How to Add Salt to a Water Softener

Adding salt to a water softener takes just a couple of minutes: check the level, top it up with the right salt for your machine, and make sure the salt is not sitting in a hard crust above the water. Keeping the tank topped up is what allows your softener to keep producing soft water, so it is well worth getting into the habit. Here is exactly how to do it, how much you need, and which salt to use.

As a rule of thumb, keep the brine tank between a third and half full. You do not need to fill it to the brim, and overfilling can actually encourage the salt to clump. Topping up little and often is better than letting it run empty and then loading it right up.

1. Check the level. Lift the lid and look inside. If the salt is below the halfway mark, it is time to top up.
2. Break up any crust first. If the surface has set into a hard layer with a gap underneath, gently break it up before adding more, so the new salt does not sit on top of the problem.
3. Add your salt. Pour in tablet or granular salt, or slot in the blocks if your machine uses block salt, until you reach roughly half full.
4. Check the water level. Most tanks hold a little water at the bottom, which is normal. Follow your manufacturer's guidance if you are unsure.
5. Close the lid. That is it. Your softener will draw on the salt as it regenerates.

It depends on your water hardness, the size of your unit and how much water your household uses, so there is no single answer. For many homes it works out at somewhere between every few weeks and once a month. The simplest approach is a quick monthly check: glance in the tank, and top up whenever it drops below halfway.

Always use salt made specifically for water softeners, and match it to your machine. There are three common types in the UK:

• Tablet salt: compressed salt tablets that suit most standard softeners. The most popular all round choice.
• Block salt: solid blocks that slot into machines designed to take them, such as many compact units.
• Granular salt: loose crystals used in certain models and some commercial systems.

Avoid dishwasher salt, table salt or rock salt, as these are not designed for softeners and can cause problems. If you are not sure which is best, check your softener's manual, then find the right match in our water softener salt range.

Topping up is quick, but only if you have salt to hand. Keep a spare bag in the cupboard so your softener never misses a beat, and enjoy soft, limescale free water all year round. Stock up on water softener salt today.