While mastering complex household appliances in the kitchen, housewives must simultaneously study information about making the right choice and using the necessary means. When using a dishwasher (DMM) at home, it is important to choose the right not only detergents, but also special salt.
At the same time, it is not necessary to purchase expensive concentrates, since there are now many high-quality budget brands available in stores that allow you to get excellent results. To help housewives - a detailed review of brands, alternatives, recommendations for use.
Why is salt needed in PMM?
To wash a batch of dishes, you need to load the following auxiliary products into the unit:
- for cleaning and washing;
- for rinsing.
The third required component is dishwasher salt, which does not clean, wash, or rinse, but without it the household unit will not be able to function normally.
It's all about the water, or rather, the hardness indicators. When heated, the calcium and magnesium ions present in the liquid settle on the internal elements of the machine. A hard limescale deposit forms, preventing heating and leading to equipment breakdown. The higher the water hardness, the shorter the life of the dishwasher without the use of special products.
Can a compact countertop dishwasher clean as cleanly as a full-size dishwasher?
The size of the machine does not affect the quality of washing: we already said above that it depends mainly on the location of the dishes. However, the size of the machine affects the comfort of its use.
A small tabletop model is suitable for a person who lives alone, or for a couple - but no more. If a family consists of 3-4 people, then you will need at least a narrow car with a width of 45 cm and a standard height of 85 cm. And if you have a large family of 5 or more people, then you definitely need a standard car with a width of 60 cm.
In fact, a dishwasher is the kind of thing where “the more the merrier.” So, if possible, then for a small family you can safely take a model with a width of 60 cm. Because in narrow models you often have to run two sinks a day, especially after guests, and this shortens the life of the appliance.
A full-size machine will allow you to wash the entire volume of dishes at one time, including pans and pots. Also, the more spacious the machine, the easier it is to wash large items: for example, oven trays, filters from hoods, glass from the oven (if allowed by the oven manufacturer).
Composition and principle of action
Tap water negatively affects the heating elements of complex household appliances. Due to limescale deposits, heating elements operate at the limit and fail very quickly.
To prevent such situations, special ion exchangers filled with resin are built into dishwashers. The operating principle is based on molecular interaction: the attraction of negative particles to positive ones, which helps soften the water.
But the number of sodium ions in the resin is not unlimited; for the normal functioning of the ion exchanger, the resource must be replenished. That's why salt is added - crystalline powder, produced in the form of granular mass or pressed tablets.
It contains sodium chloride, the same one that housewives use in the kitchen. But dishwasher salt has regenerating properties and has a different chemical composition, that is, it is free of foreign impurities. This is done in order to eliminate the risk of scale formation and ensure the best result.
Attention! Do not use regular table or sea salt for the unit!
The quality of granules or powder is influenced by the characteristics of the deposit and the degree of purification. If there are foreign impurities in the composition, the machine will fail faster. A quality product contains at least 99.7% NaCl.
Nuances
Before adding table salt, you should read the information on the product packaging. Ordinary table salt cannot be a substitute, since its content of iodides, carbonates and fluorides is over 0.5%. And the level of purification of acceptable salt must be 99.9%.
Sea salt with iodine present in it cannot be used. In this case, the presence of additional components only worsens the situation with scale. You can only use NaCl, which has been cleared of impurities by boiling. Only then will it be safe for the car.
You should not use other household chemicals. In them, the sodium salt is present in small quantities and always has many additional components. If the “Extra” option is selected as a replacement, then it is not advisable to pour it into the ion exchanger. It is necessary to fill in a water-salt solution (1:1). This helps prevent a compressed lump from appearing inside. If it occurs, the water will not soften and enter the ion filter.
Release forms
Dishwasher salt comes in granular and tablet forms. Housewives usually determine in practice what is more suitable for a particular car model.
Pills
Miniature salt briquettes (brands “VkusVill”, Oppo) are easy to use and store. The powder compressed in them does not need dosage; it is enough to put the product in a special compartment.
Unlike powder or granular mixtures, tablets do not crumble, but not every brand of dishwasher has the ability to use tablets.
