How often do you put salt in the dishwasher?
With the appropriate indicator light, determining how often to add salt to the dishwasher is very easy. As soon as this indicator lights up, you should immediately add dishwasher salt to the appropriate compartment, and it is advisable not to delay this procedure. If the machine is used for the first time, such a procedure may be needed after 6-7 washes.
In the case where there is no indicator, the need to refill the PM with the ingredient will have to be determined by experience, by how well the dishes are washed. In general, how often you have to add the component depends both on how often you use the dishwasher and on the quality of the tap water.
Where to put the salt and rinse aid in the Bosch dishwasher
All dishwashing machines (Dwmws) without exception have a salt compartment. Salt is used to soften water. Hard water shortens the life of the dishwasher. This is due to the high concentration of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in hard water which precipitate out to form hard deposits as the temperature rises. In the dishwasher, these deposits accumulate on the electric heater, which breaks as a result.
To make the water softer, the dishwasher has a built-in softener unit with ionizing resin. This resin attracts Ca and Mg and gives up Na in return. To ensure that the resin does not lose its properties, it needs to regenerate Na, that is why you need to put salt in the dishwasher.
After washing in hard water on the cutlery may remain a light grayish stain. But this does not happen in soft water, it dissolves detergents better, so the washing is of higher quality.
Pouring salt in the dishwasher Bosch, Korting, Midea or any other manufacturer, we increase the life of the appliance and the quality of its work.
How to fill the salt correctly
The salt is always loaded before the machine is turned on. this is to protect against corrosion. During the rinse cycle, the brine that overflows from the compartment is immediately rinsed away, which means no rust will appear.
Before starting the dishwasher for the first time, the salt is poured as follows:
- Unscrew the screw cap of the container counterclockwise.
- Pour 0.5-1 liters of water into the tank (only the first time!).
- Then pour the special salt into the salt reservoir: the liquid will be displaced and flushed out into the drain. Some models of the automatic dishwasher come with a special funnel, which is more convenient for filling.
- Wipe the edges dry and remove any loose grits. Screw the lid on tightly and evenly, check for misalignment.
Note: Dishwasher manufacturers recommend using regenerating salt in the form of crystals, not tablets.
How to set the hardness?
Most machines have seven levels, from 0 to 7. “0”. very soft, “7”. very hard water. When you set a level, you are evaluated:
- Regional data.
- Use special test strips.
- There is a household method. washing your hands with laundry soap. If you have to rinse out the foam for a long time, the softness is high. If foam flushes out quickly. high hardness.
If 3-in-1 tablets are used, the salt sensor can be turned off and the hardness level set to zero. But remember, if you set it to “0” and the water goes through the ion exchanger, the latter may get clogged, then the liquid will not come into the machine at all. You will either have to change the ion exchanger or buy another automatic dishwasher.
Forms of release of regenerating means
Manufacturers of various dishwasher detergents produce universal tablets for washing dishes. “10 in one”, “7 in one”, etc.п. Some of them contain a small amount of special salt. But this quantity is not sufficient to maintain a normal level of sodium in the ion exchanger. The way out in this situation is obvious. to add more professional salt.
Like dishwashing detergents, manufacturers offer special salt in a variety of forms:
When choosing a specific tool you need to be guided by the composition, which the manufacturer indicates on the packaging of regenerating salt. Fewer impurities and additives in it will give the most effective result.
How to know when it’s time to add
The easiest way is to watch the salt indicator light on the control panel of the appliance. It is marked with an S badge and usually looks like the one shown in the photo. At some brands of the automatic oven glows very bright red when activated, such as my Bosch, but in some instances, the glow is dull pale yellow and you need to specifically look closely.
A special sensor controls the indication. It is built into the ion exchanger of the machine, and monitors the saturation of the salt solution. Triggers when the concentration is below the allowable values: the indicator lights up on the panel. a sign that there is not enough salt in the dishwasher, and until you add it, it will constantly light up.
What to do if there is no indicator
When there is no special light on the scoreboard, you have to remember the refill yourself. write down the date on a self-adhesive sticker and place it where you keep the detergent.
Also keep an eye on the quality of the washed dishes. It’s time to add salt when you notice one of the signs:
- Cloudy glass, whitish droplets or milky residue on the dishes. If this problem is solved by hand washing it means that the salt solution in the water softener is not concentrated enough and the resin in the ion exchanger can not be completely regenerated.
- Dishes are not cleaned thoroughly with multi-layer tablets. In hard water (above 21 °dH) with combined detergents need to use salt. the one in the composition is not enough to soften.
It’s the cleanliness of the plates and the shine of the glass that tells you when it’s time to top off your appliance with salt. If you have an indicator, you can also not wait for it to light up and add detergent when the washing quality deteriorates. And at what intervals? Every month or once a year?
