Chemists: my mum has been using soda crystals in dishwasher rather than dishwasher salt

[mikeymikec]

I'm not a chemist, but I am a wee bit worried about any potential consequences of this.

 

[lxskllr]

Baking soda? Shouldn't hurt anything. I suppose it could accelerate corrosion of metal over plain water, but not more than "dishwasher salt"(never heard of it, but I assume it's salt).

 

[mikeymikec]

I'm also wondering about what it might do to humans.

 

[lxskllr]

I'm also wondering about what it might do to humans.

Is it baking soda? I'm unfamiliar with the term 'soda crystal', but baking soda is completely safe.

 

[mikeymikec]

googling for 'soda crystals' came up with the correct product and a wikipedia article about sodium carbonate.

Baking soda is apparently soda bicarbonate.

 

[lxskllr]

Looks safe to me. I'd be more worried about what they put in detergent.

 

[BoomerD]

Being 'Murican, this is a strange concept to me, but...

https://www.dri-pak.co.uk/whoops-soda-crystals-in-the-dishwasher-salt-reservoir/

 

[uclaLabrat]

Its fine. Ain't gonna do shit to clean the dishes, but it won't kill anyone. Except maybe from food poisoning.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Its fine. Ain't gonna do shit to clean the dishes, but it won't kill anyone. Except maybe from food poisoning.

That would be incorrect. Dish detergents are surfactants. Heat is what prevents food poisoning.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Kill it with fire

 

[quikah]

Being 'Murican, this is a strange concept to me, but...

https://www.dri-pak.co.uk/whoops-soda-crystals-in-the-dishwasher-salt-reservoir/

Huh, that is instersting. In the US I don't think they even sell dishwashers with salt reservoirs. Do they not use whole house water softeners when needed in Europe?