Precautionary measures
Precautionary measures will help extend the service life, prevent unwanted breakdowns and ensure safe use. There are few of them and they are relevant for dishwashers of any brand and model.
Do not touch the dishwasher with wet hands, or use adapters and extension cords when plugging it in. It is better to keep children away from the operating device and control panel. Avoid getting foreign objects into the cleaning compartment. And also do not neglect regularly cleaning the filters, bin walls, and door joints from food residues and grease.
The recommendations listed are suitable for any car. But each model has its own technical nuances and operating features. Therefore, before idling and the first start under load, carefully read the instructions that come with the kit.
How much and where to pour
Before starting operation, you must carefully study the instructions for the unit, understand the structure of household appliances, and the detergents recommended for use.
The machine has a special compartment for adding salt. Most models are equipped with compartments for loading granular mass; modern machines also have containers for storing the drug in tablets. In addition, the panel has an indicator that operates in various modes and notifies you of the presence of salt in the ion exchanger.
Attention! The product must be added before turning on the machine, and not while the equipment is operating.
What to do when loading the drug into the tank for the first time (step by step instructions):
- unscrew the lid;
- pour water into the container (the amount depends on the volume of the compartment, usually 0.5-1 l);
- pour salt;
- screw the lid on.
When adding granules, some of the water from the container is poured out. There is no need to be scared, this is a normal situation. Then load the dishes and turn on the machine.
The weight of salt when adding is determined according to the instructions. Usually, during the first load, 0.5-1 kg is poured, but there may be a different amount (depending on the technical characteristics of the machine). It is undesirable to exceed the volume, as the granules may stick together into a lump.
The tablets are also placed in a special compartment; no water is required. The nuances of the operation of each brand are described in detail in the instructions for household appliances.
Which detergent is best for the dishwasher?
Nowadays you can find a variety of detergents in stores: from the simplest loose powder to ultra-modern multi-component gel capsules. Of course, tablets or gel capsules, thanks to various additives, deal with stains quickly and effectively, but the cost of such products is much higher.
The powder detergent will also cope well with stains and will show excellent washing results if you follow the rules for placing dishes in the machine and selecting the appropriate settings for the supply of rinse aid and salt to soften the water hardness.
By the way, cars are tested for washing quality using powder detergents. This information once again confirms the fact that powders do their job perfectly, and additives in tablets and gel products enhance the quality of washing thanks to the latest developments in the chemical industry.
Why is the indicator on?
For convenience, the machines are equipped with a sensor that detects the presence of salt in the compartment. The indicators are different, it depends on the model and brand:
- sprocket (for PMM Asko);
- curved arrows (Siemens, Bosh, Hansa and others);
- light bulb (Indesit);
- letter S (Hotpoint Ariston).
The indicator operates in three modes:
- no combustion (sufficient amount of salt in the unit);
- flashing (small product remaining in the compartment, needs to be refilled);
- constant burning (no salt).
If the sensor lights up, it means it’s time to top up the granules or add tablets to the compartment. You cannot operate the machine with the indicator constantly on; the unit will soon fail.
If during the check it turns out that there are enough granules, but the indicator is still on, restart the machine or manually clean the compartment. The unit is disconnected from the network, the compartment is opened, and the contents are removed. After this, pour water and add the product. The equipment is restarted.
What to buy?
In stores selling household chemicals, there is a large selection of salts for PMM: cheap, expensive, and from the middle price range. What are their differences, and which should you prefer? Let's go over the most popular brands.
Finish
Products from a domestic manufacturer. It ranks among the market leaders. Sold in one and a half kilogram packs for 200-300 rubles. This package will last for about three months. If we translate into the number of washes, then 1.5 kg is enough for 25-30 cycles. Its properties:
- softens water, prevents scale formation;
- promotes the formation of foam - there are no unsightly smudges left on the plates after washing;
- improves the quality of dishwashing.
Magic Power
A budget product with excellent properties. It costs half as much as “Finish” - about 150 rubles, but it works no worse. The crystals are large in size, due to which the drug is used sparingly. The harder the water, the higher the consumption. Under the same brand you can find washing tablets that contain salt granules. If your machine can use a three-in-one product, then this tablet product will do.
