Best Salt for Water Softeners – Top 5 Reviewed 2021

Water softeners are essential for the reduction of hardness in the water you drink. This further allows you to use water for many purposes, some of which include drinking and cooking.

However, it might interest you to know that not all water softeners are salt-free. In finding the importance of salt for your softener and the varying benefits you’re bound to enjoy, we have curated an exceptional list of top quality salts that go a long way to reduce the hardness of your water.

Let’s take a look at all these fantastic products, in addition to two other products that will work their magic on your water softener; you need to read this.

Best Salt for Water Softeners 2021 – Best 5 Reviews

  1.   All-Around Salt for Water Softeners – Morton Clean and Protect II Water Softening Pellets Review

Our first water softener salt is an award-winning product that comes with all the required elements that make your water clean, soft, and usable. Meet the Morton Clean and Protect II Softening Pellet. This product is manufactured with a patented formula that removes all hard water minerals while simultaneously cleaning your softener.

If you often experience clogging in your appliances and pipes, you will need this product from Mortons. Their Clean & Protect pellets are the only water softening salt used in households around the world. It is recommended by many because of its ability to aid in excellent housekeeping and the maintenance of soft water in your home. We trust that the Morton II pellets will become a staple in your home, after a single-use.

Users worldwide praise this product immensely because it is a high-performance salt, that works within a short period. The short operation time ensures that you have water whenever you please, without the long wait.

Features of Morton Clean and Protect II Water Softening Pellets

1. Compatible with most water softeners
2. Evaporated sodium chloride pellets
3. Manufactured in the USA
4. Patented formula
5. Results in high-grade soft water.

If you’re looking for an easy to use water softening salt for all your household activities, look no further than Morton’s Clean & Protect. Consider this product for clean, soft, and healthy water free from build-up.

  2.   Best Anti-Iron Salt for Water Softeners – Morton Salt Morton F124700000g Clean & Protect/Rust Defense Water Softener Pellets Review

We take a look at another softener salt from the Morton camp. Give way for the Morton Clean and Protect/ Rust Defense, a water softening salt that is designed purposely for high iron water. High iron water is typically very tough to use for cooking and drinking, which is why we’re suggesting this terrific pellet.

The Morton water softening salt works faster and easier than other competing brands, removing up to 15 times more iron than regular table salt. This product comes with a unique bag feature which includes an ergonomic handle for easy carrying, and a lightweight frame for easy transportation.

Reviews online show that the Morton water softener pellet is ranked as the second-best in the entire world, with a competitive operating system that ensures that you avoid repair and constant maintenance of your water softener.

Features of Morton Salt Morton Rust Defense Pellets

1. Helps keep appliances free of rust stains
2. Helps prevent scale build-up in pipes
3. Improves the taste of water
4. Prevent rust stains in your kitchen
5. Size: 40 lbs.

There are very few options better than Morton Salt on the market today. This is the best way to improve the taste of your water, enjoy laundry, and make use of all appliances without fear of rust stains.

  3.   Best Anti-Rust Salt for Water Softeners –  Pro Products RO65N Rust Out Water Softener Cleaner And Iron Remover, 4.75 lb Review

You’ll have no regrets once you have experienced the wonder that is the Pro Products Rust Out Softener Cleaner. The Pro Products salt features an advanced formula that contains up to five different abrasive chemicals that go a long way to meet all your water treatment needs.

Altogether, this is an anti-rust salt used for all types of water. It removes all foul odors that come with hard water and also removes rust build-up and iron present in your water. At the end of the day, you get to use the water for all your household chores, office duties, and other tasks that require soft water.

This product is brought to you by a leading manufacturer and a trendsetter in the game. Since their inception in 1995, Pro Products LLC have been known to create products that provide high quality, reliable, and cost-effective solutions to meet all professional needs. They have won a myriad of awards for their different products, every award focusing on their ability to create safe, user-friendly, and affordable services to their customers.

Features of Pro Products RO65N Rust Out 

1. Advanced formula
2. For all household needs
3. Does not contain abrasive chemicals
4. Affordable for all
5. User-friendly salt

The Rust Out softener salt and its advanced formula remove all rust build-up, iron, cleaning all the toughest stains that can be found on exterior surfaces. Your water supply will now flourish and thrive with only the essential minerals.

  4.   Best Budget Salt for Water Softener – Morton Morton-40E Solar Salt Water Softening Crystals Review

Here’s another viable option from Morton – the Solar Salt Crystal salts. It may be the fourth product on our list, but it’s one of many in the Morton arsenal. The Morton crystals are made from purely organic substances that allow for natural laundry, housekeeping, and even bathing. Over the years, the brand has sought to create comfort in all homes through its top quality products.

