add salt, the lower basket must be pulled out. Then the round-shaped drain filter, usually located in the center, and the rectangular lid of the water softener container will become clearly visible at the bottom. It must be opened and carefully pour the substance for dishwashers from the pack. The hole is small, so it is better to use a funnel. Do not be afraid that there is water in the salt compartment. Feel free to pour in an emollient, and it will squeeze out excess liquid into the ebb. But if the container is dry, you need to pour a little water.

How much salt to put in the dishwasher at a time. There are many ways to determine the hardness of water and pour salt depending on it. Most simple options use the whole pack at once - 1 kg for hard water and half if it is soft. You should not bother. The container is designed for a kilogram of salt. Its consumption is automatically adjusted by water hardness. You just need to fill up the next portion sooner or later. Focus on the indicator.

Salt is poured into a special container

The dishwasher is not protected from plaque if another salt is used, not special. The whole secret is in the crystalline structure of matter. The reason for the high cost of salt for dishwashers is sophisticated technology its manufacture, and not the greed of producers.

Large crystals dissolve gradually and evenly, releasing chloride ions. They do not precipitate and do not form small particles that can stick to the surface of the heating system and rocker.

We prepare salt ourselves

For those who want to save and do various formulations with our own hands, we will consider the process of making salt for dishwashers from ordinary food sodium chloride - table salt. It makes no sense to give figures, since the process is complex and requires the creation of special laboratory equipment.

Purify water from all impurities. You can use a distiller or reverse osmosis. If impurities remain, even in fractions of a percent, they will turn into salt and change the crystal lattice.
Dissolve salt in water, remove all impurities. It is better to use rock salt for this without anti-caking agents and other additives. The result should be chemically pure substance NaCl.
Salt must be boiled certain temperature without letting it boil. The process is lengthy and may take more than one day.
When boiling, the brine must be constantly stirred, at a certain speed and in the desired direction of movement.
The resulting large crystal must be split in a certain way in order to create free ions in the crystal lattice.

Ways to reduce water hardness

The softer and cleaner water the less salt is used by the dishwasher. The inlet hose is provided with a coarse filter connection. It is desirable to add a magnetic valve to it. Then some of the metals will not get into the dishwasher system.

By installing a household filter at the inlet of the water supply system, you can protect all washing equipment, including the washing machine. At the same time, purified water will be in the tap in the kitchen, shower and bath. Less often, you will have to descale the kettle, toilet bowl. Water can be drunk without using additional purification.

Dishwasher salt is a special substance designed to soften water. Hard water can make the dishes look dirty, streaked or as if covered with a film. In regions where the water is particularly hard (UK and most of Europe), most dishwashers are equipped with a built-in water softener that needs to be topped up with salt periodically. Dishwasher salt is easy to use and will keep your dishes clean and shiny!

Steps

Adding salt to the dishwasher

Remove the lower basket to expose the salt tank. Pull the lower basket out of the dishwasher completely and place it on the kitchen counter or table. Lift it up a little to remove it from the rollers. The tank should be at the bottom of the dishwasher, closer to one of its walls. If there is nothing there, your dishwasher may not have a built-in water softener.

Unscrew the cap and check for water. The water softener is closed with a lid, which must be tightly screwed each time. Unscrew this cover and put it aside. If you are using your dishwasher for the first time, you will need to fill the water softener all the way to the top.

After the first use, there will always be some water in the water softener, so you don't have to top it up.

Only add dishwasher salt to your softener. You can buy this salt in grocery stores, shops household appliances or order online. The brand of salt doesn't matter, but never use table, sea, or kosher salt instead. These types of salts contain additives that can increase the hardness of the water. Moreover, such salt may be too fine and clog the device.

