Dry winter air brings a lot of problems. Using a humidifier in your home can help to avoid air contamination. The optimum level of humidity forindoor air should be between 30 and 50%. So, what kind of water to use in humidifier? This is also a very important question!
But there can be some disadvantages to using a humidifier. Improper use of the humidifier can lead to increased maintenance costs. It can even worsen the air quality in your home. To properly use a humidifier, the first thing you should know is what kind of water to put in humidifier.
What kind of water to use in humidifier?
The best type of water to use in a humidifier is distilled water or demineralized water. This is because tap water or hard water may contain minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and other impurities, that can cause mineral buildup and deposits in the humidifier.
Mineral buildup can not only clog the humidifier but also lead to the release of white dust into the air, which can be harmful to your health. Additionally, using clean water can help prevent the growth of bacteria or mold in the humidifier.
Distilled water is the most recommended type of water to use in a humidifier because it has been purified through a distillation process that removes impurities and minerals. Demineralized water, which has been treated to remove minerals, is also a good option.
However, using distilled or demineralized water can be more expensive than tap water, so some people opt to use tap water and then clean their humidifier more frequently to prevent mineral buildup. If you do use tap water, it’s recommended to use a demineralization filter or add a water treatment solution to the water to reduce mineral buildup and keep the humidifier clean.
Using filtered water in a humidifier?
With evolving technology, there are several water filtration mechanisms to filter and purify water. Water filters use different media to remove impurities from tap water. Filter systems typically remove minerals, large bacteria, odors, and chemicals like chlorine.
Filtered water is lower in minerals than tap water. If you use such water, there will be less limescale. Depending on the filter brand, the effectiveness of the filter against pathogens will be noticeable. Some of them are very effective against bacteria and unicellular organisms, while others are likely to let smaller pathogens through.
This is why distilled water is much better than filtered water for your humidifier.
Using tap water in a humidifier?
Using tap water in the humidifier is not recommended. Some tap water is high in mineral content, which could destroy the humidifier. Using tap water will cause hard-scale deposits to form inside the humidifier.
Using tap water in a humidifier will also degrade the air quality. White “humidifier dust” can appear on surfaces inside your home. This dust is caused by the mineral content in tap water. In this case, you will need to clean the humidifier often, as well as clean the interior of mineral deposits.
If you choose to use tap water in your humidifier, a demineralization cartridge can be used. The demineralization cartridge will remove minerals from tap water. This will help keep your humidifier clean and white dust in the house.
Using bottled water in a humidifier?
The use of bottled water in a humidifier is not recommended for the same reasons as tap water. While bottled water is filtered to remove particles, it still contains dissolved minerals. While many bottled water manufacturers claim their water comes from a natural source, it is not completely pure. Natural water sources contain pollutants.
If you don’t have anything else to use, then bottled water will do for a while. You won’t notice immediate effects, and it’s unlikely your humidifier won’t get damaged if you only use it for a day or two.
Using boiled water in a humidifier?
The use of boiled water in a humidifier is not recommended. While boiling water kills bacteria and viruses, it does not remove the dissolved minerals. Boiling water increases the mineral content of the water. As steam evaporates from boiling water, the concentration of minerals increases.
Although distilled water is made from boiling water, distilled water, and boiled water are two very different things. Distilled water is made by collecting steam from boiled water. Boiled water is not produced from steam, but simply heated and collected together.
One of the benefits of using boiled water over regular tap water is that it is less likely to form mold. Because boiling water will neutralize mold spores, you will have fewer problems with mold and slime.
Is distilled water best for a humidifier?
Distilled water is pure water made by boiling water and then collecting and condensing the steam. Unlike tap water and other types of bottled water, it contains no minerals or impurities.
Does not cause scaling
Scale or limescale is the technical term for white lime deposits that contain calcium and magnesium. These two minerals are found in a variety of water types and are especially common in tap water. These heavy minerals remain after the evaporation of water or when heated.
