If you have a new water softener at home, you may wonder how to store everything properly to keep it safe and functional for longer. One component you have to consider is the softener salt, and the question is, can you store it outside, or will it get ruined?
Generally, you can store unopened bags of salt outside, but there are some considerations you have to keep in mind. For example, the salt should be kept dry, at room temperature, and away from any curious creatures. Keeping these conditions in mind ensures you always have salt available for your water softener.
If you are curious about learning more about storing water softener salt, you are in the right place! This article will tackle whether or not keeping salt outside is a good choice, how to store bags of salt, and what to do when you have an open bag that needs storage. Keep reading for more information on this crucial water softener kit component!
Related articles:
Ultimate Guide to Water Softeners: Everything You Need to Know
Water Softener Salt: Everything You Need to Know
Can I Keep the Water Softener Salt Outside?
You may wonder if you can keep the salt in your water softener outside, where there is probably more space for larger bags. This can be an excellent option if you have unopened bags, provided you can care for some external variables.
The key is to keep an eye out where you are storing the salt, what has access to it, and if any moisture change is developing in it.
However, the recommended way to keep your salt safe is to store it indoors, where you have greater control of the temperature, access to light, and accessibility.
The best course of action is to keep it in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry, and let everyone in the home know they should avoid handling it too much.
If there is any way to secure the salt further, you should opt for it, as any breaks in the bag can allow moisture into the salt and damage it.
This is because salt is hygroscopic in nature, meaning it is drawn to moisture. So make sure you keep it safe, or you could get stuck with a giant block of salt instead of fine powder.
The Best Way to Store Your Water Softener Salt
Now that we know it is important to factor in how you store water softener salt, you must wonder – what is the right way to do it? Here are some tips on precautions you should take to avoid damaging the salt and storing it in the right way.
1 – Keep the bags intact
The number one method to store the salt properly is to keep the bags intact and unopened. We will discuss how to deal with open bags later in this article, but in the meantime, focus on keeping the bags safe and try your best to avoid any tears or breaks in the store-bought container.
2 – Make sure the environment is dry
Salt must be kept from water if you want it to be manageable in use. Mixing with water also opened the salt up to another risk – contamination.
Considering this salt will enter your water source in the home, it is vital that no liquid can find its way in and cause damage. This can also cause salt bridging when you add the salt to the water softener system.
3 – Keep away from bugs and animals
If any insects or animals find their way to your stored slat, you may have a major problem with your hands.
The salt can become contaminated, and if that animal is a pet, it may get sick if they lick or eat the salt. Therefore, even if the salt is outside, no animals should have access to it.
4 – Avoid placing in direct light
If you keep salt in direct light, you can trigger reactions because of the heat that comes with sunlight. So even if your salt is outside, it should be in a dark and cool place where this is no risk of the salt going bad. In the same vein, keep the salt away from extreme temperatures.
How to Store Opened Bags of Salt
If you have a bag of salt that is already open, you cannot rely on the fact that the bag will be able to help you avoid moisture. So, you will need to come up with effective methods to keep the salt safe and away from contamination. Here are some suggestions on what you can do in this case:
1 – Old Tupperware
If you have any sealable Tupperware lying around, it is an excellent option for storing salt when it is out of the bag.
However, you should consider that once you use Tupperware to store salt, you will not be able to use it for food as it may not be safe. So make sure to get containers, especially for this purpose, or use an old one that you clean vigorously.
2 – Ice melt boxes
These boxes are created for the storage and transportation of ice melt. Fascinatingly, ice melt is another kind of salt similar to the one used for water softening.
Because the product was created specifically for salt, it is uniquely suited to keep your salt safe from damage and contamination.
3 – Plastic vessels
Materials like water softener and salt are a good guess if you’ve ever seen large plastic drums and wondered what might be inside them. If the amount of salt you have is too much for the average Tupperware box, you can use one of these drums to keep the salt safe.
The best part is you can seal these vessels up and keep them outside (although away from sunlight), as they are tough and unlikely to fall over or get damaged.
Conclusion
Storing water softener salt may not seem like a big deal, but it can significantly impact its quality and effectiveness. By taking the appropriate precautions, you can maintain the salt’s integrity and ensure that it serves its purpose in your water-softening system.
Remember, proper storage is crucial to the health and function of your water-softening system – make sure to take advantage of these essential steps!
