why does my dishwasher instruction book advise against connecting it to a domestic softened water supply?

Answer 1

It would appear that the majority of people here do not know how either a water softener or a dishwasher actually works.

Firstly a dishwasher already has a water softener built in which is why you have to add salt to a small container in the unit.

This salt is used to provide a brine solution in order to flush out another container that contains a resin which converts calcium carbonate (chalk) into magnesium carbonate which does not cause scale to form.

The brine solution merely flushes the resin and exits to drain during the regeneration process.

A domestic softener works in exactly the same way, and normally salt from the brine tank will not enter the service water, so there is no possibility of salt clogging your jets.

A softener will reduce water pressure slightly, but if you have a washing machine that is working ok then you will have no problem with the dishwasher working properly ( its only the filling valve that has to work).

Most dishwashers will usually recommend that you turn the softener setting to its minimum and not add salt to the dishwasher reservoir.

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Oh and 'PittCaleb' water softening is carried out by 'Ion exchange' not reverse osmosis ( or crossflow filtration) which is used to removed the amount of 'Total Disolved Solids' to make pure drinking water.

Answer 2

I have used a dishwasher in a soft water area with no problems. The dishwasher has its own water softener, thats, you add salt to the dishwasher to 'regenerate' the built-in softener, if using softened water as your supply, then there is no need to add salt. From an "Economy" point of view, i'd feed the dishwasher with your main (hard) water supply, in which case it will use hard water for washing, then soften its own for rinsing. Will use less soft water that way

Answer 3

The salt in a water softening system will not clog your jets!

Soft water, over time, will etch your glasses and fine silver whereas hard water will not. All dishwashers should run fine on either. Hard water will over time cause both clogging and staining, whereas soft will only ever etch.

If you have 'soft' water, use slightly less detergent (most new dishwashers have multiple fill levels for just this purpose) and use a soap that specifically states "reduces etching." We use one that says just that and is specifically highly rated against etching by Consumers Reports.

Note many communities soften their water, albeit by reverse osmosis, before distribution, so soft water by itself will not damage your appliances.

Answer 4

I have no idea! My own dishwasher is connected to domestic softened water and has been for a couple of years with NO problem.....

Answer 5

The water pressue is differant on a softener, then on hardwater. Also, there are chemicals in softeners, that can deteriorate specific parts in mechanical devises.

It depends on your water softener too, some use chemicals, and other filters that can cause damage to your dishwasher. but are harmless to people.

Also, all the measurements of 'soap' is based on hard water, Soft water, will create more soaps, and suds, which will force you to use another rinse cycle, which isn't as proficient than hard water...

Answer 6

Because using soft water makes it harder to rinse the soap. Seems like the only place I have been with a water softener it took forever to get the shampoo out of my hair if I ever got it all out during that trip. Nobody warned me that a normal amount would be way way too much with the soft water. Possibly (and i can't be certain) that it may make the detergent lather too much.

Answer 7

never build your outhouse- or put your septic tank above your water supply. > Put giardia filters on your water system. Have your water system checked by the state. or a lab. that is qualified to check for mercury or other contaminates. I live in Alaska and get my water from rain gutters off the roof. I have water filtration systems also. If I had any cause to think there was a prob. I would use "Clorox". NOT THE NEW KIND- The real thing. in my water tank. I used to get my water out of a stream by the house. I used some Hallogen tablets or boild it. Rain water tastes better. and you have no turbitity. Stay well!!!

Answer 8

May it causes a pressure drop which will make your dishwasher doing a poor job washing the dishes. The water softner goes through a filtering process which could slow the throughput of water.

Answer 9

Softened water won't clean the dishes well. One time I took a shower with softened water at christian camp. It took forever just to wash the soap off.

Answer 10

because the salt block in ur softener will clog the lines in the dishwasher.