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Water
Softening FAQs |
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| 1)
How can I tell if my water is hard? |
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You may have hard water if your soaps and laundry detergent don’t
lather very well, or if glasses and dishes are left with spots, or
colored clothing looks dull. Tubs and bathroom fixtures may be covered
with an unsightly film.
You can have your water tested by your water dealer or you may use
a home water testing kit. Back to
Top
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2) Are water softening products
iodized? |
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Morton water softening products are not iodized. Back
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3) Can I use any Morton water
softening product in my water softener? |
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Yes, you can use any Morton water softening product in your water
softener. The list of Morton water softening salt products include:
Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula and System Saver® Blocks,
Morton® Rust Remover Super Pellens®, Morton® White
Crystal® Solar Salt, Morton® White Crystal® Rock Salt,
Morton® White Crystal® Brine Blocks and Morton® Rust
Rout Brine Blocks. Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets are an
alternative water softening product. Morton® Rust Raze® is
not a water softening product but is a cleaner that can be used
to remove rust from water softener resins and household items. Back
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4) Which Morton water softening
salt is the best product to use? |
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Each water softening salt product has a unique formula, and is tailored
to different water softening needs based on mineral levels in your
hard water. Please check each product description on the website
for further details. Back to Top
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5) I noticed four different
Morton water softening products at the store: Pellets with System Saver® II Formula, White
Crystal® Rock Salt, White Crystal® Solar Salt
and Morton® Rust Remover
Super Pellens®. How are they different? |
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Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula, Morton® White Crystal® Rock
Salt, Morton® White Crystal® Solar Salt and Morton® Rust
Remover Super Pellens® are all high-quality water softening salt
products for use in your water softener.
Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula are specially formulated
with very high purity salt, guaranteed to be 99.5% pure, containing
virtually no insolubles to be cleaned from your brine tank. Made
from a proprietary formula, Pellets with System Saver® II Formula are designed
to aid in:
• Improving regeneration efficiency of the resin in your softener through
continuous cleansing of the resin
• Preventing the buildup of various damaging hardness minerals that can
accumulate in valves and screens in your softener, potentially causing it to
malfunction
Laboratory Testing* shows that the use of Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula helps enable a water softener to do MORE…
• Removes nearly twice as much dirt and impurities
• Removes up to 5% more hardness minerals from your water
Morton® White Crystal® Rock Salt is 98.9% pure salt mined
from underground salt domes. White Crystal® Rock Salt is available
in coarse and extra coarse grades both of which can be used in
your softener. Because Rock Salt is mined from a dome contained
in a rock, it will contain a small percentage of impurities. These
minerals may build up in your brine tank and will require periodic
brine tank clean-outs to remove sediment.
Morton® White Crystal® Solar Salt is 99.7% pure salt harvested
from natural salt brine through solar evaporation. White Crystal ® Solar
Salt is also available in coarse and extra coarse grades. Because
solar salt is produced in open ponds, some impurities from the
environment get in the salt. The presence of these impurities also
requires periodic cleaning of your softener tank to remove sediment.
When iron is noticeably present in your water supply, we recommend
that you use Morton ® Rust Remover Super Pellens® Salt,
a pellet-type salt product with rust remover dispensed throughout
each pellet. Super Pellens® salt automatically helps fight
the build-up of rust in your water softener and it removes 15 times
more iron from your softener resin than plain salt.
*Based on laboratory testing for dirt and impurity removal during
brine and backwash cycles using 22 grain hard water comparing System
Saver® II Pellets with regular pellet salt. Back
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6) What is the difference
between Morton® White Crystal® Brine Blocks
and Morton® System Saver® Brine
Blocks? |
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Morton® White Crystal® Brine Blocks are 50-lb. salt blocks
formed from high purity, food-grade salt. Morton® System Saver® Brine
Blocks are made with the patented System Saver® formula which
removes more dirt and impurities from your water than other water
softening salt. In fact, laboratory tests show that the use of the
System Saver® formula results in 60% fewer impurities and microscopic
dirt particles in softened water. Tests also show that use of System
Saver® formula salt improved water clarity and produced up to
5% more soft water from every regeneration cycle. Back
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7) What is the difference
between the Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula and Morton® System Saver® Brine
Blocks? Which should I use? |
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Both products are made with the patented System Saver® II formula.
