Water Softener Salt

Water softener salt keeps your softener efficient by regenerating the resin that captures hardness minerals. The result is scale reduction, longer appliance life, better soap performance, softer laundry, and spot-free fixtures. Explore pellets, crystals, solar, and high-purity evaporated salt, plus potassium chloride for a sodium alternative.

Pellets are compressed for steady brining and fewer salt bridges, ideal for most homes. Solar crystals dissolve quickly and suit systems designed for crystal media. Evaporated pellets offer the highest purity (often 99.8%), minimizing residue and maintaining optimal flow. Potassium chloride works like sodium chloride but adds no sodium to your water and is friendly to plants; increase your softener’s dosage by about 10% to match performance.

Choosing the right salt starts with a hardness and iron test. For very hard water (over 15 gpg), use high-purity evaporated pellets. If you have iron staining, select iron-fighting salt with resin cleaners to prevent fouling. For municipal water with moderate hardness, pellets or solar crystals both perform well; check your manufacturer’s recommendations.

Practical tips improve reliability and reduce service calls:
- Keep the brine tank between one-third and two-thirds full; avoid overfilling.
- Maintain the salt level a few inches above the water line.
- Break up crusty bridges with a broom handle if the softener stops using salt.
- Clean the brine tank annually and rinse out sediment.
- Store bags in a dry area to prevent clumping.

Look for NSF/ANSI 60 certifications, low-insoluble content, and tear-resistant bags with easy-pour spouts. Standard 40 lb bags fit most homeowners’ needs; larger jobs may justify bulk delivery. Compatible with demand-initiated regeneration systems from leading brands, quality water softener salt helps cut limescale, protect plumbing, and lower energy costs by keeping water heaters free of mineral buildup. Enjoy softer skin, brighter fabrics, and cleaner fixtures every day too.