steam cleaning question

[RealIzeRecognIze]

I just got my steam cleaner and was wondering if tap water would be fine in it or should I add reptisafe?

 

[ColombiaCham]

Try using it with purified water, better yet distilled water. You will avoid introducing chemicals like chlorine that is in your tap water plus the added bonus is that your steamer will last longer as it will calcify much less.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

That is what the reptisafe does right? I want an RO system:/

 

[Carlton]

That is what the reptisafe does right? I want an RO system:/

I'm not sure why you'd need to remove or de-activate tap water chlorine for a steam cleaner, but you definitely want to avoid the minerals like calcium. They will clog and damage the steamer over time. Use "demineralized" or distilled water just as you would in a clothing iron. Reptisafe won't remove minerals.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

Where would you get water like that besides out of the refridge water.

 

[Slug]

You can buy gallon jugs of distilled water at pretty much any grocery store or Walmart (if you are in the US) for under a dollar. I make a weekly trip, spend about 3 dollars and I am set for at least that week. The store thinks I am stockpiling for the zombie apocalypse...I am, but the water is for my chams and frogs. I drink from the tap...they drink bottled.

 

[chromewolf7]

I have a 5 gallon bottle that i bought for 16 at king soopers, and there are these local RO places that fill it for 1.50.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

King soopers?? I like the idea but wouldn't 5 gallons go bad over time?? Ill just go to Wally world for the time being thanks!

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

^^bump^^ wouldn't sitting water be stilled?

 

[Psychobunny]

I have a steam machine cleaner as well. Most of them are junk! if you can
hold your hand 6'' away and not get scalded, it's worthless!!

You have to spend some $$ for one that gets hot enough to disinfect a
cham cage.

Use distilled water allways!!

 

[K9Luvn]

My last steam machine lasted apx 10 years. It was an expensive one and it was used form pet cages, household, to cleaning engines. I used regular tap water.... but looking back wish I had used distilled. It eventually died from build up minerals.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

I have a steam machine cleaner as well. Most of them are junk! if you can
hold your hand 6'' away and not get scalded, it's worthless!!

You have to spend some $$ for one that gets hot enough to disinfect a
cham cage.

Use distilled water allways!!

I'm sure it gets hot enough... not quite sure of the temp but its hot and loud hah but I'm asking wouldn't a 5 gallon thing of water go badd from sitting there or even the gallon jugs from Walmart.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I just got my steam cleaner and was wondering if tap water would be fine in it or should I add reptisafe?

I use tap water, but my tap water is soft and of high quality (my animals and I drink it unfiltered)
if your tap water is hard, you might like to use distilled instead. Or periodically you'll need to run something through the machine to remove calicum etc build-up. White vinegar works fairly well for that, and isnt toxic, but you have to run a rinse through a few time else your home will smell like a fish and chips shop.

 

[Psychobunny]

I'm sure it gets hot enough... not quite sure of the temp but its hot and loud hah but I'm asking wouldn't a 5 gallon thing of water go badd from sitting there or even the gallon jugs from Walmart.

If it's distilled (RO) water it will last a very long time in a closed container.
There are no microorganisms in it to grow mold

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

I use tap water, but my tap water is soft and of high quality (my animals and I drink it unfiltered)
if your tap water is hard, you might like to use distilled instead. Or periodically you'll need to run something through the machine to remove calicum etc build-up. White vinegar works fairly well for that, and isnt toxic, but you have to run a rinse through a few time else your home will smell like a fish and chips shop.

Lucky youu!! Beiing here, in amurica we got poop for water.. drinking fluoride couldn't be good... ill get some distilled thanks guys