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How can I replace salt for dishwashers?

how to replace dishwasher saltThe price of dishwasher products for some users is shocking, in particular the price of a special regenerating salt. Therefore, many are trying to find her a cheap replacement. What can be used instead of salt, how to do it correctly and whether it is necessary to replace it with analogues in general? We will answer all these questions.

Replacement Options

Dishwasher salt, what is it? The answer that immediately comes to mind is a substance based on the sodium-chlorine compound. Therefore, the first option that users offer to replace special salt is ordinary table salt. In addition to table salt, some try to use as substitutes:

  • sea ​​salt;
  • tableted salt;
  • 3 in 1 tablets.

Salt and Sea Salt

saltSalt, which is also called food or rock, can have a different composition. Everything will depend on the conditions and methods of extraction of raw materials. And this is understandable already in the appearance of the substance. Some salt is small, the other is large, one is very white, the other has a grayish tint, and sometimes even gray grains of sand. But 96-97% of any salt consists of sodium and chlorine. In addition, it may contain: potassium, calcium, magnesium, clay, iron boron, manganese, iodine and other substances, as well as nutritional supplements, for example E536.

Such a composition of table salt suggests that its use in the dishwasher may not be safe. Various impurities will settle in the ion exchanger, which will lead to its rapid wear and damage.

Important! If the replacement of special salt is required, then you need to choose the salt of the highest processing class without any additives, and not iodized. For example, “Extra” salt can be attributed to such a salt.

sea ​​saltUsers of dishwashers were divided into supporters of the use of Extra salt and opponents of the replacement of special salt. Supporters say that nothing happens with the machine, and that 1 kg of such salt is enough for exactly as much as 1 kg of special salt. Opponents generally do not see the point of replacing salt, since it is enough for a long time. And for a year of using the machine, this is a little money and it is not worth the risk in this case.

Sea salt in its composition resembles food salt, but it contains even more various impurities, more than 80 minerals. It undergoes minimal processing and cleaning, so this salt for the dishwasher can not be used for sure.

Tableted salt

As for tableted salt, it is different. It can be a special regenerating salt, only its release form is not in granules, but in tablets. But there is also tableted salt, for example, “Mozyr Universal Salt”. Tablets are made on the basis of table salt extra "Polesie", which does not contain the additive E536. The price for 25 kg of such salt is 350-400 rubles, and if it lasts for about 2 years, there is a significant saving.
tableted salt

3-in-1 tablets

And finally, 3-in-1 tablets for dishwashers, this can not be called an option for replacing salt for a dishwasher, since this is a complete set of tools necessary for it. A tablet consists of several layers, each of which has a specific time for dissolution in water:3-in-1 tablets for dishwashers

  • the first and second layer is a detergent and salt, they dissolve in the process of heating water;
  • the next layer is neutral - it dissolves during the first rinse;
  • the last layer is a rinse aid that dissolves during the last rinse of the dishes.

3-in-1 can be used instead of all products at once, and you don’t need to pour salt into the compartment. However, users of dishwashers note that with a long dishwashing cycle, the tablet dissolves normally, but with short cycles the powder does not always dissolve, which leads to its entry into the rinse water.

Note! Do not crush 3-in-1 tablets into powder, this will lead to the fact that the rinse aid will dissolve during the washing process and there will be no sense from it.

How the special salt for PMM “works”

Dishwasher saltWhy is salt so needed in the dishwasher, why do some want it so much, while others do not want to risk it? The fact is that the device of the dishwasher has a special ion exchanger, which is responsible for softening the water entering the machine, because the softer the water, the better the dishes will be washed. In the reservoir of the ion exchanger is a resin with sodium ions, due to which impurities of calcium and magnesium in the water settle on the resin.

Salt for the dishwasher is needed to restore sodium ions in the resin, in other words, it restores (regenerates) the ability of the resin to attract magnesium and calcium ions from water. Salt is poured into a special compartment in the dishwasher located under the bottom container for dishes at the bottom. Depending on the hardness of the water, it lasts for several washing cycles, for someone for 2 months, and for someone for 4. If there is not enough salt in the dishwasher, the red indicator will light up on the panel.

Conclusion: you cannot use salt in the dishwasher, otherwise the ion exchanger will fail, it cannot be repaired, only a complete replacement of the unit will help.

To summarize: is it worth looking for a salt substitute?

So, dishwasher salt is a must, review of special salts showed that they are not cheap. But some do not make 900-1000 rubles a year of weather, while others try to save. So if you can save, then you need to do this wisely. Tableted table salt is best suited for replacement.

  • Firstly, in a tablet the salt dissolves evenly, and the required concentration is reached.
  • Secondly, a 25-kilogram bag is enough for a long time, salt will always be at your fingertips.
  • Thirdly, it is convenient to lay it.

If it is not possible to buy tableted salt, then you can use fine salt, it must be well-purified, white and not contain food additives. Before use, it is recommended to moisten such salt so that lumps do not form.

Very important! If you replace the special salt for the dishwasher with sodium chloride or something else, then the breakage guarantee does not apply to such a machine. Therefore, you must begin to experiment after the warranty period.

As for the 3-in-1 tablets, you can use them, but they will not help to save the budget. In this case, it is important to choose the right pill, because most of them are effective only with a water hardness of less than 21 dH, so carefully read the information on the package. With very hard water it is better to use salt, detergent and rinse aid.

Thus, decide for yourself to replace your special salt with table salt or not. And mainly consider the hardness of the water in your area.

   

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