Scale can be a problem in humidifiers because it can build up on heating elements or diffusers, reduction of their effectiveness, or complete cessation. Scale formation areas also provide an ideal habitat for mold and bacteria to accumulate and grow. Since distilled water contains no minerals, you don’t have to worry about limescale.
Prevents dust formation
Mineral deposits are not only an issue inside your humidifier. It is also possible to deal with white, dusty scales that can be released into the air.
Scale dust released into the air settles on surfaces around the instrument, causing discoloration and potentially damaging the electronics. Like scale, this dust is difficult to remove, especially from water-sensitive surfaces.
Before white dust settles on your furniture and appliances, it is in the air, which means that there is a chance that you can breathe it in. In large enough amounts, lime dust may irritate the throat and lungs. Repeated exposure, can even cause respiratory illness.
Helps reduce mold growth
While mold spores exist almost everywhere and can get into your humidifier, no matter what water you use, distilled water is the least likely to promote mold growth.
Distilled water is free of all contaminants, which means you won’t be introducing additional mold into your system. And because this water is mineral-free, it won’t create scale deposits that mold can cling to.
No organic contaminants
Mold is not the only pollutant that can get into the air. Viruses, bacteria, and other organic contaminants are also present in tap and even spring water. Ultrasonic humidifiers are especially prone to atomizing these contaminants and spreading them throughout the home.
By keeping your humidifier clean and using only distilled water, you can greatly reduce the chances of bacteria growing inside the unit. It will also reduce the total amount of organic pollutants emitted into the air.
Do you pour hot or cold water into the humidifier?
Let’s see what type of water is better to pour into the humidifier: hot or cold water.
Using hot water
Hot water can hold more moisture and produce a warm mist, which often helps with colds and flu. Hot water can potentially damage the device inside if it is not designed to function as a warm mist humidifier.
In addition, hot water gives chance to mold and bacteria growing inside the humidifier’s tank, which eventually enters the air around you. Using cold water can lower the air temperature and make it more comfortable to breathe. It’s also safer, as with pets and children there is a risk of tripping over a humidifier full of steam and getting burned.
You may also be interested: Why is my room so dusty: 5 reasons, how to fix it?
Also, using excessively hot water may shorten the life of the humidifier. As the hot water passes through the humidifier, it heats the mechanical and electrical components. This can lead to increased wear and possible damage.
I also recommend reading: Are humidifiers safe for cats?
Using cold water
Cold water also contains fewer dissolved minerals, as opposed to hot water, which is often very high in minerals. Cold water will make your humidifier work harder to humidify the room, especially if it’s a steam humidifier or a warm mist humidifier.
Make sure to check the user manual for your specific humidifier!
FAQs
Can you use regular water in a humidifier?
The use of such water is not recommended. It will cause hard-scale deposits to form inside the humidifier.
What can I use instead of distilled water in a humidifier?
It is impossible to replace distilled water with settled or filtered water. Instead of distilled water, tap water is fine, provided that it is not too hard, and does not contain too much chlorine, or other impurities.
Can I use bottled water in my humidifier?
No, using such water is not recommended.
What kind of water to put in humidifier? Is purified water OK for a humidifier?
Purified water is almost the same as distilled water, the difference is only in the way it is purified. It is free of minerals and impurities, so it can be safely used to increase moisture levels.
Conclusion
A humidifier is an almost indispensable device for the heating season when the humidity level in the room drops to critically low values. Maintaining a favorable microclimate in your home will help to avoid a number of health problems, and improve the general condition of the body and the working capacity of people.
Therefore, it is so important to fill the reservoir of the device with high-quality, the right kind of water, on which not only comfort but also well-being will depend.
Therefore, it is so important to fill the reservoir of the device with high-quality, properly prepared water, on which not only comfort but also the well-being of a person will depend.
Read also: Can you put essential oils in a humidifier
