Dishwasher salt

Any household appliance, the work of which is associated with tap water, is constantly subjected to increased loads and wear. Due to the high content of magnesium and calcium ions, the water becomes hard, and this provokes the formation of an unpleasant scale, which must be urgently disposed of. In general terms, all means for a dishwasher are divided into cleansing and emollients. It is the second type that helps to effectively fight limescale, and special salts are included in the category of such agents. In this article we will consider what salt is for a dishwasher, how to use it and whether it is worth looking for a replacement.

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A little bit about limescale

The tap water used in everyday life contains metal impurities, and the presence of magnesium and calcium ions determines the characteristic hardness of the water. When water is heated, a chemical reaction of the splitting of compounds and the formation of insoluble hard sedimentary deposits occur. The further heating procedure contributes to the adhesion of these particles on the surface of the heating elements, as a result - scale is formed.

The presence of scale significantly reduces the life of the heating devices, and causes:

• decrease in the process of thermal conductivity;
• destruction of the strength properties of materials;
• stagnant water phenomenon.

The use of hard water in dishwashers and washing machines leads to premature damage to expensive equipment.

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Ion exchange system in the dishwasher

To solve this problem, an ion-exchange device is used in the dishwasher. This is a tank that is filled with a special resin with chlorine ions. When tap water passes through such an ion exchanger, a chemical reaction occurs that promotes the interaction of magnesium and calcium salts with resin ions. As a result, there is a process of water purification from hard salt-containing compounds and other harmful components.

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What does salt have to do with it?

When salt is added to the ion-exchange device for a dishwasher with the chemical formula NaCl, a chemical reaction takes place to replace the missing magnesium and calcium ions with sodium ions. This is how the cleaning system functions and the water becomes soft.

Some models of dishwashing machines have built-in salt sensors. A signaling sensor indicates the immediate addition of the desired salt-containing substance.

Important! There are ultramodern dishwasher equipment that allow you to independently enter the hardness indicators in the program.

Such data contribute to the functioning of the dishwasher, in which there is a replacement of certain calcium and magnesium ions with ordinary sodium. As a result of this action, salt water is formed, which does not create any sedimentary deposits and helps the efficient operation of this equipment.

Using special salt for the dishwasher will help:

• prevent scale formation;
• extend the operating life of the dishwasher;
• reduce costs, since household appliances will not work “for wear” with increased power consumption and mechanical stress on the parts of the device.

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Why can not I use ordinary kitchen salt?

Ordinary rock salt is unsuitable for use in dishwashing equipment, since such a salt contains many different foreign components.

Important! If the doser of the dishwasher is filled to the brim with table salt, then the inability of the kitchen product to completely dissolve will cause the formation of a stagnant phenomenon.

Consider the distinguishing feature of using ordinary rock salt:

• Edible salt consists of other components.
• Rock salt contains even microscopic components in the form of sand. Such inclusions do not affect the cooking process, but play a significant role in the water softening procedure, contributing to clogging of the filter device.
• The presence of a large number of small granules that have different sizes. During the dissolution procedure, clumping and lump formation occurs, which, in turn, causes damage to the dishwasher.
• Low price factor.

Important! Many manufacturers in the instructions for use caution that the use of ordinary rock salt destroys the ion-exchange device.

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Where to buy salt for dishwashers?

In any department of the hypermarket for the sale of funds for dishwashers, you can purchase a special salt-containing substance. How to recognize:

• Such salt is placed in cardboard packaging boxes or other similar containers resembling the packaging of washing powder.
• Traditionally, each package contains about a kilogram or about one and a half kilograms of salt-containing substance.

The effectiveness of using salt for a dishwasher of any company depends on its quantitative composition, and on the packaging of each brand there is a mandatory list of constituent components.

Important! If the product is not a natural expensive product, but an ordinary fake, then the composition of such a substance will resemble the composition of ordinary kitchen salt used in the household. Quality salt for the dishwasher should consist of:

• sodium compounds;
• potassium;
• various bleaches;
• softeners;
• aromatic substances.

In addition, the production salt consists of a mixture of salts that contribute to the washing of the ion exchange device. The only advantageous difference between rock salt is the price factor.

Important! In the presence of branded and quite expensive dishwashers, the use of branded industrial salt is recommended.

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Norms

To determine how much salt you need to pour into a dishwashing machine, you need to know the water hardness level.

The presence of limescale on water taps and other plumbing units in the bath, toilet and kitchen indicates hard water. In addition, there are other defining methods:

• Foaming ordinary soap helps to find out how hard the water is. Thus, if the soap is well soaped, then the water is soft.
• A scientific method consisting in the use of a special-purpose device or test strips developed by foreign companies.
• Stiffness indicators have been developed for each area, so you can use these readings.