Their Solar salt softener salt is in a crystallized form and comes in a 40 lbs bag, a considerable size for all houses. With such quantity, you can rest assured that you will have your water softening salt for an extended period. Using soft water acquired from the use of the Morton Solar salt improves the state of your skin and hair by reducing breakage and increasing your glow.

Our team of experts recommend this particular product for homes with small numbers or those with a single filtration system. From all reviews observed and studied, they’re confident in this salt’s performance and how perfect it is for your home.

Features of Morton Morton-40E Solar Salt Water Softening Crystals

1. 40 lbs bag
2. All-natural product
3. Easier chores
4. High-purity sodium chloride
5. Less rust build-up

Enjoy soft water that lathers quickly and can be used for every task you need to tackle; it doesn’t get any better than this, we guarantee you!.

  5.   Also Consider – Cargill Salt 7304 Water Softener Review

The final water softener salt in our arsenal is the Cargill Salt. It happens to be formulated with a clear intent to regenerate your water softener while making your water better. This salt is a crystalline sodium chloride mix that has a coarse screen with higher performance and acts as an ion-exchanger that is well suited for both commercial and household water softeners.

Day in and day out, we all search for the very best when it comes to water softening, which is why Cargill has come to our rescue. Existing reviews display that the Cargill softening salt crystal has an aggregate four-star review from users all around the world. They love that it is polybagged, weighs 40 lbs, and comes as crystals for easy application.

With this product from Cargill, you won’t experience any bridging, mushing, nor channelling. No doubt, it works like magic not only with water but also when it comes to meat and poultry processing.

Features of Cargill Salt 7304 Water Softener Salt

1. 40 lb. Crystals
2. Cargill solar water softener salt
3. Cleaner & more efficient than rock salt
4. No channelling, bridging or mushing
5. Polybagged

Cargill Salt is impressive as water softening salts come, and as such, you should consider it if you’re looking for an affordable, user-friendly, and highly effective product to use in your home.

Buyers’ Guide

What Is the Purpose of Salt in a Water Softener?

The salt in your water isn’t the main catalyst for the softening of your water. The main elements in your water responsible for the softening process are the resin elements included. These resin beads are negatively charged; thus, they possess potassium or sodium ions, depending on the salt being used. These negatively charged beads draw in the positively charged magnesium and calcium ions in your water, to result in soft water.

The softening process involves the removal of all hardness-causing minerals, which leads to the collection of potassium salt and soluble sodium by your water. The resin beads, after a certain amount of time, run out of potassium and sodium ions, and as such, will require regeneration. The regeneration process begins once you pour the salt into your softening tank. In a nutshell, salt is simply included here to regenerate the resin beads.

Things You Should Consider When Choosing the Best Salt for Water Softeners?

Don’t assume that if you own a water softener, you will automatically need to purchase some salt for its operation. A lot of people have made the mistake of investing in bags of salt for their water softeners, only to find out that the softener they’ve purchased is a salt-free model. In this market, there are countless models available to customers, making their ultimate choice very tough and time-consuming. The following paragraphs highlight some of the vital design elements that must be considered before you choose a water softening salt option for yourself. Some of these factors include the price, health, performance, environment, and the various types of salts.

Price

Budget is essential whenever you want to invest in a water softener. The cost of your softener salt is a crucial factor that many must take into consideration. Before you start your search, it is best to create and have a budget on the ground to help streamline your choices. Shopping in line with your budget ensures that you don’t overspend, and also narrows your choices and options. On the flip side, keeping tabs on your coin isn’t the ideal thing to do. Being cheap may cause you to pay more in terms of maintenance and other expenses in the future. At best, search for the models that offer you immense value for your money.

Performance

There is a range of salt for water softeners out there on the market, and each type has unique features, pros, and cons that meet your individual needs. The performance of the salt is altogether essential, especially when you own water softening systems. From research, the larger your water softener, the more salt performance will mean to you. It is for this reason that our editorial team recommends that you go for evaporated salt as it’s the purest form of salt. Evaporated salt prevents you from wasting money on ineffective salts altogether. Equally, evaporated salt is affordable and very easy to come across on the market.

Health

Here, it’s all about the health of the end-users. The health of every consumer here is essential because, as humans, we all react to salt in wide range ways. If you have kidney issues, you may want to stay away from the salt that contains sodium. If you fall into this category, the best alternative is potassium chloride because they’re milder and offer a reduced reaction. Potassium chloride, on its own, can affect your blood pressure drastically when consumed regularly. All in all, it is best to study every salt type and their different effects before choosing one to run with.

