Dishwasher salt?

Question

Just got a secondhand dishwasher and it has no instructions.

Worked out how to use it but there is a lid that says salt on it inside the machine.

Do I need to fill this? With household salt?

Not sure what to do so any advice would be greatfully recieved.

Thanks

Pippa

Answer 1

IF YOUR GETTING DISHWASHER TABLETS U DONT REALLY NEED THE SALT BECAUSE THE TABLETS HAVE SALT IN THEM,I NEVER USE SALT IN MY DISHWASHER AND MY DISHES COME OUT CLEAN,AND CHEAP TABLETS DO THE SAME JOB AS THE EXPENSIVE ONES.AND IS NOT HOUSEHOLD SALT U USE ITS SALT FOR DISHWASHERS

Answer 2

You have to use dishwasher salt, but also depends where you live, as it is for hard water areas to stop the build up of lime scale so if you live in a soft water area then there you do not have to use it.

Answer 3

just buy d/washer tablets,

Answer 4

Don't use household salt as it can clog the dishwasher's filters. You can buy dishwasher salt in most supermarkets. The most well know brand is Finish, but the supermarket's own brand will work equally well.

The salt is used to rejuvenate the water softening system of the dishwasher. If you live in a soft water area, you may not even need to use it.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Depends on how hard your water is really - the salt tends to soften it.  I use it all the time, we have horribly hard water.

Answer 6

Dishwasher tablets contain all the stuff you need for efficient cleaning, if you live in medium/soft water area. In a hard water area, you may need to fill salt reservoir. Not household salt, supermarkets will have what you need. Ring your water supplier, they will tell you whether the water is hard or not.