From Faucet To Foggy: Make Distilled Water For Your Humidifier

By: madison
Date: November 24, 2022
Time to read: 6 min.

I love to use a humidifier to keep my skin soft and reduce allergens in the air. The only thing I don’t love is constantly running out of water, having to make more, and then waiting another 30 minutes for it to cool down again.

I was so excited when my friend told me about distilled water. Distilled water is free from any minerals or chemicals that might affect your humidifier’s performance—and it takes less time than boiling regular tap water (which can lead to mineral buildup).

If you want to save time and energy (and money), here are the steps to make distilled water home.

Key Takeaway’s

Distilled water is water that has been boiled to remove impurities.
Impurities in water can cause problems with your humidifier, such as deposits on the coils or decreased efficiency.
Boiling water removes impurities by turning them into vapor which is then condensed and collected.
To make distilled water, you will need a clean container, a stove, and ice.
Boil the water for about 30 minutes, then pour it into the container. Place the container in a bowl of ice to cool the water down quickly.

water being distilled in a glass bottle — From Faucet To Foggy_ Make Distilled Water For Your Humidifier

Table of Contents

How To Make Distilled Water For Humidifier?

You will need to fill a clean, empty coffee pot with water and place it on the stove. You should turn the heat to medium-high, then allow your water to boil.

Once it has boiled, boil the heat and let it simmer for at least an hour. This will allow any impurities in your water (like minerals or salts) to evaporate out of it and leave you with pure distilled water that’s ready for use in your humidifier.

Fill A Clean, Empty Coffee Pot With Water

A person holding distilled water in a glass. — Fill A Clean, Empty Coffee Pot With Water

You’ll need a clean and empty coffee pot with a lid. Fill the pot halfway with water and place it on your heat source. Turn on the heat and watch the water until it boils.

After boiling, turn off the heat and let the coffee pot cool before removing it from the burner.

While waiting, take this opportunity to fill a smaller container (a mason jar works well) with distilled water or rainwater stored in glass bottles—or tap water filtered through a Britta pitcher should suffice here.

When all is clear of debris, pour at least ¼ cup of distilled/rain/filtered water into each section of your humidifier’s tank reservoir before securely replacing its cap onto both ends. Hence, so as not accidentally allow any moisture to escape during operation when turned back on later tonight once settled in bedtime routine has begun.

Place The Coffee Pot On The Stove, And Turn The Heat To Medium-High

Set the heat to medium-high and put the coffee pot on the stove.
Fill it with water up to 1 gallon or 2 liters, depending on what your humidifier requires.
Note: If you have a small kitchen or only one pot, you can use a large bowl or sink basin instead! You just need to be extra careful when handling hot liquids that might spill across your countertop (or floor).
Grab a wide base pot made of stainless steel so that it won’t burn easily from heat sources like gas stoves, as well as prevent rusting from mixing with minerals inside water such as calcium chloride from dehumidifiers’ condensate lines if left standing too long.

Allow The Water To Come To A Boil

Next, you will want to boil your water. Boiling is a process that allows for the heat of boiling water to vaporize liquid water and turn it into steam.

This happens when the temperature of the water reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which is its boiling point.

The boiling process occurs when molecules in the liquid state collide and become excited enough to break their bonds and escape from their liquid form into gas form.

When this happens, they create steam bubbles (this is what you see coming out when you open your coffee pot or tea kettle).

Bring an adequate amount of distilled water close to a boil over medium-high heat on your stovetop—this will take approximately three minutes.

Remove The Coffee Pot From The Heat, And Place It On A Heat-Safe Surface

The coffee pot should be taken off the heat and put on a heat-safe surface.
Never set it down on a rough or cold surface. The water will cool too quickly, and you won’t get clear distilled water that way.

Carefully Pour The Hot Water Into Your Humidifier’s Tank

I used a pot holder to hold the pot, so I wouldn’t burn my hands. Then, I slowly poured the water into the tank of my humidifier.

I didn’t want to spill any of it on my carpet, so I made sure not to pour any liquid into the base of my humidifier. If you do anyway, wipe it up immediately.

Repeat This Process As Needed

Whether filling a small humidifier or a large one, repeat the process as needed. If you have a larger humidifier, you’ll likely refill it more often than smaller models.

After filling the humidifier with distilled water, turn it on and let it run for about 10 minutes before shutting off to allow air to dry out the wick. Then use your hygrometer to check that humidity levels are within ideal ranges (40%-60%).

What Will You Need To Make Distilled Water?

plastic bottle with distilled water in it — What Will You Need To Make Distilled Water

It’s easy to make your own distilled water at home. You will need the following:

A clean, empty coffee pot.
Boiling water from the tap (here’s how).
Heat-safe surface (like an oven mitt or towel) to put the pot on once you fill it with water.

Why Is It Important To Use Distilled Water In A Humidifier?

Your humidifier is an important appliance in your home, as it can make the air in your house more comfortable and healthy. But many people don’t know that distilled water in their humidifiers can significantly improve their effectiveness.

Distilled water is purer than tap or well water since it has been distilled to remove minerals and other contaminants that might clog the unit’s filters or cause damage to its internal components.

It also won’t leave mineral deposits on those parts of the unit, which can decrease its lifespan and make it harder for you to clean.

How To Store Leftover Distilled Water For Future Use?

Before storing distilled water, make sure you have the proper container. It should be airtight and made of glass or plastic.
The distilled water should be kept in a cool, dark location with lots of airflows. Remember to check on it periodically, as many variables can affect how quickly it evaporates depending on its location and temperature. Also, refrigerate it if you’re planning to use it within 24 hours!
If you plan on using the distilled water within three days, store it in a clean, dry container without refrigerating – just keep an eye on how much you’re using so you don’t run out too fast! This is important because even though they look clear like regular tap water bottles do when they’re filled up with more than half but less than three-quarters full.

Conclusion

Making distilled water is not difficult, but it requires time and effort if you want to make distilled water at home and use it in your humidifier.

Let’s discuss how much-distilled water you need for your humidifier. The amount will depend on the size of the reservoir tank on which the humidifier sits (usually between one-quarter cup up to one whole pint).

All materials used for making distilled water must be thoroughly cleaned with hot soapy water before use—this ensures that no residue remains from previous batches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to store distilled water?

Distilled water needs to be kept in a cool, dry location in an airtight container.

Can I use untreated tap water to humidify my home?

Some people do use untreated tap water to humidify their homes. Still, distilled water is generally considered a better choice because it’s easier to purify, and there are fewer contaminants in distilled water.

Is it necessary to buy a special humidifier for using distilled water instead of regular tap water?

Distilled water can be used in humidifiers that use tap water as their reservoir.

Where can I get the materials to make distilled water for my humidifier?

The water-distillation equipment can be obtained from online or brick-and-mortar stores.

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.