Pour the salt through the funnel until the tank is filled to the top. The volume of the water softener in each dishwasher is different and it holds a different amount of salt. Continue adding salt until the tank is completely full. Since there is also water in the tank, the resulting brine will renew the chemical processes that occur in the built-in softener.
- The funnel will help keep the salt from spilling out when you pour it into the tank. Do not stick the funnel into the tank, but hold it above it. If the funnel gets wet, the salt will not pass through it well.
Remove excess salt with a damp cloth. If you spilled salt in the dishwasher, clean it up with a damp cloth. The salt that you pour into the water softener will never actually touch the dishes, but will remain in the tank. But if you leave salt at the bottom of the dishwasher, it will mix with the water during the wash cycle. This will not harm the dishes, but after one wash cycle, the dishes will become slightly dirty (or salty).
- To remove spilled salt, run a rinse cycle without dishes.
Screw the lid on tightly. Put the cap back in place and screw it tight. If the lid is unscrewed during washing and detergent enters the water softener, it may break. You don't want to pay for a new dishwasher just because you didn't tighten the lid, do you?

Put the bottom basket back in place and turn on the dishwasher. When you are sure the lid is tight, put the bottom basket back into the dishwasher. Put the dishes in the dishwasher and run the wash cycle. After you add salt, there is no need to run a wash cycle or rinse cycle without dishes.

Do I need to add salt
1. Only use salt in dishwashers with built-in water softeners. If you are unsure if your dishwasher has this device, contact the dishwasher manufacturer. If you can't find it at the bottom of the dishwasher, it's possible that it doesn't exist at all. Do not pour salt into other containers for ordinary detergents or dishwasher cleaners. This can easily damage the machine.

When buying a dishwasher, people think that they only need a special detergent to wash the dishes. But when they read the instructions, they begin to understand that not everything is so simple. It turns out that some kind of dishwasher salt is needed to wash the dishes. What is this salt, what is it for and where to get it? You will learn about all this after reading our review. In it we will tell:

What is dishwasher salt?
what does salt do in the dishwasher;
how to choose the right salt;
how much and where to pour it.

After reading this material, you will receive answers to all questions regarding the selection and use of salt in dishwashers.

Why do you need salt in the dishwasher

We all understand that the dishwasher does not clean each plate individually. And she does this not with her hands with a sponge for washing dishes, but with the help of flowing water, to which detergent is mixed. Under the action of surfactants contained in the detergent, dirt is slowly removed from the surface of plates, spoons, forks and other objects.

The washing qualities of soap and other products are well manifested only in soft water.. The same soap foams in it literally immediately, giving a rich and powerful foam. After all, it is the foam that contributes to the active removal of contaminants from the surface of the dishes. And it is very easy to wash off with plain water. If the water is very hard, then the soap will simply dissolve in it, practically without giving the foam we need. Dependence is revealed - the less rigidity, the more foam.

In the dishwasher, the quality of washing dishes directly depends on foaming. Water in most regions of Russia is quite hard. And if at hand washing If this hardness is not so noticeable on dishes, then in the dishwasher the hardness of the water will be critical. And what about those who have very hard water flowing from the tap, literally saturated with insoluble salts? In such conditions, the quality of washing dishes in a dishwasher will be far from ideal. And in order to remedy the situation, you need dishwasher salt. What is it for?

Dishwasher salt removes calcium and magnesium ions from the water, replacing them with sodium ions - as a result, harmless and soluble salts are formed, the water becomes soft.
Salt improves the cleaning properties of the detergents used in dishwashers.
Salt significantly improves the quality of washing dishes - this is achieved due to better foaming.
Salt prevents the formation of scale on the elements and parts of dishwashers - thereby prolonging the life of household appliances.

Thus, dishwasher salt is a very important component of successful dishwashing. And it is almost impossible to do without it. And the harder the water, the more salt you need.

Is it possible to do without dishwasher salt at all? Of course, you can - for this you need to connect the dishwasher to a source of soft water. For example, you can install a special filter containing resin with sodium ions in your home plumbing.

