Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on April 9, 2009 at 8:17am

Distilled water is recommended due to tap water having impurities in it. Besides tap water has add chemicals added such as chlorine, fluoride, etc. and I don't want to be breathing that in all night.

I have used only distilled water, except for one night when I was away from home, and have never had a problem with gunk growing in it. Distilled water runs about $1.00 a gallon in the US so it is fairly cheap.

Mineral deposits will also build up in a tank where tap water is used (like in a tea kettle when you heat water for tea).

Permalink Reply by Judy on April 9, 2009 at 8:29am

If you want your humidifier water tank to remain clean and clear, yes, use ONLY distilled water. Tap water and even bottled water rather quickly builds up mineral deposits and you end up w/a yucky, cloudy tank in no time.

Despite directions to the contrary many of us do NOT empty and refill our humidifier water tank every day, we tend to just top off the DISTILLED water still in the tank each day. I'm not recommending this, just stating that many of us do "sin" in this respect and have done so w/no problem for extended periods of time. In our area, distilled water runs about 79 to 89 cents a gallon. Its not the expense, it is just laziness on our part.

Permalink Reply by Diane Hausch on April 9, 2009 at 8:50am

Thanks for the info, I will buy another bottle of distilled water. I have only used distilled so far. I am still trying desperately to get used to the machine. Last night I did sleep almost 7 hours with the contraption on, which is the best I have ever done, would have probably slept longer, but the humidifier went dry. I guess I had it set to high??? usually I only would get 4 hours sleep, then a leak would cause me to wake up. After re-reading the information, I realized that I didn't have my straps tight enough. I'm learning. I want to feel better and since I was told that I have severe sleep apnea, I had better learn. I have been trying to get used to this for over a year now, I guess I haven't been determined enough.
Sleepy in Iowa diane

Permalink Reply by Judy on April 9, 2009 at 9:00am

Diane, don't tighten your headgear straps too tight. Especially if you are using a full face or nasal cushion mask as they both need the cushion to fill with air and be filled w/air to form the seal and prevent or reduce leaks.

What brand and model CPAP are you using? What specific mask are you using? If we know that we can be of more help to you in acclimating to CPAP therapy. CONGRATULATIONS on getting in 7 hours of sleep last night. But after a year w/CPAP you should be doing better than that. You should be sleeping comfortably every night for 6-7 hours or better.

If you can pinpoint your biggest problem we can help you get over that and then tackle the next problem and each problem until you are using your CPAP and mask comfortably every night for at least 6 hours and more.

Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on April 9, 2009 at 9:05pm

Distilled Water? Why? If you know a plumber, get them to show you an element they have removed from a hot water heater and I will guarantee you will never use tap water in your humidifier again. The impurities literally cling to the heating element, destroying it. Your humidifier will end up the same way. An ounce of prevention (in this case a drop) goes a long way to the life of your machine and yourself. Happy Hosing.

Permalink Reply by Ruth Rayceen on April 9, 2009 at 11:24pm

Hi Diane,

I would like to add one more post regarding distilled water. When the DME told me to use it in my humidifier, I wasn't sure it was necessary. After thinking about it, I checked with the water department, asking about the purity of the water. Pure isn't the currect word to describe our cullinary water. There were two full pages of additives and chemicals that are keeping our drinking water - PURE. I certainly don't want all of those things being directed into my cpap, and I have changed from wanting a drink of cold water from the tap. Bottled water tasts just fine to me - now. If you live anywhere near a Walmart,they have always had an adequate amount on their shelves. j.Ruth

Permalink Reply by Diane Hausch on April 13, 2009 at 11:20am

Judy said:

Diane, don't tighten your headgear straps too tight. Especially if you are using a full face or nasal cushion mask as they both need the cushion to fill with air and be filled w/air to form the seal and prevent or reduce leaks.

What brand and model CPAP are you using? What specific mask are you using? If we know that we can be of more help to you in acclimating to CPAP therapy. CONGRATULATIONS on getting in 7 hours of sleep last night. But after a year w/CPAP you should be doing better than that. You should be sleeping comfortably every night for 6-7 hours or better.

If you can pinpoint your biggest problem we can help you get over that and then tackle the next problem and each problem until you are using your CPAP and mask comfortably every night for at least 6 hours and more.

Permalink Reply by Diane Hausch on April 13, 2009 at 6:09pm

DDNight said:

Why would they recommend it if it wasn't necessary? Obviously there has to be a reason. I mean, it would be something different if they required some proprietary secret formula that turned out to be distilled water that they sold for $10 a gallon, but this isn't the case.

As others mentioned, it cost less than $1 per gallon....I would go with the recommendation.

Permalink Reply by Barbara on April 13, 2009 at 6:48pm

I have been using water from my tap because I have a Kinnetico Water Softener system on my house. But I am changing to distilled water because it still started building up sediment on my water container. I put baking soda with water in my tank and swished it around. The sediment disappeared.

Permalink Reply by AsianImage on April 13, 2009 at 8:17pm

just throwing more 2 cents...Distilled Water ONLY for me and my machine.

Permalink Reply by Mike on April 15, 2009 at 1:44pm

very interesting that even a filtration system installed in your house didn't do the job. i was wondering about that. i'm staying with a friend who assured me that he has a very high quality, expensive filtration system that's "just as good" as distilled water. i'm not buying it.

Barbara Keily said:

I have been using water from my tap because I have a Kinnetico Water Softener system on my house. But I am changing to distilled water because it still started building up sediment on my water container. I put baking soda with water in my tank and swished it around. The sediment disappeared.

Permalink Reply by Daniel on April 15, 2009 at 8:39pm

Distilled waterhas no minerals in it and will keep your humidifier chamber nice and clean. If you use tap water, it is unlikely to have any negative health effects, but the chamber will look awful in a few weeks. If you travel with your CPAP, I advise my patients to use regular tap water, since your can't travel with distilled water unless you jump through major hoops, and it's not worth wasting time on a trip searching for distilled water in a city you are unfamiliar with. Some people use bottled water when travelling, but make sure it isn't "mineral water." That's the opposite of what you need.