• Sonett Dishwasher Detergent and Dishwasher Tablets

• Sonett Clear Rinse

• Sonett Regenerating Salt

1. For European Dishwashing Machines the function of the ion exchanger in the dishwasher

Ion exchangers (water softeners) are permanently installed in some brands of dishwashing machines. All of the incoming water flows through this device and is decalcified so that no white lime haze is deposited on the dishes and glasses. To ensure that the ion exchanger remains in working order, salt is required for regeneration.

The ion exchangers in dishwashers are preset by the manufacturer to a specific softening level, which is oriented towards commonly used conventional machine detergents. Conventional detergents are mixed with chemicals like synthetic polycarboxylates, phosphonates and phosphates, which bind to the loosened lime in the water. Because Sonett refuses to use these kinds of synthetic softeners, it is recommended to adjust the ion exchanger to a higher setting.

The adjustment location for the ion exchanger is in different places depending on the individual machine. For precise adjustment instructions, please consult the user manual of your dishwasher, under the "Softener" section.

2. Correct setting for the ion exchanger

The water softener (ion exchanger) of the dishwasher should be set 8 °dH (German degrees) above your local water hardness. For example, if you have a water hardness of 15.6 °dH (275 mg CaCO3/l), then you should set your machine at 24 °dH (430 mg CaCO3/l).  

If the water hardness is below 3°dH, no adjustment is necessary. The setting, maintenance and dosage of ecological tabs and machine dishwashing detergents play an important role in achieving a good dishwashing result. This is due to the fact that, unlike conventional products, we do not use synthetic water softeners, petrochemicals or enzymes.

Attention: A setting is not possible any more in case of a built-in electronic water softener with some European dishwashers and hard water. In this case you cannot use ecological dishwasher detergents.

It is not the norm in Australia to have such hard water.

3. Correct setting for Sonett Clear Rinse

The Clear Rinse compartment should always be full. The setting has 6 levels overall in some dishwashers, but is normally set at between levels 2 and 3. In case of streaks on the cutlery, too much Clear Rinse has been used. In case of white limescale droplets on the dishes, the setting of Clear Rinse should be increased.

4. Regularly fill up the salt compartment of the dishwasher with Regenerating Salt

The dishwater should be at a maximum of 3 °dH / 50 mg CACO3/l, otherwise there is a risk of lime haze. Experience has shown that there are machines which indicate their need for salt at a very late stage. To prevent this from happening, the regenerating salt should be refilled regularly, even if the display does not yet advise this. If the salt compartment gets completely empty, you should wait about 2 hours after refilling it before running the machine again, to give the ion exchanger sufficient time to regenerate.

5. Clean both the coarse filter and the fine filter of the dishwasher on a weekly basis.

In case that a white lime haze is deposited on the dishes, first increase the setting of the ion exchanger

as described above, and then do the following once:

Leave the lime-affected dishes in the machine. Select the 65°C setting without any pre-rinse. Start the

program without any detergent. After the water for the main rinse cycle has entered, open the door and place 1 litre of Sonett Decalcifier into the drum. Allow the program to run through to the end. The lime haze will then have disappeared again.