What is dishwasher salt

What is the composition of dishwasher salt? When we hear the word "salt", we involuntarily recall the most common table salt used in cooking. In fact, there are a lot of salts in nature - detailed information on this issue should have been obtained at school. So do not confuse salt or dishwasher salt substitute with regular table salt, in most cases these are two different chemicals (or specially refined table or sea salt).

As for the composition of salt for dishwashers, in many cases it is fundamentally different from the chemical composition of table salt. It contains sodium salts of various acids, such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and many other types of salts. The term "dishwasher salt" should be understood as a special salt composition designed to soften water in dishwashers. Also, dishwasher salt can be created on the basis of refined table salt.

Each manufacturer of salt for dishwashers comes up with its own composition. After all, good salt should not only soften the water, but also help remove the resulting chemical reaction other salts. And one of the manufacturers just achieves complete cleaning ordinary salt, without using additional components. As for measuring the level of hardness, special test strips for manual determination of hardness or sensors built into the dishwasher are responsible for this (they are only available in expensive models equipped with an automatic hardness detection function).

If your dishwasher does not have an automatic hardness detection function, you will need to manually determine the hardness and also manually set the salt consumption level in the programs.

Let's now look at some types of salts sold in departments with household chemicals. There are really a lot of salts, and the price range is quite large - it’s time to get confused which is better.

Perhaps this trademark one way or another known to all owners of dishwashers. Under it, not only salt is produced, but also other Finish preparations for dishwashers - these are Finish rinses, Finish powder and 3 in 1 tablets. Finish dishwasher salt is highly effective and affordable. One pack weighing 1.5 kg costs about 200 rubles, and it will last for a long time. What are the properties of this salt?

Finish salt softens the water and prevents the formation of scale on the heating element.
This salt helps to improve the quality of washing dishes.
Finish Salt does not cause streaks.

Reviews show that This dishwasher detergent is highly effective.. No wonder this salt is so popular among consumers. Yes, and it is relatively cheap.

Inexpensive coarse salt for the Magic Power dishwasher is characterized by good efficiency and low cost. One and a half kilograms of this product costs about 130 rubles. Large crystals provide convenient dosage and promote accurate consumption. Salt effectively softens water, significantly improving the quality of washing dishes and preventing the formation of limescale on heating elements and other elements of dishwashers.

In addition to salt, special tablets are produced under this brand - they contain detergent, rinse aid and softening salt. Their use is possible only if the manufacturer allows the use of such tableted universal products.

Sodasan Regenerating Dishwasher Salt is based on regular table salt that has been purified and evaporated. No additional components are added here. On the one hand, this is good, since excess salt contributes to a decrease in the service life of individual components of dishwashers. But on the other hand, the quality of mitigation may suffer - there is no specific solution on this issue.

This salt is supplied packaged in packs, the weight of which is 2 kg. It costs in the range of 400-450 rubles, and this A pack is enough for almost a year of use., depending on the water hardness level. The manufacturer guarantees the high ecological purity of this product and the use of environmentally friendly technologies in its manufacture.

Without any doubt, all these environmentally friendly technologies only leave a corresponding imprint on the cost of the product. Otherwise, it is the most common purified and evaporated table salt.

If you are lucky enough to find this salt on sale, you can save a lot of money. This special dishwasher salt comes in packs of 4 kg, and the low cost of one pack guarantees money in your wallet - the price of such a pack of salt is only 500 rubles. Salt softens water well and prevents the formation of smudges on washed dishes. An excellent and inexpensive tool for all owners of dishwashers.

You can buy salt for the dishwasher in any supermarkets, in the department household chemicals. Specialized stores and online stores will be able to offer you the lowest prices.

How much salt to put in the dishwasher

Freshly baked dishwasher owners are tormented by the question - how much salt should be poured into the dishwasher? The answer to this question is very simple - exactly as much salt is poured into the machine as it enters the compartment specially designated for this. The capacity of salt compartments in dishwashers is different, so it all depends on the specific model.

