What type of water do you use in your humidifier?

[Steve of Cornubia]

All the manufacturers, to my knowledge, advise that only distilled water is used in humidifiers. In the case of my machines, the stated reason is the prevention of mineral build-up in the tank.

This can be perceived as costly and/or inconvenient. Consequently, many people say they use tap water or other forms.

It would be interesting to see what the majority (if there is one) use.

Apart from mineral build-up, some people avoid raw tap and bottled water because they believe them to be unhygienic. As far as I know, there are only anecdotal data to support that fear, but if you have PERSONAL experience of ill health likely caused by using such water, it would be interesting to hear that, and thus guage how prevalent such issues are. Please remember though, to only include examples that you have experienced personally.

[palerider]

All the manufacturers, to my knowledge, advise that only distilled water is used in humidifiers. In the case of my machines, the stated reason is the prevention of mineral build-up in the tank.

This can be perceived as costly and/or inconvenient. Consequently, many people say they use tap water or other forms.

It would be interesting to see what the majority (if there is one) use.

Apart from mineral build-up, some people avoid raw tap and bottled water because they believe them to be unhygienic. As far as I know, there are only anecdotal data to support that fear, but if you have PERSONAL experience of ill health likely caused by using such water, it would be interesting to hear that, and thus guage how prevalent such issues are. Please remember though, to only include examples that you have experienced personally.

Another useless poll :sigh:

Actually, your knowledge is faulty, for instance the apac version of the Resmed airsense 10 guide says:

4. Open the humidifier and fill it with water up to the maximum water level mark. Do not fill the humidifier with hot water.

Whereas the US version says:

4. Open the humidifier and fill it with distilled water up to the maximum water level mark. Do not fill the humidifier with hot water.

Distilled is a convenience.

Once again, READ THIS: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16236866

[Steve of Cornubia]

Another useless poll :sigh:

My apologies for being less knowledgeable and boring the you-know-what out of you.

If ANYBODY (even just me) gets something out of this, then it wasn't "useless".

[palerider]

Another useless poll :sigh:

My apologies for being less knowledgeable and boring the you-know-what out of you.

If ANYBODY (even just me) gets something out of this, then it wasn't "useless".

Having a "poll* to find out what other people put in their humidifiers doesn't do anything but provide dubious entertainment, since it in no way informs you what YOU should put in YOUR humidifier.

[Steve of Cornubia]

Having a "poll* to find out what other people put in their humidifiers doesn't do anything but provide dubious entertainment, since it in no way informs you what YOU should put in YOUR humidifier.

Really? Surely the principal function of this forum is to share experiences and personal knowledge. I certainly didn't expect every member to be a qualified sleep specalist with a library of rigorous, well-reasearched and published research behind him/her.

While you might not value the personal experiences of others, I do.

Anyway, it might be that your strangely hostile reaction to my innocent thread has put others off from responding in kind, so any more discussion is moot.

[palerider]

Anyway, it might be that your strangely hostile reaction to my innocent thread has put others off from responding in kind, so any more discussion is moot.

Alternatively, they feel the same as I do, especially given this thread:
viewtopic/t175151/Distilled-Water-or-Filtered.html
posted an hour and a half before.

Maybe they just don't like polls. (a common sentiment, if you read back through the archives.)

But, hey... you're certainly welcome to your opinion.

[Jas_williams]

I polled anyway I use tap water and clean when appropriate BUT I am in the UK so my Tap water is safe to use it said so in my manual


There is no need to use boiled or distilled water it’s just a convenience as PR says if distilled water is cheap and readily availiable like in the US

[Steve of Cornubia]

I polled anyway I use tap water and clean when appropriate BUT I am in the UK so my Tap water is safe to use it said so in my manual


There is no need to use boiled or distilled water it’s just a convenience as PR says if distilled water is cheap and readily availiable like in the US

As I recall, the tap water in Blighty is both safe AND tastes better than here in Oz. Where I am currently (near Brisbane) it is over-treated for my taste, with a very distinct whiff of chlorine. I guess that means it might not go well with a good whisky, but it should be safe to use in a humidifier.

I will be 'going bush' this weekend, or at least the house I'll be staying in relies on tank water (rainwater off the roof). Having been involved in urban water research and seen what can lurk in tank water, I'll be using bottled water!

