Water Ionizer Use & Care

On this page, you will find essential basics about using and caring for a water ionizer. As with all delicate scientific equipment, it’s necessary to learn how to use and care for it properly so that it functions effectively for many years to come. Make it easy on yourself! Watch the podcast while you’re reading this page.

On many product and category pages, I share videos with you to help you understand and control that equipment most efficiently and productively. And so it will last longer as well. Look on the product and category pages for helpful videos and watch them if you can.

Setting Up Your New Water Ionizer [or moving it]

De-pressurize the water lines first: A water ionizer has some pressure inside. Pressure on the line can make the water line, filter, or other parts difficult to remove due to suction. Before inserting or removing plugs, quick-connect fittings, or changing the filter, shut off the water source and open the water flow valve located on the front of the ionizer. This will remove pressure from the line.

Quick-Connect Fittings:

Quick-Connect Fittings have alligator teeth inside to hold the water line in place. Pull in on the release ring before pulling out the water line or plug.

Most water ionizers use “quick-connect fittings” and even come with a plug in the quick-connect fitting of the water-inlet port. This plug must be removed as one of the first steps in setup, and it’s tricky, so here’s a little video to demonstrate removing a hose or plug from a quick-connect fitting

Summary of How to Remove a Quick-Connect Fitting

If the water ionizer has a water-flow valve, open it. Opening the valve releases pressure from the line, making the fitting easier to remove.
Set the water ionizer to a comfortable level to control it while removing the fitting.
Pull back on the little movable ring [by the hole of the quick-connect fitting] and keep holding it while doing the next step.
With your other hand [or another person], pull out the hose [or, in this case, the plug].

How to Insert the 1/4” Hose into a Quick-Connect

If there is a water-flow valve on the water ionizer, open it. Opening the valve releases pressure from the line, making the hose easier to insert.
Ensure the hose is cut straight, not jagged, and with an excellent, 90-degree angle cut.
While bracing the back of the fitting with one hand, push the hose into the quick-connect as far as it will go. Push, pull, and push some more until the hose feels seated.
Then, pull on the hose to ensure it remains seated.
Finally, push once more (just to be sure it is well seated in the fitting).

Leaking from the quick-connect fitting is rare and typically occurs when the tubing is not seated correctly.

Other Causes for Leaks

Sometimes, leaks can occur with a water ionizer when the water inflow is too strong, resulting in excessive pressure inside the machine. Watch out for this. Most water ionizers can only handle a flow of 2 liters or fewer per minute and cannot withstand the pressure of being directly plumbed. If your flowing water is too forceful or your water feed is directly connected to the plumbing, the water ionizer can potentially spring a leak. The best way to handle this is with an external flow control shut-off valve or not directly plumbing. [Note: The AlkaViva water ionizers are the only ones with internal lines strong enough to withstand the pressure of direct plumbing.]

External Flow-Control Shut-Off

Having an external shut-off to your machine is very handy, and it’s easy with the Union Shut Off. All shut-offs turn the water flow on or off, and most also act as a flow-control knob.

Using two flow control valves, you can set one to the desired water flow rate and use the other to control the flow on and off. There are good reasons to do this. (For example, if you want the best ORP, a flow rate of about 1.5 liters per minute is best.) Additionally, it protects your machine by tightly controlling the pressure of water entering and flowing through it.

Here are some reasons why you may want an external flow control valve.

Let’s say you turn on/off your water flow with a diverter hooked to your faucet. However, you want to set the water flow to an exact flow rate each time, which is challenging to do at the faucet level. In this case, you can install an external shut-off fitting on the line and set the valve to achieve the desired flow rate every time. This reassures you that no matter how hard you turn on your water faucet, the water into your machine will flow at the same rate each time.
Another use for this valve is to be a backup system for your water ionizer’s flow valve or to give it a break (make it last longer).
This piece is also handy if your water ionizer doesn’t have a flow valve, but you would like to add one.
An External Shut-Off Valve also makes the water ionizer easier to remove. This is handy if you want to take the water ionizer on vacation but don’t want to mess with the plumbing connections. [For traveling with my water ionizer, I also keep some extra installation supplies, like a diverter, pliers, a piece of hose, etc., in a bag to bring along with the water ionizer.]

