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Dishwasher salt dispenser.

(74 Posts)
MawBroon Sat 06-Oct-18 08:10:49

????
I have always found it hard to get at and open the salt dispenser on the floor of the machine.
Now with tendinitis in my right shoulder it is absolutely impossible. My neighbour’s husband is going to pop round later but I can’t go depending on the kindness of others all the time.
What a stupid device, stupid place to put it and stupid system (bayonet type twist)
If those of you who virtuously do it all by hand ? could resist implying what a lazy slattern I must be to use a dishwasher, I would be grateful for helpful ideas.

grannybuy Sun 07-Oct-18 12:09:22

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?

MawBroon Sun 07-Oct-18 11:57:14

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 myselfgrin

GabriellaG Sun 07-Oct-18 11:54:22

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.

MawBroon Sun 07-Oct-18 11:53:21

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

GabriellaG Sun 07-Oct-18 11:51:39

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

muddynails Sun 07-Oct-18 11:45:58

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.

Bathsheba Sun 07-Oct-18 11:42:22

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 blush
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 angry

Blackcat3 Sun 07-Oct-18 11:41:19

What’s a dishwasher?!

sweetcakes Sun 07-Oct-18 11:37:48

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 ?

Jillsewing Sun 07-Oct-18 11:26:08

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

mabon1 Sun 07-Oct-18 11:10:48

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

MawBroon Sun 07-Oct-18 11:06:25

Looks like this

MawBroon Sun 07-Oct-18 11:03:23

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.

GrannyHaggis Sun 07-Oct-18 10:59:27

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!!

farmgran Sun 07-Oct-18 10:49:05

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.

hereshoping Sun 07-Oct-18 10:44:54

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.

Gizmogranny Sun 07-Oct-18 10:35:10

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.

Willow500 Sun 07-Oct-18 06:31:04

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 grin ) Better learn how to set the machine's table.

Thanks GN - you learn something new every day.

Coolgran65 Sun 07-Oct-18 02:10:48

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

MawBroon Sat 06-Oct-18 21:23:46

Don’t people know what dishwasher salt is? confused

SpringyChicken Sat 06-Oct-18 20:53:48

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.

Beau Sat 06-Oct-18 20:27:49

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.

harrigran Sat 06-Oct-18 20:03:53

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

kittylester Sat 06-Oct-18 14:46:52

midgey, I knew it was the wrong word but couldn't quite find the right one - oh dear!! grin

I just came back to say that we have really hard water too and don't find that the missing salt has any effect.

tanith Sat 06-Oct-18 14:17:26

3 in 1 tabs for me too everything comes out sparkling.