When talking about water and appliances, you have to take into account hard and soft water. If you don’t think that your well water or city water can be hard, we are here to help you. If you have limescale buildups, stains, or filmy residue on your bathtubs, shower heads, pipes, or sinks, then your water is hard. How can you get rid of the hard water? Simply, you have to install the best water softener and also have to buy the best water softener salt 2024 for your unit. Here is good news for you!
Many water softener salts are available in the market that claim to be very efficient. But, we have come up with a list of the best salts for water softeners to help you find the right product for your softening unit. Moreover, for someone who has limited experience with salt-based water softeners, choosing the right product can be confusing. So, we’ll tell you everything that you need to know about the best salt for the water softener system.
Take a look at our top 6 best salts for a water softener in 2024. We selected these products after reviewing water softeners consumer reports. Check out our recommended products:
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Product Name
Rating
Price
Morton Salt 1501 Clean Protect System Water Softener
Morton 1501 is a patented formula that makes this salt stand out from the rest of its products. It is exceptionally efficient and results in saving money in the long run. Such qualities make this product one of the best in terms of salt for water softeners.
The Morton Clean and Protect salt comes in the form of pallets. The salt pellets are efficient, thus, not only removing hardness from water but also providing soft water for a longer time. The formula of this salt is free from phosphate. Moreover, it not only removes hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium but also removes iron efficiently. Hence, so-called the best water softener salt for sensitive skin. The salt efficiently removes limescale buildup from pipes, showerheads, and faucets. It uses a small quantity of salt, thus saving money in the long run.
Salt comes in a secured packaging that prevents moisture. The bag also has a rigid and sturdy handle that makes pouring convenient.
Note: Salt is also NSF certified and has a limited warranty with a seal of good housekeeping.
Pros
Convenient Packaging & Pouring.
Removes Iron.
Prevent Limescale Buildup.
Extend Life of Appliances.
Cons
Bit Expensive.
Finally, the patented formula and iron elimination qualities make it a top choice salt for salt-based water softeners. Furthermore, it prevents limescale buildup by reducing the hardness of home water.
Cargill salt is among the purest salts available in the market that uses the natural process of getting salt from the seawater. So, its purity makes it a strong contender to be a part of our best salts for a water softener in the 2024 list. Cargill solar water softener salt is known to be 99.6% pure. Its purity is the result of the natural drying process that involves drying through sunlight and wind. The crystalline sodium chloride is coarse-screened and is opaque and white naturally. However, it is the best water softener salt for sensitive skin and hair. The salt is perfect for use in the ion exchange process of water softener regeneration. Furthermore, it does not cause bridging in the salt tank, making it very efficient.
Cargill 7304 salt comes in a polyethylene bag along with a multi-walled craft container. The polyethylene film liner is also incorporated which ensures maximum protection from moisture.
The salt can also be used for poultry and meat processing, vegetable curing, and ice removal in filtered brine form. Moreover, it can be used for both commercial and household softening systems.
Pros
Melts Readily.
Does not Bridge.
Sturdy Packaging.
Clean Salt, Less Residue.
Cons
Some users complain about the product prices.
In the end, One bag of Cargill solar water softener salt can last from 2 to 3 months, and it is perfect for a small to medium household. Thus, 99.6% purity and easy-to-carry, convenient packaging make this product a top choice for a softening system available in the market.
The brand Morton is known for its wide range of salts. It is most commonly seen in every kitchen as table salt. Their high-quality salts make them very efficient even as water-softener salts. Morton U26624S salt is a natural salt that is extracted through the process of evaporation of seawater under sunlight. As a result, pure white crystals of sodium chloride are obtained. The salt works perfectly in the salt-based water softeners by exhilarating the ion exchange process. Thus, reducing the hardness, causing minerals like calcium and magnesium. The salt is highly efficient in reducing the buildup of limescale in the showerhead, pipes, and faucets. Because the salt has high performance, it also reduces chalky residue left on the appliances and water heaters. Moreover, it is a top-rated water softener salt for sensitive skin and rust.
The salt brings out the natural taste of water and does not make it salty. It also aids in the better performance of soaps and detergents as they create more lather when the hardness level in water is less. The salt comes in a polyethylene bag along with a lifting handle for convenience. The bag ensures that the salt stays moisture-free.
Pros
Clear Salt Crystals.
High Purity Level.
Prevents Limescale Buildup.
High-Purity Sodium Chloride.
