Got Salt? Ideas where to get pure salt for your swimming pool
Chlorine generators require salt water to produce chlorine, which means the pool operators require salt in order to create salt water. Not just any salt will do, though. Salt for use in salt water pools must be 99%+ pure, without additives like the anti-caking agent yellow prusiate of soda (YPS) or iodine, which can cause staining. Depending on your own pool and time requirements, you may also need to look for a finely ground salt that dissolves rapidly.
In the last few years it has become easier to locate and purchase pool salt. Many pool supply companies carry salt that is appropriate for use with chlorine generators, and with the popularity of residential salt pools, sometimes even the big box stores carry it. Even so, sometimes our clients have to get more creative for sourcing salt that is appropriate for pool use. Here are a few places to look if you’re in need.
- Pool supply stores – Many supply and service companies now carry Morton’s Pool Salt or other brands of salt designed specifically for use with chlorine generators.
- Hardware stores – You’re more likely to find pool salt in the big box stores such as Lowes or Home Depot, but even Walmart sometimes carries pool salt.
- Water Softener Supply Stores – solar salt, used in water softeners, is often used as pool salt for chlorine generators. You can find solar salt in the hardware stores mentioned above, or through retails that specifically support water softeners.
- Bulk Goods Warehouse Stores – Costco and Sam’s Club can be sources of food grade salt in large quantities. As long as the ingredients of the salt meet the standards mentioned above, you’re good to go.
- Baker’s Supply Stores – Food grade salt that meets the above standards can often be purchased in bulk from local bakery suppliers.
Be wary of salt sold for animal feed and never use rock salt, as those varieties often contains impurities that make it unsuitable for pool use and that could damage the chlorine generator or leave debris on the pool floor. Also take into consideration your time needs. Some of these forms of salt are sold in pellets, some are course ground, and some are ground quite fine. All are fine, as long as the proper care is taken when introducing the salt into the water. For more info on that topic, take a look at Adding Salt to a Pool: How, Where, and When.
Feel free to comment with any places that I may have missed!