Clean water is a precious commodity, and many countries around the world are facing shortage, therefore it is important to preserve it.
This is why you shouldn’t throw away gallons of water you get from your dehumidifier’s reservoir. Instead, you can choose to use the water in a following safe ways.
Is Dehumidifier Water Safe to Drink?
Dehumidifiers extract water from your home’s environment in a similar manner to distillation. However, distilled water is safe to drink, unlike the condensate from your dehumidifier’s bucket. The water in your unit’s tank is basically condensed vapor from your indoor atmosphere, and it’s likely to contain pathogens and airborne particles.
Some dehumidifiers employ coils to cool the extracted vapor, which can leak metal into the water and make it toxic and unsafe for consumption. Also, the water collected by a dehumidifier remains stagnant, triggering mold and bacteria development.
- Dehumidifier’s water are referred to as gray water. This means that you can use the water for purposes other than drinking.
Dehumidifier Water for Plants
Dehumidifier water can be considered safe for watering both garden and indoor plants. However, this water lacks essential minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, that plants require to stay healthy.
On the other hand, tap water contains chlorine and other harmful chemicals that might affect terrestrial plants, which is where a dehumidifier’s condensate comes in handy.
- Mixing the water collected from dehumidifier with tap water balances the chemical equation effectively; you may use the solution in your hydroponic garden.
Dehumidifier Water for Flushing Toilets
One excellent way to utilize gray water is in the toilet. You could place a bucket in your bathroom and use it as a reservoir. This way, you can easily refill the cistern every time you flush the toilet. Alternatively, you could pour the water directly into the toilet bowl. If you use enough force, you could get similar results to flushing the toilet normally.
- Using the condensate to flush the toilet will enable you to recycle water that’d have otherwise gone to waste. This will allow you to preserve clean water for drinking.
Cleaning with the Dehumidifier Water
Water from your dehumidifier is safe for cleaning most items comprising your home. Mix cleaning products with the water from your dehumidifier to accomplish your clean-up task.
Using detergents will eliminate bacteria that might have accumulated in the tank, eradicating the risk of spreading microbes throughout your indoor environment.
- You could use this water with cleaning detergents to wash your sink, floor, car, or even dishes.
Dehumidifier Water with Steam Irons
Steam irons require loads of water, especially if you press your clothes daily. If you have used tap water with your steam iron before, you’ve probably spotted mineral deposit stains on your precious garments.
- Dehumidifier condensate will save your clothes from discoloration while also conserving water.
Utilizing Dehumidifier Water for your Car
Unlike your household members and pets, your car will not be affected by the pathogens in your dehumidifier’s water. You may, therefore, purpose to save tap water and use your dehumidifier as the primary means of refilling your radiator.
The same water will also serve perfectly as your windscreen wiper fluid. Well personally, I wouldn’t recommend it but its a suggestion.
Condensate for Indoor Décor
Do you have a birdbath or a tabletop fountain? Generally, no one is drinking or eating from your fountain or birdbath, and you don’t need to use pure water for this purpose. Well, this is a prime opportunity to use the water from your dehumidifier.
Pro Tip: To ensure that your dehumidifier’s water is safe for use, you will want to adhere to a strict maintenance and cleaning schedule on your appliance. Failure to clean the unit can easily lead to a micro-organisms buildup in the water tank. This will consequently pose a hazard to your indoor environment in case you recycle the fluid.
The Bottom Line
If you’re the least bit eco-conscious, you don’t want to misuse the available resources, including water. Reusing natural resources will go a long way in saving you money and conserving the environment. Water is a vital resource, and although you might not feel or see it, it’s all around you in your indoor environment in the form of vapor.
Once your dehumidifier extracts moisture from your indoor environment, you may choose to reuse it rather than disposing it directly from the tank. However, remember that you need to clean and maintain your unit properly to avoid potential issues that might spring from a dirty dehumidifier.