Dishwasher salt, rinse aid and water hardness: how to set them step by step
A salt or rinse aid light is usually just a refill reminder, not a fault. It takes a few minutes and costs a dozen or so zł.
- Most common cause
- no dishwasher salt or rinse aid
- Time
- 10–15 minutes
- Service, if nothing helps
- 200–540 zł
Use only coarse dishwasher salt with no additives. Never put table salt or tablets in the salt compartment. Switch the dishwasher off before you start, and be careful with sharp items at the bottom of the tub, as they can easily cut you.
Step by step
Check what the light is telling you
There is usually a separate icon for salt and another for rinse aid. Check the manual to see which is which. Some models only have a visual indicator on the rinse aid cap, which changes from dark to light when the liquid runs low.
Add dishwasher salt
Pull out the bottom rack. Unscrew the cap of the salt container at the bottom of the tub (turn it left). Put in a funnel and pour in salt until it is full. Wipe away any salt around the opening so it does not corrode the tub.
Add water the first time
If the container is completely empty, first fill it with water to the brim, and only then add the salt. Some water will be pushed out, which is normal. This helps the salt start dissolving right away.
Fill the rinse aid
Open the separate compartment in the door, usually marked with a star or a drop symbol. Pour the liquid up to the “max” line. Wipe up any spill straight away, because it causes too much foam in the next wash.
Set the water hardness
You can find the value on your water company’s website or on your bill, usually in German degrees (°dH) or mmol/l. How you set it (a dial next to the salt container or a button combination on the panel) depends on the model, so look up “water hardness” in the manual. If you do not have the manual, search for your dishwasher’s model number and the words “manual pdf”.
Run a short program and wait for the light
The salt light may only go out after a few hours or after the next program, because the salt needs time to dissolve. Do not worry if it goes out late.
- The salt or rinse aid light stays on after 2–3 programs, even after refilling.
- Water leaks from the bottom of the tub, or the salt container is cracked.
- Dishes come out cloudy even with good salt, and you can see thick limescale on the heating element.
- The dishwasher shows an error code and will not start a program.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Replacing the salt or rinse aid level sensor | 200–410 zł |
| Replacing the rinse aid dispenser or valve | 270–540 zł |
| Replacing the water softener (resin) | 410–820 zł |
| Descaling with diagnostics at a service center | 200–480 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
Adding salt and rinse aid is a job for you, and it almost always does the trick. A service repair makes sense if the dishwasher is fairly young. With a very old machine and a bigger fault, use the calculator to check whether buying a new one is the better option.
Check if repairing your dishwasher is worth it
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Open the calculator →FAQ
Can I use regular table salt?
No. Table salt contains additives that clog the water softener and can damage it. Buy granulated dishwasher salt, which costs a dozen or so zł per kilogram.
Do I need salt with 3-in-1 tablets?
It depends on your water hardness. With soft water, the tablets alone are often enough. With hard water, it is still worth adding salt, because it protects the heating element from limescale.
How often should I add salt?
Usually every 1–2 months, depending on water hardness and how often you wash. The dishwasher will tell you with its indicator light.
Why do my dishes have white streaks?
Most often it is limescale from hard water or too little rinse aid. Check the water hardness setting and the rinse aid level.