[Spot123]

I have treated water, and I always drink it straight from the tap. But it' a little on the "hard" side so it leaves deposits eventually all over the sink and shower walls. So I think it's wise to use the distilled water in the tank. Costs a dollar a week for a gallon from the supermarket.

[Dog Slobber]

The problem with polls such as this is absolutely no context is provided with the numbers. We don't see who, their experience, circumstances, general CPAP knowledge or why they are doing what they do.

People have a tendency to ready incorrect information into poll outcome. After all, if the majority of CPAP users do something, then that must be the better way.

As far as I know, there are only anecdotal data to support that fear, but if you have PERSONAL experience of ill health likely caused by using such water, it would be interesting to hear that, and thus guage how prevalent such issues are.

This is a problem.

Could you please tell me how when one gets ill, while on CPAP they know the cause is CPAP or water oriented.

The general population does not know the role of distilled water and misinformation can be harmful. There have been posts from people who are so convinced that distilled water is a medical necessity they will NOT use CPAP if they can't get distilled.

Cripes, look at the following post about distilled posted just before your poll:

They don't recommend tap water unless you boil it on the stove for 5 min (rolling boil). or you can put the water in a glass measuring cup & nuke it in the microwave for 2-3 min. It's about using STERILE water. That is why distilled water is recommended and filtered water is the next best choice if distilled water is not readily available. It's about your health not water spots. I used distilled water until we installed a water softener. We paid extra to also have it filtered. I now use tap water, but I still boil it in the microwave to make sure it's sterile. I knew a person who used tap water without boiling it first to clean out her sinuses. She ended up dying of a bacterial infection. As long as you don't use straight out of the sink tap water, you should be fine.

People are scaring the shit out of one an other and it's being believed. Net result, some miss CPAP therapy or abandon it.

My apologies for being less knowledgeable and boring the you-know-what out of you.

If ANYBODY (even just me) gets something out of this, then it wasn't "useless".

If ANYBODY gets incorrect information out of this then it's "useless" and harmful. And let's tone-down the passive-aggressive victim role-playing.

[Dog Slobber]

Actually, your knowledge is faulty, for instance the apac version of the Resmed airsense 10 guide says:

4. Open the humidifier and fill it with water up to the maximum water level mark. Do not fill the humidifier with hot water.

Whereas the US version says:

4. Open the humidifier and fill it with distilled water up to the maximum water level mark. Do not fill the humidifier with hot water.

Distilled is a convenience.

Snips from the UK vs US, Humidifier use manual:

CPAP_distilled Water.jpg

[PaulKTF]

I use distilled only. I have access to filtered (and softened) tap water but I'd only use it in an emergency if I didn't have any distilled or bottled water available.

[palerider]

Actually, your knowledge is faulty, for instance the apac version of the Resmed airsense 10 guide says:

4. Open the humidifier and fill it with water up to the maximum water level mark. Do not fill the humidifier with hot water.

Whereas the US version says:

4. Open the humidifier and fill it with distilled water up to the maximum water level mark. Do not fill the humidifier with hot water.

Distilled is a convenience.

Snips from the UK vs US, Humidifier use manual:

CPAP_distilled Water.jpg

Thanks for the screen shots, I couldn't be bothered

[bombayone]

Another useless poll :sigh:

My apologies for being less knowledgeable and boring the you-know-what out of you.

If ANYBODY (even just me) gets something out of this, then it wasn't "useless".

Having a "poll* to find out what other people put in their humidifiers doesn't do anything but provide dubious entertainment, since it in no way informs you what YOU should put in YOUR humidifier.

Dubious entertainment is reading the debate about forum member's Avatars.

[babydinosnoreless]

Another useless poll :sigh:

My apologies for being less knowledgeable and boring the you-know-what out of you.

If ANYBODY (even just me) gets something out of this, then it wasn't "useless".

Having a "poll* to find out what other people put in their humidifiers doesn't do anything but provide dubious entertainment, since it in no way informs you what YOU should put in YOUR humidifier.

Dubious entertainment is reading the debate about forum member's Avatars.

Who doesn't like popcorn eating kittens and dino snoreless ?
Btw those threads are clearly marked off topic.