Statewide Appliance Spares Blog
Tackling hard water problems with dishwasher softener salt
Hard water is a common issue in many Australian homes and can affect the performance of your dishwasher. If your glasses are coming out cloudy, you’re seeing white spots or film on cutlery and plates, or your wash results just aren’t as good as they should be, you may need to add softener salt to your dishwashing maintenance routine.
What is dishwasher softener salt?
Dishwasher softener salt isn’t a cleaning product itself — it’s a specialised salt that helps your dishwasher’s built-in water softener unit work properly. Hard water contains a higher than usual concentration of calcium and magnesium in the water, which can leave residue on dishes and build up inside your machine. Softener salt dissolves and helps the dishwasher’s softening system remove hard water minerals before the wash cycle starts.
Is dishwasher softener salt suitable for all dishwashers?
Dishwasher salt, also known as water softener salt or dishwasher water softener salt, is suitable only for dishwashers with a dedicated softener salt dispenser — typically found in models with an integrated water softening system. If unsure, check your user manual.
It’s worth noting that all Miele dishwashers — and many European-brand dishwashers such as Bosch, Siemens, Neff, AEG, and Asko — are designed with an integrated water-softening system. For homes with hard or moderately hard water, dishwasher softener salt is essential for optimal performance, protecting the machine from limescale and ensuring the best wash and drying results.
Using dishwasher softener salt can:
- Reduce limescale buildup inside your dishwasher and on dishes. A build-up of limescale on the dishwasher's heating element, spray arms, and other components can reduce the dishwasher's efficiency and cleaning performance over time.
- Improve cleaning performance, especially with hard water
- Help prevent spots and haziness on glasses and cutlery
- Extend your dishwasher’s life by preventing mineral damage.
Signs that you need to use softener salt
You might need to use dishwasher softener salt if:
- You live in a hard water area. (Local water authorities can tell you your hardness level)
- You see white marks, cloudiness or film on dishes after a cycle
- Your dishwasher has a salt indicator light or warning light
- Your dishwasher manual specifies a softener salt compartment. If your water is quite soft (very low mineral content), you might not need salt — check your manual and local water quality to be sure.
How to use dishwasher softener salt
Step 1: Locate the salt compartment — usually beneath the bottom rack in dishwashers with a softener dispenser
Step 2: Open the cap and carefully pour the softener salt into the reservoir
Step 3: Fill the salt compartment – Be careful not to overfill and always follow usage instructions
Step 4: Start a wash cycle soon after filling to rinse away any excess salt. During the cycle, the dishwasher’s built-in water softener uses the salt to reduce hard water minerals, helping prevent limescale build-up and improve washing results
Important: Do not use regular table salt or other salts not designed for dishwasher softeners — additives and fine grains can damage the softener system.
Using the right softener salt regularly can make a real difference — especially in areas with hard tap water. Over time, regular use can prolong the life of your dishwasher by preventing limescale buildup. This can prevent performance issues, potentially saving on repairs or premature replacement.
Dishwasher softener salt plays a vital role in keeping your dishwasher running efficiently. For machines designed with a dedicated salt dispenser, it’s a simple but essential step toward better cleaning results and long-term appliance care.
Buy dishwasher softener salt from Statewide Appliance Spares
For the best results, we recommend:
Aktivo Softener Salt 2kg

A concentrated dishwasher softener salt designed to protect your machine and help with hard water performance. Aktivo range is environmentally friendly and septic safe.
Power of 4 Water Softener Salt for Dishwasher 5kg

Effectively removes lime from hard water and helps deliver spot-free results. The Power Of 4 range is designed with high performance, eco-friendly ingredients to deliver outstanding results.
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