Why Distilled Water Is Essential for Your CPAP Machine
Why Your CPAP Manufacturer Recommends Distilled Water
If you use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine for sleep apnea, you already know that the humidifier chamber needs water to keep the air moist and comfortable throughout the night. What many users don’t realize is that the type of water you use matters just as much as using the machine itself.
Every major CPAP manufacturer — including ResMed, Philips Respironics, and Fisher & Paykel — specifically recommends distilled water in their user manuals. The reason is simple: distilled water has had virtually all minerals, chemicals, and contaminants removed through the distillation process, leaving you with water that tests between 0 and 5 PPM (parts per million) of total dissolved solids.
What Happens When You Use Tap Water in Your CPAP
Tap water contains dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, and chlorine. When this water evaporates in your CPAP humidifier, those minerals don’t evaporate with it — they get left behind as a white, crusty mineral deposit inside the chamber. Over time, this buildup can damage the heating plate in the humidifier, reduce its effectiveness, and create a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.
Even worse, some of those minerals and chemicals can become airborne in the mist you breathe all night. For someone already managing a respiratory condition, introducing chlorine vapour or mineral particles into their airway is counterproductive.
Using filtered or spring water is better than straight tap water, but these still contain dissolved minerals that will leave deposits. Only distilled water gives you a truly clean starting point.
How Puretap Distilled Water Keeps Your CPAP Running Clean
At Puretap, every batch of our Morning Mist distilled water is independently lab-tested to confirm purity levels between 0 and 5 PPM. We never add fluoride or any other additives — what you get is pure, clean distilled water, nothing more.
Our distilled water is available in convenient sizes for CPAP users. Many of our customers prefer the 18L (5 gallon) bottles because they last several weeks and work great with a small pump dispenser beside the bed. We also offer 4L cases (Morning Mist) that are easy to store and pour.
Tips for CPAP Users
Clean your humidifier chamber weekly. Even with distilled water, you should rinse the chamber with warm water and mild dish soap once a week to prevent any biofilm from forming.
Replace the water daily. Don’t top off yesterday’s water — dump it out, let the chamber air dry for a few minutes, and refill with fresh distilled water each night.
Keep a supply on hand. Running out of distilled water shouldn’t mean using tap water “just for tonight.” Set up a recurring delivery with Puretap so you always have a fresh supply ready.
Store properly. Keep your distilled water sealed and at room temperature. An opened container is fine for a few days, but avoid leaving it uncapped for extended periods.
Delivery Across the GTA
Puretap delivers distilled water throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Caledon, Etobicoke, and the Greater Toronto Area. You can also pick up directly from our Mississauga location. We’ve been serving GTA families and businesses since 1982 — over 40 years of trusted water delivery.