How to Start Using Your New Water Ionizer

On the first day of using a water ionizer, use it sparingly. Give the water cell membranes a chance to moisten. Wait till another day to test the ionized water because the machine will perform better when it’s thoroughly moistened.

I recommend following these steps when the machine is new, after every vacation, long-term storage, or when installing a previously used water ionizer. Use it slowly on the first day of use. Here are the suggested steps:

First Pouring - Filtered Water Only: Don’t even plug in the machine until you’ve cleared out the filters of their extra carbon dust, if possible. In other words, pour filtered water through the water ionizer on your first use (If you turn on the machine, there will be a button for purified (filtered-only water) on any water ionizer). If the filter is used, just filter a cup or so. If the filter is new, allow it to flow until the water runs clear.
Repeat Uses on Day 1: Continue to pour filtered water sparingly throughout the first day. Low levels of ionized water are also okay as the day progresses.
Day 2 and Beyond: The water ionizer should be thoroughly moist by Day 2. From then on, use it regularly (ideally daily) to keep the water cell moist. It usually takes days of no use to dry out. If you think the water cell has dried out, redo steps 1 and 2 to moisten it.

Using Ionized Water

Your new ionizer produces three kinds of water:

Your versatile ionizer is capable of producing three distinct types of water, each with its unique benefits: Alkaline Water: Of course, your water ionizer primarily produces alkaline water (many alkalinity levels, from about 7.5 to about 11 pH). Alkaline water is more challenging to store than other types of water. To maintain its pH and ORP (antioxidant) qualities, I suggest you read How to Store Alkaline Ionized Water.
Filtered Water: The second type of water a water ionizer produces is filtered water (not ionized, with a neutral pH, typically the same as your source water). For babies and toddlers, it’s best to use filtered water, which is neither alkaline nor acidic. pH range 7-8. Additionally, when taking medication, it is best to use filtered water.
Acidic Water: The third kind of water produced by water ionizers is called acidic water. When alkaline ionized water is poured from the top hose, acid water comes from the bottom. In reverse, if you set your ionizer on an acidic level, alkaline ionized water [which is drinkable, by the way] will come out of the bottom hose. Acidic water stores very well. You can store it in an open container, tub, or similar container, and it will maintain the same pH as when you initially poured it.

Test Your Water With the PH Drops That Come With the Machine

Testing the water with the pH drops provided with the machine is a crucial step in ensuring your water ionizer functions optimally. If your water ionizer produces a high level of alkaline water with a low acidic byproduct, it indicates how well your machine is ionizing. That’s why it’s a good idea to periodically test the water coming out of both ports (alkaline/acidic). Testing also provides a good indication of the pH level of the water you’re drinking at the time. I always use only about an ounce or less of test water to save on reagents. By the way, the reagent should last several years, so keep it on hand to test yearly and ensure the machine is still performing optimally.

Getting the PH Level You Want from Your Water Ionizer

Some water ionizers display or announce the pH level of each alkaline setting you pour. This is only an estimate, and it is not guaranteed to be the pH level of the solution you’re pouring. The only way to know for sure is to test with a pH reagent. Some water ionizers are programmable, and here’s how to use pH testing to help you adjust the levels to your source water.

Wait a few days or a week after starting your new water ionizer to ensure it’s fully grooved.
Pour a water sample when the ionizer is pouring at medium flow (between 1.5 and 2 liters per minute).
Let it pour for a few seconds before taking your sample.
The sample size should be approximately one tablespoon, poured into a small glass or a 1/4 shot glass.
Drop a couple of drops of reagent into the sample and check it against the pH chart.
It might be handy to take a picture of it, but otherwise, just record the pH level (as a numerical value).
Do this for every level you want to test.

