Quick question - no distilled water?

mikester · Post by **mikester** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:30 pm

I'm on the road this week and I couldn't find anywhere near the hotel to get some distilled water for my humidifier. Would it be ok to use tap water for 1 or 2 nights, or should I just go without the humidifier?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:43 pm

Depending on where you are - you may want to go without; your call. I'd say go w/o tonight - if you have a problem, look harder tomorrow.

I guess if feel you must, you could run some tap water thru the hotel coffee pot, if you trust that.

I know I asked my PA specifically this question just so I would know. He said go without. I am not a paranoid but I think if your breathing it in, be cautious. I would worry more about germs than the mineral deposits, but that's me.

I promptly found myself a small plastic bottle (Propel) to carry some distilled water with me. I marked it so I don't accidently drink it.

Just my thoughts.
Good Luck,
GumbyCT

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:46 pm

I wouldn't hesitate to use either bottled drinking water or tap water if I couldn't find distilled.

After I got home I'd soak the inside of the water chamber with a solution of vinegar/distilled water simply to keep mineral deposit scale from being on the inside walls and floor of the water chamber.

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:47 pm

I don't see any problem with that. I've used bottled water and tap water when traveling when that was all that was available. You've gotta make do with what you have. I always pack a drinking sized bottle of distilled water when I travel because I know that the first night or two I will not be wanting to search for stores that carry it. I use distilled water because of the mineral content in our tap water, which can make cleaning a chore.

If you are interested in what others have to say about distilled vs. tap water search through the topics.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:48 pm

There have been about 5 nights in past 2 years that I've been too lazy to go downstairs to get distilled out of pantry. So I have resorted to tap(must have humidifier) Vegas water is so yucky I actually have a crusty buildup on the humidifier plate in the morning after using tap. I just clean the humidifier extra well and alls well. I don't make it a habit but tap water will do in a pinch.

AdmiralCougar · Post by **AdmiralCougar** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:08 pm

I took my BiPAP when I traveled down to a football game a few weeks ago, and I tried to use tap water there since we arrived in town about 2am, but it stunk something awful. I regretted even trying it. I made my husband and our friend who actually drove us down run to the 24 hour WinCo. and buy me a gallon of Distiled because just poring the water out didn't get rid of the smell.

Christy

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:29 pm

I use distilled water, but have on occasion had to use tap water, and I microwaved it first just so I'd feel it was more sterile. I did find it left the chamber with a film on the bottom.

Just yesterday I asked a young man I know if he was using his cpap, and he said yes but he hadn't been diligent about keeping it clean, and that mold was growing all gunked up in the bottom. I couldn't believe he just kept using it! Ugh!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:50 am

I LIVE HERE IN SAUDI ARABIA AND BOTTLED WATER IS QUITE EXPENSIVE FOR EACH NIGHT'S USE. I'VE DECIDED TO USE OUR POTABLE TAP WATER COMING FROM MY SEDIMENT WATER FILTER UNIT (WITH TASTE AND ODOR CARTRIDGE). TAP WATER IS CHLORINATED, AND IT'S MUCH SAFER TO GET WATER FILTER TO REMOVE THE CHLORINE . . . I CHANGE THE WATER IN THE CHAMBER EVERY NIGHT, AND NO PROBLEM.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:15 am

I don't have any problems from using bottled water when I travel. I look for "purified" rather than "mineral or spring" water.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:48 pm

If you use it in "passover mode" you may have better results with mineral buildup.

RAINSUX · Post by **RAINSUX** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:12 pm

I always use tap water when I travel and then give it a good cleaning when I get home. I've only had a bathtub ring once, and it cleaned right up.

Sam

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:22 pm

I'd use Aquafina if available, it is more than just filtered tap water, they run it through a 7-stage RO system.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:01 am

I like Aquafina, too, Snoredog. Dasani is my second choice.

I have an RO unit at home, and use that water every day for my humidifier. Over six months so far and no residue in my tank.

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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:37 am

Anonymous wrote:Depending on where you are - you may want to go without; your call. I'd say go w/o tonight - if you have a problem, look harder tomorrow.

I guess if feel you must, you could run some tap water thru the hotel coffee pot, if you trust that.

I know I asked my PA specifically this question just so I would know. He said go without. I am not a paranoid but I think if your breathing it in, be cautious. I would worry more about germs than the mineral deposits, but that's me.

I promptly found myself a small plastic bottle (Propel) to carry some distilled water with me. I marked it so I don't accidently drink it.

Just my thoughts.
Good Luck,
GumbyCT

Good luck on taking that on an airplane.

jum001 · Post by **jum001** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:30 pm

You could try checking with the bell captain or concierge at the hotel. Many now have distille water available as so many people travel with CPAP equipment.

Julie

Mask

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Quick question - no distilled water?

Quick question - no distilled water?

Distilled Water