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Many people choose to use tap water in their humidifiers because it’s not only cheap, but also easily accessible. However, using tap water in your humidifier isn’t as simple as just adding water and turning it on. If you don’t regularly clean your humidifier, mineral buildup and pink mold can form and contaminate the water vapor. It’s safer to use distilled, demineralized, or purified water instead of tap water.
What Happens If I Use Tap Water In My Humidifier?
What happens when you do not use distilled water in a humidifier?
You might notice a few unpleasant side effects, such as:
- White dust
If you have hard water, you might notice a very fine white dust starting to ‘spray’ out of your humidifier along with the mist. This is because of the minerals present in hard water. When the water is heated and then cooled, the minerals create a white powder. In some cases, this powder can trigger an allergic reaction. It will also become annoying, as it will land on your furniture, carpets, and floors.
- Pink (red) mold
Slime and mold can form in the water tank even if you’re using distilled water, but it will happen more frequently if you’re using hard tap water. Any type of mold can be harmful and lead to different health issues, so getting rid of the slime should be one of your top priorities.
What Can I Use Instead Of Distilled Water In My Humidifier?
Distillation is a complex process that requires specific tools and materials, as well as several hours to complete. Although distilled water is widely available, it can be difficult to find or too expensive for some.
Instead of using distilled water, try using deionized or osmosis purified water instead. Deionized water is also known as ‘demineralized water’ and the process of deionization removes all of the mineral ions from the liquid using special https://lumbuy.com/best-cheap-humidors/ resins. Deionization actually requires less time than distillation, but do bear in mind that such water might still contain bacteria. To make sure that the water you use in your humidifier is safe, you can add a special tablet to the water tank or a few drops of hydrogen peroxide.
Osmosis water, or water purified with osmosis, is demineralized. This type of water is considered to be the best substitute for distilled water. This liquid is created by making the water travel through various membranes, pressure processes, and heat.
Where To Buy Distilled Water For Humidifier?
You can buy this water at your local store, but the bottles can be quite expensive, especially, when the costs add up. A water distiller is a device you can purchase that will allow you to have an endless amount of distilled water at your disposal without having to continuously spend money on purchasing bottled water.
How Can I Make Distilled Water At Home?
If you have some free time on your hands and want to try your hand at making distilled water, we are provide a quick guide on how to do it with some common kitchen equipment.
Fill a 5-gallon pot with tap water halfway and place a smaller bowl into the water (make sure the bowl is floating). If the bowl isn’t floating, you can place it on a baking rack inside the pot.
Boil the water for about 30 minutes or until you see condensation on the top of the pot.
Once the water has cooled, remove the bowl of distilled water from the pot. Pour it into a clean container and store it in a cool, dark place.
To distill water, bring the water to its boiling point. Once the steam hits the cold lid, it will condense and ‘fall’ into the bowl. Continue boiling the water until you have enough distilled water in the bowl.
Yes, you can use tap water in your Vicks humidifier, but the manufacturer recommends using a demineralization cartridge to capture minerals and prevent the formation of white dust.
If your device has a filter, turn it over each time you refill the tank. This will help keep your humidifier running smoothly.
Once every 1-2 months, you’ll need to replace your water filter. If you’re using hard tap water, you may need to replace your filter more often.