Don’t be surprised if your Enagic Kangen water machine registers 10.5 pH when the voice announces it’s “Kangen water 9.0”. That’s just the way it is. Your pH reagent is ultimately the only reliable method for determining the pH levels produced by your water ionizer.

What Influences Your PH Results

Certain things significantly influence your water’s pH: For instance, 1. your power setting, 2. your flow rate, and 3. your source water.

Water ionizers allow you to program the machine’s power settings, which is explained well enough right in your manual. Adjusting the power settings can significantly influence the pH level of the water produced. If you’re unsure about how to do this, refer to your manual for detailed instructions.

Other ways to adjust the power include speeding up or slowing down the water flow rate or selecting a different button on the machine.

Once you figure out what to expect from your machine, your numbers should be reliable and consistent unless you change locations (at which time you can always retest). You shouldn’t need to retest very often, but municipal water does change in its mineral content from time to time. These changes are usually seasonal and related to rainfall and the water company’s available water sources. So, you may want to use the above steps to retest every few months.

Instant Benefits of Drinking & Using Alkaline Ionized Water:

Alkaline ionized water with a pH of 8.5 to 9.5 or 10 will help neutralize and slightly alkalize the body’s acidity. It also assists in safely removing toxins from the body; many claim it wards off infections, cancer, and other invaders to restore the body to its naturally healthy state.
In addition to the health benefits of alkalizing your body, the negative ORP [oxidation reduction potential] of alkaline ionized water provides the body with many easily absorbed antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential to prevent free-radical damage that would otherwise be caused by oxidation within the body.

Directions for Use:

Start drinking at about 8.5 pH and gradually increase to 9.5 pH. Don’t rush it.
Vitamins: Feel free to drink whatever level of ionized water you like while taking your vitamins. Ionized alkaline water facilitates the optimal and fastest absorption of vitamins into your body.
Illness: If you’re new to ionized water and get ill, reduce your ionizing strength until you feel normal again. Drink extra water at a reduced (comfortable) level to help flush whatever is in your system.
Cleaning Things: A water ionizer can produce alkaline water with a pH level above 10.5, which is too high to drink, but it is excellent for cleaning oils or grease. Using high alkaline water, with a pH of 10.5-11.5, will emulsify oils. Many people use this alkaline water to soak their non-organic vegetables, as it naturally helps remove the oily pesticides from the outer layer of the vegetable. It also has another great use for high alkaline water as a stain remover. Over the years, I have successfully removed chocolate, blood, blueberry stains, peanut butter, pet stains, and other stains from clothing, carpets, tile grout, and furniture. Here are some other ideas for using the highest alkaline for cleaning [we’ll cover the lowest acid-water later]:
- You can pour a bowl of high alkaline water and a second one of acidic water for cleaning fine washables [like stockings, silk scarves, etc.]. When you do this, I suggest letting the garments soak in the high alkaline solution for several minutes, then agitating and wringing them out. Follow this up with a soak in the low-acid water, which will act as a germicidal and softener [removing any residual alkaline minerals] and freshen it up.
- High alkalinity in your hand-washable laundry is a great way to wash without detergent.
- You can use highly alkaline water for cleaning greasy/dirty areas, such as floors, stoves, and countertops.

When to Just Use Filtered Water

Medications: A neutral pH of 7.0-8.0 filtered water is ideal for taking medications. It is recommended that only filtered water be consumed for 20-30 minutes before and after taking medication. The chemical makeup of drugs and the predicted absorption rate into the body can be altered by consuming micro-clustered, ionized water with them. Rather than take a chance of messing up your doctor’s plans, it’s better to take the safe route described here.
Infants & Toddlers: The use of water ionizers with infants and toddlers is not recommended, except for the filtered water setting. A neutral pH is perfect for babies. Give babies and toddlers “filtered” water, not ionized, until they are about two years old. After that, you can slowly introduce them to ionized water [i.e., over the next 2 - 3 years, use level 1, then do the same for level 2, etc.]. At about 9 or 10, a child can drink at the same level as an adult. If you notice pimples, this is a sign that it’s time to raise the child’s alkalinity level and increase the amount of ionized water.

