Can you use water softener salt in a pool?
You can, as long as the purity hits 99% sodium chloride or more. CircuPool's manual spells out exactly that requirement. Leave behind anything containing YPS, iodine or anti-caking agents.
Is softener salt okay for my pool?
Check the label for over 99% sodium chloride and you're set. Hayward's manual calls for NaCl (sodium chloride) above 99% purity.
Checking the label
Look for the purity figure printed on the packaging. The sodium chloride content should reach 99% at minimum. A few systems demand even higher purity. Bestway's guide sets the floor at 99.8% pure salt.
After that, scan the ingredient list. You're after sodium chloride that has no anti-caking additives, YPS or iodine.
Things to steer clear of
Stay away from salt containing yellow prussiate of soda (YPS) or any anti-caking agent. Rock salt and iodized salt are also off the table.
Skip calcium chloride as a salt source too. Go with sodium chloride at 99% purity or above.
Pool salt vs water softener salt
A typical purity of 99.6% is what Cargill's pool salt advertises. Both Hayward and CircuPool ask for 99% or better. That clears their bar, so it works. For Bestway, the target is 99.8%. Own a Bestway pool? Look at your manual before adding anything.
The same standard applies to softener salt. The bag should show 99% or more.
Questions people bring to the counter
Do pool salt and softener salt differ at all?
Each one follows the identical standard. Either way, the salt must be 99% pure sodium chloride or better. Pass on any product containing YPS or anti-caking agents.
What can replace pool salt for me?
Regular softener salt does the job when it's 99% pure sodium chloride or more. Rock salt, iodized salt and calcium chloride are all out. Avoid anything that lists YPS or anti-caking agents.
Does softener salt have to be the same as pool salt?
It can be. Each has to be sodium chloride at 99% purity or above. Pass on any bag that lists anti-caking additives, YPS or iodine.