Distilled water when traveling

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:34 am

I am still planning my upcoming trip to UK and China and as I only use distilled water but don't want to haul it around was wondering if anybody has had a hard time finding it overseas? And does it go by the same name as I know a lot of products are called something else in other countries?

I know a lot travel oeverseas on the list and would like to plan ahead.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:34 am

Been thinking about the same thing here, but just for domestic travel. I called the hotel but they don't have distilled water available.

How bad would it be to use tap or regular bottled water for a few days/weeks?

What about "reverse osmosis" water or "de-mineralized" water?

- JB

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:23 am

In my opinion using tap water for a couple weeks would be ok. I use distilled water exclusively too. The benefit of using distilled is prevention of mineral build-up in your tank. When you return, just rinse your tank out with a mild solution of white vinegar and water to remove any build-up that may have occurred during your travels.

ron

Kluemaster · Post by **Kluemaster** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:51 pm

I just got a PB goodknight humidifier in today (THANKS CPAP.COM!), and was suprised to see that they RECOMMEND tap water for the humidifier, but say to soak for 20 min or so with vinigar and water once a week, to avoid mineral build up.

Not sure why, but I'm going to follow their instructions, although I'll probably at least filter it when I'm at home. On the road though, it's going to ahve to be straight out of the tap.

Alan

3isles · Post by **3isles** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:02 pm

http://www.everythingkitchens.com/waterwise.html

here is a link to some home use distillers, I couldn't see where it said anything about foriegn travel, but if it works with an adapter it should be ok, the top one doesn't look too big. It filters out all kinds of stuff in addition to distilling. Should be safe whatever water you encounter.

editing to say that there is one down lower that says it can be used over seas.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:34 pm

Judging by the price of these it would be cheaper to replace the humidifier tank once in a while. Surely they have distilled water in Europe and China!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:34 pm

Judging by the price of these it would be cheaper to replace the humidifier tank once in a while. Surely they have distilled water in Europe and China!

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 3:19 pm

I'd just use bottled drinking water in the UK. Heck , Even Tap water .

Never had a problem when I was there.

China, Bring a Few .5 litre bottles. They should last a week till you can find a source.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 3:25 pm

This is a good question. One I have pondered.
I agree that in a pinch it should not hurt your setup or you to use regular water for short periods. You might make sure to put enough water in it so it FOR SURE does not boil dry.

One trick I do for traveling, is to carry a "platypus" water bag, used for hiking, with enough distilled water to make it through a night or two until I can get to a store that has some distilled water. By that time you know if you can locate some or if you are just going to go with tap water and clean it up later. The platypus "water bladder" is small enough and lies flat so it takes up minimal room with water and NO space once its empty. Its similar to the camelbak hydration systems, but set up to be used without a special backpack.

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 3:38 pm

Not a problem getting hold of distilled water in the UK.
I tend to get mine from Halfords, which is a motor spares store, where it's sold as battery top up water, either in 5 litre or 1 litre bottles.
Mind you, I'm sure you'll find it expensive here, especially with the relatively strong pound.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:52 pm

There are also hand pumps with filters that campers use to purify water in polluted lakes and streams. They are fairly inexpensive and small.Although they don t distill the water, at least you know its clean. Especially if your in backroads of china or elsewhere where clean water may be hard to find.

4Katie · Post by **4Katie** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 5:05 pm

When I got my machine I asked about this, and they said it was okay to use bottled water sometimes. Just make sure you empty it each morning.

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 5:10 pm

Actually what the PB humidifier manual says is "boiled or tap water". I think boiling will settle out some of the minerals. I used distilled at home and tap on the road.

As someone said, just empty out any remaining water each morning and disconnect the hoses so the tank can dry good. Only thing that could happen would be mineral deposits on the aluminum base or build up on the sides of the tanks which are removable by soaking or applying vinegar.

Not a biggie

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:01 pm

Hi R & R,

Your best bet to find distilled water in China is at a shop in the airport or a shop right next to the airport. Are you entering the country via Hong Kong? Beijing? Shanghai? It is purified/distilled water (if the person you are speaking with understands English!) It is, however simply purified bottled water.

Here is a picture of a bottle of distilled water with the label in Chinese.

Do not, under any circumstances use tap water in China.It is unsafe to drink so you certainly don't want it entering your lungs in any form. The hotel may offer boiled water. It isn't good enough... don't use it.

Another thing about the water in general. Be careful not to swallow any water while taking a shower or brushing your teeth.

Also, whenever you leave your hotel bring toilet paper with you. Even restaurants don't have it! You're lucky you're a man!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 7:53 pm

You are right! But that is not always going to help me. I also have Crohn's so I am a little nervous about China but business takes me there.

What about boiled water for tea coffee? I will fly to Hong Kong and drive over from there. I will be going to a bunch of furniture factories in southern China.

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Distilled water when traveling

Distilled water when traveling

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