Information about the dishwasher and setting of the ion exchanger
1. The function of the ion exchanger in the dishwasher
Ion exchangers (water softeners) are permanently installed in all 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).
Attention: A setting is not possible any more in case of a built-in electronic water softener like for example in the new Miele dishwashers. You cannot use ecological dishwasher detergents!
3. Correct setting for the Clear Rinse
The Clear Rinse compartment should always be full. The setting has 6 levels overall, 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.