Shocked by the high cost of regenerating salt, which manufacturers recommend to use without fail? No one is against saving, so PMM owners are often interested in choosing salt for a dishwasher - how to replace it and whether it is possible to use cheap analogues. You will find answers to the questions below.
The principle of salt
To thoroughly understand how to replace special granules, it is worth knowing the principle of their action. The PMM design has an ion exchanger in which the hard water coming from the water supply system is softened. The reservoir initially has a resin saturated with sodium ions, which attracts calcium and magnesium ions so that they do not turn into scale on the heater.
Resin gradually spends its resource, and salt helps it regenerate in order to cope with the task. The substance is poured into the intended compartment (located under the lower basket in the hopper - you can open it with your own hands). If the water is not too hard, it will be enough for several months, if it is too much - for several washing cycles. When salt is depleted, the control panel will notify the user with a red light.
So, salt cannot be used at all, otherwise the ion exchange will have to be changed (it does not repair). Is it possible to pour ordinary salt instead of special - this remains to be seen.
Dishwasher salt: how to replace
We are talking about a substance created on the basis of the chemical compound NaCl (sodium-chlorine). In decoding, this is ordinary table salt. Replace special equipment with such drugs:
- pills
- nautical;
- 3 in 1 capsules.
We consider each of the options separately.
Food
Ordinary table salt (stone, table) is supplied to stores with various compositions, which can be judged by the appearance of the granules. In some packs, granules are larger, in others - small, in one pack the substance may be white, in the other with a gray tint. The content of grains of sand and impurities is not ruled out. This does not change one truth: all table salt consists of 96–98% NaCl compound. It may contain trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and food additives, one of which is E563 (potassium ferrocyanide).
Judging by such a rich composition, experts came to the conclusion that the use of untreated and properly processed salt would be dangerous for the dishwasher. Impurities may remain inside the ion exchanger, which could seriously damage the part.
Attention! If you decide to replace special granules, buy options that are processed in the best way - without additives (iodine, spices, etc.). One such option is Extra.
Thrifty users of the PMM were divided into two camps - those who use Extra and those who believe that it is necessary to use exclusively special substances. Proponents of the cheap method claim that the machine calmly transfers food-grade NaCl, and the flow rate is exactly the same. Opponents of saving believe that changing the tool is pointless, since a large bundle is enough for a long time, and if you take this into account, we are talking about little money, and you should not put the dishwasher at risk.
There is a category of users who use sea salt, but it has a lot of impurities, including more than 80 minerals. It is almost not processed in the factory, only packaged, so it is definitely not suitable for use in modern dishwashers.
Tablet formulations
This salt is not produced in the usual granular form, but in tablets. By the way, edible salt can also be found in tablets - it is available under the name “Mozyr Universal Salt”. Tablets are made from Extra. Polesie ”, in which there is no E563. A package of 25 kg costs about 400 rubles - a pack of this is enough for at least 2 years, so the savings are obvious.
3 in 1 Tablets
This tool can not be called a substitute, because it contains a full range of substances necessary for optimal washing. A tablet is a complex of layers that, in turn, “reveal” their properties at different stages of the washing cycle:
- the first two layers - detergent for dishes with NaCl, which work during heating of the water with a heating element;
- a third layer of neutral type, activated during the first rinse.
- the last layer works already during the final rinse of the dishes.
Capsules can be used instead of three products: detergent, rinse aid and saline. Nothing needs to be poured into the ion exchanger - all processes occur already inside the machine's hopper. The only “but” that is worth mentioning is that in short cycles the tablets do not always completely dissolve, and their components fall into the water for the last rinse, which affects the quality of washing dishes (you have to rinse again).
Important! Do not push the “three in one” tablets - this activates the rinse aid during washing, and it does not reach the rinse process.
This is a good tool, but if you are looking for what to add in order to save, they do not suit you. When buying a product, carefully read the label: many capsules are effective only at a water hardness level of 21 dH. Otherwise, it is better to use all the tools separately.
Is it worth replacing with analogues
What to use instead of expensive specialized substances? Experts concluded that diet pills would be the best option. Three indisputable facts speak in their favor:
- The shape of the tablet provides a long and uniform dissolution to maintain optimal ion concentration.
- A bag of 25 kg is enough for several years.
- Convenient bookmark.
Important! If you replace the special tool with another analog, there is a 99% chance that you will be refused a warranty repair in the event of a breakdown. Do experiments after the warranty period expires.
The decision is yours: to comply with the instructions of the manufacturers of equipment or not to be “led” to the marketing policy and carry out the replacement. When deciding, consider the hardness of the water entering the dishwasher.