You’re probably wondering if that big bag of salt for your water softener is safe to eat. Let's put your mind at ease right away—it’s not poisonous. But you really shouldn’t eat it either.
Water softener salt is made for removing hard water minerals, not for consumption. While its main ingredients, like sodium chloride, are found in regular table salt too, water softener salt isn’t processed or cleaned the same way food-grade salt is.
It often contains dirt particles and additives that manufacturers don’t filter out since the salt isn’t meant for eating. A mouthful likely won’t harm you, but it’s definitely an unpleasant and gritty experience you’ll want to avoid.
Below, we’ll explore what water softener salt is made of, whether any of the additives pose concerns, and some clever alternative uses for it around the house.
Can You Eat Water Softener Salt?
You really shouldn’t eat water softener salt, though a tiny amount won’t hurt you. The main ingredients, like sodium chloride and sometimes potassium chloride, are found in regular table salt too. But water softener salt doesn’t go through the same rigorous processing and cleaning that food-grade salt does.
While that might not sound too concerning at first, there’s usually a fair amount of dirt and other particles left in water softener salt since manufacturers don’t filter it as thoroughly.
But what about the water you drink that’s been through a water softening system? Don’t worry, these systems only leave behind trace amounts of sodium or potassium—perfectly safe levels for most people, depending on which salt is used.
What Is Water Softener Salt Made Of?
The main ingredient in most water softener salts is sodium chloride—NaCl, the same stuff that makes up table salt. Though less common, some brands use potassium chloride (KCl) instead or a blend of both sodium and potassium chloride.
Now, potassium chloride isn’t technically a salt, despite the name, but it gets the job done all the same.
Manufacturers also toss various other additives into their salt blends, depending on the type. That being said, you don’t need to worry about deciphering those complex chemical names. At the end of the day, it’s the basic sodium and potassium chlorides doing the heavy lifting.
Is Water Softener Salt Poisonous?
Water softener salts aren’t poisonous. However, guzzling down this salt probably isn’t the best idea, either, especially if you have a preexisting medical condition.
For one, thanks to all those additives and the grit that manufacturers leave in, you might end up with an unhappy stomach. People with a preexisting condition also have other considerations when choosing what type of salt to use with their softener.
If you need to watch your sodium intake, your doctor may recommend using a potassium chloride softener salt instead of sodium chloride. If you have kidney issues, it might be the opposite—sticking to sodium chloride could be better for you.
Your doctor can help you determine which type is safer for your specific situation. As long as you’re not directly eating the salt, trace amounts in your drinking water shouldn’t be an issue for most people.
Is Water Softener Salt the Same as Table Salt?
Chemically speaking, water softener salt made from sodium chloride is pretty much the same as regular table salt. The main ingredient is sodium chloride in both cases. But there are two key differences.
Table salt undergoes much more processing and cleaning to make it safe for consumption. It also has iodine and some other minerals added, while water softener salt is left more unrefined.
The end result typically has dirt particles and debris you wouldn’t find in refined table salt.
So, while the sodium chloride itself is identical, they are not at all the same. Water softener salt is the unpolished, manufacturer’s version meant just for softening your water supply.
Can You Use Water Softener Salt to Make Ice Cream?
This one might surprise you—you can actually use water softener salt as a substitute for the coarse salts typically used in ice cream makers. The salt keeps the cream from freezing into a solid block during churning.
Now, not all water softener salt varieties may work. Some could be too coarse and gritty. So be sure to check your manufacturer’s instructions first before going rogue with the softener salt.
What Are Other Uses for Water Softener Salt?
Water softener salts have other uses besides softening water and keeping ice cream from freezing solid. Let’s take a look.
Weeds and Slug Control
Water softener salt is basically kryptonite for weeds and slugs. A salty solution poured directly or sprayed on weeds will dehydrate and kill them. For slugs, just make a little salt ring around your plant babies – those slimy pests can’t slither across it.
Just be careful not to go overboard, especially if you’ve got nearby plants and grass you want to keep happy and salt-free. A little pinch will do the trick.
Homemade Bath Salts
Look no further than your water softener salt for an easy DIY bath salt! The crystal varieties work great. Anything much coarser might be too harsh on your skin.
Just use it instead of Epsom salt in your favorite bath salt recipes and you’ll be good to go.
Snow and Ice Melter
In the winter, that same salt you use for soft water can help de-ice your driveway and sidewalks, too. The salt lowers the freezing point and turns stubborn snow and ice into slushy water. Some even say that it works better than rock salt.
Just be mindful of where the salty puddles drain off—you don’t want it to kill your lawn when spring rolls around.
Other Benefits
Using water softener salt with your home’s water softening system has some extra perks beyond just removing hard water mineral buildup.
No More Spotty Dishes
Say goodbye to those annoying water spots and soap scum on your dishes, glasses, and bathroom fixtures. The softened water prevents those mineral deposits from building up, leaving everything squeaky clean after washing.
Fresher Clothes
Speaking of cleanliness, softened water can also make your laundry look and smell fresher. Without all those hard water minerals, your clothes, towels, and sheets come out brighter and softer.
Longer Appliance Life
Over time, hard water can wreak havoc on appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters by clogging them up with mineral scale buildup. Using a water softener helps prevent that damaging buildup, making your appliances last longer.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re dealing with hard water or looking for a versatile household helper, water softener salt has a lot more to offer than you might think.
Just remember—as handy as it is around the house, you don’t want to consume it with your food. And with a little creativity, you can get so much more mileage out of this unassuming product.
