Help with dishwasher

[Boto]

I have recently bought a dishwasher - never used one before and the instructions are useless! I know I live in a soft water area but how do I tell how soft ? If I use 3 in 1 tablets do I still have to use salt and rinse aid? I would be graeful for any advice. Many thanks.

[ummmm]

Always make sure the dishwasher has salt in it, regardless of water type.

I've never tried the 3 in 1 without rinse aid.

[alid5]

as ummmm says always put salt in, tablets now have rinse aid included worth having a look at different ones or try out to see which is best

[bednobs]

i never put salt or rinse aid in, just use the tabs

[Mosaic]

I live in a soft water area and have never used salt. No problems with machine or cleaning quality.

[ummmm]

I was told to always use salt by a repair man.

[anneasquith]

soft water area , never used salt no problems !

[alid5]

Why do you need salt in a dishwasher?
If the water is soft (i.e. does not contain calcium particles), the detergent will work more effectively and there will be less streaking on dishes. Hard water can also block the washer jets with lime scale and cause deposits on heating elements, which will reduce the cleaning efficiency, increase electricity costs and shorten the life of the machine. All dishwasher manufacturers and detergent suppliers want you to get the best results from the machine - and soft water is one of the most important factors in achieving this. The way to ensure water remains soft is to regularly top up the reservoir with granular salt.

[Jacko439]

If you need to find the hardness of the water being supplied in your area the best way to find out is to contact the company which supplies it.

[Prudie]

I always use salt, you can tell when it's run out because glass comes out cloudy.

[Boto]

Thanks everyone for your answers. I wish the instructions books for appliances were better! I need one for idiots!

[ummmm]

Salt is cheap...you may as well use it.

[AlBags]

Put salt in.
Use tabs or separates .. That's a choice people will argue about all day long.

[ethandron]

this seems to be a useful link. if what it says is true, the salt isn't used in the washing process so those tablets which have salt in them aren't doing anything. anyhow, see what you think:
http://www.dishwasher-care.org.uk/best.html

[Mosaic]

In 25 years and two dishwashers, I've never used salt and i don't get streakiness. We have water from Thirlmere in the Lakes, I think it's already dishwasher-ready when it arrives.

[gingejbee]

Your water supplier will inform you of the actual hardness. If your supply is very soft you will not need to use salt because the softening ion-exchange-resin is not being "used up" and will not need regenerating- which is what the salt granules do.

[chrissa1]

I agree with Mosaic. I've never used salt and never had any problems.

[gem_mother]

The supplier here in Cheshire (United Utilities) has a "water quality" section on their website. It tells you the hardness of the water, where it's from and many other things you'll never need to know! Presume all suppliers have something similar.