Dishwashers automatically take the right amount of salt for one washing cycle. They measure the amount either independently or in accordance with the water hardness value set by users. Weighing salt on a pharmacy scale and measuring the exact amount is not required from you - entrust this process to the dishwasher. The main thing is to pour salt into the correct compartment, and not add it to the detergent.

Where to put salt in the dishwasher

So we come to the main question - where, in fact, pour salt into the dishwasher? Everything is simple here, since the salt compartment in most cases is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. To add salt, open the door, remove all trays from the machine, find a container and pour salt into it using a special funnel. That's the whole procedure, after which you will have to determine the level of hardness of tap water and enter the indicator into the memory of the machine. If your machine can determine the level of hardness itself, just start washing.

Please note that many machines have an indication of the presence of salt. As soon as the indicator beeps, load the next portion into your dishwasher.

It is not enough to choose, purchase and install a dishwasher in the kitchen. In order for it to qualitatively wash off food residues from cutlery, an automatic dishwasher needs detergents. And if the water poured into it is also hard (high in calcium and magnesium), then salt for the dishwasher will be required special composition. Without this tool, the dishwasher will not last long.

Regardless of the composition of the water, the dishwasher must not be operated without salt. In any case, the equipment will turn on and work, but it will not last long in this mode. Lime deposits will not immediately, but will inevitably lead to failure of the heating element inside.

Manufacturers recommend adding salt to dishwashers, even if the water from the tap is not hard. Salt solution in most machines is contained in a special container, but is gradually consumed

Do not confuse salt with detergent in tablets "2 in 1", "3 in 1", "5 in 1", etc. Often the first is already contained in the second. However, this is far from a fact. Not all manufacturers add salt to their dishwasher soaps. kitchen machine. Many of them make separate formulations - one for washing dishes, and the other for softening water. Everything is described in the labeling of the funds and in the PMM instructions, it is worth studying this extremely important information.

Salt intended for dishwashers performs several functions:

softens the water used for washing;
restores the stock of sodium in the ion exchanger;
relieves metal elements of washing equipment from scale (plaque);
improves the quality of washing;
protects the dishes, and therefore the person using it, from lime deposits.

All the reasons for the need to use salt are somehow aimed at softening the water entering the machine. Filters can also be used for this purpose. However, they are expensive to install and operate, and do not always give the desired effect. Salt tablets and powders have been specially formulated for dishwashers to protect dishwashers from excess calcium and/or magnesium in the water supply.

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To fully understand why you need to use salt in the dishwasher, you need to delve a little into chemistry. Tap and well water contains a certain amount of ions of various metals and calcium. When heated, they precipitate in the form of a precipitate, which is gradually compressed and creates scale.

The biggest problem from such “lime” is its growth on the heating element heating the water. Such growths form on the tubes of electric heaters, not only in dishwashers, but also in washing machines and boilers. As a result of the buildup of scale, the heating element first begins to spend more electricity to heat the water, and then at some point the spiral burns out in it due to too high a temperature.

To avoid such problems, manufacturers of household dishwashers began to install a special ion exchanger in them. The resin contained in it, consisting of sodium chloride, binds metal ions and prevents them from combining with each other to precipitate in the form of limescale. In this way, all unnecessary is discharged into the sewer, and the water softens.

Sodium also leaves the ion exchanger during the exchange taking place in the water. It has to be forcibly replenished, otherwise at some point NaCl will be completely consumed

In order to replenish the contents of the ion exchanger in the "dishwasher" and add sodium salt. No wonder such salt compositions are also called regenerating or restoring. In fact, they are one of the mechanisms for extending the life of the heating element and the dishwasher as a whole.

