Generic (6 Pack) - 40lb bags, Morton Clean and Protect Water Softener Salt Pellets

Why I tried these pellets

A water softener is only as good as the salt you feed it. After cycling through a few generics and solar crystals over the years, I moved to a six-bag bundle of Clean & Protect pellets to see if I could get more consistent softening, fewer tank issues, and less scale creeping back into fixtures and appliances. The promise is simple: 40-pound bags of pellets designed to minimize mineral buildup, improve efficiency, and make cleanup easier around the house. After months of use across two households (mine and a family member’s), here’s how they performed.

Delivery, packaging, and storage

It’s easy to forget that 6 bags equals 240 pounds of salt—plan accordingly. My shipment arrived tightly bundled, with no torn bags or damp spots. I could carry each 40-pounder by the corners without blowouts, and the plastic was thick enough to survive a short slide across concrete without scuffing through. If you’re storing them for a while, keep them off the floor on a pallet or shelf to avoid wicking moisture; pellets absorb humidity, and dry storage goes a long way toward preventing clumping.

A small usability note: the bags don’t have molded handles. If you’re pouring into a tall brine tank, a simple tip is to cut a V-notch in the top seam and support the bag with your forearm while you pour. Wear gloves—salt dust dries skin quickly.

Setup and ease of use

Pellets are straightforward to live with. Compared to solar crystals, these Clean & Protect pellets flowed evenly and didn’t shed a lot of fines. That matters because excessive fines can turn into “salt mush” at the bottom of your brine tank and restrict brine draw. I topped the tank to about halfway, which I’ve found to be the sweet spot: enough reserve for a couple of regenerations, but not so much that bridging becomes a risk.

Bridging can still happen in humid spaces. I had one minor bridge during a damp July week; a broom handle and a few gentle pokes broke it up. Keeping the salt level between one-third and one-half full minimizes this.

Water quality and day-to-day impact

Performance was the main reason I switched, and here the pellets delivered:

• Hardness reduction: On my 32,000-grain softener, incoming water at ~14–16 gpg consistently dropped to 0–1 gpg, measured with test strips after each regeneration. That’s on par with the best I’ve seen from premium pellets.
• Fewer spots and film: The dishwasher is a good real-world gauge. Glassware came out clearer, and stainless items lost that faint chalky haze. I still use a rinse aid for the best results, but the baseline is better with these pellets versus the solar crystals I used prior.
• Less scale creep: Shower heads, faucet aerators, and the electric kettle all stayed noticeably cleaner. Instead of scrubbing mineral crust every few weeks, a quick wipe kept things in check.
• Softer feel: Soap lathers faster and rinses cleaner. If you’re used to hard water, you’ll notice the difference within a day or two.

While I can’t claim the pellets “extended appliance life” in a provable way, the combination of stable hardness removal and reduced fine residue in the brine tank suggests the system is operating efficiently, which is the point.

Consumption and longevity

Salt use depends on your softener settings, household size, and water hardness. For reference:

• Household A: 3 people, ~15 gpg hardness, metered softener set to 8 lbs per regen, regenerating roughly every 6–7 days. Salt usage averaged about 1.1–1.3 bags per month.
• Household B: 5 people, same hardness, 10 lbs per regen, regenerating every 4–5 days. Salt usage was closer to 2 bags per month.

In both cases, six bags bought me several months of runway—hands-off convenience and fewer replenishment trips.

Maintenance notes and compatibility

• Works with standard ion-exchange softeners. These are traditional sodium chloride pellets; they’re not for salt-free conditioners.
• If you’re on a low-sodium regimen or have discharge restrictions, potassium chloride is an alternative—but you’ll need to bump your softener’s settings, as KCl regenerates less efficiently.
• Keep an eye on the brine well. I saw minimal sludge at the bottom of the tank after three months—less than I typically get with flaky solar crystals. Still, it’s smart to clean the tank every year or two, depending on your water and usage.
• Avoid overfilling. A brine tank heaped to the brim invites bridging. Keep it to the midline and refill when you can see water during a regen cycle.

Pellets vs. other salt types

• Pellets vs solar crystals: Pellets generally produce less mush, flow better, and reduce the risk of nozzle clogging in the venturi. That matched my experience here. Crystals can be cheaper, but maintenance goes up if fines accumulate.
• Pellets vs “rust remover” blends: If your water carries a lot of iron, a specialized pellet may help reduce resin fouling. My incoming iron is low; with these pellets, I didn’t need extra resin cleaner.

Cost and value

Performance and convenience are the strengths; price is the nuance. A 6-pack delivered to your door is hard to beat for ease, but it often carries a premium over buying individual 40-pound bags locally. If you have easy access to a big-box store and can handle loading and hauling, you’ll likely spend less per bag in person. If mobility, time, or transport is a concern, the delivered bundle is worth the upcharge, especially because the bags are intact and ready to pour.

I judge value by three things: consistent hardness reduction, low maintenance burden, and the time I don’t spend dealing with clogs or emergency runs for salt. On those metrics, these pellets rate well. If you do choose them, watch the per-bag cost at checkout; prices can swing.

What I liked

• Reliable softening with stable 0–1 gpg output after regen
• Low dust and minimal brine tank sludge compared to solar crystals
• Pellets pour smoothly; fewer bridging issues
• Bulk delivery cuts down on trips and heavy lifting
• Clear, noticeable improvement in dishwashing and bathroom cleanup

What could be better

• No bag handles; 40 pounds is awkward for some users
• Price can be higher than local store pickup
• Bridging can still occur in humid environments (keep the tank 1/3–1/2 full)

Who this is for

• Homeowners with traditional ion-exchange softeners who want predictable, low-maintenance performance
• Anyone who values bulk delivery or can’t easily transport heavy bags
• Households dealing with moderate to hard water where spotting, soap scum, and fixture scale are ongoing headaches

If you have severe iron issues, consider a pellet with iron-fighting additives or a dedicated prefilter. If you’re required or inclined to use potassium chloride, you’ll need a different product and a slight settings tweak.

The bottom line

The Clean & Protect pellets do the fundamentals right: they regenerate reliably, keep hardness under control, and reduce the everyday nuisances of hard water. Over several months, I saw less scale on fixtures, clearer glassware, and a brine tank that stayed cleaner than it does with crystals. They’re not the cheapest way to soften water, especially delivered, but they are a low-friction, high-consistency option.

Recommendation: I recommend these pellets for their dependable performance and convenience. If budget is your top priority and hauling 40-pound bags isn’t an issue, you can save by buying locally. If you value fewer store trips, cleaner operation, and steady softening, this six-bag bundle is a solid, practical choice.