Why You Should Be Using Distilled Water In Your Humidifier

  • By: madison
  • Date: November 24, 2022
  • Time to read: 7 min.

When you’re using your humidifier, you should always use distilled water. The reason is simple: distilled water is the purest form of water. It contains no impurities or minerals that may build up and damage your unit over time.

Plus, using distilled water in your humidifier helps keep it running smoothly by preventing mold or bacteria growth within the machine.

Distilled water is readily available and relatively inexpensive, making it an ideal option for those looking for an affordable way to improve indoor air quality at home.

Here are some additional details about why you should be using distilled water in your humidifier:

Key Takeaway’s

  • Humidifiers are devices that add moisture to the air.
  • Distilled water is often used in humidifiers because it is free of minerals and other impurities.
  • Using distilled water in a humidifier can help to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits on the device.
  • Distilled water may also help to extend the life of the humidifier.
  • Some people believe that using distilled water results in cleaner, purer air.
A water distillation unit
Why You Should Be Using Distilled Water In Your Humidifier

Why Distilled Water In Humidifier?

Distilled water is purer than tap, so it contains no contaminants that could clog your humidifier. This implies that you can use your humidifier for a longer period of time before cleaning it.

In addition, distilled water can help extend the life of your humidifier because it will eliminate calcium buildup and mineral deposits that tend to collect on its components over time.

Humidifiers run on electricity and therefore generate heat as an unavoidable byproduct of their operation.

The high humidity level inside these devices creates a breeding ground for mold growth, which may cause allergic reactions in some people and make them sick if they breathe in spores that have been released into their rooms through appliances like humidifiers or air conditioners.

A good way around this problem is by making sure that no mold forms inside these appliances by using distilled water instead of tap water every time you fill them up with fresh liquid.

Distilled Water Is The Purest Form Of Water

a distraction boiler
Distilled Water Is The Purest Form Of Water

The cleanest type of water is distilled water. It has been purified by distillation, which means that all minerals, salts or other impurities are removed from it.

You may have heard of distilled water being used to clean wounds in hospitals because it doesn’t contain any minerals that could interfere with disinfectants or medications.

Distilled water is also used in humidifiers because it’s completely sterile and won’t harbor bacteria like regular tap water.

Distilled Water Is Ideal For Use In Humidifiers Because It Will Not Leave Any Residue On The Walls Of The Unit Or In The Air

Pure and devoid of minerals, distilled water is. This means that using distilled water reduces the likelihood of residue building up on the humidifier’s walls or in the air.

If you use mineral-rich tap water, there’s a good chance that some of those minerals will become airborne when they are heated up inside your humidifier.

This can be especially problematic if you’re using a warm mist humidifier because it has an easier time heating up and evaporating these particles into the air—which can lead to respiratory issues when inhaling them repeatedly.

Using distilled water in your unit will help keep it clean and functioning optimally longer than regular tap water would allow.

Distilled Water Is Also Less Likely To Cause Mold Or Bacteria Growth In The Humidifier

Considering that your humidifier machine already has a reservoir, you might be wondering why you need even bother buying distilled water.

After all, the manufacturer of your unit likely had a reason for including non-distilled water inside their product. Why, therefore, would you want to invest money in something that will be of no use?

Well, there are several reasons why using distilled water instead of tap or well water is a good idea:

  • Tap and well water contain minerals that can cause mold growth if left inside your humidifier unit for too long (especially in places with high humidity, like bathrooms).
  • Suppose you don’t clean out your tank after each use. In that case, those minerals will mix with condensation from the machine’s cooling system and quickly grow into colonies.
  • Also, remember that most humidifiers are placed in bathrooms where they can easily dry up due to low moisture levels caused by hot showers or baths every day.
  • If left unchecked, mold growth could become an issue within days or weeks.

Distilled Water In Humidifier Can Help To Extend Its Life And Keep It Running Smoothly

You may have heard that distilled water in humidifiers can help extend their life and keep them running smoothly.

Distilled water is pure, clean, and free from contaminants like minerals or impurities that can build up on the walls of your unit over time.

So if you use regular tap water in your humidifier tank, it could cause a buildup of minerals and other particles inside the machine. This buildup will eventually lead to clogged filters or blocked vents, affecting how well your device functions.

Similarly, when you use distillate in your device instead of tap water, there’s no risk of mold or bacteria growing inside the humidifier itself because distilled liquids are sterile by nature; they don’t contain any living organisms.

Not only does this prevent problems like black mold growth, but it also helps prolong your appliance’s length before needing repairs or replacing it altogether.

Distilled Water Is Readily Available And Relatively Inexpensive

Distilled water is readily available, relatively inexpensive, and provides many benefits for those looking to improve indoor air quality. In most cases, it’s a great option for anyone who would like to use distilled water in their humidifiers.

The cost of buying distilled water may seem very high initially because the price is usually higher than standard tap or bottled water; however, it can be used repeatedly without losing effectiveness.

This makes distilled water a much better value than tap or bottled water if you intend to use your humidifier frequently throughout the year.

The Drawbacks Of Using Distilled Water In Humidifiers

a humidifier with blue turn knob
The Drawbacks Of Using Distilled Water In Humidifiers

The use of distilled water in humidifiers has significant disadvantages. One issue is that it can be less effective at moisturizing the air.

This is because distilled water doesn’t contain as many essential minerals and chemicals that help keep the air moist.

Additionally, distilled water can evaporate more quickly than other types of water, leading to a dry environment in your humidifier.

Distilled water can be more expensive than other types of water, so you might want to consider the cost when deciding.

How To Use Distilled Water In Humidifiers?

Fill your humidifier with distilled water. Ensure the unit is clean and dry before filling it, or you could get mold growth inside your humidifier.

Use a measuring cup to measure the amount of distilled water you need for each fill-up. Place it in the reservoir until full, then turn on your machine as usual.

When To Use Distilled Water In Humidifiers?

I should start by emphasizing that there are other options for water for humidifiers besides distilled water. You can also use tap water or spring water. Distilled water is just as effective at providing moisture in the air as tap or spring.

So why bother using distilled?

  • It’s free of impurities: If you’re worried about adding minerals to your indoor environment and potentially attracting mold growth, then distilled is your best option. Distillation removes virtually all minerals from the water—and those are just some of the many impurities in tap and spring waters that could damage your home’s humidity levels!
  • It’s cheap: Because it requires no treatment before use (unlike filtered or softened varieties), distilled costs less than other bottled water—meaning you’ll save money while protecting yourself against contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to using distilled water in your humidifier. Still, it is important to understand the potential drawbacks before you make this decision.

If you have any questions regarding using distilled water in your humidifier, we would be pleased to speak with you. Send us a mail today, and let’s get started on improving your indoor air quality together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to use distilled water in a humidifier?

Distilled water is just as effective as tap or spring water in humidifying the air and costs less than other types of bottled water.

How can I tell if my humidifier needs to be replaced?

It’s important to clean your humidifier every month if you use distilled water. Also, ensure the humidifier parts are replaced annually or when they show signs of wear.

What should I do if my humidifier starts making noise or smells bad?

If you observe any of these indicators, it’s important to clean your humidifier and replace the parts as soon as possible.

Does the type of water I use in my humidifier matter?

No, the water you use in your humidifier doesn’t matter. Distilled water is just as effective as tap or spring water.

Author

Kenneth Sine
Kenneth Sine

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.