Shortage of dishwasher salt?

[Skinnytailedsquirrel]

Can't get any for love nor money. Why would there be a shortage?

I thought so! But I found some in Lidl. Probably delivery delays from lack of drivers / Brexit / covid.

I couldn't get any the other week so I got a big bag from Amazon

Yes I've found this for the last month or so. I got a big bag from Ocado in the end

I ordered some very expensive salt off Amazon at the beginning of the month, because there had been none around for weeks, and you could tell it was needed by the state of the plates after washing!
Sorry, not much help. I'd guess it's shipping issues.

Stupid question but can you use normal salt? Or would it just dissolve?

Loads in Sainsbos yesterday

@Cuddlywaterfall

Stupid question but can you use normal salt? Or would it just dissolve?

Dishwasher salt is a different chemical to table salt, so wouldn't work.

We've always used 3 in 1 tablets, so never use salt, but I understand that this isn't always an option if your water is very hard.

We had this as well. Finally got an order in when it was in stock on Ocado. Bought a few bags. Weird.

I would guess supply chain disruptions due to staff isolations rather than brexit tbh but that’s a pure guess.

I haven’t noticed anything locally but will keep an eye out now.

I bought some in Lidl on Monday. Fully stocked. But loo roll? Empty shelves!

Yes been about a month haven't been able to get it in store or from supermarket home deliveries. Sold out everywhere except Amazon where I had to buy some at an inflated price.
Back in stores now.

Yes, I’ve noticed this too. Finally found some (at a price , not the usual own brand) in my little Co-op.

Dishwasher salt is not a different chemical to table salt. Both are NaCl.

Table salt may have an anti caking agent added which might cause problems, or the finer particles could cause a blockage. But not a different chemical.

@AuntieMarys

Loads in Sainsbos yesterday

Absolutely none in my local Sainsburys yesterday

I've told our Senior Scullery Maid that they should only use Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel in the dishwasher and the same goes for the entrance path when there is a risk of a heavy frost although the Concierges take care that, I believe.

Might be cold weather. The salt trade stockpiles in summer so it can supply the gritting and road salting business in winter.

I buy sacks of salt granules or tablets for the water softener, they are generally cheaper and easier to get in summer.

If you have room, you can buy a 20kg sack and it will last a long time in a dishwasher. DIY and catering suppliers have ut. Don't buy rock salt by mistake.

Table salt is not the same, it contains an anti-caking additive.

I had this problem back in September. No dishwasher salt in any of the supermarkets.

Ended up bulk buying on Amazon (as it was the only economical way to buy it from there). I now have enough dishwasher salt to last about three years!

@TheVolturi

I couldn't get any the other week so I got a big bag from Amazon

This is exactly what I did! What a random thing to be short of. I had to prewash everything before it went in the dishwasher to try and reduce all the marks and grit that seemed to stick to everything!

@Cuddlywaterfall

Stupid question but can you use normal salt? Or would it just dissolve?

I actually googled this too. No, you can't and it can damage the machine if you try