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Do you have a water softener? No? This is not good for your health. It’s also bad for the appliances in your home because it can cause them to wear down more quickly than they would otherwise. But there are lots of ways around this problem! For example, you can use salt as a water softener instead of other products on the market today. Salt has been used as an alternative method for many years and still does wonders today! In this article we will talk about best salt for water softeners and how they work with specific brands and types so that you can make an informed decision when buying yours.

Water softener salt is a mineral that has been crushed into a fine powder. It can come in various forms, but it’s usually white and grainy. When mixed with water, this type of salt dissolves slowly but surely. How does it do this? Well, as you know from your science lessons, the particles within the mixture are larger than those without which means they cannot pass through certain substances or materials easily (mainly metal). This then changes the composition of the substance by causing clumps to form over time when mixing together with hard water which makes it easier to remove these minerals before doing laundry or using appliances at home!

Best Water Softener Salt

Morton Salt 1501

Morton Salt 1501

First, let’s take a look at Morton salt which is one of the most popular choices around. This option comes in either 40 or 80 pound bags and it doesn’t have extra additives added into the mix . It works well without any side effects too since there are no allergens present so this makes it great for homes with kids/pets etc. The recommended setting for use here would be between 30-40 grains hardness but if you live in an area where water tends to vary – opt for the higher end instead! Also , it’s important to note that there can be some problems with bridging if you go for a lower setting so this is why we recommend the higher option . It helps avoid these and any other potential issues.

PROs
  • No extra additives
  • Good for allergies/kids etc.
CONs
  • Issues with bridging if not using the right amount of salt!
Morton Salt F124700000g

Morton Salt F124700000g

For those who want something a little more specific, the Morton salt F124700000g is one of the best choices. This comes with an automatic feeder which makes adding in new salt easy and hassle-free . There are minimal problems if you live next to sea/ocean water too since it has been specially designed for use at up to 50 grains hardness! Plus there’s no bridging or clumping when used within their recommended levels so that means less maintenance & upkeep overall compared with some other options on this list.

PROs
  • Automatic feeder included
  • No clumping or bridging issues
CONs
  • Pricey – but worth it for most people
Cargill Salt 7304

Cargill Salt 7304

Cargill salt is another top contender when it comes to best water softener salt. This option has been pH balanced which means that there’s no risk of corrosion, staining or any other problems in the long run . It can be used for both manual and automatic models too since it works well either way! The recommended setting here would actually be at 40-50 grains hardness but if you’re not sure – opt for lower end instead to try & avoid any potential issues.

PROs
  • No corrosion/stains/problems in general
  • Works with all types of units (manual or automated)
CONs
  • None.
Diamond Crystal Salt

Diamond Crystal Salt

This option comes in 40 pound bags and it’s highly recommended for use with water softeners . It doesn’t contain any silica so there are no health or allergy concerns either which is always a plus point! One of the biggest reasons why people choose this particular type over other options on this list though would be because it has been 99% purified to remove all impurities/unwanted additives.

PROs
  • 99% pure compared to only 80-90% elsewhere
  • No unwanted additives or chemicals added into the mix
CONs
  • Can cause problems if not used within their guidelines (40-50 grains hardness) since you may end up having too much calcium in your system overall!
Diamond Crystal Water Softener Bag

Diamond Crystal Water Softener Bag

Salt Review Diamond Crystal Water Softener salt is a good choice for softening water in home appliances. It is made of 100% solar evaporated pure water that contains 99+% sodium chloride (NaCl). This is the purest form of salt that has no impurities including chlorine, iodine or anti-caking agents. The product is recommended for use in water softening machines with a hardness level between 30 and 50 grains per gallon (GPG). This means it’s ideal for all home appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washers, refrigerator icemakers, coffee makers etc.

PROs
  • This bagged salt brand contains 99+% sodium chloride which makes it ideal to be used on homes with children/pets because there are no allergens present
  • It works well within their guidelines too so you won’t have any problems if using them according to their recommendations!
CONs
  • You may need more than one bag depending on your appliance.
Diamond Crystal 804017

Diamond Crystal 804017

Diamond Crystal Water Softener salt is a good choice for softening water in home appliances. It is made of 100% solar evaporated pure water that contains 99+% sodium chloride (NaCl). This salt brand comes in 40 pound bags and it’s also highly recommended for use with water softeners . The product has been pH balanced which means there are no risks involved when using them because you’ll have nothing to worry about! It can be used even on homes where children/pets live too since there are no allergens present within the mix itself.

PROs
  • No corrosion, staining or other issues
  • Can be used up to 50 grains hardness without any problems
CONs
  • None
Morton Clean and Protect II

Morton Clean and Protect II

This is another salt that comes in 40 pound bags and it’s also highly recommended for use with water softeners . It has been specially designed to prevent any corrosion/staining issues thanks to its special formula & ingredients included. The salt itself can be used up to 50 grains hardness which means you won’t have any problems when using them according to the guidelines provided too!

PROs
  • No corrosion or staining issues at all
  • Highly suitable even if your hard water reaches levels of 100+ GPG due to their high quality nature
CONs
  • None.
Morton Salt System Saver II

Morton Salt System Saver II

is great for water softener systems. It’s fine-grained, with the right amount of sodium chloride needed to work effectively in a system without leaving behind any residue or lingering taste. It tends to be easier on appliances too!

Morton Salt System Saver II is also good for maintaining your brine tank – it keeps up better than salt made from potassium chloride because this product doesn’t contain magnesium sulfate which can cause problems if you already have high levels of magnesium in your well water. This factor makes Morton Salt System Saver II an excellent choice when you are trying to decide between that brand and the more popular Water Softening Tablets by Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Corporation.

