This is the BBC, but as a N. American dishwasher user, I'm struggling to translate the advice on soap/detergent. "Table" and "salt" are two terms that aren't linked to dishwashers in the middle of N. America. We've got "pods" (bad, manufacture specifies how much soap to use, also kids eat them), and we've got rinsing agent. You get a little bottle of rinsing agent with your dishwasher, and you never put it in again. It's magic.
Why would I put "salt" in my dishwasher? The article makes that additive out as preventative maintenance, and I don't think that's true of sodium chloride.
It's interesting how different dishwashers are in US and Europe. Two main things for me:
- Salt: European dishwashers have embedded water softeners and you add salt once in a while. Only super high end ones have it in US.
- Water heater: European dishwasher expect to receive cold water and they heat it internally; US ones expect hot water and only partially boost the temperature (sometimes). That's why you have to run hot water before starting the dishwasher
Why would I put "salt" in my dishwasher? The article makes that additive out as preventative maintenance, and I don't think that's true of sodium chloride.