Use distilled water in a humidifier whenever possible. Distilled (or demineralized/purified) water has most minerals removed, which reduces “white dust,” mineral buildup, and bacteria growth, and helps the unit last longer.
Best water choices
- Ideal: Distilled, demineralized, or reverse-osmosis/purified water; these contain very low mineral content, so they keep the humidifier cleaner and improve air quality.
- Acceptable if needed: Filtered tap water is better than straight hard tap water, but it may still leave some mineral residue over time.
What to avoid
- Avoid hard tap water, spring water, and well water when you can, because their high mineral content leads to scale inside the humidifier and white dust on nearby surfaces.
- Always follow your humidifier’s manual; some brands say tap water is okay, but even then, using distilled or low‑mineral water is usually recommended for less cleaning and longer device life.
