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Posted on Jan 29, 2010
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I have recently moved into a house which has a water softener installed - doe sthi smean that I do not have to use salt or rinse aid in the dishwasher

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Edward Randall

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You can use it but not much. Check your softener system is working properly or not.

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You will need to use salt in the softener, and rinse aid in the dishwasher will help, but you won't need to use as much.

You do want to make sure the softener is working and is setup right. You can take a sample of water before the softener (maybe on an outside faucet) and have it analyzed for hardness. Then use the manual for the softener to adjust it for the level of hardness in your water.

If you have a septic system, this is crucial, because the softener will recharge itself at night and put extra water down the drain. If you recharge too often, you can overload the septic system.

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Related Questions:

0helpful
2answers

Built in water softener

really don't know have you got the manual. Normally you have to test the water ph level and then adjust the dish washer to that ph level and then fill the salt reservoir. Not sure on your model of dish washer . However you could add a water softener to the water inlet to the dish washer . Just search for
Water softener device
see
http://www.uvguard.com/hwc-home-series/
0helpful
1answer

What do these mean on a zanussi dishwasher model DE 6854

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!
Mar 23, 2013 • Dishwashers
0helpful
1answer

What do these lights mean there not going off

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!
Mar 23, 2013 • Dishwashers
0helpful
1answer

My Dishwasher leaves a white film on dishes.

check inlet water quality. If more calcium deposits in the water this could happen. Try using water water softeners.

If provision for dish washer salt check and add salt. ( not kitchen salt )

Finally check whether rinse aid compartment is filled with the liquid. If you are tablet, extra rinse aid not needed. Try all the above.

0helpful
1answer

Hello. My dishwasher has been pretty perfect for four years. When my house water softener ran out of salt, I added rinse aid and salt to the dishwasher for the first time. I subsequently added salt to the...

Try cleaning the machine by adding white vinegar to the wash water (before the water-fill procedure finishes). Put your stained dishes and cutlery in with the wash to remove the hard water deposits. The combination of salt and rinse aid may have helped cause this problem. Hope this helps!
Feb 11, 2010 • Dishwashers
2helpful
1answer

Dishes not clean

hi friend,HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR DISHWASHER
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and read the directions carefully on detergent, rinse aid and salt packaging.
Cleaning your machine about once a month will remove any grease and lime scale deposits which can build up on the inside of the machine. Special dishwasher cleaning detergents are available which are used when the machine is empty. These cleaners will often leave a fresh smell in the dishwasher too. If you want to have that fresh smell all the time, use a dishwasher freshener. These are usually supplied as hanging tags, which should be carefully positioned away from any moving arms. A freshener is essential if you load during the day and then run the machine at night.
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WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO GET THE MOST FROM MY DISHWASHER?
Cleaning your machine about once a month will remove any grease and lime scale deposits which can build up on the inside of the machine. Special dishwasher cleaners are available which are used when the machine is empty. These cleaners will often leave a fresh smell in the dishwasher too. If you want to have that fresh smell all the time, use a dishwasher freshener. These are usually supplied as hanging tags, which should be carefully positioned away from any moving arms. A freshener is essential if you load during the day and then run the machine at night.
LOADING

These items can be washed in a dishwasher, with the following guidelines:
Glassware - Any ordinary glassware and ovenware such as Pyrex. Do not wash lead crystal glasses unless they carry a "dishwasher safe" label.
Tableware - Most everyday crockery is safe. Bone china usually has under-glaze decoration and should be safe. Avoid antique or hand-painted and over-glaze decorated items. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
Cutlery - Stainless steel and silver cutlery are normally suitable for machine washing, but it pays to rinse off any acidic food before loading to prevent any corrosion and, if possible remove the cutlery immediately after the cycle, to avoid prolonged exposure in a humid atmosphere. Do not mix steel and silver cutlery in the same basket and wash bone or wooden-handled items by hand.
Plastics - Check whether they are dishwasher safe and do not place in the lower rack, where the heating element may affect the plastic during drying.
Pans - Stainless steel is ideal for dishwashers. aluminium can be washed in the machine, but may discolour during the rinsing. If in doubt, remove aluminium pans before the rinse cycle.
Always wash cast iron and wooden handled items by hand

