Bosch SHP7PT55UC Instructions for Use - Page 15

Hard Water and your Dishwasher Your water hardness level directly impacts your dishwasher's performance. Hard water will increase spotting and reduce detergent performance. Some dishwasher models are equipped with a water softener that uses a special salt to adjust the water hardness to obtain optimal performance. The dishwasher salt is added to the salt chamber located under the lower dishwasher rack. The amount of salt that is dispensed is based on your home water hardness. The home water hardness can be determined by using the water hardness test strip included in your manual set (or from your local hardware store). The dishwasher water softener setting must be adjusted to match your water hardness. Instructions for use of included "Water Hardness Test Strip" Only use salt designed for automatic dishwashers. Never use household water softener salt or table salt. Follow the instructions below for the included test strip (If purchasing a different test strip, follow manufacturers instructions). Step 1 - Run the water at the kitchen sink for 5 minutes. Step 2 - Dip the end of the test strip with the colored squares into the tap water for 1 second and shake off excess water. Step 3 - After one minute, compare the test strip to the chart below and determine the Dishwasher Water Softener setting. Step 4 - Adjust the dishwasher Water Softener setting. Consult your Use and Care manual for details. Step 5 - If required, add salt to the dishwasher salt chamber as shown. Adjusting the Water Softener Setting of your Dishwasher (select models) Using the Test Strip included with your dishwasher (Purchased Test Strips May have a Different Scale) Dishwasher Water Softener setting Add salt to dishwasher salt chamber H:00 No Water Hardness Conversion Chart (Only necessary if you purchase a different Test Strip) ppm 0 116 Grains/gallon (gpg) 0 6 °dH 0 6 H:01 H:02 H:03 H:04 H:05 H:06 H:07 Yes 117 152 7 8 Yes 153 188 9 10 Yes 189 223 11 13 Yes 224 294 14 17 Yes 295 383 18 22 Yes 384 544 23 31 Yes 545 890 32 52 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 21 22 30 31 50 Refill the salt container, using a funnel to pour, right before turning on the unit to ensure that Figure 11 salt overflow is immediately washed away. This prevents corrosion. See Figure 11. 1 Open the screw cap of the salt container. 2 Fill the container with water (only required when turning on the unit for the first time). 3 Add dishwasher salt until the was is dis- placed and runs out. 4 Refill with salt as soon as the salt refill indicator is lit. Warning: Never fill the salt dispenser with detergent. It will destroy the water softening system. To prevent corrosion, refill with salt and immediately begin any cycle. Note: Refill salt only when the "Refill Salt" LED or the salt refill symbol is lit (model dependent). Do not use salt tablets or any salt other than dishwasher water softening salt. For more information about ordering salt please contact Customer Service. 14