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Original poster

Do dishwashers need a salt compartment?

11 replies

gentlesea · 17/12/2023 20:34

I'm a newbie to dishwashers and thinking of treating myself to a tabletop one as my kitchen is too small for a full size one. I have my eye on 2 - 1 is nicer looking but has no salt compartment, the other is not as nice looking but does have a salt compartment. I live in a hard water area - do I definitely need that salt compartment??

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 17/12/2023 20:39

Soft water helps give a better wash so I'd say it's preferable to have a salt compartment especially if you have hard water

LaPalmaLlama · 17/12/2023 20:40

The all in one tabs theoretically do away with the need for salt but I live in a hard water area and do use salt and it massively improves the wash quality and also stops limescale building up and blocking the holes on the spray arms.

MoonlightMemories · 17/12/2023 20:41

Yes, salt is necessary especially in hard water areas to prevent the machine from clogging up with limescale, stopping things that are washed from getting limescale buildup on them and for the detergent to be able to wash them properly (as hard water makes it sud up and work not as effectively).

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Original poster
gentlesea · 17/12/2023 21:04

I guess I'll have to get the not so nice looking one then! Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 17/12/2023 21:06

Ring your water supplier and ask for the hardness reading for your area. It should equate to a setting on the machine . That should tell you whether you need salt.

UsingChangeofName · 17/12/2023 21:08

I've lived in houses with dishwashers since 1975.
Can't say I have ever put any salt in a dishwasher, ever, and have never seen anyone else do so.
We don't live in a hardwater area, so I don't know how much difference that makes.

Feedtheworld1982 · 17/12/2023 21:10

My dishwasher has a salt compartment but the indicator for when it needs refilling is broken. The glasses become so cloudy when the salt is out I don’t actually need the light to remind me anymore! Saying that I live somewhere where the water is basically chalk!

WashingAt30 · 17/12/2023 21:15

We live in a very hard water area, and our new dishwasher has adjustable salt settings - ours was set too low so not enough salt was being added, and the dishwasher motor was burnt out due to excess limescale after 9 months! Thank goodness for the ikea 5 year guarantee..

Hiddenmnetter · 17/12/2023 21:16

Yes, if you live in a hard water area you definitely want salt- not just for the wash, but also for the longevity of the components involved.

Dbank · 17/12/2023 21:54

... or get a water softener, then you won't need a dishwasher with salt, and get all the other benefits....

Hiddenmnetter · 18/12/2023 09:47

Dbank · 17/12/2023 21:54

... or get a water softener, then you won't need a dishwasher with salt, and get all the other benefits....

I second this- I love my water softener.

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