All water flowing in pipes and from the tap contains calcium and magnesium. The higher the concentration of these salts in water, the harder it is considered. If such water is used to wash dishes in a dishwasher, then scale will begin to appear on individual elements of the device over time, which can subsequently lead to failure of the machine.
To prevent this, manufacturers of such devices equip dishwashers with ion exchangers. These devices contain a resin that attracts calcium and then eliminates it. However, to regenerate the resin, sodium chloride is needed, which is the main component in dishwasher salts.
Salt for dishwashers not only prolongs the life of the device, but also helps to better clean the dishes from dirt, since after washing there are no streaks or stains left on the mugs and plates.
What does salt contain?
Many people may think that dishwasher salt is almost the same as regular table salt, but this is not the case. First, dishwasher salt comes in larger granules. Secondly, such salt undergoes thorough purification, after which it simply cannot contain any impurities.
In addition, depending on the manufacturer, it can be made with the addition of the following components:
- Sodium citrate (serves to destroy germs and bacteria);
- Sodium percarbonate;
- Various flavoring agents;
- Sodium disilicate and bicarbonate;
- Sodium polyaspartate.
The above substances give the products of individual manufacturers distinctive properties. For example, some variations give water antibacterial properties or imbue it with a pleasant aroma.
Types of dishwasher salt
There are a lot of varieties of dishwasher salt, or rather manufacturers. Let's look at a few examples of the advantages of different salts and whether they can be replaced with something.
- Ecodoo – regenerating dishwasher salt. This salt does not contain dyes and is suitable for various dishwashers; in addition, it is free of fragrances, phosphates and chlorine. It copes well with lime deposits, softening the water. For a 2.5 kg pack of such salt you need to pay about 400 rubles.
- SODASAN is a dishwasher salt that does not contain phosphates or dyes. This salt has been highly purified and therefore contains no impurities. It copes well with limescale deposits and does not leave streaks on the dishes. Price for 2 kg is about 400 rubles.
- Finish is a special domestically produced salt. Protects the heating element from scale and prevents the formation of limescale. Contains no impurities. The price for a 1.5 kg pack is about 200 rubles.
- Topperr – tableted salt for the dishwasher. Softens water well, thereby improving the quality of dishwashing. The price for 1.5 kg is about 400 rubles.
If you decide to buy a dishwasher, you should know that you need to care for it and buy the necessary detergents. It is like a pet, for example a cat, which can be fed with Whiskas or milk and bread. Of course, it’s up to you to decide whether to pour special salt or food salt into the machine, but be aware that table salt may contain grains of sand and other impurities, which will adversely affect the operation of the machine itself. In addition, table salt is too fine and not uniform, its crystals may stick together.
As for the packaging of salt, which is better in the form of tablets or granules, it is impossible to say for sure. The advantage of tableted salt is that its dosage is already determined by the manufacturer and it lasts longer, since it dissolves more slowly, so decide for yourself what you can spend the money on. But you cannot operate the machine without special salt at all. And do not confuse three-in-one detergent tablets with salt tablets, these are different products and are placed in different compartments of the dishwasher.
How much and where should I pour it?
How much salt you need to put in the dishwasher depends on the hardness of the water. The higher the hardness index, the greater the salt consumption. In addition, water hardness can change with the seasons, so it is best to purchase a dishwasher with a sensor that detects water hardness and, depending on this, consumes the right amount of salt.
In dishwashers in which you need to manually set the hardness indicator, you will have to rely on the average indicator. How to set the hardness value correctly is described in the instructions for the machine. The amount of salt that needs to be added may be indicated on the package, so read all instructions carefully. It is best to add salt before the washing cycle and wet it a little so that it dissolves better. In some machines, one dose of salt is enough for several washing cycles, but you must check that the salt compartment has not run out, otherwise the machine will work with hard water.
Thus, dishwasher salt is a necessary tool for its normal operation and smooth operation. When purchasing a car, be prepared to buy all the consumables for it, otherwise you will have to repair or change the equipment itself very quickly.
How to choose dishwasher salt
Today, a large number of different salts for dishwashers are produced. Thanks to this, each owner of such a device can choose a product that will have the optimal cost and composition. Most often, dishwasher salt is sold in granules, packaged in cardboard boxes or plastic bags.
dishwasher salt
This product is produced by almost all leading manufacturers of dishwasher detergents, which are suitable for all popular brands of PMM (Electrolux, Bosch, Siemens, etc.).
The drug is produced by the following brands:
- Clean and Fresh;
- Gut and Gunting;
- Elly;
- Finish;
- Kraft et al.
