Dishwasher salt, also known as sodium chloride, is the same chemical found in table and sea salts. However, it is important to not use table salt as its finer granules can cause blockages and damage to your dishwasher. Dishwasher salt has larger granules that dissolve slower, preventing blockages in the softener unit.
Unlike regular salt, dishwasher salt does not actually enter the dishwasher. It flows through the softener unit before being drained with the wastewater. The salt works by providing sodium for the dishwasher’s ion exchange resins in the softener unit. These resins attract and trap the magnesium and calcium ions that cause hard water.
To avoid blockages and malfunction in the softener unit, dishwasher salt has much larger granules than regular salt and thus dissolves without the risk of creating blockages.
Dishwasher Salt vs Table Salt: What’s The Difference?
Dishwasher salt has several distinct characteristics that set it apart from traditional salt. One key difference is the size of its granules. While table salt is finely ground, the smaller consistency can cause blockages in the dishwasher’s drain. Dishwasher salt, however, has larger granules that do not impede the dishwasher’s cleaning process.
How Dishwasher Salt Works
Unlike regular salt, dishwasher salt does not actually enter the dishwasher. It flows through the softener unit before being drained with the waste water. The salt works by providing sodium for the dishwasher’s ion exchange resins in the softener unit. These resins attract and trap the magnesium and calcium ions that cause hard water. Hard water can cause mineral buildup in your dishwasher, leading to a decrease in cleaning efficiency and the potential for damage to the dishwasher. By removing these minerals, dishwasher salt helps to ensure that your dishwasher is running at optimal performance.
When the dishwasher is in use, water flows through the softener unit, where the ion exchange resin is located. The resin is negatively charged, and as the water flows through it, the positively charged calcium and magnesium ions in the water are attracted to the resin. These ions are then trapped by the resin, effectively “softening” the water. As the resin becomes saturated with ions, the dishwasher’s control system will automatically initiate a regeneration cycle. During this cycle, a concentrated solution of dishwasher salt is used to flush the resin and release the trapped ions, allowing the resin to be ready for the next cycle.
It is important to note that not all dishwashers come with a built-in water softener unit so if your dishwasher does not have one, you do not need to use dishwasher salt. Additionally, it’s always good to check the user manual before adding anything to the dishwasher. It’s also a good idea to have the water hardness level tested by a professional before making any decisions on the use of dishwasher salt.
Dishwasher salt, also known as water-softening salt, is a particular type of salt that is used to help remove hard water minerals from the water in your dishwasher. Hard water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, can build up in your dishwasher and cause spots on your dishes and glasses and damage to your dishwasher over time.
Dishwasher salt is typically made of sodium chloride, but it may also contain other minerals or compounds specifically designed to help soften water. When added to the dishwasher’s water softening system, the salt dissolves and helps to remove the hard water minerals from the water. This helps improve your dishwasher’s performance and can help extend its lifespan.
It is important to note that dishwasher salt differs from table salt or other types of culinary salt. You should never use table salt in your dishwasher, as it can cause damage to the water-softening system and other components of your dishwasher. Instead, always use dishwasher salt that is specifically designed for use in your dishwasher.
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