Which water softening salt is best for your water softener?
Hard water has a clear impact on your home and appliances. Limescale buildup in pipes, higher energy consumption, increased soap usage, and appliances that break down more quickly: these are typical consequences of water with high hardness. A water softener is therefore a smart investment.
What is often underestimated is that the performance and lifespan of your water softener greatly depend on the softening salt you use. In this blog, we explain which softening salt is best to choose, what to look out for, and which forms and brands are suitable.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water that has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. These minerals deposit as scale on pipes, faucets, and heating elements. Over time, this can lead to:
- clogs in pipes
- poorly functioning devices
- higher energy consumption
- more use of cleaning products
Water hardness is expressed in French degrees (°f) or German degrees (°dH).
We refer to hard water from:
- 22 French degrees, or
- 12 degrees Celsius
You can inquire about the water hardness in your area from your water company.
How does a water softener work?
A water softener works through ion exchange. The device contains a resin column with resin beads that absorb calcium and magnesium ions from the water. Over time, this resin becomes saturated.
By rinsing the resin with a brine solution (salt + water), it is regenerated. This regeneration process can only proceed well when you use high-quality water softening salt.
Choosing Water softener salt : quality is more important than form
Water softening salt comes in different forms:
Many users believe that the shape is decisive for the consumption or performance of their water softener, but that is not correct.
👉 The shape of the salt has no effect on salt consumption.
Salt dissolves to the saturation point (± 360 g per liter of water), regardless of whether it is in the form of tablets, crystals, or blocks.
What should you pay attention to then?
- Purity of the salt (≥ 99.9% NaCl)
- No additives or salt substances
- Certification for drinking water (EN 973 Type A)
Quality salt provides:
- stable regeneration
- fewer disruptions
- longer lifespan of your water softener
Which water softener salt are suitable?
We offer a wide range of softening salt, so you always find a solution that fits your system and preferences.
🔹 Salt Tablets
Suitable for most standard water softeners:
- AXAL Pro Salt Tablets
- Salina Salt Tablets
- Marina Plus Salt Tablets
- Safir Salt Tablets
- Qsalt Salt Tablets
Salt tablets dissolve in a controlled manner and are easy to use.
🔹 Salt Crystals
For water softeners that work with crystal salt:
Salt crystals are often slightly more affordable and equally efficient at proper purity.
🔹 Salt Blocks
For specific installations:
Salt blocks dissolve very slowly and are mainly used in larger or specialized systems.
Go for the best price-quality ratio
Good water softening salt doesn't have to be the most expensive, but never compromise on quality. Salt with low purity or chemical residues can:
- to pollute the resin
- cause disruptions
- negatively affect water quality
A properly chosen water softening salt ensures efficient, low-maintenance, and sustainable water softening.
Extra tips for using water softening salt
- ❌ Do not mix different types of salt in the same salt shaker
- 📘 Always check which type of salt your manufacturer recommends
-
🔄 Clean the resin regularly with Clear Resin
→ this product removes iron, mineral, and organic residues
→ prevents bacterial growth
→ extends the lifespan of the resin column