Hi. Just bought a Blomberg dishwasher & have a question about the water softening feature. What is the appropriate type of salt? The manual says no table salt, no coarst salt. It recommends a highly soluble type salt, fine-grained or powdered. What kind of salt is this? (And, why wouldn't water softening salt pellets work?)

Salt is typically used in a dishwasher to regenerate the water softener. The water softener is a device that helps to remove hard water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from the water that is used in the dishwasher. When the water is soft, it can more easily remove food particles and stains from dishes, resulting in cleaner dishes. The salt that is used in the dishwasher is typically added to the water softener compartment and is used over time to regenerate the water softener.
If you are observing that the salt in the dishwasher compartment is being flushed away in a single cycle, it could be caused by a few different issues:

1. Overfilling: If the water softener compartment is overfilled with salt, it can cause the salt to be washed away during the wash cycle.
2. Leak: If the water softener compartment is not properly sealed, water can leak out and flush away the salt.
3. Incorrect type of salt: If the wrong type of salt is being used, it may not be compatible with the water softener and can wash away during the wash cycle.
4. Water pressure is too high: High water pressure can cause the salt to be washed away.
5. Clogged filter: If the filter in the water softener compartment is clogged, it can cause the salt to be washed away.

It's important to consult the manual of the dishwasher to understand if this is a common issue or if the problem is specific to your dishwasher. If the problem persists, it is best to consult a professional for repair or maintenance.

Hi Katie,
There are times when it may be necessary to break up the water softener salt in the salt tank. When a "Salt Bridge" occurs moisture has been drawn up into the salt and formed a crust on the water softener salt. When a salt bridge occurs there are two ways to correct it. You can lightly tap away at the salt bridge with a broom handle or stick until it dislodges and all falls down to the proper salt or water level. You can also pour about a gallon of hot water across the salt bridge to break it down. DO NOT poke the stick all the way to the bottom of the salt tank as this can potentially damage some parts of the salt tank. Frequently using some hot water and a stick will easily dislodge the salt bridge. Salt bridging is a common problem with water softeners and is usually caused by using pellet-type water softener salt and/or the water softener not working properly.

Using a better grade of water softener salts like Hardi Cube or Dura Cube salt will alleviate this problem. After fixing a salt bridge always manually regenerate your water softener two days in a row to assure you have soft water again.

I feed Danby dishwasher salt whenever he asks (buy it by the case online). Still produces marginally clean dishes.

The top light is apparently to indicate that the salt (!) has run out.

The bottom light is apparently to indicate that rinse aid has run out.

For the record, that seems to be a Zanussi DE-6854 dishwasher, and I found the manual here: (link)


"Special salt can be added in one of two ways: 1) If you are using dishwasher detergent that already contains salt, the detergent including the salt is placed in the detergent compartment. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 and electronically to 1 to ensure that the special salt is taken from the detergent container only. 2) If you are using dishwasher detergent and salt separately, the special salt is to be put into the salt container. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 or 2 and electronically between 1 and 5 (depending on the water hardness in your area) to ensure that the special salt is taken from the salt container only. Only use salt specifically designed for use in dishwashers. All other types of salt not specifically designed for use in a dishwasher, especially table salt, will damage the water softener. Only fill with salt just before starting one of the washing programmes. This will prevent any grains of salt or salty water, which may have been spilt, remaining on the bottom of the machine for any period of time, which may cause corrosion." (Page 6)

"Only use branded rinse aid for dishwashers. Never fill the rinse aid dispenser with any other substances (e.g. dishwasher cleaning agent, liquid detergent). This would damage the appliance." (Page 7)

The manual also explains how to turn the Rinse Aid light off permanently if you do not wish to use rinse aid.



Good luck!

The top light is apparently to indicate that the salt (!) has run out.

The bottom light is apparently to indicate that rinse aid has run out.

