How to Clean a Water Distiller

Written By
Karen Crawford
Karen Crawford
Published: Mar 5, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Proper and regular cleaning, known as descaling, will help to prevent a water distiller from having mold growth and other ill effects that can be avoided. It is important to be consistent and proactive to make cleaning that much easier. Distillers should be cleaned approximately every 3 to 4 months. Make the cleaning a habit and stick to it.

Things You Will Need

  • White Vinegar
  • Sulfamic Acid
  • Cloth
  • Water
  1. Turn off the power and remove the lid from the distiller boiling chamber.

  2. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of either Sulfamic Acid or white vinegar to the boiling chamber. Vinegar is milder than Sulfamic Acid to work with.

  3. Agitate the solution by swirling the chamber for approximately 10 to 15 seconds.

  4. Leave the solution sitting in the chamber overnight to allow it to continue cleaning on its own.

  5. Empty the descaling solution from the boiling chamber the next morning.

  6. Fill the chamber with clean water, swirling it around to rinse it out, then emptying it. Repeat to ensure all descaling residue has been removed.

  7. Wipe the interior of the boiling chamber with a cloth to remove any last traces of solution residue then turn the power back on and watch to be sure the chamber fills and everything appears to be working properly.

The Drip Cap

  • Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of most anything.
  • Distillers should be cleaned approximately every 3 to 4 months.
  • Turn off the power and remove the lid from the distiller boiling chamber.
Karen Crawford

Karen Crawford is a freelance writer living in the Florida panhandle. She has written for both print and web publications, such as LiveStrong.com and eHow, for close to 10 years. Crawford is a graduate of Florida State University with a…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.