De-ionised water

letsbehonest

Can de-ionised water be made on the cheap at home in small batches mainly for use in steam irons

skiddy2k

im not sure if you can make it at home, because it has to be distilled properely.

Halfords sell them in 5ltr gallons and its only £2.49 or £2.99


Skiddy,

Mr_Proctalgia

Boiled water is almost as good, or melt water from the fridge is OK, or melted ice or dehumidifier water is distilled also.

HTH

wealthsaver

letsbehonest wrote:

Can de-ionised water be made on the cheap at home in small batches mainly for use in steam irons

Not sure about cheap.

You will need something to distill the water. Distilled water is de-ionised. That is any dissolved ions are removed - eg Calcium Hydroxide.
I found this product advertised by a company via Yahoo search.
http://www.justmagnotherapy.com/waterdistiller.html

In addition to the purchase price, the running costs in electricity would be substantial.

Volcano

Boiling water doesn't do anything about the ion concentration and melted ice is no good if it was originally tap water.

De-ionisation and distillation are not the same thing (distillation alone doesn't remove contaminants with a boiling point around/less than water's.)

Dehumidifier's water is probably your best bet as long as the collection vessel is clean.

black-saturn

Thought you could use tap water?

Just shows you how long it's been since I did any ironing (about 12 years )

NicolaC

Don't know how true this is, so correct me if I'm wrong... (most likely)

But I've got a condensing tumble dryer. Can't you use the water that is collected from that? someone told me this was distilled water...

Volcano

Theoretically yes, but it isn't likely to be that clean.

The reason you are advised not to use tap water is that the various natural carbonates, sulphates etc found in it (especially in hard water areas) crystallise out when the water turns to steam (bizarrely enough it's distillation on a small scale!) and it's the build up of these that will clog up the iron. (anyone still awake?)

So anything that is collected water vapour is likely to be ok in your iron, but I wouldn't drink it.

black-saturn

In that case cant you use tap water and then descale it with white vinegar every few weeks?

vansboy

CRIKEY!! - I thought I was tight!!

Hardly worth the bother. - Unless you use lots n lots!!

Best buy it in 5 - or 25ltr containers, from the car parts dealers - the ones that deliver, to repair garages (not Halfords stores) & you'll buy as cheap as you'll find it!

VB

uncle_buck_3

would water from a dehumidifier not qualify?