What Is Dishwasher Salt And Do You Need It?

You probably assume that you're familiar with all of the products you need to clean your dishwasher properly. Sure — detergent, rinse aid, and dishwasher deep cleaner are all important components of proper functioning and maintenance, but you might be leaving out an additional product. Some dishwashers include a section for dishwasher salt. This special salt is sodium chloride in the form of large, rough granules. Its purpose is to soften hard water that may damage your machine or leave stains on dishes. You need to use dishwasher salt if you have hard water and there is a component in your machine for the product.

Even if your machine does not have a slot to hold this special salt, you may still need to tackle hard water so that it doesn't cause horrors in your home and on your dishes. In this case, consider opting for dishwasher tablets that include salt. Keep in mind that dishwasher salt is not necessary for everyone. If you are one of the lucky ones with soft water, you can skip this product altogether. However, if you've been struggling to get your dishes looking clean and clear due to hard water problems, dishwasher salt might be the ingredient you have been missing all along. If you are unsure of whether your water is hard or soft, you can test it using the WeAQUA Store Water Hardness Test Kit.

Let's dive into the science behind how dishwasher salt softens water. This fascinating phenomenon occurs thanks to the power of the sodium ions within the product. The calcium and magnesium in hard water create build-up. When calcium and magnesium come into contact with positively charged sodium ions, an ion exchange occurs and the calcium and magnesium ions are then traded out for sodium ions. The resulting soft water does not leave stains on your dishes or build up within your machine.

It is important to note that dishwasher salt should not be used interchangeably with the salt you use to add flavor to your meals. Dishwasher salt features larger granules so that it does not clump together and clog components in your dishwasher. Consider purchasing the IMPRESA Dishwasher Salt if your machine has a special compartment for the product. If you don't have a dishwashing salt compartment, you can use the Molly's Suds Dishwasher Pods instead because they are formulated with sodium.