Dehumidifiers are useful for more than just removing excess moisture from the air in your home.
For example, they can also be used as a water source during emergencies.
But, can you drink water from a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifier water is not drinkable. Dehumidifier water can contain lead, metals, bacteria, microbes, mildew, and mold. The water from a dehumidifier is considered non-potable water and is a potential health risk when you drink it.
However, using dehumidifier water for drinking purposes is highly debated and should not be considered safe.
In this post, I will also go over with you several frequently asked questions about water from a dehumidifier.
So, let’s get started…
Can You Drink Water From A Dehumidifier If You Boil It?
It is never safe to drink water from a dehumidifier, even when boiled.
This is because there are other potential contaminants in the water which boiling cannot remove.
The condensate may contain lead as well other metals from the process of dehumidifying.
Unlike regular distilled water, dehumidifier water isn’t properly sterilized through boiling.
It is also possible that the condensate contains bacteria and other microbes, which may cause illness.
So boiled water from a dehumidifier is not safe to drink.
Is Dehumidifier Water Distilled Water?
While the water from a dehumidifier appears very clean, it’s not distilled and should not be used for drinking purposes.
Again, the water may contain lead or other contaminants that boiling cannot remove.
Dehumidifier Water pH
The water from a dehumidifier is alkaline. In most cases, it has a pH of about 8.7 to 9.5.
Note that safe drinking water should have a pH of around 6.5 to 8.5. Anything over this can cause health problems.
What Can I Use The Water From The Dehumidifier For?
You can use water from your dehumidifier to do a lot of things. Some examples include:
- Filling up the tank of a toilet
This should be a safe option since the water is already filtered. It will provide a lot of water if the toilet is not working.
- Cleaning clothes, dishes
There is a problem with washing your clothes in water from the dehumidifier.
However, you want to ensure that you do not use too much water from the dehumidifier at once.
- Cleaning floors, walls
This is also a good option for cleaning. It will not make your home wet and can be used on many types of surfaces.
Be sure to spot test first in case any substances are present which could cause damage.
- Water your plants with it
Again, this should be a safe option because there are no other contaminants in the water besides what naturally occurs from plant growth.
Can Dogs Drink Water From A Dehumidifier?
No. Just like for humans, the condensate from your dehumidifier isn’t safe for dogs.
It can contain lead and other toxins. Some other things which might be in your dehumidifier water include:
- Insulation material or solder joints
- Mercury may have been used as a part of the electrical circuit to reduce voltage fluctuations
- Cadmium from pressure switches, wiring, bimetallic actuators, or solenoid valves
- Chromium from chrome-plated evaporator coil tubes or fittings
- Arsenic if it is present in an old compressor (e.g., R-22)
- Tin when cooling tower water enters air intake system.
All these contaminants make dehumidifier water unsafe for both humans and animals.
Can You Use Dehumidifier Water In The Washing Machine?
Yes. As noted earlier, it is safe to use the condensate from a dehumidifier for washing dirty clothes.
So it is safe to use dehumidifier condensate in your washing machine.
Is Dehumidifier Water Deionized?
No, it is not deionized. When water goes through removing ions from the substance to make it pure, this is known as deionization.
Dehumidifier condensate does not go through this process.
It should, therefore, never be used for drinking purposes or in place of regular drinking water.
Is Water From A Dehumidifier Soft?
No. As discussed earlier, the water may contain contaminants that boiling cannot remove. These include lead and other metals.
Can You Use Water From A Dehumidifier In A Humidifier?
You cannot use water from a dehumidifier in your humidifier. You should only be using distilled or boiled water to fill up the humidifier tank.
This is because these two types are guaranteed safe for human consumption and won’t cause any problems with the device itself.
Can You Use Water From A Dehumidifier In The Dishwasher?
Yes, as noted earlier, it is safe to use dehumidifier condensate in your dishwasher.
However, you want to make sure that you are not using too much water at once.
Can I Use The Water From A Dehumidifier To Mix With My Coffee?
Many people like their morning java extra strong. And since the water is alkaline, it will make for an interesting experience.
No, this would be a terrible idea because contaminants in your condensate that boiling won’t remove.
You never want to consume any type of substance without knowing what’s in it first.
It may seem tempting, but please don’t do this – especially if you’re sharing your drink with someone else.
Can You Drink Water From A Dehumidifier If It Is Hot?
You cannot use the condensate to make tea or coffee because boiling does not remove the contaminants in the water.
This may pose risks for consumption.
The only way to ensure the safety of any liquid coming out of a dehumidifier is through proper filtration.
If your home has access to clean tap water, this would be preferable for drinking purposes rather than using the condensate from a dehumidifier.
Can You Use Dehumidifier Water In A Battery?
Yes. Dehumidifier condensate is totally safe to use in a battery.
However, it should be noted that dehumidifier condensate will cause the battery to discharge quicker.
The reason this happens is that dehumidifier condensate is not pure water.
It contains contaminants such as dust, dirt, and other living organisms that are carried in the air from your home or workplace.
You can, however, try to get out the impurities by filtering the condensate through an activated charcoal filter.
Final Thoughts– Can You Drink Water from a Dehumidifier?
Hopefully, this article has been able to answer the question of “is it safe to drink water from a dehumidifier?”
It’s worth mentioning that there haven’t been any scientific studies on this topic, but the consensus is the water is not safe for both humans and animals.
Plus, it can lead to the growth of bacteria.
As we have seen, there are several ways you can use the water that’s created by your dehumidifier.
So, there’s no need to put your health at risk just for a sip of water.
Looking For Dehumidifier Guides?
If you’re looking for more dehumidifier resources, consider checking out our other posts on dehumidifiers.
- Best Dehumidifier for a Landry room
- What Are The Best Dehumidifiers for a garage gym
- Best Dehumidifiers For Attic
Other References
(Author)
Irene Batres is eager to help others create an indoor allergen-free home. She has years of experience testing out air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and other products designed to help with indoor air quality. Learn more about me.
