Skip to content
Home Appliances
Log in / Register

What does dishwasher salt do?

Dishwasher salt helps to achieve better cleaning results by softening the water that enters the appliance. Hard water contains more lime and makes it more difficult for dishwasher detergent to dissolve, which can negatively impact the cleaning results. By using dishwasher salt, the white residue on glasses will be targeted and the applience's water softener system will be fuelled.

You can easily top up your dishwasher salt levels by pouring dishwasher salt into the designated compartment located at the base of the dishwasher. Once topped up, be sure to properly close the compartment before running a wash cycle. Please only use dishwasher salt in your softener unit.

Note: To avoid damage to the appliance, water with a hardness above 9 °E must be softened.

Dishwasher salt

How do you fill a dishwasher with salt?

If your dishwasher salt refill indicator lights up, add dishwasher salt to the dispenser at the base of the dishwasher by unscrewing the cap and carefully pouring the contents. If it’s your first time using your dishwasher, fill the reservoir to the top with water first. Before running your next cycle, ensure that the cap has been screwed back on.

The amount of dishwasher salt required depends on the water hardness level: the higher the water hardness, the greater the amount of dishwasher salt required. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend topping up the reservoir.

You can test your water's hardness level by using a water hardness test strip.They're easy to use and provide quick, reliable results. Find out more about water hardness here.

Warning: Do not use table salt, sea salt or kosher salt as a replacement as they can actually increase the water hardness and lead to appliance damage.

How to use rinse aid

Rinse aid is a surfectant product that improves both cleaning and drying results. We recommend using it as part of every cycle in order to get the most out of your dishwasher. Find out more below.

How to clean a dishwasher

Cleaning your dishwasher periodically can help improve the performance and prolong the lifetime of the appliance. Discover our easy-to-follow care guide to get started.

How to descale a dishwasher

Descaling the dishwasher is particularly important if you live in hard water area due to the buildup of limescale. To discover how to descale your appliance, follow the link below.

How to clean glass in the dishwasher

Cleaning delicate items such as a wine glass, or a glass tray in the dishwasher requires some special treatment. Our useful guide will take you through our top tips and tricks.

Contact Us

Do you need further help and support? Our customer service team will be able to provide the help you need.

Repair Service

Need to book a repair? Not a problem. We can arrange for an engineer to repair your appliance, both in and out of warranty.

User Manuals

If you need any help and support that is specific to your Bosch appliance model, your user manual is the best place to find this information.

Bosch Store

Search for original spare parts and buy tested and approved accessories and care products for your Bosch appliances in the Bosch store.