Thus, both products are equally effective at softening your water.
Only some softeners can use blocks. If your softener can use blocks,
it can also use pellets. Please consult your softener manufacturer. Back
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8) Can I mix Morton water
softening products in the brine tank? |
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Yes, all of the products are compatible. Back
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9) Can I mix potassium chloride
with salt products? |
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Yes, if you wish to reduce the sodium content of the softened water.
The products can be mixed in any ratio you desire. We would recommend
starting with a 50/50 ratio and see how that works for you. If
mixing potassium chloride with salt, it is important to note that
softened water will contain a higher ratio of sodium to potassium
at the beginning of the service cycle and a higher ratio of potassium
to sodium near the end of the service cycle. Back
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10) Are Morton products
safe for my septic system? |
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Yes, all Morton water softening products are safe for septic systems.
In recent years the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) issued a special facts sheet summarizing studies by NSF and
the University of Wisconsin on home water softeners and onsite
treatment systems. What they found was softener effluent has no
deleterious effect on bacterial functions, increased volume of
wastewater does not cause hydraulic overloading and that the calcium
and magnesium actually improve soil stability and percolation in
the leach field. A link to the EPA web page is given below:
http://www.epa.gov/ordntrnt/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/html/fs3.htm
Back to
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11) Is water softened by
Morton sodium-based products or Morton potassium-based products
safe for me to drink? |
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Yes, softened water is safe to drink for people that are not on sodium
or potassium restricted diets. Back
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12) If I am using salt in
my water softener, how much sodium is in the soft water? |
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The amount of sodium in soft water is directly proportional to the
hardness of the untreated water, and for most water supplies it
is not very high. For each grain per gallon of hardness, multiply
by 7.9 to convert to milligrams of sodium per liter (a liter is
slightly more than a quart). For instance, water with 15 grains/gallon
hardness will contain118 milligrams of sodium per liter after softening.
Thus, 2 liters of water per day provides less than 250 milligrams,
which is small compared to the normal daily intake. If you have
any health concerns about consuming or cooking with salt-softened
water, please consult your physician. Back
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13) Can softened water be
used for my lawn? |
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Many people choose to either leave the water for outside taps unsoftened,
or bypass the water softener when watering the lawn because the
volume of water needed will deplete the supply of softened water
quickly; the water softener will need to recharge more frequently,
thus using more salt. Since the lawn does not need softened water,
this may be the best course of action.
If you do not want to bypass the system, you should be aware
that normally the small amount of sodium that is discharged into
your water from the water softener is not a problem for most
lawns. However, if your soil already has a high content of sodium,
that may not be advisable. In this case and because potassium
is a major and essential plant nutrient, some people use potassium
chloride to recharge their softener. Back
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14) Can Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or Rust Remover Super Pellens Water Softening Salt Products
be added directly to a koi pond or aquarium? |
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No, Morton does not recommend adding either Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or Rust Remover Super Pellens® Salt directly to fish ponds or
aquariums. Both products contain additives that are specific for
water softening, so they are not appropriate for direct addition
into a fish pond or aquarium. For the same reason, we would not recommend
adding other products like Morton® Table Salt directly to ponds
or aquariums. Back to Top
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15) Can I use sodium-softened
water in a koi pond or aquarium? |
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Some fish thrive in softened water, while some others may prefer
harder water. Knowing basic information about the water supply
is essential to determining if or how much soft water should be
used for aquarium water. Extremely hard water will contain high
levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), which may not be ideal
for fish. Since water softening only exchanges sodium or potassium
for hard water cations (calcium and magnesium), the TDS level does
not change. Some soft water supplies are perfectly fine for fish,
but soft water made from extremely hard water may need to be diluted
with distilled, deionized or reverse osmosis water before it is
acceptable. When beginning the changeover, note that any drastic
change in the water supply could jeopardize "sensitive" fish.
Partial water changes could be made at intervals using the softened
water, but too much or too often may stress the fish. Please consult
your local fish expert or veterinarian to determine if the raw
and/or softened water supply in your area is appropriate for the
kind of fish in your pond or aquarium, and whether additional variables
need to be monitored.
