5 Steps to Clean a Salt Cell With Muriatic Acid

Remove the cell from the plumbing Pull the salt cell out of the pipe. Look for white scale or calcium buildup — that is almost always the cause of a “check cell” light.

Mix a diluted acid solution Combine 1 part muriatic acid with 4 parts water in a plastic bucket. Always add acid to water, never the reverse.

Submerge the cell for 10 to 15 minutes Place the cell in the solution until the bubbling stops. This dissolves the scale without scrubbing.

Rinse thoroughly and reinstall Wash the cell with a hose to remove all acid residue. Reinstall it in the plumbing.

Replace the cell if the light stays on If the warning light remains after cleaning, the cell is dead. No amount of scrubbing will fix worn-out plates.