How the water hardness affects the salt consumption?
In any dishwasher there is a device which makes water softer. ion exchanger. Without it, the device would quickly fall into disrepair. because of heating water to high temperatures, the heater and tank walls are covered with limescale. This hard sludge is especially dangerous for the electric heater. it will burn out due to its inability to give off heat properly.
The ion exchanger contains resin which emits negatively charged chlorine ions. they attract calcium and magnesium ions, making the water softer. As you use the reserves of ions in the resin runs out, thanks to special saline products can restore balance. The higher the hardness, the higher the costs. The hardness can be determined by any of the following methods:
How to REFILL Dishwasher SALT & RINSE AID
- “By eye.”. Soap something with laundry soap. a handkerchief or a handkerchief. If there is almost no foam, the hardness is high. Laundry will also rinse badly. You can also tell how much white plaque is showing up on your plumbing fixtures by how quickly. It is a lime sludge, the faster it appears, the harder the liquid in the water pipes.
- There are special test strips on sale. This is the easiest and most accurate option.
- See a special table with hardness values for all regions
According to the content of calcium and magnesium salts, water is conventionally divided into soft, medium-hard, hard and very hard.
Important! The stiffness can vary with the season, so it is recommended that it be measured every 3 to 4 months. And, depending on the results, adjust the salt dosage.
DISHWASHER LOAD
Remove as much food from the surface of the dishes as possible and place dirty items on the bottom of the rack, glasses and less soiled items on the top shelf. Load the plates and glasses so that they do not touch each other and put the cutlery in the special basket, handles down.
How do I refill my Dishwasher with salt and rinse aid
All of these items can be washed in the dishwasher, according to the following guidelines:
Glass. Any regular and heat-resistant dishes. Do not wash crystal glasses unless they have a “wash in dishwasher” label.
Dishes. Most everyday dishes. Faor tends to have decorations under the glaze and should be stable. Avoid antique and hand-painted items as well as over-decorated glazes. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
Cutlery. stainless steel and silver cutlery is usually dishwasher-safe, but you must rinse out any acidic foods before loading to prevent corrosion and, if possible, remove cutlery immediately after the cycle, avoid prolonged exposure to humid environments. Don’t mix steel and silverware in the same basket and wash with bone or wood handle items by hand.
Plastic. you must check if they are suitable for washing in the dishwasher and do not place them on the bottom shelf where the heating element can affect the plastic during drying.
Pots. stainless steel pots are ideal for dishwashers. Aluminum ones are machine washable, but may discolor during rinsing. When in doubt, remove aluminum pans before the rinse cycle.
Always wash cast iron and wooden items by hand.
Overview of popular products
There is a wide range of specialty products on the market that are recommended for dishwasher water softening. The choice of a particular composition is purely subjective, since all samples have their positive and negative sides.
Finish
Owners of a washing machine or dishwasher are no strangers to this brand. The brand produces a variety of rinses, powders and tablets of the “3 in 1” type. Its advantage of excellent performance at a reasonable price. A pack of 1.5 kg costs 200-300. this will be enough for long-term use (up to 3 months). Main features:
- makes the water softer, prevents the formation of limescale on the heater;
- improves the quality of washing;
- Prevents the appearance of unpresentable smudges.
Magic Power
A very effective, inexpensive detergent. For 1.5 kg you will pay around 150. Due to the large size of the crystals, it is economical to use.
Please note: how long this amount will last also depends on the water hardness. the higher it is, the higher the consumption.
The substance softens the water, improves the quality of the washing process, prevents the heating element from scaling. This brand also produces detergent tablets that are used for the same purposes. The main thing is that your washing machine model should have a 3-in-1 detergent option.
Sodasan
From common refined salt. Nothing superfluous, no additives in it. You have to pay for the environmental friendliness with the quality of washing. it is lower than with other products. Sold in 2kg packs. Uses about one year. usage depends on water hardness.
Often, products marked as environmentally friendly are unreasonably expensive. The “eco” and “bio” signs are nothing more than a publicity stunt.
How to refill the salt container on a dishwasher
Yplon
Rare Product. Sold in a 4kg pack and only costs 500. A good softener. It prevents the formation of odours.
Somat
This powder is characterized by high salt purity and total absence of impurities. The quality of the substance is confirmed by numerous certificates. The crystals in the packet of this remedy are smaller than others. Of the advantages, consumers note the excellent quality-price ratio. You can buy Powder Somat at almost any household cleaners store.
Eonite
This brand offers two types of salt: Cleanvon and Natural (regenerating). The latter product is made only from natural ingredients, while the former is 99.9% pure.
Eonite salt is made through evaporation technology. Both are priced at about 100 for a 1.5kg bag.