Back to Top
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16) Can I use potassium-softened
water in a koi pond or aquarium? |
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In general, if the fish can handle sodium-softened water, they
should be able to handle potassium-softened water. However,
any drastic change in the water supply could jeopardize "sensitive" fish.
Partial water changes could be made at intervals using the
potassium-softened water, but too much or too often may stress
the fish. Consult your local fish expert or veterinarian to
determine if the raw and/or softened water supply in your area
is appropriate for the kind of fish in your pond or aquarium,
and whether additional variables need to be monitored. Back
to Top
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17) Can I use Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula in my washing machine to get
soft water? |
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No. Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula are a high quality water
softening salt product to be used only in home water softeners. Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or any other water softening salt should not
be placed directly into a washing machine. To do so may damage your
washing machine. Back to Top
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18) Why is my softened water
yellow or cloudy after using Morton water softening products? |
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The yellow color or cloudiness is likely to be colloidal iron, but
it could be manganese. Without an actual analysis, we can only
speculate. If you have iron in your water supply and have never
used salt formulated with resin cleaning additives, your first
use of Morton® Rust Remover Super Pellens® may loosen rust
deposits that have accumulated on the water softener resin. If
the amount of rust released is excessive, it may not all be rinsed
out during the rinse cycle of the regeneration process and may
enter the household water supply. For this reason, we usually recommend
conducting several consecutive manual regenerations. This should
clean up the resin and rinse water allowing clear, softened water
into the household. As for cleaning up any rust stains in your
dishwasher and toilets, we recommend using Morton Rust Raze®.
Another possibility is if the softener
was dormant for some period of time, the
soluble iron on the water softener resin
may have oxidized to rust during this time
frame. Then, as water is run through the
softener, the rust will slough off into
the softened water. If the softener will
sit dormant for an extended period of time
(three weeks or more) you may wish to conduct
a manual regeneration just prior to leaving
for your extended absence. Back
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19) After using Morton water softening products
will my water have a salty taste? |
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With a water softener that is operating properly, the water should
not taste salty. The salt should be totally rinsed from the system
during the brine and rinse cycle of the regeneration process, except
for the sodium which exchanges onto the water softener’s
resin replacing calcium and magnesium. During the service cycle,
hardness in the water is exchanged for sodium.
If your water tastes salty, it is likely
that the water softener is malfunctioning,
such as a stuck valve or valve that isn't
seated properly. You could try cleaning
the venturi valve and directions for doing
this are in your owner's manual. Otherwise,
you should call a reputable water dealer
to have the unit checked. Back
to Top
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20) After using Morton water softening products
why does my skin itch? |
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The additives used in Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or Morton® Rust
Remover Super Pellens® are normally removed from the water system
during the brine and rinse cycle of the regeneration process. Even
though it is unlikely that the additives in the salt product could
be the cause of the skin itch, you may wish to try a product with
no additives, such as Morton® White Crystal® products or
Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets. It would be prudent to consult
with a dermatologist. Back to Top
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21) Will softened water
cause discoloration of my dyed hair? |
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No. Back to Top
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22) What are the benefits
of using a potassium chloride-based versus a sodium chloride-based
water softening product? |
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The benefits of potassium chloride-based products include:
• Reduces sodium contribution to soft water by 99%
• Provides a means to increase potassium, an essential human and plant
nutrient, through softened water
• Reduces chloride discharge by up to 20% as compared to sodium chloride
softened water
Back to Top
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23) What are the health implications of using
a potassium chloride-based product? |
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The level of potassium contributed from potassium chloride softened
water is safe for normal healthy people. For healthy individuals,
potassium from the diet is absorbed slowly from the gastrointestinal
tract and the excess potassium is excreted. However, in certain
individuals with medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes,
heart disease or high blood pressure, the body may not excrete
excess potassium. Individuals with these conditions must consult
a doctor prior to consuming potassium-softened water. If you have
any questions as to whether your health condition allows you to
use potassium based water softener products, please consult your
doctor. Back to Top
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24) Will the water taste
different if I use a potassium chloride-based product? |
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If your raw water is 22 grains of hardness or higher, a metallic,
bitter taste may be noticed. If you find this objectionable, you
may wish to switch back to a sodium chloride - based product, such
as Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or use
bottled water for drinking. Back
to Top
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25) Will Morton® Potassium
Chloride Pellets work in any softener that can use
Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula? |
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Yes, you can use Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets in any softener
that uses sodium chloride (salt). We do not know of any brand of
water softener in which Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets would
not work. Back to Top
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26) How do I switch over
to Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets? Do I have
to empty the sodium
product from the water softener? |
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No, you do not have to empty the water softener. When you are ready
to add more salt, simply pour the potassium chloride product on
top of any remaining salt product. Back
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27) Will it take the same
amount of Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets to
do the same job as
the sodium pellets? |
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In most cases the same amount of Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets
and the same settings can be used. Only softeners at the 4-pound
or less setting require a slight adjustment. Simply increase the
setting by 12% i.e. at 4 pounds increase to 4.5 pounds. Back
to Top
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28) How will the Morton® Potassium Chloride
Pellets or Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula affect my plumbing or septic system? |
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There are no detrimental effects on plumbing or septic systems if
Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets or any of the Morton sodium
chloride-based products are used. Back
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29) Does Morton® Potassium
Chloride Pellets contain the resin cleaners found in
other Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or Morton® Rust Remover Super
Pellens®?