Some brands produce dishwasher salt in large tablets.
salt tablets
The following brands produce such drugs:
- Dr.Prakti;
- Frau Schmidt;
- Lotta;
- Topper et al.
Some dishwasher owners want to save money and, instead of special dishwasher salt, pour regular table salt into the device. It is strictly forbidden to pour it in, since over time the ion exchanger will begin to become clogged with impurities contained in ordinary salt, which will lead to breakdown of the device.
What does the manufacturer offer?
- A special product for restoring the ion exchanger - Finish, Calgonit, Somat or others.
- Tablet preparations - Topperr.
- Evaporated salt composition "Extra".
- Tablets based on "Extra".
Before using this or that product, be sure to read the instructions - usually the manufacturer indicates right on the packaging how much to put in the dishwasher.
How does water hardness affect salt consumption?
As mentioned above, the harder the water, the more salt is needed to clean it. To independently determine the hardness of water, there are 3 ways:
- Approximately. In this case, you need to take a piece of ordinary laundry soap and soap a piece of fabric with it. If a piece of fabric practically does not lather, then the water has a high level of hardness.
- By observation. You can also observe the plumbing elements that are constantly in contact with water, for example, the faucet. If plaque quickly appears on it, then the water is hard.
- T eats stripes. This way to find out water hardness is the fastest and most accurate. You just need to dip the strip in water, after which you can tell the water hardness by the color of the strip. The color can vary from light blue to dark blue. The lighter it is, the less hard the water.
water hardness test strips
How to set the hardness?
Most machines have seven levels - from 0 to 7. “0” is very soft, “7” is very hard water. When setting the level, they evaluate:
- Regional data.
- Use special test strips.
- They use a household method - wash their hands with laundry soap. If it takes a long time to wash off the foam, it means the softness is high. If the foam is quickly washed off - high rigidity.
If you are using 3-in-1 tablets, the salt sensor can be turned off and the hardness level set to zero. But keep in mind that if “0” is set, and the water goes through the ion exchanger without bypassing it, then the latter may become clogged, and then the liquid will stop flowing into the device altogether. You will have to either change the ion exchanger or buy another PMM.
How much salt to add
How much salt should I put in the dishwasher? Many people ask this question. Manufacturers advise filling the compartment to the top - it usually holds 0.8 - 1.2 kg of the drug.
How often do you put salt in the dishwasher? Dishwasher owners assure that one full filling of the dishwasher with salt is enough for about 1-2 months (including daily use).
You need to add a new portion of salt only when the corresponding indicator lights up on the dishwasher display, indicating that there is no salt in the ion exchanger.
salt indicator on the PMM panel
The rate of salt consumption is directly affected by the level of water hardness. The easiest way to find out this level is to contact the utility company, but you can also use the above methods.
Where to sleep
Before you turn on your new dishwasher for the first time, you need to thoroughly read the instructions that come with the unit. There, the new owner of the dishwasher will be able to find technical specifications, as well as operating devices.
Under the lid: a container where you need to add salt for dishwashers.
The salt compartment in most dishwashers is located under the dish compartment.
For example, this arrangement can be found in models from Bosh, Electrolux or Siemens. Once the compartment is open, you will need to unscrew the plastic cover and then pour salt into the holes. At the end of the procedure, the lid is screwed back on.
Tips for using salt
Some people make a number of mistakes when using dishwasher salt.
To avoid them, experts have identified a few simple tips that will help make dishes cleaner and also extend the life of the dishwasher:
- If your dishwasher has the ability to select water hardness, then you need to set the appropriate value. Some people do not pay attention to this function and set the value “to hell”, because they are simply too lazy to find out the hardness of the water they use. This leads to the appearance of scale on some parts of the dishwasher and impairs the cleaning of dishes;
- You only need to add salt when the corresponding indicator lights up. It is strongly not recommended to pour the product into the dishwasher;
- Do not pour regular detergent into the salt reservoir. This will lead to failure of the ion exchanger, the repair of which costs considerable money.
Consumables for PMM
When a kitchen assistant has been purchased, all that remains is to find out how to use its services correctly. Even the best dishwashers on the market - Bosch, Hansa, Electrolux, Ariston or Siemens - need care and will quickly fail if not used correctly. out of service. In order for them to work properly for a long time, they must be provided with:
- High-quality detergents. They are produced in the form of gels, powders and tablets. Rinse aids constitute a separate category - without them, stains and smudges will remain on the dishes. Tablet preparations can combine several functions at once - 3, 5, 10... There are tablets that are positioned as “all in one”.
- Salt - you will have to buy it separately if you use regular powders or gels for PMM. If the water is too hard, then even tablets that already contain salt components will not help - you still have to add salt.
