10 Best Water Softener Salt Products Rated And Reviewed For 2022
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Wondering what’s the best water softener salt for your home?
Have you been observing scaling on your bathroom tiles or brownish deposits on the faucets or showerheads?
Maybe that glass kitchenware of yours is getting dark water stains even after washing.
And if your clothes seem to fade in color, there is constant itching & irritation.
Why forget lumps of hair flowing down the drain even after using expensive hair products, chances are you are struggling with dangerous “hard water” problems.
It doesn’t pose so much of a health problem in the short term but is a nuisance to your plumbing fixtures, piping & even that coffee machine or dishwasher.
Contents
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR FAVORITE PICKS…
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Morton Morton-40D System Water Softener, 50 lbs, White | $38.75 | View on Amazon | |
 | Morton Morton-40E Solar Salt Water Softening Crystals (40 lbs.), White, 638 Ounce | $25.78 | View on Amazon |
Last update on 2023-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10 Best Water Softener Salt Products Reviewed
We bring to you some of the best water softener salts of 2021 – rated & reviewed – take your pick and annihilate that hard-monster water in your house.
1. Morton Salt 1501 Clean Protect System Water Softener, 50 lbs, White
Morton Salts, the well-known leader in table salt and water softener salt, has brought out this new product.
It is an upgrade from the Morton System Saver II.
An undeniably exclusive product that has been patented and given a 4-star rating surely does match up to its features on paper.
This product is excellent for those who search for a general-purpose water softener – whether it’s cleaning, bathing, or even cooking.
On using it, found that laundry was softer, glasses looked more sparkly & skin felt smoother.
It helps to improve the taste of water.
This product was also found to be qualified for oral ingestion.
However, I wouldn’t go up to the extent of advising this to anyone.
With a durable package of 50 lbs & within the most genuine price range, it’s one of the best water softener salt on the market.
Pros & Benefits:
- Comes in durable & handy packaging
- Reliable & patented
- Safe to use
- Extends life of water-based appliances such as dishwasher, coffee machine, etc
- Capacity to last for over a month
- Recommended by companies such as Whirlpool, Northstar & Ecopure
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This is yet another fantastic product from Morton, which is high in demand.
It also has a patented magic formula with the promise to wipe away your water quality worries.
It’s the top pick for house owners who don’t want to trouble themselves with the fuss of carefully opening the packaging & keeping it safely stored.
That’s because of the unique house holding seal, which prevents the pellets from crystallizing.
It is also useful to improve the efficiency of water heaters & helps prevent mineral buildup in pipes & appliances.
You can depend on it to let you finish your chores in a jiffy.
Also, the effect has on your hair, and skin quality is impressive.
There are tested evidence about it.
Especially when top-notch companies recommend the product, you can surely place your bet on it.
Pros & Benefits:
- Durable packaging, open tab & hard handle making it easy to use
- Extends life of appliances
- Natural softener for laundry items
- Tackles high iron content
3. Morton Morton-40E Solar Salt Water Softening Crystals (40 lbs.)
If you are looking for natural high purity salt crystals that leave no additive behind when mixed with water, then this is the product you must have.
Its natural makeup can be used in salty water, whether it’s a pond or aquarium or even your overhead tank.
This also comes in an easy to use 40lbs packaging with cover & seal, which makes it very convenient to use.
The benefits of Morton water softener salt crystals can be continuously seen if you add between two and four new bags to your tank every month, depending on the number of people in your household.
Oh, and to top it all, you may even get free shipping from Amazon.
So, if you are looking for organically made salt crystals, I suppose this is the best product that you can grab.
Pros & Benefits:
- Made from all-natural, high purity salt crystals
- Helps to soften water to avoid dryness to skin and hair
- Virtually spot-free glassware making cleaning a breeze
- Drastic improvement in water quality
4. Cargill Salt 7304 Water Softener Salt, 40 Pounds
This is one of the highest-rated salts which is formed of white crystalline sodium chloride.
The coarsely screened Cargill water softener is the way to go if you are looking for water softeners which can be used in both household & for commercial purposes.
It was primarily intended for use in regenerating water softener ion-exchange to be effective in water softening units.
This product can also be used in poultry & meat processing, curing olives & pickles in its brine form.
Cargill water softener is claimed to have been highly effective in snow removal.
Packaged in durable polyethylene bags of 40lbs, these are supremely adjusted for moisture protection.
The product also guarantees no channeling, bridging, or mushing.
It’s undoubtedly a best-selling product for you to try and experience by dictating the market by its dominance on purity ratings.
