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Do I really need distilled water? In other words: What's wrong with using tap water?

It's a PIN (pain-in-the-neck) to buy distilled water. I live in the heart of New York City and, like most of us, don't have (or want!) a car.

You can imagine what it's like to tote a gallon of distilled water for several blocks every time I run out of it.

So I wonder: Do I really need to use distilled water?  I have filtered tap water on hand 24/7/365.

I'd appreciate insight on the matter.

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ZolliStar, in your situation I would use the filtered water and not bother with the distilled water.  I don't see why you could not put vinegar through the humidifier every now and then as we do to clean our coffeepots.  Have you tried not using the humidifier?  I thought I needed mine, but after a suggestion from someone on the forum  I tried using my cpap without it and felt less congested.  It's sitting in the closet.  The humidifier chamber can be replaced every six months on some insurance plans.  You could also buy a small RO filter like people use for aquariums and make RO water which is what I used before I retired the humidifier.  Drs Foster and Smith online pet supplies has one such filter for $120.00.

When I had a sleep test one time the tech used tap water in the humidifier.  She also did the head leads wrong and ignored the oximeter not working all night, so I don't know...

I have much less congestion since stopping the humidifier, too.

Mary Z said:

ZolliStar, in your situation I would use the filtered water and not bother with the distilled water.  I don't see why you could not put vinegar through the humidifier every now and then as we do to clean our coffeepots.  Have you tried not using the humidifier?  I thought I needed mine, but after a suggestion from someone on the forum  I tried using my cpap without it and felt less congested.  It's sitting in the closet.  The humidifier chamber can be replaced every six months on some insurance plans.  You could also buy a small RO filter like people use for aquariums and make RO water which is what I used before I retired the humidifier.  Drs Foster and Smith online pet supplies has one such filter for $120.00.

When I had a sleep test one time the tech used tap water in the humidifier.  She also did the head leads wrong and ignored the oximeter not working all night, so I don't know...

Zollistar, filtered water should be fine. I'm lucky here in Australia you can buy a 2 litre bottle from the supermarket for $1.59 so I use that and it lasts me two weeks.

Thanks for the advice, Terry.

Another advantage that you (probably) have: You (probably) have a car and can transport 2 litres home fairly easily.

And you dog??

I don't think I'd be willing to tote a gallon of distilled water any further than from the grocery to the car and then the car to the house.  It gets heavy.  Those of us who don't live in a big city where cars are not needed can't imagine carrying all your groceries from the store to your home.  One thing you could also do, but your filter probably already does it, is to let the water sit for 24 hours to remove the chlorine. 

Now THAT'S a thought: use filtered water that I also allow to sit for a day or longer.

Thanks for the idea!



Mary Z said:

I don't think I'd be willing to tote a gallon of distilled water any further than from the grocery to the car and then the car to the house.  It gets heavy.  Those of us who don't live in a big city where cars are not needed can't imagine carrying all your groceries from the store to your home.  One thing you could also do, but your filter probably already does it, is to let the water sit for 24 hours to remove the chlorine. 

Zollistar, yes I do, 2 litre's isn't that heavy and the shopping centre is fairly close. Some other people boil water and let it cool and use it that way, it's supposed to remove the chemicals.

 

The dogs still going.
 
ZolliStar said:

Thanks for the advice, Terry.

Another advantage that you (probably) have: You (probably) have a car and can transport 2 litres home fairly easily.

And you dog??

Essentially that's how they make distilled water.  Heat it to very high temperatures which turns the water into steam.  The condensation when the steam cools is the distilled water.  The minerals and other nasty stuff are left behind.  I just looked up distilled water again and came across site for a company that makes small units, the smallest was $89.  I'm sorry I wasn't able to copy the link, but I'm sure I could find it again with Bing.  Just Bing "home water distillers" if you want to look yourself.  I also found a page that told how to make it at home, but it involves a large pot, a brick and lots of ice.  I think my humidifier works by heating a warming plate under the humidifier, as the air from the CPAP passes over the heated water it takes some with it. There are no small parts to get clogged up.  You are covered for a new humidifier chamber every six months.  If yours works like that, ZolliStar  the filtered water would be fine.  I'm sure the filter takes chlorine out of the water as it's particularly noxious so letting it stand over night would not be necessary.

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