The Uses for Acidic Water [Acid Water] [Beauty Water]

Skin and Hair: Acidic water at the 4-5 pH level is perfect for neutralizing the skin and hair [which should be about 5.5 pH, but because of alkaline soaps and shampoos you use, the skin and hair are usually found to be way off-balanced]. Acid water is also used as a beauty treatment.
Skin Toner and Conditioner: Your skin’s acid mantle [outermost layer] is your body’s first line of defense against bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. It is essential to maintain the acid mantle at a pH of approximately 5.5. However, because of the nature of soaps [soaps typically have a high alkaline pH to emulsify and flush away oils], the acid mantle is often left at a too-high pH after bathing or showering. The consequences include a breakdown of the acid mantle, skin dryness, and roughness resulting from the accumulation of alkaline minerals on the skin. Rinsing with acidic water helps remove residual alkaline minerals and restore your skin to its optimal pH level of 5.5.
Hair Rinse: Shampoo is most often found at a high alkaline pH. A high pH solution applied to your hair will open up the hair cuticles [the cuticle is the outermost hair layer surrounding each hair shaft] and expose it to becoming dry and damaged. It is most beneficial to the health and beauty of your hair to close the hair cuticle. The cuticle opens with a high pH and closes with a low pH. When you rinse with a pH of about 4.0, the low-pH water combines with the high pH of your newly washed hair, restoring it to its ideal pH of about 5.5. Beauty Secret: Hair with tightly closed cuticles has a smoothed, shiny, silky look and doesn’t split at the ends.
Natural, Healthy Coolant: Acidic water can be placed in a spray bottle and brought to sports or other outdoor events in hot weather. When you set your bottle to mist, it cools your body like a fan of air conditioning. Using acid water at about 5.5 pH in your mister, rather than regular tap water, is healthier because misting aims to cool you, and the skin prefers a slightly lower pH. The optimal pH of the skin is approximately 5.5.
Natural Laundry Softener: Add acid water to your final rinse cycle of hand-washed laundry. Acid water removes residual alkaline minerals from fine washables, brightens colors, and naturally softens laundry without the use of chemicals.
Plants: Acid water at 5 - 7 pH levels is excellent for watering plants. Plants love purified, micro-clustered water and prefer it to be slightly acidic. Flowering plants tend to have lower acidity than green-shade plants.

Germicidal Water

Many people use acidic water with a pH of 2.5-4 to kill germs. The lower the pH, the faster the germs are killed. However, even at a pH of 4, if you soak something for about a minute, it will naturally kill the germs without the downsides of using sodium. This simple and effective use of acidic water provides a safe and easy way to keep your surroundings clean and germ-free, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your health and hygiene practices.

The only way to ensure 2.5 pH acidic water (killing germs on contact) is to use a saline injection port, which adds sodium and creates hypochlorous acid. That extreme “germ-killing” level has hospital-level germicidal benefits, but at the cost of adding caustic sodium to the machine and the environment.

Save the Life of Your Machine: Whenever you use sodium (saline solution) in the ionization process, thoroughly rinse your machine and the surrounding environment with water after each use.

