What Is Dishwasher Salt? The Secret to Spotless Dishes

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If you’ve bought a new appliance, you might have noticed a spot to “add salt” and been massively confused. Salt in the dishwasher? Yep, but don’t go pouring in table salt.

“Some dishwashers, usually higher-end appliances, come with a water softener unit,” says Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance. “Putting salt in your dishwasher might seem strange at first, but dishwasher salt is actually an excellent tool for keeping your unit operating at maximum efficiency.”

What does dishwasher salt do?

“The purpose of dishwasher salt is to help soften the water, and prevent the spots that form on your dishes when they’re washed in hard water, which is water that has a lot of calcium and magnesium,” says Rogers. “If your dishes consistently lack that sparkling-clean feeling and always seem to be speckled with spots, dishwasher salt may be the answer to your problems.”

How does it work? The calcium and magnesium in hard water react with dishwashing detergent to form soap clumps that are less effective at cleaning dishes and can leave behind a nasty residue.

That’s where the salt can help—bonding with the calcium and magnesium, stripping them out of the water and “softening” it. The result: cleaner dishes, and a longer-lasting dishwasher, too.

Dishwasher salt vs. table salt: What’s the difference?

Unlike table salt, which often has additives such as iodine or magnesium to prevent clumping, dishwasher salt is pure sodium chloride. It also comes in larger grains than its shaker counterpart.

(Note: Adding small-grained salt, even one that is pure sodium chloride, could clog your dishwasher drain. Instead, buy salt designed for the dishwasher. No substitutions here.)

Will dishwasher salt make my dishes salty?

Don’t worry—your dishes won’t come out of the dishwasher tasting salty. They’ll just come out cleaner, period.

Softened water isn’t just good for your dishes, it’s good for your dishwasher, too. A water softener prevents limescale—the white, chalky mineral deposit that hard water leaves behind on plumbing—from building up in your machine and clogging it.

Not sure how hard your water is? Here’s a map of water hardness in the United States, or you can have your water professionally tested.

How do you use dishwasher salt?

Convinced it’s time to give this weird salt thing a try? First of all, make sure your dishwasher has a water softener built in. If it doesn’t, all the salt in the world isn’t going to help your dishes look their shiny best. Check your owner’s manual—many newer dishwashers will have a button or readout indicating the salt level.

Where does the salt go?

“Don’t make the mistake of putting salt in the detergent holder,” says Rogers. “The softener units are typically located at the bottom of the appliance.” Fill the salt container and close it.

There may be a setting for how hard or soft your water is, and an indicator light should alert you when it’s time to refill. Then all you have to do is enjoy your sparkling-clean dishes!

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