Distilled Water?

[Elsh]

The woman who brought over my machine and told me how to use it said nothing about using distilled water, however upon looking at the instructions for the machine, I saw that they said to do so. My husband also told me it's important to use distilled water, so we went out to get some today. Problem is, we didn't find any anywhere. I remember when you could easily find it in the water aisle at any store. It was as common as spring water. I checked two grocery stores tonight, and no luck. Can anyone tell me where you find distilled water (I saw someone online saying Wal-Mart, but I don't live near one of those)? Or, can someone tell me if spring water is acceptable? Like tell me what I would need to do extra if I used that instead. I bought some spring water tonight, because I figured it was better than tap water, but I still don't know if using it is okay. It's the best I have for now.

One other question: I was told to fill the water to the max line in the humidifier, and this morning the water appeared to still be at the max line. Is this normal?

[cowlypso]

You might try a drug store if you can't find it at the grocery store. You definitely want to use the most filtered water that you can, because minerals in the water can deposit on the inside of the humidifier.

It is okay that the water level didn't go down. Actually, I'd be more concerned if the water level went down significantly, because that can mean that you have a leak or are sleeping with your mouth open. Although technically you are supposed to dump out the water and clean the humidifier daily, a lot of people don't do that, and will let the water sit for a few days at a time between cleanings.

[Elsh]

Thanks!

[msla]

Try buying reverse osmosis (RO) water in a bulk container at the grocery store. It is the functional equivalent of steam distilled water.

[Lizistired]

If you use the "spring water" tonight, you probably want to rinse it out daily. For that matter, you might as well just use tap water. Then find some distilled water.

[Pugsy]

I am lazy. Distilled water lets me dump and clean much less often. I go months with just topping off tank and it is still crystal clear.

Keep looking, even my little mom and pop grocery has gallons of distilled water along with the others.

Till you do find some the spring water will be fine.

[Artcarved]

If you are having a problem finding distilled water you can use boiled water in the interim. Bring water to a full boil, allow to cool before using. I have seen distilled water at a convenience store like 7-11 or a Mini-Mart. I bought distilled water at Walgreen's.
They had a sale 2 weeks ago for 69 cents a gallon.

[kempo]

Walgreens drug Stores!

[Tip10]

Don't give up yet -- My grocery store doesn't put distilled water in the water aisle -- they put it in the LAUNDRY AISLE of all places.
If you don't see it there try the baby aisle.

[Elsh]

I appreciate all the helpful comments. Thanks, guys.

[idamtnboy]

If you are having a problem finding distilled water you can use boiled water in the interim. Bring water to a full boil, allow to cool before using. I have seen distilled water at a convenience store like 7-11 or a Mini-Mart. I bought distilled water at Walgreen's.
They had a sale 2 weeks ago for 69 cents a gallon.

Two things boiling water does for you. 1, it sterilizes it, which if you have good tap water is unnecessary and is a waste of heating energy. 2, as water boils off whatever minerals are in the water become more concentrated which is exactly what you want to avoid. Boiling does not remove minerals, which is the reason for using distilled water. So the upshot is, unless you have biologically contaminated water do not boil it.

[archangle]

Anything other than "distilled" water may tend to have minerals in it. Even highly purified "drinking" water may have minerals in it. Sometimes they even add minerals to purified drinking water because it makes it taste better. Sometimes people think "spring" water is really good for drinking because of the minerals.

The minerals can build up in your humidifier tank and leave a white residue. While it looks bad, this isn't necessarily all that big a deal.

Tap water is probably not dangerous, especially if you empty the chamber in the morning and only use it occasionally. If you don't already have one, get one of the washable tanks for your humidifier instead of one of the non-cleanable tanks those bums at ResMed are providing these days on S9 machines.

I use distilled just because it's easier and the tanks stay clean looking. I don't have to empty the tank or wash it that often.

[lars4life]

Everybody had a Walmart near? They have Distilled H2O for like 87 cents a gallon. You get U some eh?

[billbolton]

however upon looking at the instructions for the machine, I saw that they said to do so.

The Resmed instructions for the rest of the world just say clean water..... the fixation with distilled water is a particularly North American thing. If you can get distilled water easily/cheaply then by all means use it, but if you can't and your tap water is potable, then using tap water will not be any significant issue.

Cheers,

Bill

[cowlypso]

My grocery store doesn't put distilled water in the water aisle -- they put it in the LAUNDRY AISLE of all places.

One common use for distilled water is to fill your clothes iron with for steam. You're supposed to use distilled water in your iron for the same reason you use it in your humidifier... To prevent mineral buildup. I still never would have thought to look there if I didn't find the distilled water in the water aisle, but it makes sense.