Dishwasher salt dispenser.

I use the all singing all dancing dishwasher tablets but the lights still come on for salt and rinse aid.

I have only just got my first dishwasher but started putting Rinse Aid in DD's last year because I read that it dries everything better - the difference was remarkable, they had never bothered with it and were really surprised. Now I have noticed it actually says on the box that it helps with drying.

For those of you who didn't know about adding salt, it is special salt for dishwashers, not table salt. Supermarkets sell it with the other dishwasher products. The manual usually indicates the setting for the salt dispenser, it varies according to the water hardness in your particular area. Or it can be turned off if you have soft water. The all in one tablets are supposed to dispense with the need for separate salt and rinse aid.

Don’t people know what dishwasher salt is?

I put the salt into a plastic jug and use that to pour the salt into the funnel. Much easier.

Bah - wrote out a reply and forgot to post it!

Anyway I've just looked at the instruction manual for my machine which I've had 2 years and discovered it has lights and a water softness table - who knew!! Now been on the water companies website and discovered we live in a hard water area (never knew that either - only been here 32 years ) Better learn how to set the machine's table.

Thanks GN - you learn something new every day.

I add salt - to soften the water - and rinse aid and use the 3-in-1 tablets. I’ve always done it and have had various dishwashers - from expensive to cheap - and the results have been the same - sometimes the cups don’t come clean ? I often wonder why..... I do find the salt dispenser a little difficult to get to and even though the funnel helps I still manage to get salt everywhere! After adding the salt I always put the machine on the quick rinse cycle to get rid of the excess salt in the bottom of the machine.

I use the 3 in 1 tablets here, I checked on the water board site for softness of water and we're OK here. Lost the instructions now so wouldn't know how to put salt in now.
However on holiday in a hard water area, I noticed that the glassware became progressively more cloudy.

I've tried putting the sparkle finish liquid in, but no matter what I do it just runs out of the opening. My son in law had no difficult doing this but I still can't do it.

I'm amazed at this salt thing, I've never heard of it! My Bosch doesn't have a place for salt, just the powder and rinse aid holders. I use an eco powder and white vinegar for rinse aid.

We live in a a hard water area and I use salt and rinse aid, though since we've had a water softener fitted I've noticed we use both less frequently.
I agree though that the salt dispenser on the floor of the machine is a b*** to get to and fill! Especially as your joints get less flexible!!

On the floor of the Bosch dishwasher, to the left of the filter you should see a largish grey knob.
That is the salt dispenser.

Looks like this

I hardly ever put salt in my dishwasher. This area has soft water. I would add that the dishwasher is 38 years old!!!!

Added I wondered who used the dispenser not needed anymore I get perfect results 100% of the time

I have a Bosch 15 years old don't use salt or rinse aid did when I first got it until the 3 in one came out. Put a cleaner through it every so often. Last week she broke down ( luckily I have insurance) he arrived and fixed it, a blocked pipe taking the dirty water away! "That's all" he said "after 15 years that's not bad" I was very pleased to have the old girl back but if couldn't have fixed her I would have got a new one ?

What’s a dishwasher?!

I do agree with you Maw. TBH, I don't really know why I bother putting salt in mine because our water is very soft. But the light comes on telling me salt is needed, so I just do as I'm told
The thing I have the most trouble with is the filter on the washing machine. The access is not only right at the bottom of the machine, but it is angled inwards towards the floor, and is virtually impossible for someone with arthritic knees and hands to get to, never mind open. Also, when I do manage to get the cover off, because it is flush with the floor, any residual water just pours over the floor because there is, quite literally, no space to put a vessel underneath to catch it

Must agree, why do manufacturers put things in inaccessible places.
Last week found me lying flat on my stomach, moving varifocals up on my face so I could see to read details on freezer label placed behind bottom basket, all to enable me to register guarantee.

MawBroon
1) Don't use the salt dispenser.
2) Use paper plates and your fingers.
3) Don't eat.
4) Employ a cleaner.

I already employ a cleaner.
As for the rest, what tosh.

muddynails

A better idea would have been to take a photo with your phone then you could enlarge it to note the details. You needn't lie down to do it.

Bathsheba I wedge an old towel folded over under the machine (there is just enough clearance) and put a very shallow baking tray as close as I can. I twist the filter cover with a pair of pliers, as my grip, especially when, like you I am nearly flat on the floor, is rubbish and that works for me.
I then remove the inevitable colour cacher or two, twist it in, mop up the mess ? and feel very pleased with myself

I'm still using Finish powder, rinse aid and salt! On the shorter wash, which cleans everything beautifully, the tablets weren't dissolving properly. Can anyone tell me if the salt container is supposed to be full of water?

Your all so right, getting on your hands and knees with a dodgy knee is the first challenge, then twisting to find the dispenser with a spinal issue is challenge 2 finally, removing the screw lid with arthritic hands is the final straw! My daughter in Australia and in fact it’s not recommended never use salt?

Just a tip I find useful when I find things hard to unscrew. Get someone to take off the top and then rub a little petroleum jelly or Vaseline around the rim before screwing the lid back on. It works every time for me. Worth a try anyway.