What are the different types of salt?

For the average consumer, salt is mainly the shaker or grinder on the table. But those who look a bit further quickly discover that "salt" is a very broad concept: from the fine rock salt for the patio to the salt used industrially in chemical processes. At Nederlandse Zouthandel, we supply six main types of salt daily, each with its own application, grain size, and quality requirement. In this blog, we list them so you can see at a glance which type of salt you need.

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All salt starts with the same molecule

Almost all the salt we supply consists of sodium chloride (NaCl), the same molecule you know from your kitchen. What distinguishes the different types is not so much the base, but:

the extraction method (vacuum evaporation, solar evaporation, or mining);
the purity (from about 99.4% to more than 99.95% NaCl);
the grain size (from powder-fine to coarse rock salt and pressed blocks and tablets);
and the additives or the lack thereof (anti-caking agents, iodine, nitrite, etc.).

Each application has its own ideal combination of these properties. That's why the salt your water softener requires is completely different from the salt you use to de-ice your sidewalk in winter — even though they may look almost identical in the bag.

1. Water Softener Salt

Water softener salt is used to regenerate the resin in a water softener. This resin captures calcium and magnesium ions (the causes of limescale) from tap water. Periodically, the resin is "rinsed" with brine, making your water softener as good as new. Water softener salt has a purity level of at least 99.8% and contains no anti-caking agents or iodine — these would damage the resin.

Available in three forms:

Salt tablets — suitable for almost every modern water softener. In our range: Regenit, Axal, Broxo, and nedzal® salt tablets.
Salt granules — for systems that do not process tablets or blocks. We supply Broxo 6–15 granules.
Salt blocks — for devices such as Harvey, Kinetico, TwinTec, and Aquacell. Available as nedzal® salt blocks (2x4 kg) and Axal salt blocks (4x2.5 kg).

2. Rock Salt

Rock salt is naturally mined sodium chloride extracted from salt mines hundreds of meters deep. Unlike vacuum salt, rock salt is mechanically broken and sieved, not chemically refined. As a result, it has a light gray tint and contains small amounts of natural minerals.

The most well-known private application is cleaning paving. The coarse grain dissolves gradually and slowly works on deposits in joints, between tiles, and on gravel paths. We supply rock salt in two grain sizes:

NZ Rock Salt 0.4–1.4 mm (fine grain) — for narrow joints between tiles, pavers, and other paving.
NZ Rock Salt 1.5–3.2 mm (coarse grain) — for gravel paths, driveways, and wider joints where you want a long-lasting result.

For those using both forms, we offer economical combo packs with both fine and coarse rock salt in one order.

Good to know: online, rock salt is often called ‘weed salt’. Because rock salt is a basic substance (pure NaCl, not a compound), the Ctgb cannot issue an approval number for it as a weed control agent. We therefore only offer rock salt as a cleaning agent for paving.

3. Pool Salt

Do you have a pool with salt electrolysis? Then your system converts salt into a natural form of chlorine that keeps the water hygienic. This allows you to swim in soft, pure water without the typical "chlorine smell" and without having to constantly dose chemicals. The salt itself is not consumed; you only replenish it when you add water or after a heavy rain.

Pool salt has a purity of at least 99.8% and contains no anti-caking agents or iodine, as these could cloud the water or damage the electrolysis cell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Different Types of Salt

Is all salt essentially the same?

Chemically speaking, yes: almost all of our salt is sodium chloride (NaCl). The difference lies in purity, grain size, production method, and any additives. That is precisely where the distinction between water softening salt, table salt, road salt, and so on, comes into play.
Can I use rock salt in my water softener?

No, that is a common mistake. De-icing salt contains impurities (sand, mud, trace elements) that can clog the resin in your water softener and damage your installation. Always use salt that is explicitly sold as softening salt, regeneration salt, or water softener salt.
What is the difference between rock salt and road salt?

Both consist of naturally mined sodium chloride and are very similar to each other. The difference lies in application and grain size: road salt is specifically intended for de-icing in winter, while rock salt is available in both fine and coarse forms and is used for cleaning pavements and for various industrial and agricultural purposes.
Can I use table salt in my pool?

Technically, it could be done because the purity is high enough, but it is not cost-efficient. Food-grade salt is significantly more expensive per kilo than pool salt, while pool salt offers exactly the same purity and suitability for salt electrolysis systems.
Which salt can I use for cleaning paving?

Steenzout. For narrow joints between tiles and pavers, choose the fine grain (0.4–1.4 mm), for gravel paths, driveways, and wider joints the coarse grain (1.5–3.2 mm). Spread directly into the joints and on the surfaces to be cleaned on a dry day.
Does Dutch Salt Trade also supply to individuals?

Absolutely. Whether you order one 10 kg bag, one 100 kg package of de-icing salt, or a full pallet: you are welcome. Ordered before 3:00 PM on business days means shipped the same day, with fast delivery throughout the Netherlands.