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Just buying a dishwasher is not enough to successfully wash dishes. Additionally, detergents are needed that help remove dirt, as well as take care of the equipment. One of them is dishwasher salt. What is it for and what brand to choose, you will learn in the article.
Use and principle of operation
Many users imagine ordinary table salt. Some even try to use it instead of a special one to save money. Let’s just say it’s not justified. Regenerating crystals are cleansed and filled with various components:
- sodium citrate (for microbes);
- flavoring;
- sodium percarbonate;
- disilicate, sodium bicarbonate;
- for the base, sodium polyasparginate is used.
Thanks to this, salt effectively softens hard water, prevents scale formation on parts and white plaque on the dishes.
Probably, the majority uses filters to purify drinking water, in some Russian regions it is very hard. This can be determined indirectly by looking at the taps in the sink and bathroom. Does the white patch build up quickly? This means that the concentration of limestone is exceeded. You may have noticed that the skin becomes dry and tight after washing.
Not everyone is ready to install a resin filter on the water supply, so using water softening products becomes an alternative.
At the bottom of the dishwasher is a reservoir of resin – an ion exchanger. How it works: water is poured into the dishwasher, passes through the ion exchanger. The resin attracts calcium and magnesium ions. So water gets rid of heavy impurities and is saturated with sodium ions, which contributes to its softening.
During operation, the resin is washed out and salt is poured in its place, which performs the same functions.
What is the benefit:
- “Soft” water does not contain heavy components that settle on parts in the form of limescale. Therefore, it extends the life of the machine.
- Powders foam better, which reduces their consumption and improves the quality of washing.
We hope that now you will not have a question: is it necessary to pour salt into the dishwasher? If you care about your technique, you can’t do without special tools. What salt to pour into the dishwasher and how to do it correctly, you will learn below.
How to use
Open the PMM hopper door and look into the pallet. Next to the drain filter is a reservoir with a lid. That’s where the crystals go. How much to add them is indicated on the package. But we recommend doing this:
- Open the reservoir.
- Fill it with water.
- Completely fill it with salt.
- Remove excess water from the tray.
The consumption of the substance directly depends on the degree of hardness of the water. Therefore, you can replenish the tank 1-2 times a month.
How to determine the level of water hardness, we wrote in the article. In many models of Miele, Electrolux, Bosch dishwashers, a hardness sensor is installed. The value is adjusted depending on the result. As soon as the product runs out, the indicator on the control panel will light up. Refer to the table:
On the market, you can find tableted detergents that already contain powder, regenerating crystals and rinse aid. It is enough to put the tablet in a special compartment and start the program.
Of course, tablets are not able to fully replace everything you need. But, if in your region the hardness is at the minimum level, install a filter and use tablets.
Which brand is better? Let’s compare the most popular means in our rating.
Dishwasher Overview
Since the choice of manufacturers is large, we will consider the most famous brands, as well as find out consumer reviews.
Finish Calgonit
Everyone has been familiar with the Finish brand for a long time. Manufacturers launch extensive advertising, this is one of the most sought after products. Granulated coarse salt does not contain phosphates. A volume of 1,5 kg is enough for 25-30 washing cycles. “Finish” softens water and protects machine parts from limescale.
The cost of packaging 1590 g – from 190 rubles.
Natalia:
We recently bought a dishwasher. When choosing funds, we settled on the Finish brand, especially since the price is affordable. Cardboard packaging is conveniently opened, the contents consist of large particles. The first time I filled up a full compartment, which took half a pack. A month has passed, but the indicator has not yet lit up, despite the fact that I have maximum water hardness. I conclude that the “Finish” is economically consumed, the dishes are well washed without streaks on the surface.
Filtero
Large-crystalline salt of Russian production. Sold in granules and tablets, it can be used for any brand of dishwashers. Softens water and prevents lime deposits from settling on the internal parts of the equipment. Improves the action of washing powders, contributing to their better dissolution. With anti-corrosion effect.
The price of a box of 1 kg is from 140 rubles.
Catherine:
From time to time I took Filtero brand tablets, so I took a try of salt. Opening the box, I found a gift – 3 tablets 7-in-1. The crystals are very large, a month has passed since the download, so the consumption is economical. This is the main criterion for me, since I don’t see a special effect when washing dishes.
