15 Uses For Dehumidifier Water
Dehumidifiers work well to maintain a comfortable humidity level in your home. The unit draws in air, and the excess moisture collects in a tray or bucket under the unit. With so much focus on water conservation, people have found unique ways to use dehumidifier water.
Use dehumidifier water for ironing, cleaning, watering plants, washing the car, giving the dog a bath, cleaning carpets, and doing dishes. Also use it for filling toilet tanks, fountains, and hydroponic gardens. Store it in gallon jugs to use in your car radiator and for camping. With some additional treatment, you can drink water from your dehumidifier in emergencies.
Let’s learn a bit more about the water that is collected by your dehumidifier. We will then delve into the many uses for dehumidifier water.
What is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is a home appliance that removes moisture from the air. There are healthy levels of humidity that keep your mucous membranes moist and even protect your belongings. The dehumidifier removes water through a heat exchange process.
Types of Dehumidifiers
There are 3 types of dehumidifiers.
Heat Pump Dehumidifiers
A heat pump dehumidifier is made with a heat pump, fan, and coils. The fan pushes air across the very cold coils. The temperature difference between the air and coils causes water to collect on the coils.
Dehumidifying Ventilators
Dehumidifying ventilators are most often used in crawlspaces, basements, and attics. A fan on the unit pushes indoor air to the outside. When humidity levels inside the home are beyond a threshold, the unit turns on automatically.
Chemical Absorbent Dehumidifiers
Instead of coils, chemical absorbent dehumidifiers rely on silica gel and other substances to extract moisture from the air. If this is the type of dehumidifier that you have, it doesn’t have a collection tray or bucket for the water.
Where Does Dehumidifier Water Come From?
A dehumidifier is a unit that reduces humidity in the air. The unit pulls in air, and pushes it across a coil. The coil is kept cool with a refrigeration system. When the air passes over the coil, water droplets collect on it. The droplets then run down the coil and into a collection tray or bucket. The air is then pushed out of the unit with a fan and into your room.
What is the Ideal Humidity Level?
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, you should try to maintain a 30% to 50% humidity level inside your home. Anything higher, and it is hard to breathe. It’s like being in a rainforest. Anything lower, and your sinuses dry out.
Indoor humidity levels should never be higher than 60%. Humidity levels that are too high or too low may contribute to allergies, sinus problems, and respiratory issues. This much moisture in the air also contributes to mold development and rotting of wood and other materials.
Is Dehumidifier Water Clean?
Dehumidifier water is very clean. In fact, it is comparable to distilled water. Moisture gets into the air through evaporation. Any particles in the water are too heavy to stay with the water droplets, so they are left behind. As a result, the air that is processed by your dehumidifier contains only pure water.
What Happens to Particles in the Air?
There are particles in the air, such as pollen, bacteria, and dust. These particles are pulled into the dehumidifier. The process of evaporation inside the unit, though, leaves the particles on the coil. This is why it is recommended that you wipe down the coil of your dehumidifier.
15 Uses for Dehumidifier Water
Throwing out a bucket of perfectly good, clean water may not sit well with you. Fortunately, there are many ways to use the water from your dehumidifier.
1. Ironing
Distilled water is recommended for ironing your clothes because it doesn’t contain minerals that leave stains. Water from your dehumidifier is just as good. Simply pour the water from the dehumidifier tray or bucket into an empty gallon jug. When you need to do some ironing, grab the jog, and fill the water reservoir in the iron.
2. Cleaning
Whether you’re mopping, wiping down countertops, cleaning the oven, or scrubbing the tub, water is a key part of cleaning. Store your dehumidifier water in gallon jugs, and pull it out when you clean. This saves quite a bit of water. Most people leave the water running when they clean, and this equates to 1 to 3 gallons of water per minute. Talk about protecting the water supply!
