Most of the water that comes out of your water tap is considered hard water. Softening the water can help remove some of the minerals from your hard water, which helps prevent some of the buildup of those minerals on the inside of your pipes, fixtures, and even your hot water heater. This can also help prevent some of the mineral deposits in your sinks and bathtubs, but also in your appliances like washing machines.
Putting in water softener salt is a common method to remove those minerals. Depending how much water you use, getting bulk water softener salt is a great option. However, storing the salt can be an issue, since you want the product to be as effective on its last day as it was on its first.
Lifespan of Bulk Water Softener Salt
The shelf life of bulk water softener salt can be indefinite if it is stored correctly. The biggest enemy to this type of salt is moisture and other contaminants, as these can deteriorate the salt over time. Keeping your salt away from other chemicals and solvents will certainly help extend its lifespan, as will avoiding contact with other oxidizing agents. Those include things like chlorine or bleach.
Because water softener salt is relatively stable, it can last for a very long time. The manufacturer should include storage recommendations, but storing it in a cool and dry environment will help it maintain its quality over time. The container its stored in should also be airtight, which will minimize its contact with both air and moisture. This will extend the life and maintain its quality for a long period of time.
Tips for Storing Water Softener Salt
The most important thing when storing your bulk water softener salt is keeping it dry. Moisture is this product’s biggest threat, so storing it in a dry area is vital. It’s also important to make sure it’s well sealed, particularly if you live in an area with high humidity. Extreme temperatures may affect the salt’s physical properties, but Keeping it in a cool area is also recommended. This will help counter any humidity, which can cause the salt to clump.
Once you have a cool, dry place to store the salt, it’s a good idea to periodically check the salt. This will show you if the salt is clumping, or any other signs of moisture. If the clumping does occur, break the clumps apart to make sure that the salt will dissolve properly in the water softener. It’s also important to keep it out of direct sunlight, because that could also lead to degradation of the salt’s properties.
Keeping your bulk water softener salt away from those items will extend its life, but it’s also important to always check the manufacturer’s label for specific storage instructions for each product. For more information on bulk water softener salt, and other storage recommendations, reach out to the experts at Clarity Salt today.