We've got it good with distilled water

[archangle]

I went on a hunt and decided to check out Woolworth's. They had demineralized water for about $2 for 1.5 liters. I thought that'd be good enough. When I got back to my room and read the label, it said specifically not to be used in therapeutic devices or to be drank. I figured this had more to do with potential bacteria than anything else, so I figured I'd just boil it first to kill anything in it.

Demineralized water may be processed by adding chemicas. The chemicals may remove the ions, but they won't necessarily remove all non-ionic/non-mineral contaminants. The chemicals used in the processing may remain in the water. Depending on how it's processes, demineralized or deionized water might actually be harmful to your health, even though it's safe for use in steam irons or other machinery.

Boiling it will NOT make it safe.

[Chikorita]

I now use Sydney tap water in my humidifier and just dump it out every few days when I refill it. It takes several months for even the slightest calcium deposit to appear... and that goes in a seconds with a white vinegar rinse.

The demineralised water is intended for domestic steam irons and similar devices.

Cheers,

Bill

Really? Were you nervous? I don't understand enough about it to know if it's ok. Please explain more or pm me with more info. I drink Sydney Water too.

[DougalMcDougal]

i live in sydney and don't need to put any water in my humidifier as it never uses any due to the ambient humidity in the city
- the water level in my humidifier has remained exactly the same since i last filled it 2 weeks ago (with filtered water from the fridge)

[TheUglyTruth]

You obviously didn't look hard enough when you were in Woolworths. They stock 10 litre casks of distilled water for $7.99!

He wants to lug a 10-litre cask back to the hotel to use a few mls each night?????

No. You obviously didn't think hard enough when you were in the post mode.

[xenablue]

Two things.

First thing is that Australia in general actually has quite a high quality of tap water. With the exception of Adelaide. Although even then I vaguely recall that they did something about that as it used to be really crappy. So why bother with distilled?

Second thing is... what the hell is a gallon? Was there a supernova nearby and our galaxy travelled back a hundred years?

ahem..... I'm an Aussie, and I happen to remember EXACTLY what a gallon is.. and feet and inches... I may LOOK a hundred years old, but I am NOT!
In fact I could never really picture someone 1.7m tall - 5'6" makes much more sense to me (visually anyway). Now that I live in the U.S., those 'ancient' methods of measure come in very handy. Yes - I agree they need to get with the times and go metric as it's way easier (except peoples' height), but the 'old' way still works.

Cheers,
xena

[StuUnderPressure]

ahem..... I'm an Aussie, and I happen to remember EXACTLY what a gallon is.. and feet and inches... I may LOOK a hundred years old, but I am NOT!
In fact I could never really picture someone 1.7m tall - 5'6" makes much more sense to me (visually anyway). Now that I live in the U.S., those 'ancient' methods of measure come in very handy. Yes - I agree they need to get with the times and go metric as it's way easier (except peoples' height), but the 'old' way still works.

Cheers,
xena

You go girl ! ! !

By the way, the "Balmy Wisconsin" weather (snow) AND the numerous accidents because of it made the National news on Monday 12-10-12.

I have been to Madison Wisconsin, but both times (2012 & 2011) were in May - so the weather could have been considered "balmy" then.
But then, there was that one thunderstorm with large hail & a tornado with the tornado hitting just out of Madison.

[Uncle_Bob]

As having a master mechanic for 45 working years, I have never seen anyone in the profession use distilled water in a battery. Modern batteries seldom require water, unless they are abused.

Both my cars 2005 & 2007 have the lead acid type. lead-acid batteries are made up of plates of lead and separate plates of lead dioxide, which are submerged into an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid and water. Each has easily detachable caps so a top-up with distilled water may be required from time to time. The manufacturer recommends the use of demineralized or distilled water.
Here in Arizona i normally check my battery 2 or 3 times a year and top off as required, my batteries are not abused.

[Uncle_Bob]

Its the same situation in the UK you cant get distilled anywhere.

I never normally have room or weight allowance to take some with me now they only allow one case per person instead of two. And i'm pretty sure you can pack it in your cpap carry on bag.

I had someone try and special order it from Boots (pharamacy) and the store clerk got confused and ordered demineralized, which is all they had.