Cons
Some users reported a strange sulfur smell.
Furthermore, One bag of salt can last from 1 to 2 months, depending on the size of the household. Therefore, the natural extraction process of this salt makes it very efficient to convert hard water into soft water and brings out the natural taste of the water.
For those who are tired of limescale residue on their appliances, dishware, shower heads, and cutlery, a Finish dishwasher is a perfect solution to their problems. This product is made specifically for dishwashers to ensure the availability of soft water. Finish Dishwasher Salt is a high-end product that is recommended for Bosch dishwashers. The salt is made specifically for reducing the hardness of water that comes in the Dishwasher. However, it is efficient in reducing the limescale buildup and residue of hardness, causing minerals on the pots, dishes, and cutlery that go into the Dishwasher. Furthermore, it is very useful in cleaning the Dishwasher, and dishware, and protecting it from the effects of hard water. Thus, it allows for a more thorough cleaning of the dishware.
Such features make it the best water softener sale for dishes and cutlery. Moreover, the salt will only be used for the dishwashers that have a softening container pre-installed in them.
Pros
Reduces Residue on Dishes & Culinary.
Cleans Extra Dirt.
Highly Efficient.
Cons
Water softener salt for Dishwasher only.
Therefore, all those who have a high level of water hardness that still leaves a residue on the dishware and the appliances, Finish Dishwasher water softener salt is a promising product.
Morton is a well-known salt brand name in the market. Like their other salt products, this salt is also very efficient and is known to not only reduce water hardness but also reduce iron content in water. Morton F124700000G comes in the form of pellets rather than crystals. This salt has been made specifically for those households that face the problem of high iron content in their water along with other hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium.
The salt has the capability to remove iron up to 15 times more than any other salt. Thus, it makes the water softer and also tastes better. Apart from removing iron, this salt also helps in the removal and protection of appliances, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and laundry from rust stains. The salt is also efficient in reducing the limescale buildup in pipes and water heaters. The salt comes in an easy-to-open and pour bag along with a sturdy handle that makes pouring and carrying easy.
Pros
Improves Water Taste.
Keeps Appliances Stain-Free.
Removes Iron.
Good Packing.
Cons
Some customers say that the salt bag is a bit overpriced.
Finally, One bag of Morton F124700000g lasts a month per regeneration cycle. However, these salt pellets are perfect for those who have a high iron level in their water. This pellet salt efficiently reduces water hardness as well as iron-making; the water retains its natural taste.
Diamond Crystal Water Softener Salt is also among the purest salts available in the market. The salt passes through coarse screening that ensures its purity. Diamond Crystal solar salt is made by treating the seawater to dry naturally in the sunlight and wind. It is also coarse screened and thus is 99.6 % pure and is in the form of white crystals of sodium chloride. The salt is free from any impurities.
The salt is perfect for the ion exchange process of the water softener. Because of its purity, it gives excellent results making the water taste natural and free from harsh minerals. The salt also minimizes the accumulation of residue in the brine tank and does not bridge. However, it is perfect for both commercial and household water softeners. The salt comes in a multiwall kraft container and polyethylene bags, which protects the salt from moisture. Furthermore, the salt is NSF-certified.
Pros
White Crystalline NaCl.
Polyethylene Packaging.
Can be used for Ice & Snow Removal.
Cons
Bit Expensive.
In the end, One bag usually lasts up to 2 months, depending upon the level of hardness in water. The purity of the salt ensures its efficient working. It does not bridge in the salt tank and thus works for a longer time as compared to other salts.
A salt-based water softener uses both resin and salt to soften the water. When hard water encounters the resin beads, the negatively charged resin beads that hold sodium ions from salt attract the positively charged calcium and magnesium ions present in the hard water.
Sodium ions displace calcium and magnesium ions. This process is called the ion exchange process. As a result of this displacement, water gets rid of hardness-causing minerals and picks up readily soluble sodium.
After a specific time, the resin beads run out of sodium ions. This is when the regeneration process occurs in the water softener. At this point, the water softener needs more salt. When more salt is added, the cycle begins again, this is how the water softener system uses salt to soften the hard water.
The water softener pellets are different from your regular table salt. If you are buying salt for a water softener for the first time, then there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.
Type: There are two main types of water softener salts. These are;
Solar Salt: The solar salts are made from the natural evaporation of seawater under the sun. It is the purest form of salt and thus is very efficient. However, it comes in the form of white crystals but may also come as salt pellets. The salt is 99.5% pure and has a water insolubility level of less than 0.3%.
