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The Best Salt For Water Softeners – Top Reviews & Buying Guide To Prevent Mineral Build-Up

There are a lot of water softening salt types available, which makes choosing one confusing at first. Some are much cheaper than others, but they will leave a messy build-up in your brine tank.

As with most products, it’s better to spend a bit more on softeners and to choose quality over price alone.

A good quality softener salt will save you time and money in the long run so it’s wiser to choose the best one for you from the start.

In our review, we are first going to look at the different types of softener salts and what they can do for you. Then we’ll give you our selection of the best water softening salts you should consider.

Best Water Softener Salt Comparison Table

Top 4 Salt Pellets & Crystals

Let’s take a look at the 4 Best Water Softening Salts…

1. MORTON SALT Clean & Protect Pellets

Our Verdict: Editor’s Choice

The patented Clean & Protect Pellets from Morton is the improved version of regular evaporated salt and is endorsed by many reputed brands of softeners.

They are the best water softener pellets from Morton and will keep your water softeners running longer and cleaner by eliminating most of the buildup. They also eliminate more iron and are phosphate-free.

In the long run, you will reduce the amount of salt needed, which reduces the overall cost and makes cleaning your tank easier.

It’s NSF certified, is well-packaged, and also comes in 40 lbs. bags.

2. Solar Naturals Water Softening Salt

Our Verdict: Lasts Longer

Solar Naturals Salt Crystals by Diamond Crystal has a purity of 99.6%. The salt crystals have been evaporated by the sun and the wind, so they are naturally white and opaque.

They have a fairly low insoluble content for softener salt crystals and will minimize your tank residue and bridging.

Solar Naturals Salt Crystals have been certified by the NSF. One bag can last up to 3 months and is suitable for water that is not too hard, or a small to medium household.

3. Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter Pellets Bag

Our Verdict: Most Soluble

Iron Fighter Evaporated Salt Pellets from Diamond Crystal has been specially designed for water with a high iron content. A good indication of a high iron content in your water is rust stains on laundry, fixtures, sinks, and tubs. This is a common problem in cities and private wells.

Iron Fighter salt pellets are more expensive, but are well worth the price to help fight rust on your appliances and fixtures. They contain an FDA approved additive. Your water will smell better and your skin will become softer.

They are virtually 100% water soluble and will leave your tank clean and free of bridging for much longer. These salt pellets are suitable for most types of softeners. Their patented two-handled bag makes it easier to carry.

4. Cargill Salt 40# Potassium Chloride Pellets 7376

Our Verdict: Best for Low-Sodium Diet

The Potassium Chloride Pellets from Cargill are the best alternative to softener sodium pellets. If you need a low-sodium diet, this is a must for you. The potassium chloride pellets have a purity level of 99.1%, which means that they have a low insoluble content. The buildup in your tank will be minimized and your health preserved. These are suitable for all kind of water softeners.

How to Choose The Right Salt Type

First of all, there are two different kinds of water softener salt; sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

Sodium chloride is what’s used for table salt. For your water softener, you need to buy salt specifically designed for water softeners. Regular table salt will not do.

Potassium chloride is 99.9% sodium-free and is ideal if you require a low-sodium diet. It’s more expensive and difficult to find.

To know the quality of the salt, look at its purity level. Salt always contains some impurities and trace minerals.

These impurities will create a mushy build up in your tank that needs to be cleaned up regularly. They can also create a salt bridge when salt creates a hard crust over the water, which means your softener will not regenerate properly.

The Three Water Softening Salt Types:

Rock Salt

Rock salt a naturally occurring mineral obtained from underground salt deposits by mining methods. Its purity level varies from 98% to 99% with a water insoluble level of 0.5 to 1.5%.

It is not recommended for your water softener. The insoluble particles will create a buildup in the tank which will have to be cleaned several times a year.

Solar Salt

Solar salt is a natural product created by evaporation of seawater or inland brine. It has a purity level of 99.5% or higher and a water insoluble level less than 0.03%.

It usually comes in the form of crystals but can also be in the form of pellets or blocks. If you have a big household or very hard water, this will not be your best choice. This type of salt is more likely to create a buildup or a salt bridge.

Evaporated Salt Pellets – What You Really Want

Evaporated salt is manufactured by dissolving underground deposits to brine and evaporating the moisture. It has a purity level between 99.6% to 99.99% along with a water insoluble level of less than 0.01%.

It comes in the form of pellets and has the overall highest quality. When faced with a choice of solar salt vs pellets, you will want to go with salt pellets.

Diamond Crystal vs Morton – Which Brand is Better?

As with any type of product, there are usually a few brands that stand out among the rest. I won’t persuade you about whether Diamond Crystal or Morton has the better water softener salt.

Just know that one brand is a better choice for most households. Which one is it, you ask? With what you’ve read above, I’m sure you’ll come up with your best judgment. :)

To Conclude

To recap what we have seen in our certified water softening salt reviews, the best salt is one with a high purity level and a low insoluble content level. Solar salt and evaporated salt are both suitable if your water is not too hard. If your water is very hard, we would recommend using evaporated softener salt, which contains less insoluble content. Finally, if your water has a high iron content, we would urge you to use the Iron Fighter, which will save you a lot of maintenance on your appliances in the long run.

And ultimately, remember that you usually get what you pay for. What you save on your softener salt, you will pay in maintenance later on. Make sure to keep your best water softener in great working shape with the right accessories.

Grab only the REAL DEAL using our links, and stay away from knock-off products!