So i make do with tape water empty and allow to dry every day, while i stay for a couple of weeks.

[xenablue]

ahem..... I'm an Aussie, and I happen to remember EXACTLY what a gallon is.. and feet and inches... I may LOOK a hundred years old, but I am NOT!
In fact I could never really picture someone 1.7m tall - 5'6" makes much more sense to me (visually anyway). Now that I live in the U.S., those 'ancient' methods of measure come in very handy. Yes - I agree they need to get with the times and go metric as it's way easier (except peoples' height), but the 'old' way still works.

Cheers,
xena

You go girl ! ! !

By the way, the "Balmy Wisconsin" weather (snow) AND the numerous accidents because of it made the National news on Monday 12-10-12.

I have been to Madison Wisconsin, but both times (2012 & 2011) were in May - so the weather could have been considered "balmy" then.
But then, there was that one thunderstorm with large hail & a tornado with the tornado hitting just out of Madison.

LOL yeah, it's an interesting place to live after never experiencing freezing temps in Sydney - it does actually get very balmy here in summer - way too much humidity!!! And I LOVE the snow. I'm in Milwaukee - no snow for us in over 250 days - a record I believe.

cheers,
xena

[lazer]

I agree. We have it great with distilled water!

[ deleted ]

[ClayL]

Distilled water is only recommended to prevent mineral build up. Any water safe for drinking will do. Most cheap distilled is simply demineralized water.

According to the labels all of the inexpensive distilled water I buy - even the 89 cent per gallon at Walmart - is steam distilled not demineralized.

[Taringa542]

ahem..... I'm an Aussie, and I happen to remember EXACTLY what a gallon is.. and feet and inches... I may LOOK a hundred years old, but I am NOT!
In fact I could never really picture someone 1.7m tall - 5'6" makes much more sense to me (visually anyway). Now that I live in the U.S., those 'ancient' methods of measure come in very handy. Yes - I agree they need to get with the times and go metric as it's way easier (except peoples' height), but the 'old' way still works.

Cheers,
xena

You go girl ! ! !

By the way, the "Balmy Wisconsin" weather (snow) AND the numerous accidents because of it made the National news on Monday 12-10-12.

I have been to Madison Wisconsin, but both times (2012 & 2011) were in May - so the weather could have been considered "balmy" then.
But then, there was that one thunderstorm with large hail & a tornado with the tornado hitting just out of Madison.

LOL yeah, it's an interesting place to live after never experiencing freezing temps in Sydney - it does actually get very balmy here in summer - way too much humidity!!! And I LOVE the snow. I'm in Milwaukee - no snow for us in over 250 days - a record I believe.

cheers,
xena

I grew up in Sydney & now reside in the Sunshine State! Can someone tell me what SNOW is? Ive never seen it!

[Muzz]

Why use distilled water?
Our tap/drinking water is fine. I empty the water tank daily & rinse it with clean water and refill it.
I dismantle the tank weekly and wash it in dishwashing detergent.
This is what my Sleep Specialist recommends

[Goofproof]

Two things.

First thing is that Australia in general actually has quite a high quality of tap water. With the exception of Adelaide. Although even then I vaguely recall that they did something about that as it used to be really crappy. So why bother with distilled?

Second thing is... what the hell is a gallon? Was there a supernova nearby and our galaxy travelled back a hundred years?

ahem..... I'm an Aussie, and I happen to remember EXACTLY what a gallon is.. and feet and inches... I may LOOK a hundred years old, but I am NOT!
In fact I could never really picture someone 1.7m tall - 5'6" makes much more sense to me (visually anyway). Now that I live in the U.S., those 'ancient' methods of measure come in very handy. Yes - I agree they need to get with the times and go metric as it's way easier (except peoples' height), but the 'old' way still works.

Cheers,
xena

We do need to go metric, because people are getting dumber every generation! maybe they will be able to move a decimal point, even if they can't do real math. Lb on this! Jim

[ddk]

...but the 'old' way still works.

Tell that to the Mars Climate Orbiter

http://articles.cnn.com/1999-09-30/tech ... _s=PM:TECH