Best Water Softener Salt

September 3, 2024

After people ask “what is hard water?” and discover the havoc it can wreak on their skin and their pipes, they immediately seek a solution. Many people naturally turn to water softeners, which help remove excess chemicals from water to reduce its hardness. These softeners often use salt as a means of exchanging calcium carbonate for sodium chloride.

To make sure you’re getting the most out of your water softener, you want to use the best water softener salt available on the market. Leaf Home Water Solutions is committed to bringing you the best water treatment systems for your home, which also means we’re committed to ensuring you’re informed about ways to optimize your water. Today, we’ll take a look at the types of water softener salt available on the market, factors to consider when selecting a water softener salt, and more.

Types of Water Softener Salt

Selecting the best water softener salt for your home requires general knowledge when it comes to the type of water softener salt available on the market and the pros and cons of each type. It is crucial that, when choosing a water softener salt, you consult with the water softener manufacturer to ensure you are using a type that will aid in the softening process and not damage the softener itself.

Rock Salt

Rock salt is perhaps one of the most affordable options when it comes to water softener salts. It gets its name from its large, rock-like crystals. While it is a naturally occurring mineral, it must be mined, making it a less environmentally friendly option than some of the others on the market.

Another major con of rock salt is the fact that it is the least pure of the water softener salt options, which can create salt bridges, a hard crust that develops over the water in the brine tank. It may also lead to clogging.

Solar Salt

Solar salt, also known as solar sea salt, forms when sea salt evaporates. It is a pure, soluble solution and relatively affordable compared to other salts on the market. However, it does not easily dissolve in hard water due to its high number of imperfections. This means it’s best for homes that do not have serious hard water needs, where maintaining a high level of salt in the water is not quite as important.

Salt Pellets

Perhaps one of the best solutions for keeping your water softener working smoothly are salt pellets. Salt pellets are refined into pure sodium chloride, meaning the salt is absolutely pure. They dissolve easily and do not leave any residue behind. When it comes to ease and water softener maintenance, pellets are a great option.

Salt Crystals

Salt crystals are usually not the best option for water softeners. Formed by expelling salt, brine, and water to the wind, salt crystals are roughly 99.6 percent sodium chloride and prone to bridging in brine tanks. They may be viable in homes that use little water or homes equipped with two-part water softening systems.

Potassium Chloride

Some homeowners maintain one of the most common water softener misconceptions, which is that the sodium chloride used in water softeners poses health risks. However, other homeowners should avoid salt whenever possible due to health issues like high blood pressure. That is why some opt for an alternative water softener, potassium chloride. While it can condition water, it is not as effective a softener as sodium chloride, so if you have exceptionally hard water, you may need to look at other softening solutions.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Water Softener Salt

There are a few factors you will want to consider when choosing water softener salt. Of course, cost and maintenance are on the top of the list, and so most people will need to consider their home water usage. You will also, of course, need to discover your water hardness scale to determine the level of hard water you actually have. The purity of your water softener salt also plays an important role in water softening; the more pure the salt, the more soluble it will be.

Water Hardness and Usage

Water hardness level is perhaps one of the most important factors in determining which type of water softener salt to choose. The harder your water, the harder your water softener will have to work, so you will want to make sure you choose a salt that is not prone to creating clogs, salt bridges, or residue in your brine tank.

You will also want to consider the size of your household and monthly water usage. A family of four may use eighty pounds of water softener salt in two months, while larger households may need to use twice as much. In these situations, cost becomes more of a factor.

Purity

Purity equates to the number of insoluble materials–or materials other than salt–present in the water softener salt. You want to select water softener salt with higher levels of purity, as this often leads to less residue and buildup in the brine tank, and thus a more efficient water softener overall.

Salt pellets tend to be one of the most pure water softener solutions, since they are composed of pure sodium chloride.

Salt Type

Different salt types can suit different needs. For example, if cost is one of your biggest concerns and you have a smaller household, rock salt or solar salt may be a better choice for you. If efficiency and maintenance are your priority, you may elect to go with the more pure salt pellets. If you are worried about the sodium content of your drinking water, potassium chloride may be the best solution for you.

Price and Availability

Obviously, price and availability are a major consideration for most homeowners. You will want to scout out the water softener salt available at your local hardware or home improvement retailer, compare prices and household needs and priorities, and then make your decision from there.

Size and Type of Water Softener System

The type and size of water softener system you own will also determine the type of water softener salt that you use. Be sure to follow instructions set forth by the manufacturer of your water softener system to avoid major issues such as clogging, residue, and more.

Health Considerations

Some homeowners are relegated to a low sodium diet due to health concerns such as high blood pressure. In this case, salt-free water softeners or potassium chloride may be better solutions than water softener salt.

Environmental Impact

There are some types of salt that are more eco-friendly than others. For example, solar salt is the most environmentally friendly option for those more eco-conscious customers. Rock salt must be mined, which means it has more of an environmental impact than the other salts on the market.