Environment

Potassium-based salts are the best option for anyone who considers themselves environmentally conscious. It’s important to note that sodium-based salt is as bad for the environment as soot is for your lungs. These sodium-rich substances leave sediments behind after being used this can, in turn, harm the environment. On the other hand, deposits from potassium-based salts come in high amounts too, but they don’t affect the environment in any way. These sediments are absorbed and used by plants to meet their nutritional requirements.

What are The Benefits of Adding Salt to a Water Softener?

Personal grooming

One of the most unpleasant things you can experience is bathing with hard water. When hard water comes in contact with soap, it results in the creation of curd. Also, the mixture doesn’t lather well, and this leaves your hair feeling unclean, and your body sticky. Using hard water further causes your hair to get brittle and ultimately challenging to manage. It is for this reason that soft water is recommended and considered significantly better than hard water.

Scale reduction

Using hard water with your appliances often leads to mineral build-up, which in turn causes irreversible damage. The mineral build-up can clog your air conditioners, dishwashers, water heaters, and even your washing machines. Just so you don’t end up purchasing new appliances or fixing old ones, we recommend that you use salt-based softeners.

Clothing

Using water softeners for your laundry makes the process easier and also reduces the amount of soap used to properly wash your clothes. Hard water, on the other hand, tends to impede the strength and effectiveness of your laundry and ultimately increases the wear and tear on fabrics. At the end of it all, it keeps your clothes looking bright and soft, with the use of salt-based water softeners.

Household cleaning

Another benefit of using a salt-based water softener is that it makes the water more suitable for use around the home. Cleaning up at home is a lot easier when there’s no hard water involved. So, your bathtubs, faucets, shower stalls, and sinks will undoubtedly benefit from the addition of soft water to the equation when cleaning them.

Salt Based Water Softener Vs. Salt-Free Water Softener – What’s the Difference?

Salt-based water softener

Salt-based water softeners feature an electronic metered valve. This is located on a fibreglass resin tank that meters water and then runs a cleaning cycle when the ion resin bed reaches its saturation point.

Salt- free water softeners

The next on the list is the salt-free softener which is also known as a water conditioner. With these systems, the form of all minerals is altered, such that they can’t adhere to surfaces. However, all minerals in the water are retained. With the salt-free water softeners, all minerals that cause water hardness are changed into crystals such that they can’t attach themselves to any surface.

Different Types of Salts for Water Softeners

Whether or not your water runs smoothly depends on the type of salt you use. With the different kinds of salt on the market, it’s no surprise that there are different performance levels, strengths, and weaknesses. When picking the best water softener for you, it is best to be aware of the different varieties. You should familiarize yourself with their formula, composition, advantages, and disadvantages. To help you find all these out, we have mentioned and discussed some types of water softener salts below. In this article, we look at sodium chloride, solar salt, rock salt, evaporated salt, as well as potassium chloride, among others.

Sodium Chloride

There are three significant ways sodium chloride is sold, namely the block salt, pellets, and crystal. Sodium chloride pellets. The salt pellets, especially are pricier than the potassium chloride pellets, and this makes sodium chloride the most commonly purchased salt in the market today. sodium chloride on its own comes with four different salt types;

Rock Salt

Rock salt is a commonly used salt in the water softening industry. This salt that is mined underground, with its form generated from hundreds of years of continuous rains. The rainfall causes the soil to erode, after which all salt deposits are accumulated underground. Rock salt is the rawest salt type among all the others. It is liked by some people and hated by others, who believe that it shouldn’t be used in water softeners. Those who dislike rock salt mention that, it’s not a healthy option for water composition because it contains some minerals that can render it counterproductive.

Science experiments have come out with the result that rock salt in itself is very safe for water softeners. What’s more, it is very affordable, with no evidence of harming water softeners. So, if you wish to use rock salt for your softener, you should prepare to invest in extra maintenance, since the excess minerals stay behind in your tank.

Solar Salt

The next salt we mention is solar salt, also referred to as sea salt. Solar salt occurs as a result of sea evaporation and is collected into a specific area for it to dry out with ease. During the drying process, salt crystals start to make an appearance, after which the crystals are harvested and shipped way for all kinds of uses. Solar salt is highly soluble and can get up to 99.5% pure. Despite such high percentages, solar salt costs less, and it is still less pure than evaporated salt. The solar salt used in water softeners is packaged as a pellet for easy dissolution, and it can be found pretty much anywhere.

