Distilled Water Vs. Boiled Water For Humidifier (The Answer May Surprise You)

By: madison
Date: December 2, 2022
Time to read: 5 min.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered whether distilled or boiled water is better for your humidifier.

It’s a common question with a simple answer. Boiled water is the clear winner.

Key Takeaway’s

Boiled water is generally considered safe for humidifiers as long as it has cooled sufficiently to avoid scalding.
Distilled water may be preferable to other types of water, as it contains fewer impurities that could be released into the air.
Some humidifier manufacturers recommend distilled water, while others do not specifically mention what type to use.
If using boiled water, it is important to allow it to cool completely before adding it to the humidifier to avoid scalding.
It may also be necessary to clean the humidifier more frequently when using boiled water, as impurities can build up over time.

A water boiling and cooling unit — Distilled Water Vs. Boiled Water For Humidifier

Table of Contents

Which Is Better: Distilled Water Vs. Boiled Water For Humidifier

Distilled water is much purer than boiled water, so it will be less likely to cause problems with your humidifier. Boiled water can still have impurities that can clog up your humidifier or make it less effective.

The second consideration is how often you must change the water in your humidifier. You’ll need to change it less often with distilled water because it has no impurities that can build up over time. With boiled water, you’ll need to change it more often because of the potential for impurities to build up.

The third consideration is cost. Distilled water will be more expensive than boiled water, but if you’re using your humidifier frequently, the cost may be worth it for the purity and longevity of your humidifier.

So, which is better? Depending on your personal requirements and preferences. Distilled water is a good option if you want the purest possible water for your humidifier and don’t mind changing it less often.

Distilled Water

Boiling water in a copper boiler — Distilled Water

Distilled water is water that has been purified by boiling and cooling it.

The process of boiling and then cooling removes impurities from the water, but it also removes minerals from the water.

Minerals can build up in humidifiers, clogging the machine and making it less effective at humidifying a room.

Boiled Water

Water that has been heated to the boiling point and then allowed to cool is referred to as boiled water. This process kills all microbes, making it safe for drinking purposes.

However, boiled water is not good for use in a humidifier. When you add boiled water to your humidifier and turn it on, mineral deposits will build up inside your appliance over time.

Distilled Water Is More Effective Than Boiled Water In A Humidifier

There are a few reasons why distilled water is more effective than boiled water in a humidifier.

Distilled water contains no minerals that can build up and clog the machine.
The boiling process can remove some of the beneficial properties of the water, making it less effective.
Distilled water has a higher vapor pressure than boiled water, which will evaporate more quickly and effectively.

In short, distilled water is more effective than boiled water in a humidifier because it does not contain minerals that can build up and clog the machine.

Boiled Water Can Be Used In A Humidifier, But It Will Need To Be Replaced More Often Than Distilled Water

Boiled water can be used in a humidifier, but it will need to be replaced more often than distilled water.

Boiled water is not as effective at keeping the air moist and free from germs as distilled water. If you want to use boiled water for your humidifier, replace it regularly for the best results.

In contrast, distilled water is better for your humidifier because it has been exposed to heat and pressure, allowing all excess minerals that cause scale buildup in your machine’s internal parts to evaporate into the atmosphere.

This makes distilled water ideal for machines that use steam or ultrasonic technology because they both rely on a high level of purity to function properly without breaking down quickly due to mineral buildup inside their heating elements.

Distilled Water Is The Best Choice For A Humidifier

Distilled water is the best choice for a humidifier. It’s pure, clean, and doesn’t contain any contaminants.

Boiled water will also work in a humidifier, but you’ll need to replace it more often because of its higher mineral content.

The bottom line: distilled water is your best bet for keeping your nose and sinuses happy this winter.

What Is Boiled Water?

Boiled water flowing — What Is Boiled Water

Boiled water is exactly what it sounds like: water that has been heated to the boiling point and allowed to cool. It is not distilled water, a type of purified water made by distilling the vapor from boiling liquid.

Distilled water can be sterile (meaning it’s free of bacteria), but boiled water isn’t sterile—it’s just safe to drink.

Boiled Water Benefits: When you boil your tap or well water, you kill any harmful microorganisms that may be present in the source of your drinking supply. By doing this step at home before using your humidifier, you can ensure yourself against accidentally consuming any pathogens lurking in potentially contaminated sources.*
Disadvantages Of Boiling Your Tap Or Well Water: If you live in an area with hard water (meaning it contains high levels of calcium and magnesium), processing this type at home can cause more problems than it solves.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Distilled Water In A Humidifier?

Distilled water is free of minerals and other impurities that can build up in your humidifier, causing it to clog up.

In some cases, clogs can be so severe that they require a complete filter replacement. Not only is this expensive, but it’s also inconvenient—having your filter go bad at the worst possible time will make you want to throw it out and buy another one.

If you use distilled water instead of tap water or bottled mineral-free water from the grocery store, then there’s no risk of this happening because distilled water doesn’t have any particles.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Boiled Water In A Humidifier?

Boiled water has no minerals in it. The reason is that boiling the water removes all minerals from the water.
Boiled water is free from bacteria.
Boiled water is free from impurities.

Conclusion

The debate between distilled or boiled water in humidifiers has been around for a while.

Some say that boiling the water kills any bacteria that may be present, while others say that the chemicals in tap water can be harmful.

Distilled water is often recommended because it does not contain any impurities. Ultimately, deciding which type of water to use in your humidifier is up to you.

Consult your doctor if you have any questions or read other articles on our website that cover related subjects.

Author

My name is Kenneth Sine, and I’m a product engineer who has been working with humidifiers for over ten years now. In my spare time, I write for HumidifierSource.com, where I share my knowledge with others who want to learn more about the world of humidifiers.