Distilled Water/white Vinegar

[rsvp]

I've just bought an all singing, all dancing steam cleaner which will do almost all of my cleaning and ironing without the need to buy cleaning products - it's good make (morphy richards) and I'd like to look after it. The instructions (and guarantee) insist on the use of distilled de-ionised water. Very expensive to buy if I'm to use the appliance as much as I intend to. It's been suggested a cup of white vinegar mixed with the tap water when I do windows is as good as using distilled water all the time - would appreciate any advice as to whether or not you think this is okay for my new toy - (a domestic goddess I'm not!) I live in a fairly hard water area. Oh yes, and if vinegar is recommended what's best, apple cider vinegar or common or garden white vinegar? Thank you.

[rsvp]

thank you buildersmate - was going to use white vinegar but in view of the advice I've received, think I may go the distilled or deironised route.

[Tilly2]

Have you used it yet, rsvp? Is it good?

[rsvp]

yes Tilly - (reckoned a couple of uses with ordinary water til I could get to the shops wasn't going to kill it) It's brilliant, so easy to use and the muck it's got off my kitchen floor is horrendous - used it on the windows which are sparkling and got some marks off the couches. Am soooooo pleased with it - no more hands and knees scrubbing kitchen floor for me and whilst I don't suppose it will turn me into a domestic goddess and least it makes life easier. Thanks for asking Tilly (how's the dog's leg?)

[Tilly2]

I have to take her back to the vets tomorrow and if it hasn't glued she will have to have stitches put in under GA. I hope that doesn't have to happen. She stopped breathing last time she had a GA and I really am scared about her having to go through that again.

Anyway, what model of steamer do you have, rsvp?

[jomifl]

Acetic acid does not break down when boiled, it remains as acetic acid and condenses on cooler surfaces. In the longer term casual use of acetic acid vapour near electrical items will cause the corrosion of delicate electonic components resuting in their failure. I have known the acetic acid in silicone rubber used as a waterproof seal to damage electrical items beyond repair.

[Peter Pedant]

No one has suggested - using boiled water.

Boil the water and the clag comes out in the kettle element.
Let it cool a bit and then put the now de calcified water in the steamer.

[Prudie]

I have the H20 steam mop (and it's brilliant). I use it so frequently that I don't bother with de-ionised water, it doesn't have time to fur up even though I'm in a hard water area - I tend to just use water that's already been boiled in the kettle to fill it.

[Prudie]

You weren't there Peter when I was typing, I do :-)

[rsvp]

It's a Morphy Richards 15 in 1 luna plus model. One of the best features is just how easy it is to use - so light and manoeuvrable and plus it converts to a hand held one.
Fingers crossed all goes well with woofie tomorrow - same thing happened to my dog Tilly2 but she was fine (and I was sitting in on the op so saw it all happen!!)
jomifl - that's a sobering thought - makes you wonder what vinegar does to your insides.
PP - think another post suggested the same as you have so there's lots of options for me to think about - perhaps a combination of a couple of the suggestions.
Thanks everyone.

[woofgang]

PP I suggested boiled water on friday at 16.12.

[jomifl]

Boiling water only removes so called 'temporary hardness', The carbon dioxide part of the calcium bicarbonate is boiled off leaving the mostly insoluble calcium carbonate. Other calcium salts will remain dissolved and will end up in your steamer.

[rsvp]

thank you jomifl

[gingejbee]

....jom has said what I was about to say re using boiled water. The bottom line is...you should use water containing as little dissolved material as possible in it, for long trouble-free service. This means distilled or de-ionised water.

[rsvp]

thanks gingejbee.