PROs
  • Easy to pour
  • No magnesium sulfate
CONs
  • A little pricier than other brands.
Morton U26624S

Morton U26624S

Table salt is a great choice for use in water softeners because it’s inexpensive and readily available at most stores, but there are some factors to consider when determining which product will give you the best value. The Morton U26624S-U-FP Table Salt – 25 lb. Bag has been one of our top choices for quite some time now due to its high quality ingredients and low price point. It contains about 99% sodium chloride (NaCl), with small amounts of calcium silicate as an anticaking agent and dextrose as a stabilizer. This bag can last through roughly 250 cycles on average, depending on how much your family consumes dail.The Morton U26624S-U-FP Table Salt – 25 lb. Bag comes in a sturdy, ProPack bag with an easy grip handle and tight seal which is great for preventing spills or clumping; this product will stay dry longer than most salts because of this. The Morton U26624S-U-FP Table Salt – 25 lb. Bag is also low in heavy metals like mercury and lead, which are often found in some table salts; this salt does not contain harmful chemicals or impurities that can damage your equipment over time either.

PROs
  • 99% sodium chloride
  • Dissolves quickly in water for easy softening
CONs
  • None.

How To Choose the Best Salt For The Water softener

What Types of Salts Are Available For Water Softeners?

There are five main types of salts available for use in water softeners. While they all have the same outcome, it’s important to know what each one is good at before buying since some will be better suited depending on your particular needs. Once you find out more about these types then choosing best salt for water softener  will become much easier!

  • Sodium chloride

This type is commonly used by most people around the world today and also happens to be the cheapest option as well . So if money’s tight this might just work perfectly fine although not necessarily offer any degree of customization regarding level or quality. It may even cause equipment damage over time so choose carefully when purchasing!

  • Potassium chlorid

If sodium isn’t your thing but still looking for a good alternative, this type is perfect as it has the same effect but comes from potash typically derived from wood ashes or seaweed!

  • Magnesium chloride

This one’s great if you have hard water problems and want to soften your overall household experience. It does come with an initial cost though so expect that before making any purchases!

  • Calcium chloride

If magnesium doesn’t strike your fancy then perhaps calcium will. The main benefit of using this option is its ability to neutralize acidity in general which helps reduce corrosion within appliances at home such as dishwashers and washing machines among others .

  • Borates

Finally we reach borates which are used mainly by those putting up new homes since it can be applied directly onto concrete during construction. As a result, you receive better protection against mineral buildup and scale formation for easier maintenance over time .

Household water hardness:

First and foremost you need to consider how hard your household water is . As a general rule of thumb, most units can be used with anything up to around 15 grains which means that if it’s over this level – some sort of alternative solution will have to be considered.

Type of water softener

If you have a regular or standard water softener , there’s no need to get anything other than salt. However, if this is an older model which requires manual regeneration – it might be time for an upgrade . Manual models are definitely cheaper overall but they take up time and require more attention compared with newer fully automated units since the former has to be refilled every single day!

Saltier water taste

If you notice a saltier taste to your water , there’s no point in getting anything other than salt which is specifically designed for this purpose. Don’t try and use some sort of generic alternative since it won’t be able to make any real difference or impact on the overall results either!

Your budget

For most people, the cost of salt may be hard to swallow but it’s definitely worth getting if you want your water softener unit to work properly. Plus there are cheaper options out there so don’t worry too much either since you won’t have to shell out a fortune for this!

Softener maintenance & upkeep

After looking at best salt for water softener reviews, it’s important to consider how often you will need to clean and maintain your unit. Some models do require more upkeep than others but most of the time – they don’t take up too much attention or energy anyway.

How can you tell if your water softener needs salt?

  • Salt levels are visibly low:

If salt levels are visibly low, one of the first signs that you will be able to notice is a lack of suds in your washing machine and dishwasher. When soap mixes with water within these appliances, it’s supposed to create lots of bubbles or foam – especially if using more than just a little bit! If this doesn’t happen when running loads so does mean something is wrong since there should always be some residue left behind even after switching off detergents/chemicals altogether . This means that no real cleaning took place which results from an insufficient amount of softener used.

  • Your water softener is older:

If you have an older model , chances are that it’s time to change your water softener salt. Nothing lasts forever after all which means there will definitely come a point in the future where it needs replacing . Plus, even if looking at new models on the market today – some of them do require less maintenance overall compared with what was used before!

  • There’s bridging in your tank:

If you notice any sort of bridging in your water softener tank, this is typically a sign that salt levels are too high . This can be easily fixed by simply draining the unit but if left unchecked it could damage some components over time – especially when using hard water !

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a water softener last for?

A water softener can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years on average, depending on how hard your local water is.

Can I mix different salts in my brine tank?

Yes, you can mix different kinds of salt together.

Is soft water safe for drinking?

Yes, soft water is completely safe for drinking.

How do I know what setting to put my softener on?

Softeners are usually set to regenerate based on water flow, but you can also use a timer if there is one available.

Table salt may be the most common choice for salt in water softener systems because it’s readily accessible and inexpensive compared to other forms of salts, including pellets or beads. However, table salt has many downsides that make it less desirable than some other options out there for certain individuals.

Can I mix salt pellets with potassium chloride?

Yes, salt pellets and potassium chloride can be mixed together.

Does salt for iron removal work better?

Salt for iron removal does not work any better than regular salt.

Conclusion

Salt is a naturally occurring mineral found in many foods and drinks. It’s also used to make water softeners work. When you’re shopping for salt, consider the benefits of using it for your home or office water softener system. The best types of salt are easy to use and cost-effective when compared with other methods available, so there’s no need to worry about having enough on hand!