What Can You Do With Dehumidifier Water?

Where the water comes from

A dehumidifier pulls room air across a refrigerated coil, and the moisture in that air condenses on the coil before dripping into the bucket. The U.S. Department of Energy defines a dehumidifier as a self-contained assembly with a refrigerated surface that condenses moisture from the atmosphere and a means for collecting or disposing of the condensate. In other words, the water in your bucket is the water vapor that was floating in the room.

That vapor does not arrive alone. Room air also carries dust, pollen, pet dander, lint, and airborne microbes, and some of that material can end up in the collected water. The water tends to be low in dissolved minerals because it condensed from vapor, but low mineral content is not the same as clean drinking water. Treat the bucket as non-potable.

• Dust, pollen and fibers drawn in with the air
• Airborne microbes that were present in the room
• Small amounts of material from the coils and bucket surfaces
• Very little dissolved mineral content compared with tap water

Watering houseplants

One of the most practical uses is watering plants. Ornamental houseplants generally tolerate the water well, and most plants do not need drinking-quality water. Pour it onto the soil rather than misting the leaves, and try to use it within a day or two so it does not sit in the bucket.

For outdoor use, you can water established flower beds, shrubbery, and lawns with it. If you grow edible vegetables or herbs, be more careful: the same dust and microbes that were in the air can end up on the food you eat, so it is safer to reserve dehumidifier water for non-edible plants.

Other safe household uses

Plenty of chores do not need clean drinking water. You can pour dehumidifier water into the toilet bowl for a flush, wash windows and mirrors, clean outdoor furniture, rinse garden tools, or use it for the first wash of muddy boots. These tasks keep the water away from your mouth and your food.

For jobs that produce a fine mist, such as filling a steam iron or spray bottle, stick with tap water. Impurities can stain fabric or clog small vents, and misting can send whatever is in the water into the air you breathe. Read the how dehumidifiers work guide if you want a refresher on exactly what the machine is doing before you decide.

• Toilet flushing
• Window and mirror washing
• Outdoor furniture and garden tools
• Car washing and driveway rinsing

What to avoid

The water is not drinking water. Do not use it for coffee, tea, cooking, baby formula, or anything else you swallow. It is also not meant for a humidifier, CPAP machine, vaporizer, or neti pot, because those devices turn water into a mist that can carry contaminants into the nose and lungs.

Avoid edible plants, aquariums, and pet water bowls unless you have treated the water and verified it is safe. Because condensate quality depends on the room air, two buckets from the same machine can differ. Treat every bucket as if it might contain dust and microbes you cannot see.

The reason many homes run a dehumidifier at all is moisture control. EPA notes that molds are part of the natural environment and will not grow without water or moisture, and the agency's guidance for homeowners says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours. CDC similarly recommends keeping indoor humidity as low as you can, no higher than 50 percent, all day long, and points to an air conditioner or dehumidifier as a way to do that. Removing that moisture with a dehumidifier is healthy for the house, but the collected water deserves the same caution as any standing water.

Keep the bucket clean

Standing water is a place where mold and bacteria can grow, so the bucket needs attention. Empty it when the full indicator lights, and do not leave a half-full bucket for days at a time. Most portable dehumidifiers have an automatic shutoff when the bucket is full, so the water stops collecting before it overflows.

Every few cycles, wash the bucket with hot water and a plain soap or detergent, then rinse thoroughly. If you want to disinfect, use a diluted household bleach solution and let it sit, then rinse well. CDC lists soap and water or a bleach solution for cleaning hard surfaces, and University of Minnesota Extension suggests scrubbing moldy surfaces with soap and water, rinsing, then wiping down with a dilute bleach mixture. Do not mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

A clean bucket means less odor and less recontamination of the next batch of water. If you clean the rest of the machine, check the air filter at the same time; see dehumidifier filter maintenance for the routine.

Skip the bucket with a drain

If you are emptying a bucket every day, the simplest fix is to not use the bucket. Many portable dehumidifiers accept a drain hose, and ENERGY STAR notes that a hose can be directed into a floor drain or sump pump so there is no need to empty it. Whole-home dehumidifiers are usually installed with a permanent drain.

When a floor drain is not nearby, a condensate pump can lift the water to a sink or out a window. That removes the decision about what to do with the water because it never sits in a bucket you have to haul. See our picks for dehumidifiers with a drain hose and dehumidifiers with a pump if you would rather pipe the water away.

A drain setup also helps if you run a large unit in a damp basement. The best dehumidifiers for basements guide covers models sized for that job, and the continuous drain hose setup article walks through the connection.

How much water to expect

Capacity is measured in pints per 24 hours under test conditions set by the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR explains that newer portable dehumidifiers are tested at 65 degrees Fahrenheit to mirror a basement setting, so published capacity can be smaller than older ratings. The amount in your bucket depends on the room size, humidity, and temperature.

A small unit may fill once a day in a humid closet, while a larger machine can fill a bucket in a few hours in a wet basement. If you are emptying constantly, that is a sign to look at capacity and at the drain option. The pint rating explained and sizing dehumidifier by sq ft articles can help you match the machine to the room.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can I drink dehumidifier water?

No. Treat it as non-potable. It condensed from room air and can contain dust, pollen, and airborne microbes, and it has no treatment behind it. Use it for chores, not for drinking or cooking.

Can I use dehumidifier water to water my plants?

Yes, for ornamental houseplants and established landscaping. Pour it on the soil within a day or two. For edible vegetables and herbs, use safer water unless you can treat the condensate.

Can I put dehumidifier water in a humidifier or CPAP?

Avoid it. Those devices mist the water into the air you breathe, so impurities from the bucket can end up in your nose and lungs. Use distilled or treated water recommended for the device.

How often should I empty the dehumidifier bucket?

Watch the full indicator and empty it when it lights. Many units shut off automatically when the bucket is full. If that is happening daily or more, consider a drain hose so you do not handle the water at all.

How do I clean the dehumidifier bucket?

Empty it, wash with hot water and soap, and rinse well. For disinfecting, use a diluted bleach solution, let it sit, then rinse. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

Is dehumidifier water the same as distilled water?

Both form by condensation, so dehumidifier water is low in minerals, but it is not controlled distilled water. It can pick up dust and microbes from the air and from the machine, so do not substitute it where distilled water is required.