How to Choose the Right Water Softener Salt?

Why Making the Right Choice is Important

A water softener is an investment that should last for years, and the resin inside is the heart of the system. Using the wrong salt, or salt of inferior quality, can lead to resin contamination, a clogged salt tank (the dreaded "salt mush"), or even malfunctions in the regeneration cycle. Good softening salt keeps your system in top condition and significantly extends its lifespan.

Note: never use road salt, rock salt, or table salt in your water softener. These contain impurities and additives (such as anti-caking agents or iodine) that can irreparably damage your resin.

Step 1: Choose the Right Form: Tablets, Granules, or Blocks

The main question is: what fits in my system? Softening salt is available in three forms, each with its own application.

1. Salt tablets are the most commonly used form and fit in almost every modern water softener. The tablets are pressed under high pressure and dissolve evenly without forming a salt paste. Well-known examples from our range include Regenit, Axal, Broxo, and nedzal® salt tablets.
2. Salt granules are intended for water softeners that specifically work with granular salt. Older and some professional installations do not process tablets. For these softeners, Nederlandse Zouthandel offers Broxo 6–15 water softening salt granules, with a grain size of 6 to 15 millimeters.
3. Salt blocks are large, solid blocks that you place in the salt tank all at once. They do not dust, are clean to use, and are convenient for installations that explicitly require blocks (such as many Harvey, Kinetico, TwinTec, and Aquacell devices). We offer nedzal® salt blocks (2x4 kg) and Axal salt blocks (4x2.5 kg).

The rule of thumb: always check your water softener's manual to see which form the manufacturer prescribes. Unsure? Call or email our customer service with your device's brand and type; we're happy to help.

Step 2: Choose a Brand That Suits Your Situation

Have you determined the form? Then you can choose from different brands. Each brand has its own strengths:

• Regenit: the reference brand in the Netherlands. Almost every water softener manufacturer explicitly mentions Regenit in the manual. With a purity of 99.9% and a uniform tablet shape, this is the safe choice if you want certainty. Available in 25 kg bags and on pallets.
• Axal Pro: from the same producer as Regenit and a full-fledged, high-quality alternative. Available as tablets (15 kg and 25 kg) and as salt blocks (4x2.5 kg).
• Broxo: our all-rounder, available as tablets (25 kg) and in granular form (6–15 mm, in 10 kg and 25 kg). The granules are especially popular with older or professional installations that do not process tablets.
• nedzal®: the handy alternative. The salt tablets consist of pure vacuum salt and are pressed under high pressure. Available in handy 10 kg bags, ideal for those who do not want to receive a pallet or carry 25 kg bags. Also available as salt blocks (2x4 kg).

Step 3: Choose the Right Package Size

Once you have chosen the form and brand, one choice remains: how much do you order at once? Our packages are tailored to different situations:

• 10 kg bags (nedzal® tablets, Broxo granules) – perfect for those with limited space or who do not want to lift heavy weights.
• 15 kg bags (Axal tablets) – a pleasant intermediate size for those who find 25 kg just a bit too heavy.