Evaporated Salt Pellet: It is manufactured through the dissolution of underground salt deposits to brine. The moisture evaporates to get 99.6 % to 99.9 % pure salt. Moreover, it has a water insolubility level of less than 0.1%. It comes in the form of pellets.
Purity: The level of purity of salt is fundamental when considering buying one. Because less pure solar salt will have impurities that do not dissolve in water. Thus, they are likely to sit at the bottom of the tank of the water softener. Mostly, the salts available in the market have purity ranging from 99.5% to 99.9%.
Performance: Performance matters the most when it comes to buying a water softener salt. The salt should be effective and efficient in providing soft water to the whole household. It should give value to money. Some salts also reduce the level of iron in the water other than hardness-causing minerals. If you are looking for a salt that performs to reduce iron as well, you should look for added features.
How Can You Tell If Your Water Softener Needs Salt?
When the resin beads run out of sodium ions, this means it is time to add more salt. The process is called regeneration. There are several ways through which you can find out if the water softener system is running out of water or not. These are:
The simplest and the easiest way to tell that a water softener needs salt is that the water will become hard again. However you should not let it come to this point.
By manually checking inside the tank, you can keep an eye on the salt level. It is advised that you should add salt when only one-third of the salt is left.
Most water softeners can be programmed to regenerate automatically. You can set a date and time for regeneration, and thus you can add salt at that time.
You can also check the automatic LCD available in most water softeners. The LCD will tell if the salt level is low or not.
Then if solar salt seems dry inside the tank, you should add salt to fill it above half. If you see water above salt in the tank, then add salt to fill the tank above half.
For salt-based water softeners, salt addition is a crucial step to ensure the availability of soft water. Salt-based water softeners use the ion exchange process to soften the water. Adding salt pellets to a water softener is a straightforward process. All you have to do is check the salt level in the water softening unit. If the level of salt is at one-third of the tank or less, you need to add salt.
All you have to do is open the salt bag and pour it into the salt tank until it reaches the required level, and you are good to go.
Plain salt crystals are used in higher water usage that can cause bridging. The void results in passing along hard tank water. Water Softener Pellets help in reducing bridging and work better for moderate to high volume water users.
2. Is solar salt better than pellets?
Solar Salt is as effective at regenerating a water softener as pellets and is a lower-priced alternative. It is not as clean as pellets and does require more frequent cleanings of your day brine tank due to the sediment left behind.
3. When should I add salt to my water softener?
If the salt looks dry and the tank is less than half full, refill until it’s just over half full. Also, if the salt looks wet or the water level is above the salt, it’s time to fill the tank about half full. The age of your water softener has a big impact on salt usage.
4. What happens if my water softener runs out of salt?
Eventually, the resin beads inside the water softener become saturated with hard minerals and need to be regenerated until the brine tank runs out of salt. If you forget to top off your water softener, the water softening resin will stay saturated.
Their patent formula not only makes it extremely efficient in reducing water hardness, and limescale buildup but also reduces the level of iron in the well water. So you can say these solar salts are useful for well water. Moreover, both come in convenient packaging and a sturdy handle that makes both easy to carry. Both these salt does not cause bridging and is 99.6% pure. Thus, Morton 1501 and Cargill 7304 are the best salts for your water softeners in 2024.
Steve Smith is a United State Licensed Plumber with over 18 years of plumbing experience. Steve has conducted residential and commercial plumbing jobs throughout the state and currently works for one of California’s largest plumbing companies. When he’s not working, Steve enjoys spending time with his daughter and son.
When talking about water and appliances, you have to take into account hard and soft water. If you don’t think that your well water or city water can be hard, we are here to help you. If you have limescale buildups, stains, or filmy residue on your bathtubs, shower heads, pipes, or sinks, then your water is hard. How can you get rid of the hard water? Simply, you have to install the best water softener and also have to buy the best water softener salt 2024 for your unit.
The water softener pellets are different from your regular table salt. If you are buying salt for a water softener for the first time, then there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.
For salt-based water softeners, salt addition is a crucial step to ensure the availability of soft water. Salt-based water softeners use the ion exchange process to soften the water. Adding salt pellets to a water softener is a straightforward process. All you have to do is check the salt level in the water softening unit. If the level of salt is at one-third of the tank or less, you need to add salt.
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