All about salt products for PMM

Many manufacturers are engaged in the production of the salts in question and their packaging options. main feature of such compositions is a high purity. They initially do not imply the content of dyes, phosphates, chlorine and flavors, almost completely consist of pure sodium chloride.

Packing types: tablets, powders and capsules

The sodium salt needed to soften water is small, colorless crystals. Many dishwasher detergents are sold in this powdered form.

Their production technology is as follows:

there is an extraction of table rock salt (classical sodium + chlorine);
the extraction is cleaned from non-sodium mineral inclusions;
this powder is packed into bags for shipment to stores.

Everything is extremely simple. The main thing here is a high degree of purification. Any inclusions of anything other than sodium are only harmful. All other chemical elements in heated water themselves become a source of scale. That is why it is strictly not recommended to use food iodized or sea salt to fill the car.

Salt formulations for PMM are produced in the form of powders, tablets and capsules - they can contain only “regenerating salt” or come with rinse aid and detergent

When choosing compressed tablets, in which, in addition to salt, “soap” is immediately added, special attention should be paid to the type of surfactants in the composition. They are best taken with non-ionic (non-ionic) surfactants. They, unlike anionic analogues, are completely biodegradable and less aggressive.

Harm of impurities in regenerating salt

Sodium-based regenerative salt products have been specially developed for dishwashers. They are necessary for the correct, effective and safe operation of this technique. Such salts contain only NaCl, which we all use extensively in cooking.

Salt additives consisting of sodium chloride are harmless to the human body - this is a classic table salt, which is a common food product

Only surfactants that are not washed off with water from dishes during rinsing can be dangerous. But these substances are contained only in tablets with detergents. If the tableted or powdered salt comes in its pure form, then the drug is absolutely safe. In the process of washing dishes, it completely dissolves and is washed off without residue into the sewer.

Manufacturers of equipment in their instructions do not recommend using ordinary edible salt for filling into an ion exchanger. However, if it is well purified and has no impurities, then the application is quite possible. But it must be boiled. Before pouring food salt into the dishwasher, you need to carefully read what is written on the package with it.

As a substitute for branded salt formulations, you cannot use a regular food analogue, because. the content of iodides, carbonates or fluorides in it is more than 0.5%. The degree of purification of salt acceptable for use is 99.9%

Sea salt with iodine contained in it is categorically not suitable for replacement. In this case, the abundance of additional ingredients will only worsen the situation with scale. It is allowed to use only NaCl, purified from impurities by evaporation. Only he will not harm the dishwasher and soften the water as expected.

It is not at all worth using other formulations and preparations from the range of household chemicals. In them, sodium salt comes in small proportions and always has a lot of related ingredients.

If "EXTRA" is selected for replacement, then it is recommended not to fill it into the ion exchanger, but pour it in the form of a 1:1 water-salt solution. This will avoid the formation of a compressed lump inside. If it is formed, then the water in the ion filter will stop flowing and soften.

Dosage and nuances of use

The amount of salt needed and the rate of its consumption in the PMM depend only on the hardness of the soapy water. The harder it is, the more the drug is consumed. Moreover, it is difficult to guess this indicator, it constantly changes depending on the season of the year and the means and technologies used by the water utility to clean the contents of water pipes.

Filling (powder) and laying (tablets) of regenerating salt is carried out in a special compartment-ion exchanger, most often located at the bottom of the dish chamber - it is always indicated in the instructions for the machine (+)

If the dishwasher is designed to use salt, then it has one of two:

Water hardness sensor.
Lever for manual setting of this parameter.

The technology for using these devices is always described in the passport of the machine. It may differ depending on the model. Reading the instructions before turning on this washing technique will definitely not hurt.

The main attention should be paid to the storage of this tool. Sodium salt is very hygroscopic, as it becomes saturated with moisture, it loses its effectiveness. It should be stored in a dry place and away from sunlight, otherwise the water will still remain hard, as it was originally in the pipeline.

