No, water from the dehumidifier is not distilled. Numerous homeowners question whether the clear liquid gathered by their dehumidifier is cleansed like distilled water. Even though it appears clean, its safety differs as it does not undergo a similar purification procedure and can have pollutants.
However, we are all trained that water conservation is like saving our planet. Today, you can forget about this as there are a few ways to utilize this water again. This guide delves into several uses of dehumidifier water, speaks to its safety, and provides useful tips on making full use of this resource.
What Does a Dehumidifier Actually Do?
Dehumidifiers are necessary equipment for keeping ideal indoor humidity levels, specifically in regions exposed to humidity and excessive moisture. A dehumidifier operates by dragging damp air into a cooling coil, prompting water vapor to condense into a reservoir.
By this process, the dehumidifier assists in sustaining a more pleasant and healthier indoor atmosphere by lowering the overall humidity level. This technique brings about a constant supply of water that several people are uncertain how to use. Not like distillation, this procedure does not include boiling the water.
So, the collected condensation is basically air moisture trapped by refrigeration, not cleansed by evaporation and re-condensation. Consequently, the water might contain airborne particles, dust, and germs from the air.
Commercial dehumidifiers liquify large amounts; however, they still need filtration, which means dehumidifier water is not the same as distilled water.
Is Water from the Dehumidifier Distilled?
The straightforward answer is no. The distillation of something indicates to cleanse (a liquid) through vaporization, then condensing by chilling the vapor, and gathering the resultant liquid. This procedure leaves metals, minerals, and various contaminants behind.
On the contrary, dehumidifiers accumulate water by chilling over cold coils, causing moisture to condense and trickle into a reservoir. It’s nearly like what occurs to water vapour in the atmosphere when it turns into rain. This technique is similar to condensation, however, without including boiling, therefore, it does not remove impurities.
As the technique never gets to the boiling point, dehumidifier water can hold dust, metal ions (from plumbing or coils), microbes, even volatile organic compounds, and signs of “forever” chemicals such as PFAS from the surrounding air. Although clear-sighted, this water is technically not truly distilled water or demineralized water.
As stated by chemists active in online forums, a dehumidifier condensate is “close to distilled,” however, yet carries contaminants gathered during the collection process. In short, dehumidifier water is a condensate, not distilled. It lacks the cleanness of deionized or distilled water and relies heavily on the cleanliness of the unit and the air quality of the house.
Why You Shouldn’t Drink Dehumidifier Water?
Can you drink dehumidifier water? The simple answer is no. Although the water gathered from a dehumidifier is somewhat clean, it is not filtered or distilled. Below is why drinking water from dehumidifier is not safe:
Contamination Risk from Internal Components
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air utilizing cooled metal coils. When the damp air touches the cold surface, condensation builds and gathers in a tank. But these coils can contain remains of bacteria, mold, and dust that collect within the unit over time.
Also, the dead water offers a hotbed for microbes. In the absence of filtration or sterilization, the accumulated water can nourish pathogens.
Heavy Metals in the Water
According to researches has revealed that water in dehumidifiers can have trace metals such as copper, lead, or aluminum, based on coil material. These metals can seep into the water via corrosion or bonding utilized in older units.
Long-term exposure to these metals, even in small amounts, presents a health danger, particularly when the water is consumed frequently.
Not Purified Like Distilled Water
Far from distilled water, that includes building and condensing steam to extract pollutants, dehumidifier water is gathered via condensation without a sterilization step. So, it might seem clear, however, it needs the chemical and microbiological filtration for secure drinking.
Therefore, it’s not appropriate for direct consumption or usage in gadgets such as humidifiers, CPAP tools, or baby formula preparation.
Expert Recommendations
Health agencies, including the WHO (World Health Organization) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), recommend against drinking dehumidifier water because of pollution risks.
Also, the CDC alerts that unclean water from tools must not replace safe drinking water unless correctly treated.
What Can You Safely Use Dehumidifier Water For?
You can reprocess the dehumidifier water for various non-drinking activities. It is best for:
Watering Non-Edible Plants
Can you use water from a dehumidifier to water plants? The answer is yes, dehumidifier water can be reused for watering ornamental flowers and plants. The small mineral content of this water helps avoid salt buildup in soil, and that can benefit potted plants and garden beds not intended for food production.
Household Cleaning
As it is soft water, dehumidifier liquefaction is efficient for cleansing mirrors, windows, floors, and other surfaces without leaving hard water marks or mineral deposits. So, it is perfect for washing and mopping.
Steam Irons
Several steam iron makers advise utilizing distilled water to avoid scale buildup. Dehumidifier water, although not sterile, copies low-mineral water near enough for usage in most steam irons, particularly when purified before use.
Flushing Toilets and Laundry
Using gathered water to wash laundry or flush toilets (particularly in high-efficiency washers) saves potable water. Though not pure enough for personal use, it does well in these utility purposes.
Pro Tip: The dehumidifier water must not be used for aquariums (can hurt fish because of pollutants), food preparation and drinking, in humidifiers, or medical tools.
Can You Make Dehumidifier Water Drinkable?
You can turn dehumidifier water into drinkable water; however, this way includes a complicated and expensive filtration process. Though several people question, can you drink dehumidifier water, the answer is no, except that the water goes through multiple purification phases.
These include microfiltration, activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, UV sterilization, and boiling. This thorough procedure extracts metals, bacteria, and other impurities; however goes far beyond the effort and price of purchasing secure, bottled distilled water.
Besides, from a realistic perspective, making drinking water from a dehumidifier is incompetent. The price of setting up and sustaining purification systems cancels out the little value of the water gathered.
Final Thoughts
The water from the dehumidifier is not distilled, and it is condensate water. It requires chemical and biological filtration, and might carry microorganisms, dust, and trace metals. Drinking or using it in cooking or humidifiers can cause health issues and harm the machine. But, dehumidifier water is safe for particular non-drinking uses: watering plants, cleansing and flushing toilets.
