How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

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library lady
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How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by library lady » Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:37 pm

Many of you don’t have this problem, or if you do, you’ve conquered it. I’ve had trouble handling the gallon jug of distilled water for the humidifier because of arthritis in hands, wrists and shoulders. Early on, I started pouring water from the jug into a quart-sized plastic bottle for filling the humidifier… in the winter I went through a gallon every 5 or 6 days. Still struggled to pour water into the quart bottle from the big one on a weekly basis. Now that summer’s here in the hot, humid Midwest, I use very little water.

For what it’s worth to you if you have arthritis, and for the newbies who come along, today at the grocery store I came across a section of picnic gadgets, and there in front of me were gallon-sized plastic jugs with spigots! So for $7.99 I bought one, and it works perfectly. Now I only have to deal with it at the store and getting it in and out of the car but after I transfer the water to that jug, I have it made. Pull it out from the back of the counter to the front edge, fill the tank and off to dreamland I go!

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Stevoreno_55
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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by Stevoreno_55 » Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:57 pm

I pour mine into several 16.9 oz. empty plastic bottles which contained my Ozarka drinking water and I keep them on a shelf in my bookcase near my bed but since the plastic bottles aren't as strong as they were years ago I put each bottle into a ceramic cup to prevent them from turning over. When the bottles need to be refilled I take them back to the kitchen and refill them where I keep my gallons of distilled water on hand.



Stevoreno_55
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07/11/14

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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by Wulfman... » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:04 pm

What I've been doing since I started is when I open a gallon jug, I pour it into six 20 oz. plastic pop bottles I've recycled and use for this purpose only. I then store them on a shelf in the lower part of the refrigerator door and fill the humidifier tank with them as needed. Since there's 128 oz. in a gallon, there's just a little bit left over after filling the six.......so, I pour the remainder into an extra bottle or add it to the HH tank.
Since I don't use heated humidity, a gallon will last me nearly three months, so I believe my method helps keep the water "fresh".


Den

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JDS74
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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by JDS74 » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:20 pm

The biggest problem with arthritic hands is holding the jug while pouring into another container.
Resting the gallon jug on the sink allows for almost all of the weight to be supported by the sink.
Pouring into the container with the spigot is a great idea.

BTW, for Respironics humidifiers, the Aquapod water bottles hold exactly the amount of water needed to fill the humidifier.

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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by jencat824 » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:38 pm

I love the spigot idea. I'm going to look for one this weekend. I think I saw one similar to this at WalMart, but never thought of using it for this. A genuis idea!

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library lady
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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by library lady » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:44 pm

Jencat, I wouldn't be surprised if you can find one at Walmart for less than what I paid... or Target... or KMart, etc.

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STL Mark
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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by STL Mark » Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:32 pm


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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by SleepyStar » Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:35 pm

Is there a way to get distilled water in half gallon or smallerish jugs? I mean, I don't mind paying a little bit more per gallon if it meant I could get it up the stairs independently...my foot's just barely healed enough I can start PT, a whole gallon of water isn't happening right now up stairs. And bottled water doesn't really seem the right answer long term...for now I'm getting help with hauling around groceries from family but I'd love to get my parents more of a break from helping me, y'know?

I do love the idea of the spigot holder for once it's in the apartment though...I bet you could use a sun-tea jar too, just keep it out of the direct sun so it stays cooler

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archangle
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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by archangle » Sat Jul 12, 2014 12:26 am

SleepyStar wrote:Is there a way to get distilled water in half gallon or smallerish jugs? I mean, I don't mind paying a little bit more per gallon if it meant I could get it up the stairs independently...my foot's just barely healed enough I can start PT, a whole gallon of water isn't happening right now up stairs.
Would a backpack help?

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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by kteague » Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:45 am

Lots of creative ideas here. I've seen smaller containers in the baby section of a drug store. Can't remember where, it's been a while.

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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by DaveDzRochNY » Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:26 am

Been using CPAP and humidifiers since 2000 and have not use distilled water at all. Never. Still alive!!!... at least that's what the mirror is saying.

Just tossing that out there.

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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by msla » Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:47 am

I use RO water in bulk from walmart. I transfer it to an other container like this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Arrow-H2O-2.5 ... e/15915151 and fill the chamber nightly with the spigot.

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library lady
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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by library lady » Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:51 am

STL Mark, I love the idea of that rolling thing for pouring from large jugs, but I think it would be a bear to find a good storage place for it as it would take up a fair amount of space. You all have good ideas, and now I've found my solution.

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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by SleepyStar » Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:11 pm

archangle wrote:
SleepyStar wrote:Is there a way to get distilled water in half gallon or smallerish jugs? I mean, I don't mind paying a little bit more per gallon if it meant I could get it up the stairs independently...my foot's just barely healed enough I can start PT, a whole gallon of water isn't happening right now up stairs.
Would a backpack help?
The problem's that much weight shifting screws up my balance on the stairs. I do use the backpack for lighter things though. I found my work laptop's not as heavy as the gallon jug but is enough to mess with me going up stairs right now. Hoping with PT that can change, though!
kteague wrote:Lots of creative ideas here. I've seen smaller containers in the baby section of a drug store. Can't remember where, it's been a while.
I've got 2 different drug stores within a mile from my apartment, I'll take a look! Thanks


....You think a brita filter would be good enough while healing?

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archangle
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Re: How to handle gallon jugs of distilled water!

Post by archangle » Sat Jul 12, 2014 11:08 pm

Other options:

Buy a gallon jug and pour it into multiple smaller bottles before going up the stairs. Make multiple trips.

Buy multiple jugs and carrying several up the stairs when you have help might be less of a burden. More work per session, but fewer sessions.

Sounds silly, but is there anywhere you could tie a rope to the gallon jugs and lift them up that way once you're at the top of the stairs?

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