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.

[woofgang]

It will still invalidate your guarantee.

[rsvp]

I appreciate that woofgang - I'd like to know whether or not it can be done, not if it invalidates my guarantee. Thanks for the reply - and so quick!! :-)

[Tilly2]

I'd stick with the distilled water. You probably won't use that much anyway. You may get fed up of your new appliance after a week or two.

[gingejbee]

....if you use vinegar all the time, isn't everything going to smell of acetic acid?

[rsvp]

That's just it Tilly, I won't, I want to use it for everything - thanks anyway.

[ladybirder]

As someone who lives in a hard water area I am sick to death of every machine from kettle, to iron, to washing machine getting clocked up with limescale. I certainly would not put hard water into your new machine rsvp. Common or garden white vinegar will need to be added to your tap water or use bottled water. I would do the former. Good luck.

[woofgang]

Ok :) Personally I don't think it will be as good as using distilled water and your machine will fur up more quickly. Water boiled in the kettle (save the odds and ends when you make a hot drink) has less hardness left in it and might be ok. White vinegar (or brown for that matter) does dissolve the salts in hard water and can be used to clean steam irons and the like but it doesn't remove them and when the steam is made in the machine (well water vapour actually), it leaves any salts or other matter behind, so I don't see how using vinegar would help.

[ladybirder]

Grr this damned text thingy ^ clogged.

[rsvp]

gingjebee - was only going to use it when I did the windows - put vinegar in now when I clean windows (use newspaper too). Thanks

[EDDIE51]

You HAVE to use distilled or deionised water anything else will cause it to clog up with lime-scale. Vinegar is an acid so it will dissolve any lime scale that would make your windows look cloudy. The cheapest vinegar you can get is what you need.

[Tilly2]

If you are using steam for your windows, you probably don't need to put vinegar in. I expect they will be lovely and clean anyway.

[EDDIE51]

Don't use bottled water it is often just as hard as tap water or even harder.
As I said ONLY distilled or deionised water. You can occasionally use tap water as long as you put a bit of vinegar with it.

[rsvp]

Really grateful for all the answers and will take on board everything that's been advised and act accordingly. Sigh.....looks like I should buy distilled water in vast quantities!

[heathfield]

White vinegar. Brown vinegar can contain colouring such as caramel that might mark your clothes.

[gingejbee]

You don't need "distilled" water (as such)....de-ionised water is cheaper and (for all intents) the same. Asda does it...about a pound for 2.5 litres.

[jomifl]

Although acetic acid (vinegar) works as a brightner by dissolving lime residues in dishwashers, it will not prevent the build up of deposits in your steamer and may well damage it. Deionised water is not as pure as distilled water as it may contain small amounts of organic/ non-ionic substances which might produce stains. If the makers say de-ionised is ok and it is satisfactory for you then use it.

[rsvp]

more homework from the last three posts!!! thank you heathfield, gingjebee and jomifl

[B00]

I use this in mine....

http://images.esellerpro.com/2363/I/188/71/Comfort%20Vaporesse%20Perfumed%20Ironing%20Water%20for%20Easier%20Ironing%201%20Litre.JPG

[rsvp]

thank you Boo - yet another option to think about.

[buildersmate]

The active ingredient in all vinegar is acetic acid. This will dissolve the calcium compounds that will attach themselves in the hotplate in the steam unit.
However, although acetic acid breaks down into water and carbon products when boiled, it strikes me that if you are implying you will put acid in during steam ironing sessions you will end up squirting dilute acid into your clothes, which may rot the fabric.
Can't see that being a good idea.
For the record, white vinegars are the most pure. Other brown ones have caramel and other natural or inserted flavours in them, that may well gum up the innards of the iron.