Posted 4 days ago

Dishwasher salt - best value - where

Need dishwasher salt.

Asking for help in locating the best value product.

Where and how much?

Is there anything I should look out for? Are there differences in the quality of the salts for dishwashers?
Community Updates
New Comment

30 Comments

sorted by
's avatar
  1. Libertas's avatar
    Author
    Is there a difference between brands, in the quality of the product:  e.g purity?

    (I'm checking to see if there is a difference in the way different brands may damage or affect the washing machine). (edited)
    melted's avatar
    Dishwasher salt needs to be 100% pure salt, table salt is not suitable because it contains an anti-caking agent which will coat the ion exchange resin.

    Years ago some of the supermarket own brand dishwasher salts used to contain anti-caking agents, I recall throwing a couple of bags from two different stores away because I forgot to check the ingredient labels in store. These days they all seem to be pure salt.

    The size of the salt granules doesn't effect the amount used, the salt sits in water so it is always a saturated salt solution. I prefer largish granules because less escapes with the water that pours out when I pour them in the softener unit, but I prefer lower price more. (edited)
  2. TristanDeCoonha's avatar
    Unless you are going to bulk buy, ie 15kg+, then having the need for more supplies myself, I found Crystale at Costco (in store) to be the cheapest, sold in 4x2kg boxes for £7 and pennies, followed by Asda @ £1.99 for 2kg.
    When Aldi or Lidl have stock, and that is rare, they often have a good price, but they do not have regular supplies.
    Everyone is happy to sell overpriced Finish. That's always in stock wherever you go
  3. redzarf's avatar
    Aldi don't have it at the moment, but Lidl do: 2kg for £1.99
    TristanDeCoonha's avatar
    I was told by a lidl manager that they never know when it will appear, and it is just the one pallet. So if you do see it available, consider a bulk purchase, and store it properly, because being caught and having to buy Finish hurts the wallet, and mental enthusiasm
  4. echobase's avatar
    Just use all in one tablets. 
  5. jco83's avatar
    Check in discount stores, last time I bought some it was from Savers (I can't remember how much it cost sorry). I would say check other places like Home Bargains, B&M, etc.
  7. mxttkeep's avatar
    Ridiculous question but as someone who ran out of dishwasher salt in the south of England very very recently is there a danger to running without salt?
    harrythefish's avatar
    We live in a kettle furring area and ran our dishwasher for many years without thinking about salt. Then suddenly one day plates started having rough streaks as if scratched. Got the repair guy in who advised to add salt to the container. Did that, problem solved. We've set the salt usage to low.
  8. Libertas's avatar
    Author
    Yes
  9. louiselouise's avatar
    I always thought Dishwasher Salt was much of a muchness. If you can't find it in Aldi or Lidl just buy a supermarket own-brand. I don't get too fussed about rinse aid either though I'm fussier with detergent.
    Justintime12's avatar
    I use distilled white vinegar instead of rinse aid. Far far cheaper and does the same job.

    Also use tesco dishwasher salt (£3 for 3kg)
  10. RainManD's avatar
    I bought a bag of de-icing salt a few winters ago and it's been mild ever since. Ended up using it in the dishwasher, does a good job. On Amazon for around 60-70p a kilo. Buy in bulk from local builders merchants etc for < 50p KG. Just check it's Rock salt only. Most are.
    melted's avatar
    Rock salt normally contains impurities which will get deposited on the exchange resin reducing its capacity to soften.

    You need 100% pure sodium chloride (NaCl).
  11. mutley1's avatar
    i used to buy them from wilko
    Justintime12's avatar
    I used to buy my toothpaste in woolworths

    Hth
  12. TristanDeCoonha's avatar
    Farmfoods had 2kg for £1.99 yesterday. I think it was Finish
  13. AMETAF's avatar
    Only ever use Finish products: salt, tablets or rinse aid
's avatar