What is the difference between the types of water softener salt I see in the store?
Three types of salt are generally encountered in the retail store: rock salt, solar salt (crystals) and evaporated salt (pellets). Rock salt is a naturally occurring mineral which is obtained from underground salt deposits by traditional mining methods. It exhibits a variable chemical purity, running from 98% to 99% sodium chloride. It has a water insolubles level of about 0.5% to 1.5%, the chief component of which is an impurity called calcium sulfate. Solar salt is a natural product obtained through the evaporation of seawater or inland brine sources. It has a sodium chloride content of 99.5% or higher, and a water insolubles level of less than 0.03%. It is most commonly sold in a crystal form, but also may be sold in the form of compressed pellets or blocks. Evaporated salt is manufactured by solution mining underground bedded salt deposits of dissolving salt to form a brine and then evaporating the moisture using energy in the form of natural gas or coal. Evaporated salt (in the fo
Two types of salt are generally encountered in the retail stores: evaporated salt (pellets) and solar salt (crystals). Evaporated salt is manufactured by solution mining of underground bedded salt deposits. The dissolved salt forms a brine, from which moisture is evaporated using energy in the form of natural gas or coal. Evaporated salt (in the form of compacted pellets, sheeted salt – called cubes, or blocks) has a sodium chloride content ranging from 99.6% to 99.99%. Water insoluble matter generally is less than 0.01%. In general, this type of premium salt is most recommended for water softeners, because its high purity minimizes the need for cleaning out the brine tank and contributes to better softener efficiency. Solar salt is a natural product obtained through the evaporation of seawater or inland brine sources. It has a sodium chloride content of 99.5% or higher, and a water insolubles level of less than 0.03%. It is most commonly sold in a crystal form, but also may be sold in
