Using distilled water vs bottle water, equally as good?

It has been over a year that I been using bottle water for my humidifier, and I haven't experience any problems. I know that tap water is bad because of the buildup of mineral deposits but I used bottle water because it is more convenient for me and it is easier for me to get.

Are there any problems with using bottle water since it is purified?

I have always used filtered tap water and no problems. I wash my tank once a week and there is only the smallest bit of junk on the bottom of the tank. In fact you cant even see it until you rub your finger over it and then you see it.

Bottled water still has the minerals in it - unless you're using bottled distilled water. Distilled is the preferred type as it has all the minerals removed, so doesn't leave that build up in your tank.

Some people use tap water, others use bottled, a lot use distilled.

Cheers,
xena

Hi - I'm a new (3 weeks) user. If anyone reading this knows, please tell me if minerals from tap water cause any other problems than residue in my water holding tank? My tap water is pretty "pure" - i.e. run a swamp cooler in summer & pads are almost like new after 10 YEARS. Thanks

If you don't mind cleaning the humidifier tank regularly, any water will do. I use bottled water when I run out of distilled.

this is the age old question for which there is no absolute answer. for every opinion there is somebody with an equally valid opposite opinion. my thought is when it comes right down to it, water is water and if you will drink it you can put it in your humidifier. i switched to distilled for 2 reasons. the first reason was no more residue in the water tank. the second reason is because the manufacturer that has no financial interest in water says to use distilled. if i'm ever to the point where i'm trying to save pennies i will switch to tap water and clean the water tank without thinking about it. so, come up with your own reasons to justify your bottled water to yourself and just do it and don't worry about it or what other people say or do.

I use distilled water all the time, except when traveling, and then I use bottled drinking water (usually from a vending machine or hotel gift shop) to avoid having to travel around with a bottle of distilled. To me, the whole debate of distilled versus tap water depends more on the quality of tap water you are using and the fact that you will be breathing that water (and any chemical additives in it from your water municipality) into your lungs all night while using the humidifier. Also, I do find the issue to what tap water can do to a humidifier tank important, but most certainly secondary over what it can do to my lungs.

In Southern California where I live, the water has been compared by some of us who have lived here for many years to drinking/using heavily treated 'swimming pool water'! Our water is very chlorinated and as a bounus they now say they add fluoride to it for our teeth as well (lucky us)! Last time I heard, chlorine and fluoride are not missing nutrients that our body (in general) and our lungs (specifically) need to function and maintain health. If you happen to live where you are getting your water close to the source, it might be less likely to contain all the 'extras' that those of us at the end of the water line get to make it 'clean' and 'safe'.

But, it is after all a personal choice and each person has different comfort/risk levels that dictate our thoughts and actions on this subject and many others. Just look at our differences in how we all clean our equipment and how often (or not) that it occurs

John

I have found that bottled water that uses the reverse osmosis type of filtration is the closest thing to distilled water that I can find on the road. Unflavoured Aquafina works well for this.

Arthurs,

I agree! In fact the last time I traveled by air I used Aquafina for my humidifier (from a vending machine) and noticed no smells or residue from it not being distilled water.

John

Take it from the experience of my husband who refuses to use distilled water AND never cleans his humidifier...don't do that combination! The minerals will build up and cause a disgusting mess. I was asking about this in another thread today and the responses felt the crud was mineral buildup. It was a heavy, thick, almost concrete-like beige substance that almost completely covered the inside of the chamber. I'm not exaggerating when I say I had to chisel it out with a flathead screwdriver and it took a loooong time. (He wouldn't buy a new humidifier.)

I use distilled in mine almost all the time and never have had an issue even though I only clean mine once a week.

I've always heard that bottled water has more minerals than tap, but that could be wrong, or it could depend on which bottled water is used.

WearyOne,

Yes, I agree about using distilled water and only use bottled water when traveling. My chamber still looks brand new after almost 6 months of use, so the distilled water must be good for something
I read in your other thread about your husbands humidifier chamber. Yikes! I would be too afraid to use my humidifier if it was like that. Good thing he has such a caring person as you to help him out. Maybe your example will change how he maintains his humidifier? I know my wife is a good example for me to be more clean and tidy, and still considers me after 26 years as a work in progress

John

We have no choice but to use distilled water.
Our municipal water has been tested to 13 grains of hardness.
This means that a ten year old toilet tank collects a thick crust inside--and the bowl doesn't fare any better!
I don't even want to know what would happen in my tank!