Distilled water

[dravidio]

I have now bought a machine to distill water at home - £149 including p&p. I have worked out it will pay for itself in a few months - and I can also use the water in my steam generator iron, and steam cleaner without having to use descaler. The machine is easy to use and not too big to store - I think the machine is made in the US and imported by H2O Labs - this is not an advert - google water distillers and make your own mind up...

[tallishbloke]

? distilled water??

Hello all!
I cannot believe all the fuss about distilled water. I havent come across a manufacturer so far who would disagree with the fact that freshly boiled cooled water is perfectly adequate for use in humidifiers, regardless of where you live. The importance of using distilled / boiled cooled water is more to do with minimising the risk of developing respiratory problems as a result of a chest infection. This theoretically could happen because tap water could contain micro-organisms including bacteria, which if incubated all night (and repeatedly if you dont empty and refill the hujmidifier tank daily) could give you a lovely unwanted present in the form of a chest infection.
Regular weekly cleaning of the tank with hot soapy water is enough to give good cleaning both for any possible bacteria still lingering and to remove any small build up of limescale! No need for expensive cleaning products etc.
The only downside may be that fome CPAP humidifiers (eg some F+P units) have tanks which you cannot open adequately. 1 of the best ones at present in terms of ease of access is the Respironics M series unit.
Simple rules:
Fill kettle - boil
once cooled fill tank
empty and rinse out tank in the morning
refill following night with freshly boiled and cooled water
clean the tank at least once a week with hot soapy water.

Good luck and spend your money wisely!

TB