Somat
“Somat” is produced at the Henkel plant. Dissolving, the crystals protect mechanisms, sprinklers and pipes from limescale. The composition is based on sodium chloride. The cardboard box contains large pieces that need to be filled to the top of the tank.
Packing 1,5 kg costs from 120 rubles.
Irina:
There was a choice between the manufacturers “Finish” and “Somat”, I decided to take Somat, since the price is lower. The cardboard packaging has a spout, with its help it is convenient to pour the contents into a special compartment. For two years I have used only two packs, I can’t say for sure, because I filled up the product as soon as the indicator light came on. No complaints, dishwasher works fine.
Clean Fresh
Granular crystals are 99,7% sodium chloride. By protecting your dishwasher from scale build-up, Clean Fresh extends the life of your appliances. Large hard granules slowly dissolve, providing long-term use.
A pack of 1000 g costs from 100 rubles.
Sofia:
This is not the first time I take funds from Clean Fresh. One package of 1 kg is enough for a month. The crystals are large, so it is convenient to fill them in the compartment. I noticed that if the granules are very small, then they wake up in the pan and leave scratches after the washing cycle. The price for Clean Fresh is low, so everything suits me.
Elly
Russian-made powder contains sodium chloride in the base. Elly softens water, protecting dishwasher parts from limescale. Allows you to save on the consumption of washing gels and powders, prevents the appearance of streaks.
A pack of 3 kg costs from 190 rubles.
Elena:
I run the dishwasher every day. At one time, you have to fill up 1,5 kg of Elly, but this is enough for almost a month. Found this tool on the Internet, the result arranged. The granules are large, I didn’t notice any difference between “Ellie” and “Finish”. Only “Finish” is much more expensive. So why pay more?
Topperr
Regenerating salt is available in powder and tablet form. Saturates the water with sodium ions, improves the solubility of the washing powder, as well as the quality of the wash. Extends the life of your dishwasher by protecting parts from limescale. Has an antibacterial effect. Produced in Turkey.
The price is from 150 rubles.
Christina:
Topperr didn’t impress me. The packaging indicates that the granules are large, but it turned out that one crystal is the size of beads. Therefore, a pack of 1,5 kg ended within a month. Whereas the funds of other manufacturers were enough for 2-3 months. Did not impress. You can also find cheaper options.
Sodasan
Organic Regenerating Salt has received the Eco-Garantie certification. This is a pure boiled product without unnecessary impurities. Removes limescale, prevents streaks and white spots.
Paper packaging weighing 2 kg costs from 400 rubles.
As for Sodasan organic products, users agreed that it makes no sense to overpay. These crystals also perform their functions, like all the others.
“Eonite”
Special products from TPK Chisty Mir. Contains only sodium chloride. Properties do not differ from the previous options.
The cost of a pack of 1,5 kg – from 190 rubles.
Love:
“Eonite” perfectly copes with its functions, no stains were found on the dishes. I add once a week, as soon as the indicator flashes. One pack is enough for 1,5-2 months.
Top House
Large crystals of Belgian production have a high degree of purification. They purify water from impurities and reduce the consumption of washing powder by half. Based on sodium chloride.
A pack of 1,5 kg costs from 250 rubles.
Natalia:
I have been using Top House for almost a month. Today the indicator lights up, and the package with crystals is already empty. At one time, 1,5 kg entered the compartment. The machine works fine, there are no white spots on the dishes. The only pity is that the contents quickly ended.
Bravix
Large crystals do not contain phosphates. Economically consumed, suitable for any dishes. The composition and purpose does not differ from other manufacturers.
Produced in Germany. A pack of 2 kg costs from 100 rubles.
Oksana:
I have hard water, so I can’t do without special equipment. I believe that the quality of the product can only be determined by the service life of the PMM. Enough Bravix for a long time, I fall asleep once for several washes. There is no white coating on the walls, the rest can be judged over time.
Whichever dishwasher model you choose (Bosch, Indesit, Ariston), be sure to add salt during washing. You can determine the best brand through trial and error. Only then will you understand what suits your technique best.