Check the salt level once a month. Set a calendar reminder. I use the same one that tells me to water my fake plant—which I still forget, but at least I remember the salt.
You’ll know it’s time for a refill when you hear gurgling or the softener regenerates more often. That’s your machine’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m hungry.” It’s the same sound my fridge makes when I ignore the leftovers.
Don’t wait until the tank is empty. That’s like trying to brew coffee with an empty bean hopper. You’ll get hard water back, which means crunchy towels and chalky shower doors. And nobody wants to dry off with sandpaper.
How to add salt to the water softener
The Brine Tank Cleaning Myth
You don’t need to clean it every year like some internet gurus claim. But every three to five years, give it a scrub if you use cheap rock salt. If you use pure evaporated salt, you might never need to clean it. It’s the low-maintenance friend we all aspire to be.
When you do clean it, empty the tank, hose it out, and don’t use soap. Soap residue messes with the brine. Just water, a rag, and a little elbow grease. Then vacuum up the leftover sludge. Yes, that’s a real thing. Your vacuum will smell salty for a week.