Important! With hard water, much more salt-containing material is required than with soft water. If you use an insufficient amount of salt for the dishwasher, then after washing, white stains appear on the dishes.

We select a constant dosage

The first working inclusion of the dishwasher is adjusted to the water hardness, which was determined by one of the methods.At the bottom of the dishwashing machine there is a hole in which a salt-containing substance is poured, and the use of a funnel helps to accurately complete this procedure.

Volume of one dose:

• In the presence of a high level of hardness, a kilogram of reagent is poured into the dispenser.
• If the water is medium and low hardness, then a pound of salt-containing substance is used.

Typically, this amount of salt allows the dishwasher to function for several months. The frequency of use of the dishwasher and the water hardness indicator also affect the quantitative composition of the reagent.

Important! When using a salt-containing substance, it is always necessary to pay attention to the characteristic composition. Modern detergents in their composition already have the proper emollients. Usually it is a tablet reagent consisting of three components: a detergent, a substance to soften water and a rinse aid.

First use

When refilling the dishwasher for the first time with salt, it is necessary to add some water to the salt compartment, as this stimulates the formation of a colloid. As a result of this process, water can overflow over the brine edge, but this will not affect the performance of the unit. The main thing is to carry out these operations immediately before washing the dishes, in order to prevent corrosion at the bottom of the working compartment.

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Which dishwasher salt to choose?

The use of industrial salt-containing substances in dishwashers is justified by the following characteristics:

• salt for the dishwasher has gone through several cleaning steps;
• after passing through all technological processes, this substance does not have any foreign inclusions;
• the presence of large granules promotes uniform dissolution at the same speed, which ensures closer interaction.

Important! It is the presence of large cleaned granules of industrial salt-containing substances that can protect equipment from scale.

Of the variations in the replacement for the price factor, we can recommend the use of rinse aid and tablets:

• In the price case, the use of tablets is more expensive, their consumption is much more than salt. In addition, the tablet substance is not enough for three months.
• The use of rinse aid cannot be considered as a complete substitution, since it is an additional component necessary for the effective use of the dishwasher.

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The chemical basis of the use of salt in dishwashers

Divalent magnesium and calcium ions determine the hardness of water, which is of two types:

• the first type of water is characterized by magnesium hardness;
• the second type of water is called calcium hardness.

Important! The operating principle of the dishwasher’s ion exchanger is to attach negative salt ions to the polymer base, while positive ions are characterized by the process of dissociation between the dispenser with salt and water until the sensor device works.

The chemical composition of the salt for the dishwasher includes:

• sodium citrate is a preservative that kills microbes;
• sodium carbonate - this is soda, which serves to soften and loosen;
• sodium percarbonate - a component of the powder;
• sodium bicarbonate - a substance that is used to soften;
• sodium disilicate - refers to an amorphous compound that is able to retain ions, and is also a softener;
• sodium polyaspartinate - a substance for thickening, a base for retaining ions, a softener;
• sodium gluconate - a means for washing.

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Types of Dishwasher Salt

Today in the modern market there are many manufacturers of salt for the dishwasher. Each brand tries to come up with its own composition so that it not only effectively softens hard water, but also eliminates other salts that are formed as a result of chemical reactions.

Here are the most common salt options for household appliances:

• Finish is a salt of a domestic producer, its active components protect the heating element from scale, and also prevents the formation of unpleasant limescale. The salt contains no additional impurities.
• SODASAN is a type of salt for the dishwasher, which was created on the basis of ordinary food, but has passed a high degree of purification and does not contain additional impurities. Also, among the components of this substance there are no dyes and phosphates. SODASAN salt effectively fights limescale and after washing does not leave white streaks on dishes.
• Magic Power - this salt has a large crystalline structure, therefore it is very convenient in the dosage process and contributes to accurate consumption. Magic Power salt effectively softens hard water, improves the quality of washing dirty dishes and prevents the formation of limescale on the elements of the dishwasher.
• Ecodoo is a regenerating salt for a dishwasher that effectively prevents the formation of limescale and softens hard water. The composition of this product does not include dyes, phosphates, chlorine and a variety of flavors, so it is great for any type of dishwasher.
• Topperr - this product is made in the form of tablets, softens hard water well and improves the quality of washing dirty dishes.
• Yplon - this tool is very difficult to find in stores, but it has a very low price and significantly saves the family budget. Salt for a dishwasher of this brand copes well with softening hard water, and also prevents the formation of smudges on dirty dishes.

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Stock footage

In addition to these manufacturers, there are many others. They are all in about the same price category, so you need to choose based on the recommendations for the dishwasher and personal preferences. The main thing is to remember that the use of salt for the dishwasher is very important, and on average only 2-3 packs are needed per year. This is not such a high price to extend the operating life of household appliances, because buying salt several times a year is much cheaper than buying a new dishwasher.