Tap Water or Distilled Water for Humidifier

smoking a cigar by jay | Posted on February 13th, 2023

Are you debating between tap water and distilled water for your humidifier? Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture to the air and make your home feel more comfortable, but it’s important to ensure you’re using the right type of water.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of tap and distilled water so you can make an informed decision.


Tap Water or Distilled Water for Humidifier

What is Tap Water?

Tap water is the water supply that comes directly from your house. It is considered safe for drinking, bathing, and cleaning, but it is not always suitable for use in a humidifier.

Should You Use Tap Water in a Humidifier?

Tap water is generally safe to use in a humidifier as long as it is regularly cleaned and maintained. However, it is important to note that using tap water in a humidifier may result in the buildup of total dissolved solids (TDS) over time.

TDS can cause an unpleasant smell or even irritation in the air. In addition, it can reduce the efficiency of the humidifier, making it less effective at providing humidity.

Therefore, if possible, it is usually best to use distilled or demineralized water for your humidifier. This will help ensure that your humidifier works properly and that you don’t have to worry about any unpleasant odors or irritation from the water vapor.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is a type of purified water. It is created by boiling water, then collecting and condensing the steam into a clean container. As the steam evaporates, it leaves behind all the impurities that may be present in tap water, such as minerals and salts.

The resulting liquid is pure H2O, free from any contaminants that can build up over time in humidifiers.

Why Should I Use Distilled Water Over Tap Water?

Using distilled water over tap water is a much better option for cigar humidor maintenance. Distilled water is free of bacteria, chemicals, and minerals found in regular tap water. These pollutants can taint the taste and quality of cigars and cause calcification and mold in the humidifier.

If you want to keep your cigars fresh and flavorful, use distilled or purified water. It’s the best way to ensure great cigar taste and quality with minimal effort.

Additionally, distilled water can help prevent mineral deposits from clogging the filter or other parts of the humidifier. For these reasons, it is best to use distilled water in your humidifier rather than tap water.

What Are Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)?

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measure the substances dissolved in water. It is measured as a volume of water with the unit milligrams per liter (mg/L), otherwise known as parts per million. TDS represents the total combined organic and inorganic substances found in drinking water.

This includes minerals, salts, metals, cations, anions, and other small molecules and ions that make up the dissolved solids in a given sample. Distilled water has a TDS of 0.5 ppm or less, while the ocean has a TDS of 35,000 ppm or higher.

It is important to consider TDS when deciding between tap water or distilled water for your humidifier since hard water can cause buildup and scale, leading to decreased efficiency and even damage to your machine.

How to Tell if Your Humidifier Needs Cleaning?

If you’re unsure if your humidifier needs cleaning, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. If you observe a white powdery residue around the humidifier, it might be time to clean it.

Additionally, if you notice any strange smells coming from your humidifier or the water in the tank appears cloudy or discolored, it’s likely time for a good cleaning. Using distilled water instead of tap water in your humidifier can help reduce the amount of limescale and mineral buildup and prolong the life of your machine.

Regularly descaling and cleaning your humidifier with a weak acid solution will also help keep it running efficiently and improve the air quality in your home.

How Can You Tell if You’re Using Too Much Hard Water in Your Humidifier?

If you’re using tap water in your humidifier, it’s important to check for signs of hard water buildup.

Hard water can create deposits and leave behind white mineral dust. If you notice this happening, it’s time to switch to distilled water. Other signs that you may be using too much hard water include a buildup of sediment in the tank and a decrease in the efficiency of the humidifier.

If you’re unsure what type of water to use, it’s best to err on the side of caution and use distilled water in your humidifier. Doing so will help keep the system clean and prevent damage from hard water minerals and bacteria.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important to remember that the type of water you use in your humidifier matters. Tap water is safe to use but may contain minerals that can build up over time, causing problems.

Distilled water is the best option as it doesn’t contain any minerals or other impurities and is much less likely to cause any issues. If you’re unsure what type of water is best for your humidifier, check the manufacturer’s instructions before filling it up.

Taking care of your humidifier with the right water can help ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently for many years.

smoking a cigar

jay

Self proclaimed cigar expert. I've been smoking since 2010. I've practically lived at a cigar lounge from 10am to 10pm and trying every new cigar that came out for years.

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