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Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 7:26 am**

I try to re-cycle household water in the summer on the veg and fruit trees. Up to now I havent used the dishwasher water. Is there anything bad in dishwasher tablets? I use Ecover tablets. ww.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2008 10:22 am**

I think you'll be okay with using it. When we get a dishwasher, we'll be using home-made detergent in it (some derivative of her castile soap that Contadina has a recipe for), and the water will be reused.

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2008 8:38 pm**

I think the problem with dishwashers is the salt. That will kill a lot of plants. I knew someone though who put their dishwasher outlet under their lawn (about a foot down i think). The salt didn't seem to do any damage that far down and the lawn was great. Even in the dryest weather.

Zoe

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2008 8:46 pm**

blimey, I never use salt in the dishwasher (I did when I was a dishwasher noob), I can't tell the difference with the outcome, so I just ignor that little warning light, same goes for rinsing agents. I have never quite managed to work out what the salt is supposed to do. Although I may condone WMDs for some pests, less chemicals into the enironment the better.

I do confess to not making my own dishwasher soap, nor do I use ecover.

Great thing about dishwashers is they are are genuinely environmentally friendly, they use a small fraction of the water as used in washing up in a sink, and thus less energy in heating it.

see this link new scientist

Posted: **Sun May 25, 2008 8:30 am**

I thought you had to use salt in the dishwasher to protect the washer itself rather than improve the finish? and might not using it damage the washer?

I'm still uneasy about the salt content and chemicals going onto the garden. So I think for now I'll not risk it (on both counts). Its only a slimline washer so I usually end up doing most of the pans by hand anyway and that goes out on the veg. I'd also began to think that when the dishwasher dies I probably wont bother replacing it. I'm not too bothered about water usage as it's nearly all recycled. Thanks for your help and Contadino, if you do get your washer going and try it out with Contadina's soap/detergent recipe, will you post it here please?

ww.

Posted: **Sun May 25, 2008 9:30 am**

You got me thnking there, never occured to me that it is actually for the dishwasher's benefit

If I use a combination tablet do I still need to add salt?
Most combination tablets include a salt function or salt action. It softens the water in the wash, helping to leave glasses streak-free. That's fine for your tumblers, but your dishwasher may suffer if you don't add separate dishwasher salt.

As water enters the dishwasher it passes through a resin in the softener unit. The resin draws hard water minerals from the water, thereby softening the water that washes your dishes.

Dishwasher salt replenishes the resin at the end of the wash ready for the process to begin again, but the salt in combination tablets doesn't, which can cause the softener unit to clog up with hard water minerals.

Many of the combination tablet packages state that in areas where water hardness is above 26oe or in some cases 34of, you should use additional dishwasher salt. As much of the UK has relatively hard water you would be well advised to add separate dishwasher salt as a matter of course.

We always recommend you check the instruction manual for your dishwasher, or with the manufacturer, and continue to add salt dependent on the hardness of your local water supply. Your water supply company will be able to offer advice on hardness levels.

source

Happily I live in a softwater area, so no problem for me!!

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Dishwasher water

Dishwasher water