WHY DOES MY MACHINE HAVE A WATER SOFTENER?
If the water is soft (i.e. does not contain calcium particles), the detergent will work more effectively and there will be less streaking on dishes. Hard water can also block the washer jets with lime scale and cause deposits on heating elements, which will reduce the cleaning efficiency, increase electricity costs and shorten the life of the machine. All dishwasher manufacturers (Bosch, Miele, Siemens) and detergent suppliers want you to get the best results from the machine - and soft water is one of the most important factors in achieving this. The way to ensure water remains soft is to regularly top up the reservoir with granular salt.
Three in one salt tablets do not activate the water softener.
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.
WHAT DETERGENT SHOULD I USE?
All modern dishwasher detergents are formulated to work specifically in dishwashers. On no occasion should ordinary washing up liquid be used, as it will cause excess foam, which can result in a leak. If it is accidentally used, sprinkle ordinary salt into the chamber to disperse the resulting suds. Then rinse away the excess salt before using.
There are 3 main types of dishwasher detergent - Powder, liquid or gel and tablets. Which one you choose will be down to personal preference, but most people find tablets very convenient, although using powder is usually more economical and liquids are less abrasive on more delicate items.
WHAT IS RINSE AID?
Rinse Aid is added to a special compartment in the machine and a very small amount is released during the final hot rinse cycle, to reduce the formation of water droplets on crockery etc and so ensures that the water dries away properly and evenly to avoid leaving smears.
Dual action detergent usually contains rinse aid, which is released at a different rate to the cleaning agent and so helps reduce smearing etc without the need to add separate rinse aid. Some 3-in-1 tablets contain an ingredient, which has a 'salt action', which also helps to improve cleaning, but NOTE this is not a substitute for adding salt to the water softener.

The salt action takes place in the cleaning chamber of the machine, but does not actually replenish the water softener. Research has shown that whilst 3-in-1 detergents do clean dishes effectively, their performance is improved by adding salt to the water softener reservoir.
As the performance of machines can vary, as can local water conditions, it is always best to follow your manufacturer’s advice. Some manufacturers advise that if you have unsatisfactory cleaning performance eg white powder residue, poor drying or dirty dishes, then you should return to using three separate products ie detergent, rinse aid and granular salt. Be aware that if you have not been filling the salt reservoir and relying on the salt in 3-in-1 tablets, then it may take a few cycles to re-generate the softener.
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sivaranjini
Nov 25, 2009 • Dishwashers
0helpful
2answers

MY DISHWASHER IS LEAVING A WHITE FILM ON MY DISHES AND THE INSIDE OF THE WASHER.WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. ALSO THE AUTO CLEAN BUTTON DOES NOT WORK.

Almost all the time it's hard water or you are out of rinse aid. I have went to some homes with that problem and I find out their water softener quit working or out of salt. Other then that check the rinse aid. Basically dishwashers are pretty stupid machines, they just splash water around and can't really "cause" spotting and things. I'm almost sure that's it. Good luck
Jul 29, 2009 • Dishwashers
0helpful
1answer

Film on glassware

Do you have a water softener? Usually I find when I go into a house with this problem, thier water softener has quit working. I carry test tabs with me and many times that's when they find out it's not working. A lot of times it's taking salt etc. but something is wrong. Take a glass of hot water somewhere and have it tested. Otherwise there is a adjustment many people don't know about under the cap that you can adjust for the amount of rinse aid coming out. Look inside and you'll see a arrow with a slot in there. I usually turn it with a flat blade screwdiver to 4 or 5. I think factory us 1. I would try that it's a simple way to check. It's very unusual I find a bad dispenser. Check water 1st, then adjust aid and as a last resort replace the dispenser (usually around $60) but I think you should get it. Good luck.
0helpful
1answer

Dishwasher - water softener not working

Make sure your water temperature is at least 120 degrees .Make sure your heater element is working and last of all ,Rinse Aid is the 2nd most important after water temp.
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