Evaporated salt

Evaporated salt is the purest salt, out of all sodium-based water softener salts. To gain access to evaporated salt, you need to reduce the raw salt crystals into pure sodium chloride. The moisture that comes with the reduction is removed efficiently by special heaters.

Also evaporated salt can be used for several sources, due to its purity. It also comes in many forms but is usually sold in pellets for easy application. So, if you wish to have the salt type that costs less, remains pure for eternity, and comes with no sediments, evaporated salt is the best bet for your water softener.

Additionally, this salt pellet is the most expensive salt option under sodium chloride salts. With this salt pellet, there is a high purity rate, which in turn reduces the chances of bridging, mushing, and all kinds of build-up. The evaporated salt pellet has less water-insoluble matter present, unlike the other pellet types that we’re yet to discuss.

Potassium Chloride

The next type of salt is potassium chloride. This is a salt that can be used in place of any sodium chloride salt type. Depending on specific circumstances, this salt can do a great job of replacing sodium chloride in your water softener. If you wish to reduce the consumption of sodium in your home, you might want to consume potassium chloride.

Also, this salt has been adjudged the best development for use in water softeners. Also known as table salt, sodium chloride can harm your water softener when it builds up, and this can ultimately affect the quality and softness of your water.

Potassium chloride is also the best alternative for you if you believe that sodium chloride will harm your internal organs. A pellet of potassium chloride helps reduce the adverse effects of sodium on your blood pressure. Potassium chloride, when taken in higher doses, lowers your blood pressure. Also, as the salt is 99.5% sodium-free, this is the best option for those conditions that require sodium intake. The potassium chloride salt is generally more expensive when compared to sodium chloride and also very environmentally friendly.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is an excellent salt type for maintenance only. This isn’t a type of salt as per its composition, but it is the best option for water softener maintenance and water softening in general. Hydrogen peroxide is used in water for not just softening, but also for water disinfection and the removal of bacteria.

If you live in a very health-conscious home, then hydrogen peroxide will be the most suitable option for you, your water, and your water tank. Maintain your water softener with this salt type, to ensure that your container is always clean and hygienic.

Softener Crystals vs. Pellets

Every water system performs with a different salt type. The types of salt you make use of determines how well your water softening system will work. Since the process of adding salt to your water isn’t only about pouring a bunch of salt in your water softener, our editorial team focuses on water softener pellets and water softener crystals. Each one is suited for a specific model of water softener, and this will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Softener pellets

A water softener pellet is an ideal option for water systems that work with high amounts of water. The granules help in the reduction of bridging, and as such, they’re well suited for households with many members. Another instance when the softener pellet can be used is when you have an all-in-one tank system in your home.

The typical composition of softener pellets in elementary, with some particular types having high amounts of citric acid that aid in the protection of your building systems, appliances, and pipes from mineral build-up.

Softener crystals

The softener crystal is made through the process of solar evaporation. It is usually a 99% solar-produced sodium chloride crystal that is achieved via the exposure of brine, salt, and water mixture to the wind. After this exposure, moisture is removed from the mixture, leaving a bunch of coarse white crystals that dissolve with ease. Softener crystals are the best option for all homes that use a two-part water-softening system or those with a lower-than-average water consumption level.

These differences summarize that households can use the softener pellets if they have big families, while water softener crystals are high for homes that don’t use a lot of water.

Best Salt for Water Softeners – FAQs

How Can You Tell If Your Water Softener Needs Salt?

One major worry of water softener users is how often they have to add salt to their softeners. The best way to know if your water softener needs salt is to analyze the amount of water your home consumes daily as well as the hardness of your water. Salt should be poured in your water softener every other month, depending on the salt you’re using. The salt should be poured per the amount of water you use regularly and must be adjusted as the months go by. The best part about water softeners is that over time, they allow you to adjust the amount of salt in your machine.

How Do You Add Salt to a Water Softener?

Adding your salt to a water softener isn’t meant to be a gruelling process. After finding out about the types of salt and how often you need to make use of it, you need to be aware of the processes involved in adding salt to your softener system. There are some things you may need to pay attention to, even though the application process is very straightforward. Check the state of your tank before you open the lid of your container with your salt in hand. Also, check that tank thoroughly for all salt deposits, debris, and any other thing that will stand out. When everything is in excellent condition, you can now pour the salt into your tank until you reach the desired level.

How Long Does it Take for the Salt to Effectively Clean the Water?

