Where do I put salt in my Bosch dishwasher?

A Bosch dishwasher requires certain cleaning products to operate. These can be grouped into two categories: those needed to combat stains and those designed to soften hard water. These cleaning products should be used every time the dishwasher is turned on.

To soften hard tap water, it's essential to use a special softener. This will protect the dishwasher's internal components from scale buildup. Let's look at how often you should add salt to your dishwasher and where the granule container is located.

Looking for a salt container?

If you're using a dishwasher for the first time, be sure to read the instructions for the appliance. They'll tell you where to add salt and dishwasher tablets. In dishwashers The Bosch salt granule tray is located at the bottom of the cooking chamber, under the lower basket.

A special funnel will help you pour salt into the compartment. It's usually not included with Bosch dishwashers and must be purchased separately. It's inexpensive, around $5–$7.

When salt is poured into the dishwasher for the first time, the compartment is first filled with water.

As the salt crystals are loaded, excess water will drain into the drain. Once finished, close the drawer and place the dish racks in the wash chamber. Afterward, you can run a test cycle.

There are many 3-in-1 dishwasher tablets available today that already contain salt. The capsules are housed in a separate compartment on the inside of the door. However, the salt crystals in these tablets won't be sufficient to soften extremely hard water, so experts recommend adding an additional salt container to the bottom of the dishwasher.

How much salt should I add?

This is another question that concerns Bosch dishwasher owners. Much will depend on the type of salt used. There are three possible options:

• regenerating salt for dishwashers (for example, Finish, Somat, Calgonit, etc.);
• tableted dishwasher salt;
• Extra cooking granules.

The package or box of regenerating salt indicates that you should fill the compartment to the top. The final volume will depend on the dishwasher model. Most dishwashers hold 700-900 grams of salt crystals.

Tableted salt is also placed in the compartment at the bottom of the cooking chamber. The container should be filled to the top. As for evaporated salt, a 1-kilogram packet is usually sufficient.

The dishwasher itself will tell you how often you need to refill the salt. Modern Bosch machines are equipped with a special indicator. When it lights up, it means the salt reservoir is empty and it's time to refill the compartment with salt crystals.

How often do you add salt to your dishwasher?

To soften hard water, Bosch dishwashers are equipped with an ion exchanger. It contains a resin containing negative chlorine ions. These particles attract metal impurities in tap water, softening it. Without this treatment, suspended solids would settle on the dishwasher's internal parts, forming limescale.

Salt is essential for replenishing negatively charged chloride ions. It restores the particles, ensuring the proper functioning of the ion exchanger. The harder the tap water, the greater the consumption of salt granules.

Every Bosch dishwasher allows you to adjust the salt consumption. To do this, you need to know your water hardness. There are two ways to find out:

• "by eye";
• using special strips.

You can only tell by eye whether your water is hard or not, without getting a precise reading. To do this, take some laundry soap and lather it. If it lathers with difficulty, it's highly hard.

It's best to use special test strips. When dipped in water, they change color according to the water hardness level. By comparing the color with a special scale, you can easily calculate the level. These indicators are inexpensive, starting at $4.50 for a full pack.

Water hardness will vary between summer and winter, so it is recommended to measure and recalibrate your dishwasher 2-3 times a year.

Information on how to adjust the water softener in a Bosch dishwasher is included in the machine's manual. The procedure will vary depending on the model. Once you've set the correct level and added salt, you can begin using the dishwasher.

The amount of salt you add to the compartment isn't particularly important. The main thing is that it's always there. You can fill the container to the brim once every six months, or add 150-200 grams of crystals every month.

   

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