If you have a water softener in your home, you are well acquainted with the maintenance schedule. It is simple, and the bulk of maintenance involves topping off the salt in your tank. While this is quick and easy to do every month, the part that often leaves people scratching their heads is where you store all of the salt.

Salt for water softeners is crucial to the water softening process. The minerals that make your water hard are swapped for sodium ions, creating much softer (and more pleasant) water. As a result, you can enjoy soft water in your home, even if you live in an area with notoriously hard water. Your dishes will shine, your clothes will last longer, and your skin and hair will thrive.

People living in areas with extremely hard water know that a water filter and salt based water softener system are necessary because hard water that is left to its own devices can destroy plumbing and cause damage to your home.

Because of the crucial role salt plays in softening your water, it is best to understand which type of salt you should use in your system and how to keep your salt fresh and clean. The better the salt, the better your water softener system will work.

Types of Salt Used in Water Softeners

A handful of salts are available on the market for your water softener system. They differ primarily in how the salt is harvested and processed. Always consult with your water expert to make sure you are using the best option for your system.

Evaporated – Evaporated salt is made by boiling seawater until only the salt is left behind. It is excellent for water softeners because the boiling process will remove impurities that might occur in solar or rock salt. But it is typically also more expensive than other forms of salt.

Solar – Solar salt is made with seawater and processed using sunlight to evaporate the water. Once the water evaporates, salt crystals are left behind. Large salt crystals are broken down to become smaller pellets, creating a great solution for water softeners.

Rock – Rock Salt comes from salt mines. It is harvested in underground mines and processed down into small chunks for use in water softeners.

Storage Conditions That Affect Salt

The best salt can still cause problems if not stored well. The best place for your salt is in a cool, dry place and ideally stored in a plastic bin with a locking lid. The salt will be in contact with your household water, so keeping it away from contaminants should be a top priority. A handful of variables should factor into your salt storage solution.

Humidity – Salt will absorb moisture from the air, which will cause it to clump in humid conditions. When it is time to use the salt, it can be difficult to break apart the clumps, which can result in wasted salt or damage to your water softener system. For this reason, it is best to store it in a cool, dry environment.

Light – Exposing salt to direct sunlight leaves it vulnerable to reactions caused by heat. It can also make the plastic packaging deteriorate. For these reasons, it should stay out of direct sunlight.

Temperature – Extreme temperatures can compromise the integrity of the salt you use in your water softener, so it is best to ensure it doesn’t become exposed to excessive heat or cold. A general rule of thumb is to keep it between 40-100 degrees Fahrenheit, but somewhere in the middle of that spectrum is best.

Pests – There is nothing quite as annoying as a pest problem. They can create a big problem when it comes to your salt supply. If you end up with an infestation of bugs in your salt or rodents accessing it, it will compromise the integrity of the salt, making it unusable.

Other Considerations

In addition to keeping your salt safe, there are other considerations you should keep in mind when storing bags of salt.

Salt is Corrosive. Salt can be corrosive if it comes into contact with certain materials. You should not store salt on metal surfaces or on top of your water softener system because the salt can cause corrosion or rust.

Salt Can be Dangerous to Pets. Ensure that your pets cannot get into your salt supply. Consuming salt can be detrimental to the health of animals.

The Best Solution for Salt Storage

Storing salt comes with many considerations. In addition, you need space in your home to store your backstock of salt. Many homes do not have adequate storage space for a stockpile of salt. The good news is that many water companies offer a perfect solution.

A salt delivery service is the perfect solution for many homeowners. They will show up at your home with the ideal salt for your system and top off your tank. People with water softeners love this service because they don’t need to store or lift bags of salt to fill the tank. As an additional perk, you have a water system expert who comes to your home and can advise you about any upcoming maintenance your system might need. Having wonderfully soft water in your home has never been so easy.