Pros & Benefits:
- Polybagged & protected from moisture
- Cleaner & more efficient than rock salt
- Can be used for curing pickles & olives
- High on purity ratings
5. Diamond 40lb K-Life Potassium Chloride D.Crystal
If you are a person who keeps a strict watch on your sodium intake because of your high blood pressure level or wants to keep your kidney healthy or for any other reason.
This is the water softener that I would strictly recommend for your consumption.
And even if you aren’t watching over, you’re the proportion of your salt intake.
Experts suggest that once in a while, using potassium-rich salt softeners has improved health.
Made with up to 99.1% pure potassium chloride (KCL) it’s a healthy low sodium alternative to the traditional water softeners in the market.
No doubt, it may weigh a little heavy on your pocket, but these KCL crystals will keep your salt levels in check.
Moreover, the low insolubility keeps the water softening unit running smoothly for a long.
Like some other water softeners, its formula is also patented & apart from boosting your water quality, it also increases the longevity of your appliances & sanitary fittings.
So, if you are searching for a pure salt which can make your water consumption safe & healthy, then this is the product to grab.
Pros & Benefits:
- Low sodium alternative
- Polybagged with 50% recyclable material
- NSF certified
- Low insolubility makes appliances working for long
6. Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter Pellets Bag 40 Lb
This is a strong competitor to the big bad boys of the water softening industry.
Some of the best minds came together to make this unique formula that softens water and is also highly effective in removing rust.
So what you get when your laundry comes out of that washing machine is clean, shining, stain-free clothes.
With FDA approved rust removal additives in the product, these 99.6% pure water softener pellets help prevent rust stains on fixtures, tubs, or sinks.
This particular product not only softens your water but also prevents rusting of equipment.
It also minimizes mushing, bridging, and rust buildup in your water softener brine tank, thus helping to keep your water softener running smoothly.
Naturally, the life-longing capacity of this salt makes it an attractive choice for customers and at an affordable price.
If you live in an area where there is high iron content, then I bet this is your sure shot solution to having clean water.
Pros & Benefits:
- Highly effective rust remover
- Polybagged with 50% recyclable material
- NSF certified and FDA approved
- Extends life of appliances & fixtures immensely
7. 4.4 LB Dishwasher Salt/Water Softener Salt
This is a product specifically made to take care of the kitchen utensils, glassware & even your dishwasher.
They have carved it out, keeping every health concern in mind – a 100% pure, food-grade & completely vegan salt with absolutely no caking compound or other additives.
It’s even free of iodine, which has been sometimes found to be corrosive.
The coarse granules of salt are just what the dishwasher requires.
It has compatibility with all Miele, Bosch & Whirlpool models.
All you need to do is add salt to the dishwasher’s salt unit to the necessary levels & ta-da you have it – glistening kitchenware.
Its efficiency & price range is a bargain in the market.
So, if all you need are scale-free, watermark-free & spot-free kitchenware, this is going to be your best friend in the days to come.
If you require a solution to your kitchenware problems, then without overthinking, you should get it.
Pros & Benefits:
- Universally compatible water softener
- Free of additives & vegan
- Highly effective – cuts right through hard residue
- 100% pure very coarse grain – perfect for dishwashers
8. Nature's Own Water Softener Potassium Solution, 40LB
This is another Potassium based water softener widely available in the market & highly demanded.
The 40Lbs potassium water softener cubes soften water without adding salt & are guaranteed to work in all water softener models.
So, if you want to reduce your sodium intake level, this is an excellent alternative with great value.
Potassium-rich salts are also touted to be healthier than sodium-rich salts to maintain fluid levels inside of our body cells.
Besides, being equally effective in softening water, it also keeps the environment healthy.
Since this product is manufactured in China, the salt percentages are slightly different from the home-based salts.
I suggest you give it a shot to experience their effectiveness by yourself.
Another key advantage of this product is its durable packaging, which makes it easy to use and store.
Pros & Benefits:
- Naturally made potassium-rich softener
- Highly durable & easy to use
- Compatible to be used in all water softener models
9. API Aquarium Salt, Promotes Fish Health and Disease Recovery in Freshwater Aquariums
This is a salt made particularly for freshwater aquariums.
The 65-ounce box is your enchanting solution to all the miseries of aquarium & fish discoloration, decreased longevity of fishes & their difficulty in respiration.
It provides the essential electrolytes that your fishes need to reach peak color & vitality, which is made naturally from evaporating water.
You probably don’t know that while changing the water in the aquarium, a lot of the necessary electrolytes get lost; hence, with passing days, you can see a fading color in the fishes.