Sodasan
From ordinary purified salt. There is nothing superfluous in it, no additives. For environmental friendliness you have to pay for the quality of washing - it is lower than when using other products. Sold in packs of 2 kg. The cost is about 500 rubles. The pack is used for about a year - consumption depends on the hardness of the water.
Often, products with marks indicating environmental friendliness are unreasonably expensive. The “eco” and “bio” signs are nothing more than an advertising ploy.
Yplon
Rare product. Sold in a pack weighing 4 kg, and costs only 500 rubles. Good softener. Prevents the formation of smudges.
Topper
Available in tablet form. Contains NaCl crystals. 1.5 kg of tablets are sold for 450 rubles.
What to replace
When purchasing a dishwasher for your kitchen, you should be prepared to spend on special detergents. The cost of many of them is quite high, so it is understandable that housewives are trying to find an alternative to them.
The following must be taken into account:
- It is not necessary to buy products from advertised expensive brands. Today, the range of salt compositions for PMM is so diverse that everyone can choose budget, but at the same time high-quality products.
- If the salt in the compartment has run out (the sensor is on), and there is no supply at home, you can start the machine 1-2 times without salt. But no more, otherwise the heating element will burn out due to scale deposits.
It is permissible to use regular table salt, but only boiled salt and the “Extra” brand. Coarsely ground products with the addition of iodine and other impurities are not suitable. An option just in case, but it’s better not to take risks (especially with very hard water) and try to quickly buy a special product.
Is it possible to open the door to add dishes while the cycle is already running?
It is possible, but there are several features.
- Firstly, you need to be careful not to open the door right away, as this can lead to burns and splashing water. You need to open it slightly, wait until the spray arms stop rotating, and only then open the door completely to add dishes.
- Secondly, it is worth understanding that if you are trying to add an item in the middle of the process, then there is no point in talking about any high-quality washing. Adding only at the beginning of the cycle will be effective.
The AddDish function has been developed for the Candy Brava series dishwashers. This is an indicator that notifies you whether it is possible to add dishes at the current moment - or whether there is no point anymore, since the item will not have time to be cleaned. While the indicator is on on the control panel, you can safely add dishes and be confident in the high quality of the wash. In models controlled via the simply-Fi app, this information can also be seen in the app itself.
Finally, I would like to draw attention to the installation of the dishwasher, as it often raises questions among consumers. But first, let’s clarify that machines can be free-standing and built-in.
Rating of the best brands
The composition of different brands differs slightly, since the basis of any product is NaCl. The degree of purification of the water softener and the absence of impurities (iron, carbonic acid, etc.) are important.
Finish line
The products of the German brand rightfully occupy top positions in the tops. Buyers value the product for its effectiveness and versatility. Manufacturers of dishwashers have also had their say: Bosch, Electrolux, Indesit, who recommend Finish salt for operating the equipment.
Why is a test run necessary?
The need to turn on the dishwasher for the first time in test mode is due to several important factors:
- The first idle start allows you to check the proper operation of the equipment, correct connections, and the tightness of all components and communications. Such a preliminary check of the operation of the PMM will identify manufacturing defects, installation errors, and the serviceability of the communications system. If necessary, all problems and malfunctions are eliminated on the spot;
- cleaning the internal components of the system. Household appliances are assembled in production and delivered to points of sale, where they can gather dust in a warehouse or sit on the sales floor. Now imagine how much dirt, dust, production fluids and sediment has accumulated inside the unit during this time. Even before installation in the owner’s apartment, the body and internal parts of the machine were touched by many hands. The first test run of a Bosch dishwasher or other popular brands allows you to clean the internal elements of the equipment and prepare it for subsequent use;
- training in working with equipment at home. Even if this is not the first time a family has purchased such an appliance, you will still have to get used to using a new dishwasher. Any equipment requires competent handling, so the test mode will allow owners to understand the modes, study the elements of the control panel and understand the principle of programming the operation of the PMM.
Attention! To start the dishwasher for the first time, the dish compartment must be empty!