For the record, that seems to be a Zanussi DE-6854 dishwasher, and I found the manual here: (link)


"Special salt can be added in one of two ways: 1) If you are using dishwasher detergent that already contains salt, the detergent including the salt is placed in the detergent compartment. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 and electronically to 1 to ensure that the special salt is taken from the detergent container only. 2) If you are using dishwasher detergent and salt separately, the special salt is to be put into the salt container. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 or 2 and electronically between 1 and 5 (depending on the water hardness in your area) to ensure that the special salt is taken from the salt container only. Only use salt specifically designed for use in
dishwashers. All other types of salt not specifically designed for use in a dishwasher, especially table salt, will damage the water
softener. Only fill with salt just before starting one of the washing
programmes. This will prevent any grains of salt or salty water, which
may have been spilt, remaining on the bottom of the machine for any period of time, which may cause corrosion." (Page 6)

"Only use branded rinse aid for dishwashers. Never fill the rinse
aid dispenser with any other substances (e.g. dishwasher
cleaning agent, liquid detergent). This would damage the
appliance." (Page 7)

The manual also explains how to turn the Rinse Aid light off permanently if you do not wish to use rinse aid.



Good luck!

Salt light means your dishwasher using water softener unit.

Salt light is on when either the salt (used for softener regeneration) is low or the water softener unit is not working correctly. First try and recharge the salt in the container usually the lid is on the base of the dishwasher. check this site for some idea. However, if there is water in the salt reservoir then you have to call the technician and get the whole softener unit regenerated.

Hope it is not all that serious. Please rate this solution if helpful otherwise post a comment.

HOW MUCH SALT DO I NEED TO ADD?

Your machine may have a float indicator or a warning light to tell you when salt needs adding to the water softener. Often float indicators are difficult to see, and there is no accurate guide as to how much salt you need to add. Quite simply, just add granular salt to the reservoir until it won't take any more!

The softener will use the salt to replenish itself each time you wash. As an approximate guide, you should do a full top up about once a month. If your machine doesn't have a warning light, a good way to remember to check and / or top up is to do it on a regular day of the month (e.g. the first Saturday or the 15th)

CAN I USE ORDINARY TABLE SALT?

No. Table, cooking, rock and sea salts may contain additives that can actually increase water hardness. Also, the fine consistency of some of these salts mean they are likely to clog when wet. Always use granular dishwasher salt because it is very pure and is the right consistency for use in your machine.

Granular salt is the ONLY type of salt that should be used to regenerate the softener. Be aware that some varieties of 'dishwasher salt' use Dead Sea salt. This variety may contain minute insoluble organic matter that may adversely affect the resin within your softener over time. If you are in doubt about the origins of the salt, ask the retailer or manufacturer.

Hi there,

Well Dishwasher salt is a particular grade of sodium chloride salt, and is used for recharging the built-in ion-exchange resins of the water softener in dishwashers that have a built-in water softener. The salt particles are larger than the size of table salt particles, and dissolves slowly enough that it will not clog the softener unit. This salt does not have added iodide salts, and it should have minimal amounts of iron and manganese salts. Some dishwasher detergents are marketed as not needing dishwasher salts. These detergents use higher levels of phosphate that increases the solubility of hard water ions. Never use table salt or detergent in the salt compartment of your dishwasher as this will damage your water softener unit. You can purchase the dishwasher salt from the below link -

http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/grocery-categories/Dishwasher_Salt_In_Tesco.html

Good Luck!!

Thanks

Hi,

Before i provide you with the solution, Read the below one :-

CAN I USE ORDINARY TABLE SALT?
No. Table, cooking, rock and sea salts may contain additives that can actually increase water hardness. Also, the fine consistency of some of these salts mean they are likely to clog when wet. Always use granular dishwasher salt because it is very pure and is the right consistency for use in your machine.
Granular salt is the ONLY type of salt that should be used to regenerate the softener. Be aware that some varieties of ‘dishwasher salt’ use Dead Sea salt. This variety may contain minute insoluble organic matter that may adversely affect the resin within your softener over time. If you are in doubt about the origins of the salt, ask the retailer or manufacturer.

Now, look at the Video :-

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-load-a-dishwasher-for-the-best-results

The steps also include where you need to add Salt in the Dishwasher.You need to be careful with the amount. On few dishwashers, you would have an indication light. Make sure that it should be appropriate.

Let me know, if needed further assistance.

Hope i helped you.

Thanks for using ' Fixya ' and have a nice day!!

Wash the dishes by hand and view them again 1 hour later. If the dishes are still cloudy it's too late you have been running in hard water for years and etched the dishes. Salt only regenerates the Xeolite beads inside the DW. They collect minerals until they can no longer hold more, then the DW washes the minerals off the beads with the salt. Check if the DW is set correctly to the appropriate water hardness of your town. READ THE OWNERS MANUAL. PS> 1. You can't use regular salt. 2. Is the salt dry? Salt must be added into water so it creates solution (brine).