Where to put salt in a dishwasher?

To ensure that glasses, plates and cutlery are properly cleaned in the dishwasher, salt must be added at regular intervals. But where does the dishwasher salt go and how much do you need?

Thanks to a dishwasher, many households can save themselves the hassle of washing dishes by hand. But to make sure that the dishes shine again after a cycle, not only tabs and rinse aid are needed, but also special salt. It only takes a few simple steps to fill the dishwasher with salt.

How do you fill the dishwasher salt?

Besides the special salt for the dishwasher, a funnel is helpful to fill in the grains. How to proceed:

1. Open the dishwasher and pull out the bottom drawer. This gives you better access to the salt container.
2. The lid of the container is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. It usually has a screw cap that you have to open. In many models, it is also marked with the word “salt”. Note: The container is filled with water that does not need to be skimmed off. It simply comes out when you fill it.
3. Now place the funnel in the opening and carefully fill with salt. When the container is visibly full (about to the top edge), the quantity is sufficient. Make sure that the salt does not trickle next to it.
4. Finally, screw the lid back on, insert the compartment, close the dishwasher and let it run through empty once. Done!

Why do I need to add salt to the dishwasher?

Salt removes calcium and magnesium from the water in the dishwasher. These substances are responsible for limescale being deposited on the dishes. This also reduces the hardness of the water. The harder the water, the more often you should add salt to the dishwasher.

How often do I need to add salt?

Since salt softens the water in the dishwasher, it depends on the respective degree of hardness. This can vary depending on the region. As a rule of thumb: If the dishwasher is used daily, salt should be added once a month.

Can I also use normal salt for the dishwasher?

Even if there is an opinion circulating on the internet that you can use normal table salt for the dishwasher, it is better not to use this alternative. This is because normal salt can contain some additives that could lead to impurities. In addition, the salt could clump together and possibly clog the system.