This organically made salt improves fish health and gill function, making them easier to breathe.
All you need to do is add this salt while changing water or while setting up a new freshwater aquarium and see the magic unfold before your eyes.
If you are a passionate freshwater aquarist who wants to have a blossoming water habitat in your home, then this must-have.
Do keep a check on plants in the aquarium, these are found to be sensitive to the salt.
So, to be sure, you may check more details about the salt, whether it is compatible with all your plants or consult an expert.
Pros & Benefits:
- Naturally made salt safe for fishes
- Maintains essential electrolytes
- Prevents discoloration of fishes & extends the life
- Aids the fishes in breathing
10. CATION-50-BOX HI-Capacity Water Softening Resin
Now, I am going to be throwing some hardcore science here.
Hang on till the end cause if you just read it through, I promise you will get it.
This is a cation resin made from conventional gel polystyrene designed for ion exchange to result in water softening.
Woah!
Now, what does that mean?
Well, but it is a raw free ion, which will mix with the already present free ions in the hard water.
It can be used for both residential & commercial purposes.
The sodium cation removes the free mineral ions such as calcium and magnesium, thus eliminating the hardness of your water.
The standard mesh cation exchange resin is one of the most economical water softening products.
If you are going a little tight on budget, you may give it a shot.
Its effectiveness is no less than a traditional sodium salt water softener.
If you stay in an area where the water is excessively hard, this is your best bet.
After the cation resins get exhausted, there is regeneration by adding concentrated sodium or potassium chloride solution.
Pros & Benefits:
- Highly economical water softening solution
- Regeneration of resin beads after saturation
- Works for both residential & commercial purposes
Some Extra Info
As much as hard water sounds like an oxymoron, an overwhelming 85% of the USA has hard water issues.
The best way to check if your water is hard or not is to see if there is a film of residue or a foamy lather while washing your hands with soap.
The latter suggests soft water.
Scientifically speaking, hard water is said to be the one in which there are excess mineral ions like calcium, magnesium, etc.
So, is hard water too bad?
How will you know how hard your water is?
And can you keep on using it?
Well, to begin with, scientifically proven in some cases, it is even advised that people are going low on minerals to drinking hard water.
So, no, it’s not disease-causing, but if the concentration of minerals increases and you throw in some free iron ions, arsenic, or organic compounds, it may sure be a threat to your health in the long run.
Water hardness is generally measured in grains per gallon.
Anything above121 mg/L is said to be hard water.
To confirm the degree of hardness of water, you may purchase a water test kit or contact the local authority to come and test it for your home.
Depending on the results, you may decide whether to use a water softening system.
Some Things You May Do To Maintain Your Water Softening System
Maintain Salt Level
This is very important as failing to check hard water regularly may result in you getting hard water.
So, the thumb rule is to check the salt levels in the tank every 4-6 weeks.
However, this frequency may change depending on the water consumption of your home.
Clean The Brine Tank
This is the place where your user manual would come in handy because every system needs a different frequency of cleaning.
Although the present-day brine tanks don’t necessarily need regular cleaning, it depends on the model.
I suggest that you should do a cleanup before trouble arises.
Removing The Salt Bridges
You may observe that your water softening system develops salt bridges after some time.
This is caused either due to using deficient quality salts or high temperature & humidity.
These bridges clog the resin beds and hence disable the water softener to work correctly.
To keep it working smoothly, ensure that the decks are cleaned properly to avoid any damage to the softener walls.
Clean The Resin Beds
The resin beds are filled with salts but cleaning them once in a while, maintains their efficiency.
Due to the presence of iron and heavy metals, these resins sometimes do not function properly.
Hence, you may want to flush them with clean water for better results.
Using The Right Salt
I cannot emphasize this point enough that the salt that you put into your softener determines its longevity.
Read the manual to understand whether cubes or crystals or pellets would be best suited for your system.
Also, follow the right way to insert the salt.
And obviously, know the intent of water softening your home or industry.
Each use requires a different kind of water softener salt.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know all about the best water softener salt in the market, the best way to decide which one to go for is to understand your intended personal use.
The factors that are most important for you will determine the kind of salt you purchase.
Also, you must know the water consumption of your household.
And don’t forget to check the compatibility of your water softening system.
If everything clicks, only then is it going to pay off in the long run.
Although it’s not proven yet if they ultimately outweigh the benefits of sodium-based salts, if you are sure about cutting down your sodium intake, then you might go for potassium salts.
And yes, there are systems other than water softening salts to remove your hard water problems, but well, each of those techniques has their positives & negatives.
