The short answer
Solar crystals and evaporated salt pellets are both clean, high purity softener salts that manufacturers recommend. Pellets are compacted and larger, which Diamond Crystal says may make them less prone to bridging. Rock salt carries more insoluble minerals and can leave a muddy tank over time.
How each type is made
- Solar crystals: made by evaporating salt water in shallow outdoor ponds, where sun and wind leave natural salt crystals behind (Diamond Crystal).
- Pellets and cubes: small salt granules compacted into a pillow-shaped pellet or a cube (Diamond Crystal).
- Evaporated salt: Morton Water Softeners calls it the purest form of salt at 99.99% sodium chloride.
- Rock salt: mined salt with higher levels of insoluble minerals (Morton Water Softeners).
- Potassium chloride: a sodium alternative that Morton Water Softeners says is 99.9% free of sodium and needs special softener programming.
Side by side
| Type | What the maker says | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Solar crystals | A very clean salt, a great choice for softeners (Morton Water Softeners). Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals lists typical 99.6% purity. | Smaller crystals may bridge more easily than pellets |
| Pellets | Clean and a very good source of salt (Morton Water Softeners). Diamond Crystal Bright & Soft lists typical 99.8% purity. | Stick with one shape, do not mix |
| Rock salt | Higher insoluble minerals (Morton Water Softeners) | Bridging and a muddy tank over time |
| Block salt | Does not dissolve enough to regenerate the resin efficiently (Morton Water Softeners) | Poor regeneration |
| Potassium chloride | 99.9% sodium free (Morton Water Softeners) | Needs special softener programming |
What to look for on the bag
Morton Water Softeners says to look for salt that is 99% pure or better, with less than 1% impurities, and that says it is designed for water softeners. After that, the choice between crystals and pellets is mostly about your softener and how it behaves.
On mixing, the makers disagree. Morton Water Softeners recommends sticking with one shape because mixing can raise the risk of bridging. Diamond Crystal says different salts can usually be mixed. When in doubt, follow your softener's manual and pick one.
The two salts Simply Salt delivers
Every Simply Salt plan runs on one of two salts, and the salt you pick sets the price.
Solar Crystals with Rust Remover: premium solar salt with a rust remover, chosen for Central Illinois water. $16 a month on the Individual plan, $26 on Household.
Morton Clean & Protect Pellets: Morton says they are formulated to prevent buildup in pipes and appliances and to reduce bridging and mushing. $20 a month on the Individual plan, $30 on Household.
If you are seeing orange or rust stains, read rust remover softener salt first. Not sure which fits your softener? Call us and we will talk it through.
| Plan | Solar Crystals with Rust Remover | Morton Clean & Protect Pellets | Bags included a year | Extra bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (1 person) | $16/mo | $20/mo | Up to 6 | $16 each |
| Household (2+ people) | $26/mo | $30/mo | Up to 13 | $8 each |
Common questions
Both are clean, high purity salts that manufacturers recommend for softeners. Diamond Crystal says pellets may be less prone to bridging because of their larger size.
Morton Water Softeners says rock salt has higher levels of insoluble minerals that can cause bridging and a muddy tank over time. Salt labeled for water softeners at 99% purity or better is the safer choice.
Morton Water Softeners recommends sticking with one shape. Diamond Crystal says most salts can be mixed. Check your softener's manual.
Solar Crystals with Rust Remover ($16 or $26 a month) and Morton Clean & Protect Pellets ($20 or $30 a month), depending on plan.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below or from Simply Salt's own published plan details.
