Distilled Water Only while traveling?

[Madzamboni]

So I have a conundrum ...

I've had my Airsense S10 Autoset for only 2-3 days now and I leave on a business trip on Sunday for one week. I'll be speaking at a tech conference in Philly and will be at the conference hotel without a rental car.

I was told to use Distilled Water only, otherwise sediment can collect and rust the bottom of my humidifier. However I don't know if I will have access to a drug store within walking distance, especially when I arrive in the late evening on a Sunday.

Is tap water a real no no? Or can I used bottled water which should be available at the hotel?

[Julie]

Lots of people use tap water most of the time, then just clean the tanks more carefully and more often. Tap water won't matter for a 1-2 night stay unless the water's full of e.g. tar, and you can still clean if you feel the need when you get home.

[Madzamboni]

Wow, that makes me fill a ton better. Thank you.

[Bons]

While I was in Orlando last week I used tap water. I just made sure that I emptied the tank every morning to lessen the chance of mineral deposits building up on the inside.

[ChicagoGranny]

makes me fill a ton better

In that case, just feel your humidifier tank with any old water.

[palerider]

makes me fill a ton better

In that case, just feel your humidifier tank with any old water.

though I'd strongly suggest you use much less than a ton of it.

[HoseCrusher]

Another option is to call the hotel. They may be able to supply you with distilled water. The cost may be inflated a little but still manageable. In other words, don't expect it for free.

[SteveGold]

Bottled water or tap water will be fine for a few days. I've used bottled water for a few weeks in a row while traveling without any problems.

I once resorted to murky tap water in a Dublin hostel that made for a very unpleasant night. But I just cleaned the tank the next day and it was fine.

[Pugsy]

I have even used tap water here at home (on a well and we have a high mineral content) when I was out of distilled and unable to get to the store to get more.
I just dump the water in the AM and let the tank air dry and then fill it again at night.
If there is any mineral build up it's easily removed with just a little water/vinegar solution sloshed around in the chamber.

[Julie]

One important note - do not use any other kind of bottled water besides distilled because they all have some other stuff in them that you wouldn't want even if it's great to drink... i.e. Evian, sparkling, etc. etc.

[Chevie]

One important note - do not use any other kind of bottled water besides distilled because they all have some other stuff in them that you wouldn't want even if it's great to drink... i.e. Evian, sparkling, etc. etc.

It will kill you in your sleep!

[ChicagoGranny]

It will kill you in your sleep!

Quit it!

[archangle]

One important note - do not use any other kind of bottled water besides distilled because they all have some other stuff in them that you wouldn't want even if it's great to drink... i.e. Evian, sparkling, etc. etc.

The bottled plain drinking water isn't as good as distilled water, but is no worse than tap water. I agree to not use sparkling water, etc.

I was told to use Distilled Water only, otherwise sediment can collect and rust the bottom of my humidifier. However I don't know if I will have access to a drug store within walking distance, especially when I arrive in the late evening on a Sunday.

Is tap water a real no no? Or can I used bottled water which should be available at the hotel?

Whoever told you that is wrong, especially for short term use. No tap water that's safe to drink is going to eat up your water tank in a few days. Remember that you can buy a replacement tank, and should replace it every 6 months or so anyway.

ResMed does specify "distilled water only" for the "standard" water tank. It probably says that on the top of the water tank somewhere. There's also a "cleanable" or "dishwashable" water tank that is OK for tap water, but you should dump it and rinse every morning. Personally, I would use tap water anyway for a few days in the standard tank and wash it really well afterwards.

Do not attempt to clean the water tank with a Zamboni or use the meltwater in the CPAP machine.

[Krelvin]

One important note - do not use any other kind of bottled water besides distilled because they all have some other stuff in them that you wouldn't want even if it's great to drink... i.e. Evian, sparkling, etc. etc.

I used Sparklets (drinking water from the cooler) when I run out of distilled water. I only has a few minerals in it to add "taste" and it is only for a night or two.

Carbinated anything is not a good idea.

[JohnO]

I've had my Airsense S10 Autoset for only 2-3 days now and I leave on a business trip on Sunday for one week. I'll be speaking at a tech conference in Philly and will be at the conference hotel without a rental car.

If you are taking a cab to the hotel, you could ask the driver to stop at a pharmacy if there isn't one near your hotel. Since I've been on CPAP, I'm surprised by how many pharmacies there are. It seems there is a CVS or Walgreens around every other corner. Go to Google Maps and enter in your hotel's address. After that, ask google maps for "pharmacies near XXX address."

Of course, as others have said, a couple of days of bottled or tap water should be fine. The only real downside is the increased minerals that will give you a little extra cleaning to do.

Good Luck!