Tips for Maintaining Water Softener Salt

When it comes to water softener maintenance tips, the top of the list is getting the right salt. This ensures less buildup and residue in the brine tank. Other maintenance tips include:

Checking salt levels regularly
Looking for and breaking up salt bridges
Cleaning and exercising the softener’s valves
Using a water softener cleaner
Getting into a water softener cleaning routine

Top Water Softener Salt Brands

There are plenty of water softener salt brands available on the market. We’ll explore some of the top brands below. However, prior to purchasing any water softener salt, it’s important to make sure you have the highest quality water softener system available.

Morton Salt

Morton ranks among one of the highest water softener salts on the market. At 99.6 percent purity, it doesn’t offer the pure sodium chloride that salt pellets do, but it’s fairly close. The salt need only be replaced once every two months, and it is available in an easy-to-use 40 pound container. Morton also sells salt pellets that offer pure sodium chloride, along with a potassium chloride water softener as well.

Diamond Crystal

Diamond Crystal, another household name, offers a consistent water softener salt that, like Morton, is around 99.6 percent sodium chloride. It has no added chemicals, and it can be put to double use, such as salting sidewalks or pickling certain vegetables and fruits. Some customers report issues with contaminants mixed into the salt.

Windsor Salt

Windsor Salt offers an array of water softening products. Those looking to be environmentally conscious can purchase from the Pure and Natural line, while others can go with the Clean and Protect salt pellets. They also offer a potassium chloride solution for those looking to reduce the sodium in their water..

Best Water Softener Salts for Specific Needs

When it comes to which water softener salt is best for you, the decision truly comes down to your needs and your values. Whether you’re looking for the best overall product, seeking to be eco-friendly, or attempting to reduce your sodium intake, there are plenty of factors to consider prior to deciding on a water softener salt.

Best Overall Water Softener Salt

Due to both efficiency and purity, salt pellets are likely the best overall water softener salt choice. Morton, Diamond Crystal, and Windsor all offer salt pellet choices for those seeking pure sodium chloride.

Best Water Softener Salt for High Efficiency

High efficiency and purity go hand-in-hand. When it comes to efficiency and purity, salt pellets are your best choice. Once again, each name brand offers a salt pellet product, with Morton being one of the most universally available on the market.

Best Budget-Friendly Water Softener Salt

If cost is your greatest concern, then rock salt is going to be your most budget-friendly option. However, most experts agree that it can create buildup and salt bridges in your water softener system. Only use rock salt if it is recommended by your water softener system expert.

Best Water Softener Salt for Iron Removal

Once again, purity is key here. Salt pellets are going to be your best bet when it comes to iron removal, specifically salt pellets buffered by some kind of rust or iron defense. Morton’s Clean and Protect Water Softener Plus Rust Defense is a product designed specifically to protect against rust stains and remove iron from clothing and other fabrics.

Best Eco-Friendly Water Softener Salt

If you’re looking to be eco-conscious and environmentally friendly, solar salt is definitely the route for you. Both Diamond Crystal and Morton offer pure and natural products, such as Diamond Crystal’s Sun Gems, that use solar salt to soften water. Solar salt crystals do not require mining and are more naturally occurring than salt pellets, which must be manufactured.

Best Water Softener Salt for Sensitive Skin

When it comes to water softener salt for sensitive skin, nearly every brand and salt type on the market are going to be your friend. Salt removes minerals in hard water that may cause irritation or that “soap scum” feeling on your skin. Any and all water softener salt is going to positively impact the health and appearance of your skin.

Why Leaf Home Water Solutions?

Choosing the best water softener salt for your water softener system is crucial to keeping your skin – and your plumbing system – happy and healthy. Whether you’re looking for a high purity and efficient solution such as salt pellets or a sodium-free solution such as potassium chloride, we know it’s crucial to have all of the information upfront. Looking for a solution to your hard water problems? At Leaf Home Water Solutions, we offer some of the most cutting-edge water softener systems on the market. Get a quote for your home today.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I check my water softener salt levels?

You should check your water softener salt levels every 4-6 weeks to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Regularly checking your water softener salt levels ensures your system continues to soften water effectively, preventing mineral buildup and maintaining appliance longevity.

Can I mix different types of water softener salts?

No, we suggest you do not mix different types of water softener salts. Mixing different types of water softener salts may lead to clogging or inefficiencies in your softening system, compromising its ability to remove minerals from water effectively.

Is potassium chloride better than sodium chloride?

Potassium chloride is sometimes preferred over sodium chloride for its environmental benefits and health considerations, especially for those on low-sodium diets.Potassium chloride can also be gentler on appliances and plumbing compared to sodium chloride, making it a preferred choice for those households concerned with minimizing maintenance and extending equipment lifespan.

How do I dispose of water softener salt bags?

To dispose of water softener salt bags, check with local waste management guidelines. Typically, you can discard empty bags with regular household trash or recycle them if they’re made of paper or plastic.

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