Is dehumidifier water distilled?

3 Key Takeaways:

🚀 Dehumidifiers produce new water by absorbing humidity from the air at home, condensing it into a water reservoir.

🚀 The water collected in the condensation bucket of a dehumidifier is not potable as it runs over dusty plastic and metallic surfaces.

🚀 Distilled water from dehumidifiers can be used in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines after boiling.

August blues and Adam’s ale.

 August blues are real! Especially when it comes to water scarcity scares.

Are you terrified even if a drop of aqua gets wasted? Do you feel blue when emptying Adam’s ale from the dehumidifier condensate tank?

If the answer is a big yes, then you are in the right place. Right from 2011 through 2018 to 2020, the US has experienced a significant depletion in groundwater. So it’s high time you save this precious resource. Water conservation is one critical issue where there can never be a contrary point of view.

Recycling and reusing the water from dehumidifier is a great way to save aqua. Dehumidifier does a fantastic job, absorbing humidity from thin air and condensing and holding it in a reservoir. The condensed water is one of the best-distilled water. Emptying such a precious resource into a drain without utilising it productively is such a shame.

Where does the water come from in a dehumidifier?


A dehumidifier produces new water by absorbing humidity from air at home. It further condenses it into a water reservoir. This condensation process removes some air bound minerals and contaminants from it. Thus the dehumidifier water is completely distilled and clean.

However, the clean water in the reservoir may get contaminated due to the reasons below.

• The reservoir is not clean
• There are much absorbed impurities from the air
• The condensate is only filtered and not purified

Because the dehumidifier only filters aqua, it cannot be used as drinking water or for other purposes on its own. It needs to be purified to be reused.

Can you drink dehumidifier water?

Wondering if you can drink the water from dehumidifiers? Is it safe to drink?

The water collected in the condensation bucket of a dehumidifier is not potable. As it runs over dusty plastic and metallic surfaces, it is exposed to carcinogenic compounds and heavy metals like copper, aluminum, and even lead.

These heavy metals and microorganisms like mold, bacteria, and viral strains cause terrible diseases when consumed. If the dehumidifier has a purifier and filter attached to it, you may think about using the water for various purposes. The purification unit should be capable of destroying microorganisms in the air, such as mold spores, bacteria, and viruses. Only then the water can be reused.

If the dehumidifier water is not purified, you should never think of drinking it. However, upon filtering, you can use it for the purposes below.

✔ Washing vehicles
✔ Filling radiator of a car
✔ Filling windshield wiper washing tank
✔ Filling a steam iron for clothes
✔ Irrigation
✔ Flushing toilets
✔ Cleaning the house

But if you would like to increase the dehumidifier water’s consumption potential, you can adopt simple methods to purify it. You can make it safer than well or tap water.

How to purify dehumidifier water?

The amount of water collected in the dehumidifier is huge, but not potable as it is. According to the Environmental Protection Agency view, stagnant condensate could harbor much serious air contaminants like mold, mildew, bacteria, and algae if the collection bucket is not cleaned regularly.
Are you relentless about harnessing water extracted from excess humidity in your air?
Then you must purify the water.

Got no idea how? We’ll help your search with simple ways to purify condensate.

Use a water purifier –This process can help purify dehumidifier condensates in no time. Run the collected water through the purifier during the day to ensure its potability.

Strain using sand and charcoal – For this method, you must get a water bottle with the bottom and cap removed. Then flip it and place a coffee filter on the cap hole at the bottom. Place an inch thick charcoal and alternate with many layers of sand and gravel. When you pour in the water, it comes out safe to drink.

Boil and bleach- Boiling is one of the easiest ways to purify water. But when vapor forms, the steam gathers concentrated contaminants. Add bleach to get rid of these pollutants. After 30 minutes of sitting time, the water is ready for drinking.

Iodize- Found purification tablets that contain iodine? They can purify water and make them as good as new. A single time usage in a day eliminates pathogens. Beware pregnant women and people with thyroid problems should not ingest them due to potential health risks.

Is it ok to water plants with dehumidifier water?

A girl watering plants

The reply is yes. You can use water from dehumidifiers to nurture your home plants. But it’s best to avoid using them on edible plants, as the hidden contaminants may affect the produce. Trace metals such as lead, copper, and iron may deposit and contaminate fruits and vegetables unknowingly.

You can water shrubs, trees, lawns, and plants that do not land on your plate. But, again if you purify the water, it can be used on all kinds of flora.

Can you use water from a dehumidifier in a CPAP machine?

The reply to this question too is yes. You can use distilled water from dehumidifiers in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. But remember to boil the distilled water before filling the CPAP humidifier chamber. This will kill microorganisms, reduce mineral deposits, and maximize the life of the CPAP unit.

FAQ Section

1. Is water from a dehumidifier safe for aquariums?

The water from dehumidifiers may contain mold, mildew, spores, bacteria, algae, or even some heavy metal traces from the air. These air borne impurities depend heavily on your indoor air quality and may harm aquatic life. So it is better to adhere to a purification process before the water gets used in fish tanks and aquariums.

2. Can you use dehumidifier water in a battery?

Yes, you can use the water from dehumidifiers in batteries for your car, garage, and house as a whole. Make sure you strain the water so that the dust particles do not clog the battery.

3. Is dehumidifier water safe for dogs?

Though dehumidifier water is as good as distilled water, factors such as dirty reservoir and home environment increase the chance of mold, bacteria, and unwanted minerals leach. So it is better to purify it before feeding your dogs. Then you can be assured that your beloved dog is healthy and safe.

Wrapping Up

Dehumidifier water is distilled and soft, with a fairly neutral PH.

Still wondering? Can you drink water from a dehumidifier? The reply is yes.

But run it through a great water purifier to reuse the distilled water with confidence.

Read our dehumidifier posts to fuel your search for back-to-back info and point of views on dehumidifier products, purifier products, cleaning process, and other vital issues.
Contact us if you would like to know more.

author-image

About The Author

Olivia — a self-confessed air quality addict — is a home climate enthusiast, fresh air advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about mold extermination. Her work was mentioned in countless notable humidity publications. Previously she was an editor at Mold Remediation.