How Much Salt To Add To Your Miele Dishwasher: The Definitive Guide For Pristine Dishes

Maintaining a well-functioning Miele dishwasher is crucial for achieving spotless dishes and prolonging the appliance’s lifespan. Among the essential maintenance tasks, adding the correct amount of salt is paramount. This guide will provide comprehensive insights into how much salt to add to your Miele dishwasher, ensuring optimal performance and appliance longevity.

Understanding the Role of Salt in Dishwashers

Salt plays a vital role in dishwashers by softening hard water. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ions, which can react with the detergent and form a film on dishes and glassware. This film can result in cloudy dishes, reduced cleaning performance, and even damage to the dishwasher’s components.

Determining the Optimal Salt Level

The optimal salt level in a Miele dishwasher varies depending on the water hardness in your area. To determine your water hardness, you can use a test strip or contact your local water utility.

• Soft water (0-5 dH): No salt required
• Moderately hard water (6-12 dH): Add salt regularly
• Hard water (13-18 dH): Use the maximum salt setting
• Very hard water (19+ dH): Consult a Miele technician

Adding Salt to Your Miele Dishwasher

1. Locate the salt reservoir: It is typically a small compartment at the bottom of the dishwasher, next to the detergent dispenser.
2. Open the salt reservoir: Twist or press the lid to open it.
3. Fill the reservoir with salt: Use dishwasher-specific salt crystals. Avoid using table salt or coarse salt, as they can contain impurities that can damage the dishwasher.
4. Fill to the marked level: Most Miele dishwashers have a “MAX” or “FILL” line indicating the maximum salt level.
5. Close the salt reservoir: Securely tighten the lid to prevent salt from spilling into the dishwasher.

How Often to Add Salt

The frequency of adding salt depends on the water hardness and usage patterns. As a general guideline:

• Soft water: No need to add salt
• Moderately hard water: Every 3-4 months
• Hard water: Every 1-2 months
• Very hard water: Every 2-4 weeks

Indicators of Insufficient Salt

If your Miele dishwasher is not receiving enough salt, you may notice the following indicators:

• Cloudy dishes
• Reduced cleaning performance
• Formation of limescale deposits on dishes or the dishwasher
• “Salt” or “Refill Salt” indicator light on the dishwasher panel

Using Dishwasher Rinse Aid

In addition to salt, using dishwasher rinse aid is recommended to enhance drying performance and prevent water spots. Rinse aid helps water sheet off dishes, reducing the formation of droplets that can cause streaks or spots.

Troubleshooting Salt-Related Issues

If you encounter any issues related to salt usage in your Miele dishwasher, try the following troubleshooting tips:

• Salt caked or hardened: Remove any hardened salt from the reservoir and refill it with fresh salt crystals.
• Dishwasher not detecting salt: Check if the salt reservoir lid is securely closed and the salt level is above the minimum mark.
• Excessive salt usage: Adjust the salt setting to a lower level if you notice salt buildup on dishes or in the dishwasher.

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q: Can I use table salt in my Miele dishwasher?
A: No, table salt contains impurities that can damage the dishwasher. Use only dishwasher-specific salt crystals.

Q: How do I know if my dishwasher needs salt?
A: Indicators of insufficient salt include cloudy dishes, reduced cleaning performance, and the “Salt” or “Refill Salt” indicator light.

Q: How often should I add rinse aid to my Miele dishwasher?
A: Rinse aid should be added regularly, typically every few months. Check the rinse aid dispenser and refill it when the indicator light turns on or the level is low.