Rating of brands and manufacturers

Almost every manufacturer of dishwashers also produces salt and water for them in parallel. detergent formulations or recommends using a variant of salt of a particular brand with a specific dosage directly in the instructions for the machine.

Prices for sold salt compositions differ little by brand - if saving money is not in the first place, then it is best to purchase branded preparations recommended by the manufacturer of dishwashers in the kitchen

It is difficult to compile a full-fledged rating of salts for dishwashers with an analysis of many different parameters. A similar composition is practically pure sodium chloride (usually the mass fraction of NaCl in them is 99.5–99.7%). Inventing something special here is problematic.

In the considered means, according to the norms, there should be no additives, rinses, impurities and detergents. If something like this is in the description of the composition, then this is not an active salt for an ion exchanger, but a regular dishwashing detergent in an automatic dishwasher such as “3 in 1”, “5 in 1”, “ALL in 1”, etc. . Such tablets and powders are placed in a completely different compartment in the dishwasher.

The best option for regenerating salt is large NaCl crystals. The powdered analogue of fine grinding is consumed too quickly, it is better to bypass it in the store. You need to look for a salt product in the form of granules with a minimum size of 4–6 mm. Tablets are also good in this regard, but not every ion exchanger can be loaded simultaneously in the required amount.

1st place - "Finish Calgonite"

The first place was given to "Finish Calgonit" due to the almost complete absence of negative reviews from housewives for products under this brand. In terms of cost, this salt is in the middle price segment.

"Finish Calgonit" is distinguished by the high quality of NaCl purification and bulky granules, which in their characteristics are more consistent with premium products

2nd place - "Sodasan"

"Sodasan" is not inferior to "Finish Calgonit" in the purity of sodium chloride, but costs a little more.

The brand “Sodasan” (this is not only salt) is produced by the famous company “Henkel”, which is the undoubted leader among manufacturers of household chemicals for various purposes

3rd place - "Somat"

"Somat" is different high rates the purity of salt and the absence of any impurities in it. However, the crystals in the package from this manufacturer are smaller than others.

Salt consumption for PMM “Somat” turns out to be a little more, and at a price it is practically not inferior to the first two competitors

The final third place, "Somat" is a classic middle peasant.

4th place - "Eonite"

Under the brand "Eonit" on the market there are two options for salts from scale: "regenerating NATURAL" and "CLEANVON". The first product is positioned as made from natural raw materials, and the second is 99.9% pure. But the naturalness of NaCl is a big question.

At the same time, the price of both options is closer to 100 rubles / 1.5 kg. Fourth place for the presence of different products in the line and the budget cost.

5th place - "Top House"

If the dishwasher is used frequently and a lot of dishes are washed, then this is a great option. However, if you use the dishwasher infrequently, it is better to take a cheaper anti-scale preparation.

In all cases, you will have to pay about 100–250 rubles for a 1.5 kg pack of salt. The price depends on the region, the seller and ongoing promotions with discounts.

If a cheaper product is offered under a different brand with a cost below 100 rubles, then it should be taken with caution. Cheapness here is the first sign of too small granules or a low degree of purification of sodium chloride. As a result, you will pay less for salt, but it will quickly be used up or harm the washing machine.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

To simplify the choice of salt preparations for PMM, we offer a small selection with video materials. They detail all the nuances of the use of salt.

What you need to know about salt compositions for automatic dish washes:

The importance of using salt from scale:

What can replace branded salt for automatic PMM:

Salt from scale is a necessary and often indispensable condition for the correct operation of the dishwasher. When buying such equipment, you must be ready to constantly acquire for it Consumables in the form of detergents and salt tablets or powders. Without the latter, scale will quickly begin to accumulate inside the PMM, which will inevitably lead to a breakdown of the automatic dishwasher.

The cost of salt for automatic washing of dishes is many times more than ordinary food. Therefore, the question arises: is it permissible to use cheap analogues of a special tool? I'll tell you about what you can replace salt for dishwashers.

