My new car washing technique... tell me if this is crazy. ;)
06-29-2004, 11:50 AM
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My new car washing technique... tell me if this is crazy. ;)
I have a dehumidifier in my basement and I have been collecting "pure" dehumidifier water from it for a few weeks now in several 6 gallon water containers. What I do to wash the car is dump about a gallon of this water into a bucket along with Zymol car soap then hand wash a small section of the car at a time starting with roof section on down and then rinsing with additional dehumidifier water as I go along. Within 15-20 minutes the car is completely clean and I do NOT use any towels or even a California water blade to remove the excess water. In fact, when the car has a good coat of wax, this dehumidifier water just rolls right off the car and does not leave any water spots! Think about it, there is NOTHING in this water to cause water spots and it's like washing the car with distilled water. I am extremely pleased at how well this works and how quickly I can now wash my car.
My next purchase is a 2 gallon pump sprayer from Home Depot or Lowes to use to rinse the car off with.
OK, call me crazy, but this works!
My next purchase is a 2 gallon pump sprayer from Home Depot or Lowes to use to rinse the car off with.
OK, call me crazy, but this works!
06-29-2004, 12:03 PM
#5
Problem is, it's not "pure" distilled water....
It is distilled water but it's not the same as bottled distilled water, because it's not pure.
The water comes from condensate on refrigerant-type coils and it collects in a basin. The water washes dust out of the dehumidifier as it drips into the collection basin where it also collects dirt.
Check your dehumidifier's manual for possible uses for collected water. Rarely do manufacturers recommend that the water be used for any domestic purpose.
Don't fill the pet dish regularly with this water unless your veterinarian OKs it.
It's not necessarily good for fish, either. Fish breeders won't use dehumidifier water in aquariums because fish don't breed well in it. It is believed that copper or zinc in the water from the condensation coils may be the reason.
Watering plants may be the safest re-use of this water.
I'm thinking it's OK in your case, but it ain't "pure".
The water comes from condensate on refrigerant-type coils and it collects in a basin. The water washes dust out of the dehumidifier as it drips into the collection basin where it also collects dirt.
Check your dehumidifier's manual for possible uses for collected water. Rarely do manufacturers recommend that the water be used for any domestic purpose.
Don't fill the pet dish regularly with this water unless your veterinarian OKs it.
It's not necessarily good for fish, either. Fish breeders won't use dehumidifier water in aquariums because fish don't breed well in it. It is believed that copper or zinc in the water from the condensation coils may be the reason.
Watering plants may be the safest re-use of this water.
I'm thinking it's OK in your case, but it ain't "pure".
06-29-2004, 12:05 PM
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I was thinking about putting a cap full of bleach into the containers...
But not sure if that could possibly affect the paint or finish, so I was not going to do it. But as long as there is warm, humid summer weather, I can produce enough "fresh" water as needed.
