If you suffer from sleep apnea, you probably use a CPAP Machine. It is a wonderful invention to ensure you get a safe, peaceful sleep. Knowing the many types of water available and what you should use with your CPAP machine is essential.
When it comes to utilizing your CPAP, you must use the proper cleaning procedures and tools to extend the life of your CPAP equipment. This includes the type of water too.
Today’s blog post will discuss the pros and cons of each type of water for CPAP use.
Different Types of Water and their Pros and Cons for Use in Your CPAP Machine
Distilled Water
Best Water for CPAP: Distilled water is often recommended as the best water for CPAP machines due to its purity and safety.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Completely free of minerals, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities. | ❌It can cost more than other types of water. |
| ✅Avoid minerals that could leave a residue in the CPAP tank. | |
| ✅It will not increase the amount of condensation produced by the machine or raise the danger of leakage. | |
| ✅It produces optimal air pressure without forming germs or mineral scales. | |
| ✅Due to the lack of dissolved solids, it is an excellent choice for usage in a CPAP machines. | |
| ✅There are more pros than cons to using distilled water in your CPAP humidifier. | |
| ✅It has a long shelf life. |
Also Read: The Benefits And Uses Of CPAP Distilled Water
Spring Water
Spring Water in CPAP: Spring water in CPAP devices might seem natural, but it often contains minerals that can harm the equipment.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅You can only use spring water in your CPAP machine if the CPAP manufacturers have recommended that you do so. | ❌Generally rich in mineral content. |
| ❌The natural filtration of spring water by rocks and sand results in an increase in the mineral content of the water, meaning that it will include both bacteria and minerals. | |
| ❌It’s unclear how many pollutants or minerals are in a bottle of spring water, and the amount varies between brands because they’re collected from different springs. This means spring water could cause damage to your CPAP over time. |
Well Water
Using Well Water in CPAP: Using well water in CPAP equipment is not recommended due to its high mineral content and potential contamination.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅None | ❌If the water hasn’t been treated or filtered, you could be exposed to bacteria and other particles that could be harmful. |
| ❌The water from a well will be considered “hard,” which indicates that it is rich in minerals such as calcium and iron. The compounds that are found in these minerals can be corrosive for a variety of different reasons and have the potential to cause the water chamber of the CPAP machine to be destroyed. Because of this, they are responsible for material defects in plastics and other types of materials. | |
| ❌It can pollute the air from the CPAP and can cause disease in CPAP patients as well as expose them to harmful parasites. |
Boiled Water (Cooled Down)
Using Boiled Water in CPAP: Using boiled water in CPAP may seem like a good idea for sterilization, but it does not remove minerals or chemicals.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅This may appear to be a workaround for getting some clean water. The process of boiling water kills microbes, but this is not the same as distillation process. | ❌Won’t affect the mineral content or chemical contaminants. Don’t get boiling water confused with distilled water. |
| ❌Some potentially harmful compounds in water can be concentrated if the water is boiled for too long or if it is boiled several times. | |
| ❌Nitrates, arsenic, and fluoride are some substances that may accumulate and become more potent over time. |
Tap Water
Using Tap Water in CPAP: While convenient, using tap water in CPAP machines can lead to mineral buildup and potential health risks.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅A simple and inexpensive method of filling your CPAP. | ❌It contains microbes, minerals, and chemical contaminants that can cause buildup or scaling in your CPAP machine and cause problems with the water chamber, tubes, and other humidifier parts. |
| ❌When it dries up in the humidifier water chamber, it will leave behind a hard, calcified deposit. | |
| ❌Other contaminants like lead, arsenic, or nitrates can be found in tap water. | |
| ❌Contain potentially harmful substances like chlorine or fluoride. | |
| ❌Legionella, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can also be found in tap water. | |
| ❌E. Coli can also be detected in tap water and cause gastroenteritis. | |
| ❌Heavy metals and minerals are also found in tap water. They build up over time, therefore the older the building’s pipes, the more likely heavy metal pollution. | |
| ❌It may shorten the life of your CPAP machine. |
Purified Water
Using Purified Water in CPAP: While better than tap water, purified water is still second to distilled water due to possible remaining impurities.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅It is filtered to remove chemicals | ❌There are still small amounts of minerals remaining in purified water. |
| ❌Contained minerals may lead to mineral buildup in your CPAP machine. |
Alkaline Water
Using Alkaline Water in CPAP: Using alkaline water in CPAP may seem healthful due to its pH level, but it poses risks for mineral buildup.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅None | ❌This water is filtered to make it less acidic and raise its pH level. |
| ❌It could also have things like silica and bicarbonate in it. | |
| ❌Electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium can also be found in alkaline water. | |
| ❌Even if cleaned frequently, these extra minerals might cause deposits in your CPAP components, reducing the lifespan of your CPAP equipment. |
Bottled Water
Bottled Water for CPAP: Not all bottled water for CPAP is suitable, but certain filtered or purified types can be a temporary alternative.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Possible good alternative for CPAP users if it has been filtered or purified. | ❌ Its mineral composition makes it unsuitable for CPAP machine heated humidifiers. |
Mineral Water
Using Mineral Water in CPAP: It’s crucial to avoid using mineral water in CPAP machines due to high mineral content that can cause significant scaling.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅None | ❌Bottled mineral water causes mineral deposits (scale) to accumulate in the water reservoir, causing the CPAP machine to malfunction. Over time, this damage reduces the lifespan of the CPAP. |
Filtered Water
Using Filtered Water in CPAP: Using filtered water in CPAP can be an option, but it doesn’t guarantee the removal of all impurities.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Filtering will eliminate some minerals and contaminants. | ❌Dissolved solids will remain in the water. |
| ❌Filtering water may not remove living organisms or other chemicals. |
Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse Osmosis Water for CPAP: Reverse osmosis water for CPAP is a better option than tap or untreated bottled water, but it is still not as ideal as distilled.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Reverse Osmosis water is purified and should not create any problems in your lungs. | ❌Unlike distilled water, RO water still has a small number of trace minerals. |
| ✅Free of germs and common chemical contaminants, including calcium and magnesium. | ❌If you put RO water in the CPAP machine once or twice, there should be no problem. The problem will occur after prolonged use because trace minerals will accumulate at the tank’s bottom. |
| ❌These filters become less effective over time, which means the longer it has been since you changed ALL of your filters, the fewer contaminants are removed from your RO water. |
Aromatherapy Oils Should Never Be Added to Water in a CPAP Machine
You could hurt yourself if you use aromatherapy oils with your CPAP machine. The heated air from the machine will evaporate the oil, and you may simply end up inhaling it, possibly causing respiratory difficulties. You should NOT put any kind of essential oil in your CPAP humidifier.
Conclusion
If you are using a CPAP machine and have been struggling with sinus issues, dry mouth, or just haven’t seen the results you were hoping for, it may be time to switch the type of water you are using in your machine.
There are many types of water available on the market today, each with its own pros and cons. We hope this article has helped you understand the different kinds of water and guided you on which one may be best for you.
Please don’t hesitate to call us if you would like more information or to speak with one of our experts about what type of water is best for your CPAP machine. We would be happy to help!
Have you evaluated the pros and cons of your CPAP water? Share your thoughts below.