Salt Functions

I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the table that answers the question of why you need salt in the dishwasher:

Image	Description
	Function 1. Softens hard water. The substance is consumed in proportion to the water hardness index: the higher it is, the greater the consumption.
	Function 2. Cleans metal parts. This product delays and eliminates the formation of scale and plaque on the internal elements of dishwashers.
	Function 3. Cleans dishes. There are no streaks on the dishes if sodium chloride is used.
	Function 4. Provides accurate operation of the ion exchanger. Why salt is needed in an ion exchanger: It restores sodium ions in the resin, which precipitate calcium and magnesium impurities. Without sodium chloride, the ion exchanger will fail, as the ability of the resin to attract ions of impurities from the water will be lost.

Nuances of use and dosage

In order not to clog the filtering and water softening channels of the unit, consider the nuances of using salt products:

Image	Description
	The quality of water and the set hardness parameters affect the consumption of the substance. It does not matter how much salt to pour into the dishwasher, only its presence in washing equipment is important.
	Sensors determine when to add salt to the dishwasher. The sensor gives a signal when there is no sodium chloride in the ion exchanger. 2-3 cycles can still be carried out, but then be sure to fill the compartment.
	What kind of salt to put in the dishwasher: Special, from the developers of dishwashers; Food, but only purified from impurities (iodine, minerals).

Replacement options

You can replace the regenerating sodium chloride with table salt or tableted salt. Just keep in mind that in case of any breakdown, the warranty will be void if a specialist finds a replacement. So, switch to analogues after the end of the warranty period.

Option 1: table salt

Types of ordinary table salt (rock or boiled salt) differ in the amount of impurities. For use in the unit, a product without additives, extra processing class is suitable:

Photo	Specifications
	1. Cooking cooking extra. This type of regular salt is the best replacement option: Crystals are white, small. Dissolve without sediment. The product is made by evaporating saline solutions and contains a minimum amount of impurities.
	2. Stone kitchen. Suitable for rare use, as it can damage the dishwasher: Large crystals contain various impurities. It settles in the ion exchanger. Causes wear and tear on the machine.
	3. Marine food. You cannot use: Contains a large number of mineral additives. It undergoes minimal cleaning.

So, to the question: is it possible to replace a special salt remedy, the answer is yes. Only the analogue should be boiled down and without impurities.

Determine the purity of the product: dilute a serving in water (approximately 1:1). If the resulting saturated solution is clear, it can be used. If cloudy and with sediment, then such a replacement will damage the device.

Option 2: tableted salt

6 Benefits of Using Compressed Matter:

The special composition for filters is safe for dishwashers.
Table sodium chloride contains no additives and does not form a precipitate.
It has a high ion enrichment capacity.
The price is about 400 rubles for 25 kg of product.
Long-term use - the substance will last for 2 years.
The tablet dissolves gradually, does not stray into a stone lump.

Application: 3 ways

Here is a table on how to use dishwasher salt:

Image	Instruction
	Method 1. For loose crystalline sodium chloride: Ordinary salt in the dishwasher is poured into the allotted compartment. Fill to a third of the volume indicated in the instructions for washing equipment. The undissolved residue forms a monolithic mass and interferes with the normal operation of the machine. Therefore, pouring with a margin should not be. But special agent uploaded once a month.
	Method 2: Salt solution: With your own hands, make a 1: 1 solution and pour into the compartment. Stone lump in this case is not formed. Minus - you need to do the solution regularly.
	Method 3. For a tablet product: Pressed salt of a special composition is loaded into the compartment according to the instructions for the machine. It dissolves gradually, does not fall apart and does not stray into clods.

Conclusion

By familiarizing yourself with alternative salt products, you will ensure the quality work of dishwashers. My recommendations and visual tips in the video in this article will also help you save your money. For clarifications (if you have a question), please contact the comments.