3. Watering Plants
Houseplants and gardens can always use a bit of water. Take the tray or bucket of water from your dehumidifier and pour it on your plants. You can also put it in a jug, and add some fertilizer for the next time you water.
4. Toilet
Older toilets use 5 to 7 gallons per flush, and newer toilets use 1.6 to 2 gallons per flush. Use the water from your dehumidifier to fill the tank. It’s also good to have on hand if the water is every shut off. No more stinky bathrooms and toilet paper clogs!
5. Wash the Car
You use an average of 40 to 100 gallons of water at home to wash your car. Automatic car washes use 65 to 80 gallons. That’s how much water you can save by storing your dehumidifier water. Use a 5-gallon bucket or plastic trash can. When it’s time to wash the car, use the stored water and rinse with a garden hose.
6. DIY Projects
Dirty paint brushes, hands, and rags are a part of any DIY project. Rather than using running water from the faucet or filling the sink, use the water from your dehumidifier. Dump the tray or bucket into a plastic container, and keep your tools and workspace nice and clean.
7. Fresh Flowers
Who doesn’t love fresh flowers? The water from your dehumidifier is perfect for filling vases. You can even cut the flowers from your yard and garden that was watered thanks to your dehumidifier.
8. Fountains
Do you have a small tabletop fountain your home or on your patio? Water from a dehumidifier is ideal for these charming decorative elements. The water contains no minerals, so it won’t cause any hard water buildup or deposits. Just pour the water from the dehumidifier tray or bucket directly into the basin of the fountain.
9. Hydroponic Gardens
Hydroponic gardens rely on water and fertilizer to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, and other plants. Water from your dehumidifier is great for these types of gardens. Just pour it in the reservoir.
10. Wash the Dog
Washing even the most compliant of fur babies takes a lot of water, and most of it ends up on the floor. Save water by using what is collected by your dehumidifier. Every little bit helps to conserve water, and it’s perfectly safe for your fur baby’s home grooming.
11. Clean the Carpets
At-home carpet cleaners use a few gallons of water for the average home. When it’s time to clean the carpets, collect the water from your dehumidifier. It may work better than tap water that contains minerals. The minerals build up on the fibers, and give your carpet a dull appearance.
12. Clean Up Spills
Whether it’s the occasional spill in the kitchen, bathroom, or garage, water is an essential part of cleaning up the mess. Use what has collected in your dehumidifier instead of tap water.
13. Wash Dishes
Do you ever have just a few dishes to wash? The water in your dehumidifier is perfectly safe for the chore, and it’s just the right amount. Pour the water in a plastic container, add dish soap, and get those dishes clean and dry before you know it!
14. Camping
Water is always good to have on hand when you are camping. You can use the water from your dehumidifier for washing dishes, wiping down your tent, cleaning dirt off windshields, and so much more. Keep about five gallons with you when you’re outdoors. It can be a lifesaver – literally.
15. Keep It in Your Car
A gallon of water in your car comes in handy when the engine overheats. Keep it in your trunk so you have it when you need it.
How Do You Make Dehumidifier Water Drinkable?
Despite all of its wonderful uses, dehumidifier water is not safe to drink straight from the collection tray or bucket. It needs to be distilled to remove any impurities. Distilling water involves boiling it, and collecting the droplets from steam. The impurities are left behind in the original container.
Reverse osmosis is another technique that works. The water is passed through a membrane that removes impurities.
Even though both techniques work well to remove impurities, drinking dehumidifier water should be reserved for emergency situations. You still run the risk of ingesting harmful particles, such as bacteria.
Here’s an interesting tidbit. Some dehumidifiers come with filtration systems to automatically make the collected water drinkable.
Related Questions
Can you make your own dehumidifier?
You can make your own dehumidifier with charcoal or de-icing salt. It may not be as effective as an appliance, but it can help on a short-term basis.
Conclusion
Water from your dehumidifier is very clean and comparable to distilled water. Even though you can’t drink the water, there are many other uses.
Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.
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