Distilled Water bottom line

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plr66
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Distilled Water bottom line

Post by plr66 » Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:46 pm

Okay, I've re-read the entire thread "Obsessed with distilled water." Seems that the only reason for the manufacturer's and most of our members' recommendations for this is to decrease mineral build-up. Not suggesting that this is a bad idea, because I absolutely use distilled at home---but wonder if 2 weeks travel using regular bottled water would make a hill of beans worth of difference that could not be washed away with vinegar solution afterward. Otherwise, I face having to carry a huge weight of prescribed distilled water with me in luggage. That just seems ridiculous to me at this point, but I sure would like to know if I'm missing something here. Thanks.
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greyhound
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by greyhound » Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:55 pm

I returned from Peru a few weeks ago. Used bottled water (couldn't easily purchase distilled water) for 2 1/2 weeks without any problems. When I returned home, I used a diluted vinegar solution to wash the humidifier. If I had to do it over, I wouldn't hesitate to use bottled water again.

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jnk
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by jnk » Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:59 pm

As I understand it, the nice thing about distilled water is (1) that it is less likely to cause mineral buildup and (2) that it is less likely to grow crud. But using bottled water for several weeks doesn't hurt anything, especially if you dump the non-distilled water each night.

But I may be wrong again.

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boston
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by boston » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:00 pm

My DME told me that it didnt make a difference if I used distilled or bottled. I got a 30 pack of 1/2 liter bottled water at sams club for 5 bucks, I use 1/2 a bottle every night, so 1 case will last me 2 months. I havent had ANY buildup or water deposits yet. And when I travel, I figure bottled water is easier to come by than distilled. I am using the nestle brand water. I dump it every morning (theres not much left) and turn it upside down on a towel to dry, then wash the container about every 2 weeks.

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Goofproof
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Goofproof » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:00 pm

Using good clean water for a few nights, won't ruin your HH, it can be cleaned or replaced. I don't see 6 oz of water a day as being very heavy or bulky either, if so most civilized locations have it for sale. It's not something I would worry much about, the worry would be more of a bother than fixing a problem. Jim
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john_dozer
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by john_dozer » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:41 pm

Distilled water can be disinfectant to some germs. Basically the pure water will cause many bacteria, some protozoa, and other microbes to swell up and explode. The cell full of 'stuff' draws the pure water into itself, swells, and ruptures its cell walls. It is death by osmosis.

I wouldn't say this was the core function of distilled water and there's a lot of microbes that can probably survive exposure, but its a nice side benefit.

Additionally bacteria can't grow out of just H20. They can't make that much use of plastic as it resists chemical breakdown. So distilled water deprives them of a source of impurities (minerals, bacteria (dead or alive), misc. debris) that can used to help grow.

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Paul56
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Paul56 » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:52 pm

I use distilled water.

When I take short trips I purchase distilled water at the location. As an example when I took a 500 mile trip to visit with mom in October I purchased distilled water on arrival for the machine. While I was there I purchased a couple of extra bottles to leave there because I go there often enough to have some stockpiled there.

I have not taken longer trips with the machine yet but my plan is to use bottled water as it is readily available at hotels or nearby. If there happens to be a pharmacy nearby I may purchase distilled but I don't plan on spending hours on a quest for distilled.

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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Guest » Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:03 pm

I fly about 8 nights a month. As you know, we can no longer carry on any liquids. I use tap water at all my locations and gently rinse with diluted vinegar when I return home. I use distilled at home. So far (about a year) with no problems...

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Babette
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Babette » Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:38 pm

I too use tap water when I travel, depending on the situation.

Long trip last year, 7 days in the same hotel, Wally World across the street, I bought distilled water when I got there.

Overnights at BF - tap water. I could probably stash distilled water at his house, but he's freaked out enough that I left my pillow there.

5 day road trip with parents, different hotel every night, had room in car, so I packed a small 1 liter bottle with distilled water it in it, it lasted for 5 days, dumping it out every night.

Hope this helps!
Barbara

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Bert_Mathews
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Bert_Mathews » Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:17 pm

I live in the county and HATE chlorinated smell / even taste so when traveling I go DRY or bottled water.
For people that pay for water < I'm a OLDFART and the thought of paying for something I can get for FREE ? >
If you look at the cost of a replacement @ $40 & Medicare pays for one every 6 mo. It's almost NOT worth cleaning or HAULING Water.
A little vinegar or lemon juice cleans out Lime deposits in minutes!!

I travel a lot about every couple months for two - three weeks .... The airline even HATE the little bottles from Pur-Sleep and if they TEST it and it has OIL in it they go berserk...

If users think distilled water is SO IMPORTANT -- "I have one question : DO YOU TAKE YOUR PILLS WITH DISTILLED WATER?"


BERT

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Paul56
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Paul56 » Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:43 pm

Bert_Mathews wrote: If users think distilled water is SO IMPORTANT -- "I have one question : DO YOU TAKE YOUR PILLS WITH DISTILLED WATER?"


BERT
Bert, I think you are on to something here...

For those water tank dumpers... you can dump your distilled water in a glass and use that to take your morning pills.

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biggziff
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by biggziff » Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:53 pm

I use distilled as even well water can have contaminates that I probably don't want to vaporize and breathe into my lungs for years. Ya, distilled isn't perfectly clean, but the idea of breathing in chlorine, radon and other nasties has me feeling better about the 69 cent gallon of distilled water I buy once a month.
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Pineapple
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Pineapple » Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:35 pm

Alright,

Our water is so hard you can cut yourself off a drink I don't even put it in my iron.

At my parents house, the water smells like sulfur, my sister's house, a swimming pool. For these reasons if I can't use distilled water (the cheapest of my other options) I would use bottled water before tap.

Yes I have had distilled water get contaminated, but I trust it more than I do an unknown water treatment plant.

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Babette
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Babette » Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:05 pm

No, Bert, I don't take my pills with Distilled Water.

And I also don't kill my dinner with an arrowhead I flintknapped myself.

DW is very easy for me to buy and keep in my bedroom (it doesn't grow things while sitting on my dresser), and then top off my HH with it nightly. Just works for me.

Might not work all the time, and for everyone. But it works for me.

Now, how about you try on my corset and hoopskirt next time you're out killing dinner?

LOL,
Babs

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Arthurs
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Re: Distilled Water bottom line

Post by Arthurs » Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:42 pm

Anyone here use filtered tap water, reverse osmosis, etc? Is it worthwhile? My city's tap water is way too hard and I'm sure it's laden with minerals--the shower head is showing it after 7 years....yuck!