using distilled water in the humidiefer

[big o]

Does anyone know if there is a problem with long term use of distilled water in the humidifer. Distilled water bought at a supermarket in plastic bottels

[tiredgrl]

You're supposed to use distilled water!

[css28]

The reason to use distilled water is because it won't result in residual minerals in the reservoir as the water evaporates.

I cheat with tap water when traveling but make it a point to empty and refill the chamber every night.

[JDS74]

Be careful which "distilled" water you choose. If the details on the label don't say "steam distillation" and nothing else, it's not really distilled water and will have minerals in it. Sometimes they add "filtration" or "purified" and those both allow for minerals to be left in the water. I get mine from either Publix or Krogers and NOT from WalMart.

[DxRxTx]

The long term problem is putting more garbage in the landfill.

[LSAT]

The long term problem is putting more garbage in the landfill.

RECYCLE !

[Madalot]

Be careful which "distilled" water you choose. If the details on the label don't say "steam distillation" and nothing else, it's not really distilled water and will have minerals in it. Sometimes they add "filtration" or "purified" and those both allow for minerals to be left in the water. I get mine from either Publix or Krogers and NOT from WalMart.

We were using Food Lion brand and that says ZIP about steam distillation. Target & Walmart are at least partly steamed distilled and that's what we have to use. We don't have any other options where we live because we don't have Kroger or any other decent stores to get a better quality distilled.

My humidifier tanks are disposable and I change them every month (I get 3 new tanks every 3 months). My husband uses a PRS1 and we wash his tank every month (plus he has extras). At least with that, they stay relatively clean.

[Vermonter]

I was told you can use bottled spring water in a pinch, lets say just spending a night somewhere but it's not good for you and the machine to use anything but distilled water.

I've been using WalMart brand distilled water for almost 2 years and have had no issues. Distilled water, no matter how it's distilled, is still distilled water.

[Krelvin]

Distilled water, no matter how it's distilled, is still distilled water.

Agreed, it is the definition of distilled.

[grayghost4]

What do you think about using Homoeopathic water in the humidifier ... if there is one available that will cure apnoea.

[Madalot]

My husband and I were using Food Lion distilled for a long time and got sludgy residue in our tanks. I read somewhere (here probably) that it should be STEAM distilled, which Food Lion was not. We switched and found Steam (at least partially) for both Walmart & Target brand. Since we switched, we no longer have the residue. So I'm assuming that even partially steamed is better than not at all.

[chunkyfrog]

I distill my own. Uncle Wally's water developed a pink scum, so, I'm like --meh!

[Madalot]

I distill my own. Uncle Wally's water developed a pink scum, so, I'm like --meh!

Interesting. Maybe because we wash hubby's tank and replace mine monthly? Since we changed (Food Lion was awful) and are diligent about washing, we haven't had any issues.

[ClayL]

I have used Walmart distilled water for almost all of the humidifier water for about 9 years. Works fine, no deposits.
The label says "Steam Distilled, says nothing about being partially steam distilled.

[palerider]

someone please point me to some reputable reference to how one can have "non-steam distilled water", given that the definition of "distilled" is

Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean container.

perhaps there is a confusion between "purified" and "distilled"... you could certainly have non-steam purified water (filtered) vs steam purified water (distilled).