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No. Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets do not contain any additives.
Therefore, you will not get the benefit of the resin cleaners found
in Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or Morton® Rust
Remover Super Pellens®. Back
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30) Will Morton® Potassium
Chloride Pellets affect the resin beads? |
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Use of Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets will not harm the resin
beads. However, if your raw water has a high iron content of over
2 ppm, you may want to use Morton® Rust Remover Super Pellens®.
This product contains a resin bead cleaner which will help prevent
fouling of clean or new resin beads. Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula also contain two food grade resin cleaners that keep resin
beads from fouling if your water contains less than 2 ppm of iron. Back
to Top
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31) Will mixing Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula or any other Morton water softening products
with Morton® Potassium Chloride Pellets result
in any extra benefits? |
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We recommend the occasional use of Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula, Morton® Rust Remover Super Pellens® or Morton® Rust
Raze® Resin Cleaner to clean the softener system. For example,
Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula could be used every fifth
bag. Back to Top
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32) Does the potassium-based
product cost more than sodium-based products? If so, why?
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The potassium-based product will probably be more expensive than
sodium-based products because potassium chloride costs more to
process than sodium chloride.
Back to Top
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33) Do you make potassium
chloride in block form? |
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No. Morton® Potassium Chloride is only available in pellet form.
Blocks are not available. Back to
Top
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34) What is the potassium
level of water softened with Morton® Potassium
Chloride Pellets? |
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Using potassium chloride in your softener will contribute approximately
32 milligrams of potassium per 8 ounces of water for each 10 grains
of hardness softened.
Back to Top
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35) Is water softened by
potassium chloride safe for houseplants? |
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Yes. Potassium is one of the 16 elements necessary for plant growth.
It also helps plants resist disease and optimize moisture utilization. Back
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36) Is water softened by
potassium chloride safe for pets? |
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If your pet suffers from heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease,
consult your vet as to whether or not your pet can drink potassium
chloride softened water. For healthy pets potassium chloride softened
water is safe to drink. Back to
Top
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37) Is potassium chloride
mined the same way as salt? |
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Yes, the Morton product is mined the same way as salt. Back
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38) What holds Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula together? Do they contain glue
or binders? |
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High pressures are used to formulate Morton® Pellets with System Saver® II Formula. No glues or binders are used in any of our water softening
products. Back to Top
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39) How does a water softener
work? |
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A water softener removes the hardness minerals, calcium and magnesium,
from your water. When water with these hardness minerals passes
through the water softener, the calcium and magnesium ions are
attracted to resin beads inside the softener. In turn, the resin
beads release sodium ions. Water without the hardness minerals
is "soft." Salt is used to recharge the resin beads once
they are saturated with magnesium and calcium. For further explanation
of how water softeners work, please click here. Back
to Top
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40) Where can I get more
information about salt? |
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You can contact us online at 'Ask
Rose', call us at 312/807-2693 or write us at:
Morton Salt
Consumer Affairs
123 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
You can also visit the Salt Institute's website at www.saltinstitute.org,
call them at or 703/549-4648 or write them at:
Salt Institute
700 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA
22314-2040
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