Hard water is a common issue in many homes, leading to scale buildup, dry skin, dull laundry, and inefficient appliances.
While installing a water softener is the best way to solve hard water problems, choosing the right salt for your water softener is just as important for keeping your system running efficiently.
In this guide, we’ll explain how water softeners work, the key water softener benefits for your home, and how to choose between salt tablets, granular salt, and salt blocks — so you can enjoy cleaner, softer water every day.
Approx. reading time: 4 minutes
Main image: Andres Siimon – unsplash.com
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water contains naturally occurring minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals enter your water supply as groundwater flows through rock and soil.
Although hard water is safe to drink, it can cause several household issues:
- Limescale buildup on taps, showers, and appliances
- Soap that doesn’t lather properly
- Dry skin and brittle hair
- Stiff, faded laundry
- Reduced efficiency of water heaters and dishwashers
- Blocked pipes over time
What Is a Water Softener?
A water softener is a system that removes calcium and magnesium from your water through a process called ion exchange. The system uses salt to regenerate the resin beads that capture hard minerals, allowing your softener to continue working effectively.
Without the right salt, your water softener can’t operate properly — which is why choosing a high-quality salt for your water softener is essential.
Water Softener Benefits for Your Home
A well maintained water softener delivers long term benefits throughout your household:
- Softer skin and healthier hair
- Cleaner dishes and glassware
- Brighter, softer laundry
- Reduced scale buildup on fixtures
- Longer lasting appliances
- Improved energy efficiency
- Lower maintenance and repair costs
These lasting water softener benefits make soft water one of the smartest home upgrades available.
Choosing the Right Salt for Your Water Softener
Not all water softener salt is the same. The type of salt you use affects performance, maintenance, and overall system efficiency. The three most common options are salt tablets, granular salt, and salt blocks.
Salt Tablets — The Most Popular Choice
Salt tablets are compressed pellets designed to dissolve slowly and evenly in your brine tank. This controlled dissolving helps prevent salt bridging and reduces residue buildup.
Why homeowners choose salt tablets:
- Slow, consistent dissolving
- Cleaner operation
- Reduced risk of blockages
- Easy handling and storage
- Suitable for most modern softeners
Granular Salt – Fast Dissolving and Versatile
Granular salt is made up of small salt crystals that dissolve quickly in water. It’s often preferred for older systems or manual regeneration units.
Why homeowners choose granular salt:
- Rapid dissolving
- Cost-effective
- Widely compatible
- Easy to top up
Salt Blocks – Compact and Long Lasting
Salt blocks are solid compressed bricks of salt designed for specific cabinet-style water softeners. They dissolve very slowly and require less frequent refilling.
Why homeowners choose salt blocks:
- Long lasting
- Clean and compact
- Minimal maintenance
- Ideal for space saving systems
Always check your softener’s manufacturer guidelines before using salt blocks, as not all models are compatible.
Final Thoughts
A water softener protects your home from hard water damage while improving everyday comfort. By using a reliable system and choosing the right salt for your water softener — whether that’s salt tablets, granular salt, or salt blocks — you’ll enjoy cleaner water, lower maintenance, and better performance for years to come.
For homeowners who want dependable quality, premium products like Turnbull Salt Tablets and Turnbull Granular Salt offer a trusted solution for keeping your water softener running at its best.
For added convenience, we offer free local delivery on all water softener salt orders within a 20-mile radius of our branches, with a typical lead time of 2–3 working days.
Order today and keep your water softener running smoothly with minimal effort.