Research shows that once the salt is added to water, it takes approximately ten seconds for your water to become clean. This is similar to the use of water filters, which is why we recommend them for all homes.

How often do you need to add salt to a water softener?

To determine how much salt you have to add, it is essential to keep in mind the type of water softener, brine tank, household water usage, and the water hardness level. All these factors come together to inform you about how often you will need to replenish the salt supply in your tank. Knowing how often your tank will need salt is essential to the process of water softening, and have been listed below:

Age of the water softener

The age of your water softener is affected by how much salt is used. A typical example is that; older water softeners tend to require more salt than newer models in the market. The earlier models require more salt because they’ve lost their high-efficiency levels with regular use. For these old models, they must be checked regularly to know if they need more salt or not. With the newer models, they’re more efficient, and as such, they will require fresh salt every eight weeks.

Inside of the tank

Check the insides of your tank, if you wish to determine the salt level within the container. Looking inside the tank can be done by lifting the cover of the brine and peering into your softener system. You will have to refill the tank until it is half full if the salt appears dry, and the brine tank is less than half full. If the salt appears wet, or if the water level is above the salt, consider filling the container about half full.

Bridging

Bridging is the process by which the salt received by water softeners is reduced. The method of inspecting the brine in your tank is strongly recommended and must be done every two to three months to prevent build-up from occurring. The build-up that happens in your water softener is called the salt bridge. If the salt level in the tank doesn’t go down after months of use, a salt bridge is likely to occur. Some ways to avoid bridging in your water is to keep your brine tank exactly half full of salt, keeping your softener in a low-humidity area and by using only high-quality salt.

What Happens if A Water Softener Runs Out of Salt?

If you can, never allow your water softener to run out of salt. This is because the water softening resin stays saturated when you forget to top up the salt levels. This saturation stops ion exchange in the machine, allowing all the hard water minerals to enter your appliances, pipes, and fixtures. As much as possible, check the salt levels of your water softener often and ensure the levels don’t go too low.

Are Salt-Free Water Softeners Better?

Salt-based water softeners are seen to be much better than salt-free water softeners or conditioners. The salt-based softeners usually outperform the salt-free machines concerning water softening. During the softening process, all minerals present in the water are retained, even though hardness crystals are created within your liquid.

Can I use food-grade salt in water softeners?

Even though it’s not recommended, you can use food-grade salt in your water softeners. Cooking or table salt is classified as sodium salt, and as such, it can regenerate the resin. It is composed of fine, smaller crystals which are famous for mushing. Cooking salt contains many impurities, most of which can cause major harm to your machine. The risk of using food-grade salt in your softener will depend on the kind of softener you’re using, but as much as possible, it is advised that you stick to using salt designed for water softener machines. Order your salt online, if you can’t find proper water softener salt in your area.

Can I mix several types of salts in my water softener?

Mixing the various types of salts shouldn’t cause any harm since they all serve the same purpose. All varying salts can be combined to work together, but potassium-based ones shouldn’t be mixed with sodium-based salts. Mixing the two often reduces the efficiency of resin beads reducing the purity and softness of your water. The best tip to mixing salts for your softener machine is to ensure that they all feature the same minerals in them.

Is softened water safe to drink?

Water safety is genuinely very essential for our wellbeing. Several people believe that the addition of foreign substances into your water can render the water dangerous for consumption. It is safe to say that softened water is the most reliable type of water to consume because it removes all the minerals that cause stains on sinks and bathtubs as well as rust within the plumbing.

How much salt is in sodium chloride water softener salt?

It is essential to know exactly how much sodium chloride salt is needed to soften your water. This is very vital for those who are suffering from renal and kidney issues. A typical example is seen here. For every gallon, there are roughly 8 grains of sodium chloride found in moderately hard water. Drinking two liters of this water will be equivalent to your consumption of sodium present in a slice of bread, which is approximately 125 mg.

Final Verdict

When we arrive home after a long day at work, or after walking or playing sports, the first thing we want is a refreshing glass of water. However, in many cities, the one that comes out of the tap has a strange taste, and often doesn’t come at the right temperature, especially in summer.

No doubt, storing a bottle in the refrigerator will solve the second problem, but not the first. Furthermore, drinking from plastic bottles is not always the best option for your health. This is why cold water coolers are a great option.

The Morton Clean and Protect II Water Softening Pellet, our top choice, not only comes with very high ratings but is also very easy to maintain and travel with. As such, you get to enjoy soft, cool, or warm no matter where you find yourself. They’re genuinely exceptional pellets that are ranked high among all competitors.