Is Dehumidifier Water Distilled?

This is a question you have probably asked yourself a number of times, especially if you have a larger dehumidifier unit in your basement or somewhere else in your home. Dehumidifiers can remove several gallons of water from the air every day, and the water looks sparkling clean and incredibly clear: basically the same as distilled water.

However, dehumidifier water is not the same as distilled water. It does share some components with distilled water and can be used in place of distilled water in some applications, but not all. The key is to understand where the similarities between the two types of water lie, and the limits to which they can be used interchangeably.

Understanding the differences will help determine which uses are safe for dehumidifier water and when you should purchase or try to get a water distiller for your home instead.

Is Dehumidifier Water Distilled?

Dehumidifier water is not distilled. The biggest similarity between dehumidifier water and distilled water is that they are both very low in minerals, and that is because dehumidifier water is created through condensation, a process that resembles distillation in some ways. However, it does not produce true distilled water. 

So, though dehumidifier water often contains fewer dissolved minerals than tap water, it is much more prone to contamination because the process of condensation does not purify it: it can still pick up contaminants from the air and from the components of the dehumidifier itself.

How Dehumidifier Water is Made

Dehumidifier water is a result of the process of condensation, where the dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air. A dehumidifier works by pulling humid air across cold evaporator coils. As the warm, moisture-laden air contacts the cold coils, three things happen:

1. Water vapor condenses into liquid water.
2. The water drips into a collection tray or bucket.
3. The drier air is reheated and returned to the room.

The process of how a dehumidifier produces water is similar to how water droplets form on the outside of a cold beverage glass, and it is sufficient to produce water that is low in mineral content, but not entirely distilled. 

Explore more about what dehumidifiers do and how water is produced as a result. 

How Distilled Water is Made 

True distilled water is created through a much more controlled distillation process that is specifically designed to produce pure distilled water. Here is how it works:

1. The water is boiled into steam.
2. The steam leaves contaminants behind.
3. The steam is condensed into a separate clean container.

True distilled water is first boiled into steam, specifically to kill pathogens and isolate pure H2O from all impurities. A dehumidifier bypasses this boiling step, which actually makes it a breeding ground for contaminants.

A dehumidifier cannot produce pure distilled water because it simply condenses moisture from ambient air. Along the way, the water may still pick up contaminants such as dust particles, mold spores, bacteria, airborne pollutants, pollen, pet dander, and even residue from its own internal components. 

You may also want to explore more about how a water distiller works to understand how distilled water is made at home.

3 Reasons Why Dehumidifier Water Is Not Distilled Water

1. It is susceptible to microbial growth: 

The cool, damp cooling coils and collection tanks of a dehumidifier are perfect environments for mold, bacteria, and fungal spores to breed. So, the water may actually still get infected just by contact with the components, which are not meant to produce pure distilled water.

2. It is also susceptible to airborne contaminants

As the dehumidifier pulls room air over the coils, it can also trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) right into the water. That is because the dehumidifier’s main role is to extract water from the air, not to distil it. Hence, the components of a dehumidifier are not optimized for distillation. 

3. It may still contain heavy metals 

Water condensing on internal metal components can leach trace amounts of copper, aluminum, or lead from the solder and coils. Distilled water does not have to pass through any metal components that may compromise its purity.

 Dehumidifier Water vs. Distilled Water: A Quick Comparison

Feature	Dehumidifier Water	Distilled Water
Source	Moisture condensed from indoor air	Water boiled and condensed through distillation
Mineral Content	Usually low	Extremely low
Purification Process	No	Yes
Exposure to Airborne Contaminants	High	Minimal
Potential for Bacterial Growth	Moderate to high	Very low when properly stored
Safe for Drinking	No	Yes (if produced and stored properly)
Suitable for Medical Equipment	Usually no	Often yes
Suitable for Steam Irons	Sometimes	Usually yes
Consistency of Purity	Variable	Highly consistent
Intended Use	Moisture removal byproduct	Purified water applications

The key takeaway is that distilled water is intentionally purified, while dehumidifier water is simply a byproduct of moisture removal.

Safe Uses for Dehumidifier Water

1. Watering Certain Outdoor Plants

Dehumidifier water can often be used for outdoor ornamental, non-edible plants, including some sensitive ones like Venus flytraps that do not do well with tap water minerals.  However, caution is advised with edible plants since contaminants may be present.

2. Household Cleaning Tasks

Collected dehumidifier water is great for household cleaning:  washing patios, cleaning outdoor furniture, mopping floors, rinsing tools, etc.  One practical household use is toilet flushing. Instead of pouring the water down the drain, some homeowners use it to refill toilet tanks manually or flush toilets during water conservation efforts. Using dehumidifier water for these purposes can reduce overall water consumption.

3. Watering Houseplants 

Some people use dehumidifier water for houseplants. However, it is advisable to only do this if the dehumidifier is clean, the collection bucket is sanitized regularly, and the water is not foul-smelling or visibly contaminated. Even then, it is best viewed as an occasional solution rather than a permanent watering source.

4. Cleaning Automotive Parts

In garages and workshops, dehumidifier water can be useful for preliminary rinsing, washing dirty tools, and cleaning non-sensitive automotive components. Since the water has relatively low mineral content, it may leave fewer mineral deposits than hard tap water.

5. Steam Irons (Sometimes)

Some people use dehumidifier water in steam irons. However, manufacturers vary in their recommendations. Because contaminants can damage internal components over time, it is wise to consult the appliance manual first.

Safe vs. Unsafe Uses of Dehumidifier Water

When is It Better to Get Distilled Water for Your Home?

Most times, it is absolutely better to get distilled water for your home rather than relying on dehumidifier water.  While dehumidifier water can be reused for certain household tasks, it should not be viewed as a replacement for distilled water. Distilled water remains a necessity, especially when purity matters, equipment manufacturers require it, or your health and safety are involved. For any of the following applications, you need distilled water:

• For a CPAP machine
• For a steam sterilizer
• For laboratory applications
• For medical equipment
• For automotive batteries
• For certain humidifiers

In these situations, the consistency of distilled water is far more important than the small savings gained from using dehumidifier water.

Affordable Home Water Distillers From CO-Z Palace. 

For occasional use, purchasing distilled water is often inexpensive and convenient. However, if your household regularly requires large quantities, you absolutely need a water distiller for home. These options provide a more reliable source of purified water than a dehumidifier can offer.

Final Thoughts on Distilled vs Dehumidifier Water

While dehumidifier water may look similar to distilled water, the two are not the same. Both originate from water vapor, but distilled water undergoes a controlled purification process designed to remove contaminants, while dehumidifier water is simply condensed moisture collected from indoor air. Along the way, dehumidifier water can pick up dust, microorganisms, pollutants, and residue from the machine itself.

That doesn't mean the water is useless. In fact, dehumidifier water can be repurposed for a variety of non-potable household tasks, including cleaning, outdoor watering, and flushing toilets. However, when purity truly matters- such as for drinking, medical devices, humidifiers, or sensitive equipment—true distilled water remains the safer and more reliable choice.

You may also be interested in some important tips for choosing a water distiller for your home.