What kinds of salt can be purchased for use in a water softener unit?
Generally, four types of products can be used in a softener unit (placed in order of quality): 1. Evaporated salt: obtained by mining underground deposits of dissolving salt. This dissolving salt is then evaporated to ensure optimal sodium chloride purity. 2. Solar salt: natural source of sodium chloride (salt) that is usually obtained through the evaporation of seawater. Solar salt is sold in crystal and pellet form. Solar salt contains a bit more insoluble matter than Evaporated salt, but less than Rock salt. 3. Rock salt: sodium chloride obtained from natural underground salt deposits through traditional mining methods. Rock salt is cheaper than solar salt and evaporated salt, but there is a lot of insoluble matter in rock salt and as a result, it is recommended that brine tank clean outs are done periodically. 4. Potassium chloride (not as commonly used): odourless metal halide comprised of potassium and chlorine, which occurs naturally in combination with sodium chloride.
