Which salt for your water softener? Complete guide for Belgium
What salt for your water softener?
Do you have a water softener and are you wondering which salt to use? Then you are definitely not alone. Many households and businesses are unsure about the different types of softening salt.
Choosing the right salt is important. It affects:
- The operation of your water softener
- The lifespan of your installation
- How much maintenance is needed
- The cost in the long term
On this page, we clearly explain:
- Which salt is suitable for water softeners
- What the difference is between tablets and crystals
- What to look out for when purchasing
- Which standard guarantees quality
- Which choice is best for your situation
Do you want to look at all the options first?
👉 Check out our main guide: Buying water softener salt in Belgium
Why does a water softener need salt?
A water softener removes lime from tap water through a process called ion exchange.
During this process, calcium and magnesium ions are replaced by sodium ions. As a result, the water becomes softer and there is less limescale buildup.
Over time, the resin in the water softener becomes saturated. Then the system needs to regenerate using salt.
Without enough salt:
- Is the water softener not working correctly
- Calcium buildup occurs again
- Do appliances consume more energy
- Pipes and appliances wear out faster
Which salt is suitable for a water softener?
Not all salt is suitable for water softeners. Always use special softening salt that is intended for the regeneration of ion exchangers.
The two most common types are:
- Salt tablets
- Salt crystals
Both can work, but the right type depends on your installation.
Salt tablets for water softeners
Salt tablets are compressed blocks of very pure sodium chloride. They are specially developed for water softeners.
👉 View: Water softening salt tablets 25kg
Benefits of salt tablets
✔ Uniform solution
✔ Less chance of bridge formation
✔ Less dust in the salt bin
✔ Ideal for modern water softeners
Therefore, tablets are often the most commonly used choice in Belgium.
Salt crystals for water softeners
Salt crystals are coarse grains that are poured loosely into the salt reservoir.
👉 More info: Water softening salt crystals
Benefits of crystals
✔ Often slightly cheaper per kilogram
✔ Suitable for some older installations
Disadvantages of crystals
⚠ Increased risk of aggregation
⚠ Less controlled solution
Pills or crystals: what do you choose?
The choice mainly depends on your water softener.
👉 Compare here: Tablets vs crystals
In most cases, these guidelines apply:
| Situation | Best choice |
| Modern water softener | tablets |
| Older installation | Crystals possible |
| Less maintenance desired | tablets |
| Focus on lowest price | Crystals |
Note the European standard EN 973 Type A
When choosing water softening salt, it is important that it meets the European standard EN 973 Type A.
This standard applies to sodium chloride used for water treatment and regeneration of ion exchangers.
Type A means that the salt:
- A very high purity has
- Suitable for water intended for human consumption
- Contains fewer impurities
By using salt that complies with EN 973 Type A, you prevent:
- pollution of the resin
- clogs
- extra maintenance
Therefore, this is an important quality indicator when purchasing.
How much salt does a water softener use?
The consumption depends on:
- Number of people in the household
- Water consumption
- Hardness of water
- Settings of the water softener
On average, a household consumes:
100 to 160 kg of salt per year
👉 More info: Consumption of water softening salt
What does salt cost for a water softener?
The price depends on:
- Type salt
- Number of bags
- Delivery
- Volume
Larger volumes are often cheaper per kilogram.
👉 Also check out: Water softener salt prices or Cheap water softening salt
When should you refill salt?
Regularly check the salt level in your water softener.
General guideline:
- Check the reservoir at least once a month
- Refill when the level drops below 1/3
Read also: When to refill water softener salt
Maintenance of the salt basin
To ensure your water softener works optimally:
- Regularly check the salt level
- Remove any salt bridges
- Clean the salt bin annually
👉 More tips: Water softener maintenance
What salt do companies use?
Companies often opt for solutions that are efficient at higher consumption.
Popular options are:
- pallet deliveries
- bulk salt
👉 More info:
Delivery of water softening salt in Belgium
Whether you are an individual or a business: timely delivery is important.
We supply water softening salt throughout Belgium.
👉 Meer info: Delivery of water softening salt Belgium
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, salt tablets are used. It doesn't matter whether you use salt crystals or salt tablets.
No. It depends on the quality of the salt. As long as the salt complies with EN 973 Type A, it doesn't matter.
This is the European quality standard for salt used in water treatment and regeneration of ion exchangers. Choose consciously only this type of salt when you need to make a choice for your water softener or water conditioner.
No. Table salt is much too fine, which causes it to accumulate in your water softener. Only use salt tablets or salt crystals in accordance with EN973 Type A.
