What to do with dryer water

How can you reuse dryer water ? If you're wondering, it's probably because you own one and throwing away the water it produces seems like a huge waste . And indeed, it is, as this liquid can have numerous uses other than simply being thrown away. From cleaning your car to a humidifier, we'll show you how to use dryer water effectively.

Before delving into its possible uses, it's important to clarify the characteristics of dryer water and how it differs from tap water. Is dryer water demineralized ? The answer is yes, it's demineralized, not distilled. What's the difference between the two? Distilled water is water free of mineral salts and impurities such as dissolved gases, bacteria, and microorganisms. Demineralized water, on the other hand, is water that has only been stripped of mineral salts and limescale , and therefore doesn't reach its purity level.

So , what should you do with dryer water ? Since it's demineralized, it can be used in many situations where distilled water is recommended. For example, it can be added to the tanks of various appliances without the risk of limescale deposits.

For greater safety, we recommend filtering it as it can still contain small residues of fabric from clothing or small particles of laundry products.

Watering the plants

To those wondering whether dryer water is safe for plants , we answer with a resounding "no." While some use it to water their vegetable garden and seedlings, others maintain that it's never completely safe. At least not 100% safe, because even if demineralized, it could contain fabric softener residue that's potentially harmful to plants (unless it's homemade with natural ingredients).

Many claim it's suitable for certain types of plants, such as succulents, which don't require excessive feeding. Keep in mind that you can use it in addition to tap water or supplement it with natural fertilizer. For the same reason, you shouldn't use it for:

• give pets water
• inside the aquarium

Hand or machine washing

The second and most common use is for laundry , whether in the washing machine or by hand. This is a great way to avoid throwing it away when it can be used for one of the most common, everyday cleaning tasks.

Iron

Dryer water is also suitable for irons . It can be added to the appliance just like demineralized water. However, to avoid potential problems due to any fiber residues it may contain, we recommend filtering it—as mentioned above. Be careful, though: the instruction manuals for some iron models don't list dryer water.

Scented humidifier

Remember those good old, comforting earthenware humidifiers our mothers and grandmothers used to hang on radiators? Well, dryer water can be used in them. If you prefer to scent it, you can add a few drops of essential oil , such as lavender or citrus.

House cleaning

Established that the dryer water is not distilled, can be used for common housecleaning, from that of the surfaces to that of the floors, bathroom fixtures—you can also collect it and flush it down the toilet—and outdoor furniture. Dryer water is very useful for cleaning steel items in the home, from the kitchen sink to pots and pans. These items often they remain stained by limescale or chlorine: the water in the dryer, since it is demineralized, leaves no residue or traces of limescale. 

Wash the hair

You can also use it to rinse your hair while shampooing. Simply strain it first, then pour it over your head. Being free of limescale leaves your hair soft and shiny. Your hair will look healthy and strong, as if it had just undergone a targeted treatment.

Top up the radiators

There's still plenty of ideas for reusing dryer water. Because it's limescale-free, it can also be recycled in radiators, without the risk of damaging the pipes.

Car cleaning

Finally, it can be used to wash your car . Since it's limescale-free, you won't have the problem of the stains that the droplets, once dry, tend to leave on the bodywork. Combine it with a DIY car detergent.

How to filter dryer water

It's a super simple operation. All you need is a strainer and some cheesecloth.

• Place the cheesecloth on the strainer
• Place the strainer over a funnel (placed inside a bottle)
• Pour the water into it, and the residue will remain trapped in the gauze.

What happens if you drink dryer water?

Can you drink dryer water ? It's important to clarify that this water is not potable and should not be consumed. This is because demineralized water is not microbiologically pure and can potentially contain bacteria and other microorganisms. But what happens if you drink dryer water?

The fact that it lacks mineral salts could cause a salt deficiency. From this perspective, accidentally drinking it once doesn't pose any major health problems; the important thing is to avoid prolonged consumption. The presence of bacteria, however, is more concerning.

Where to drain dryer water

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