Other Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Ionized Water

Taste: Many people feel alkaline ionized water tastes better than tap or bottled water.
Filtration: Water ionizers filter chemicals and toxins from water.
Faster Hydration: Water ionization splits large water clusters in half, making them smaller and more readily absorbable by your body. Therefore, the water you drink will hydrate your cells more effectively than any other water can.
Detoxifying: Drinking ionized water helps your body become more alkaline. It boosts the pH of your drinking water to counteract the acidic condition of your body. For most people, many toxic acidic wastes accumulate in the cells for extended periods or remain there indefinitely, waiting to be eliminated. Ionized water helps to detoxify your body at a cellular level (alkaline pH buffers are essential in getting the acidic toxins out of your cells).
Reverse Aging: By helping your cells eliminate toxins, combating free radical damage, and preventing diseases, your cells can function optimally throughout your senior years. It doesn’t stop aging altogether, but slows it down and helps make aging a healthier, more vibrant experience.
Preventing and Reversing Disease: Research shows that diseases thrive in an acidic environment. Our modern fast-food diets, sodas, and stressful lifestyles contribute to an increasingly acidic environment inside our bodies over time. To combat this, drinking alkaline water helps buffer the acidity and neutralize it in our bodies, allowing our cells to be cleansed.
Natural Fast-Absorbing Antioxidant Water: Transforms water’s ORP (oxygen reduction potential) and becomes an antioxidant.
Slimming Effect: Ionized water helps to finally release the fat-cell build-up of waste storage. It will not make you skinny, but it can be helpful.
Cardiovascular Health: With its readily available antioxidants, Ionized water helps maintain the health of arteries and veins, allowing them to continue removing cholesterol effectively.
Bowels: Helps the bowels to become cleansed and hydrated. Many diseases stem from dysfunctional bowels and intestines. Therefore, the cleansing effect of the ionized water on the bowels is a tremendous benefit to your overall health.

How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?

It would be beneficial to drink at least 1 ounce of ionized water for every half of your body weight. That would mean, if you weighed 150 lbs, you’d drink 70 ounces daily (8 or 9 cups) of ionized water or more.

Introductory Instructions for Drinking Ionized Water:

Start at the lowest setting for alkalinity and drink this for at least three days. Your body may enter a detoxification phase as acidic waste is released from your cells. Taking it slowly at first will help you feel less discomfort during this process. Some common detoxification symptoms include headaches, increased thirst, pimples, cold or allergy symptoms, aching in the lower back, and others. Some people never feel these detox symptoms. If you don’t experience any adverse effects after three days, increase to the next higher alkalinity level. With children, make every change in pH over months or years [depending on age], and watch them for any reactions whatsoever. It’s essential to be vigilant and ensure their well-being. If you had symptoms but they’ve subsided and it’s been a while, proceed to the next level. Remember, there’s no need to rush. Patience is key in this process. Once you reach about the 3rd level, stop moving up. This is the standard “drinking level” for alkaline ionized water, suitable for most users. However, if you prefer a higher level and don’t feel any adverse effects after about three days, then it’s the right level for you. I’ve explored many wonderful uses for ionized water. Here are my best articles about them:

Flow-Rate is Important:

Paying attention to the flow rate when pouring your ionized water is essential. A too slow flow rate can cause the machine to overheat or power off while you’re pouring. A too fast flow rate can reduce your pH & ORP, lessen the benefits, put excessive pressure on and through the machine, and reduce the contaminants the filters can remove. Filters always work best with a flow rate of about 1.5 to 2 liters per minute. Check if your machine has a screen that displays the optimal flow rate and pay attention to it; otherwise, determine it by trial and error (i.e., it should take 15 seconds to fill an eight-ounce cup optimally).

Warnings:

You should watch your body for symptoms [aches/pains, allergies/colds, bowel/urinary irregularities, rash, itching, etc.] and immediately reduce your level of ionization for at least a few days [or indefinitely] until you can move up to that level without those symptoms. Your body is most likely detoxing too quickly; those toxins may re-infect you if you release them too quickly.
Children should not drink as high alkalinity as adults. Their bodies are alkaline already. Give them their water at the lower levels until they are 8-10 years old, unless they’re already exhibiting allergy symptoms [which could indicate their bodies are not as alkaline as they should be.] However, there can be other reasons for allergy symptoms. If you ever boost your young child’s alkaline drinking level above 8.5 pH, you should monitor their physical reactions and be prepared to adjust their pH levels accordingly.

Temporary Storage of the Water Ionizer [for vacations]

If you need to store your water ionizer, try to do so in a way that prevents the water cell from drying out.

If you don’t use your water ionizer for less than a month or two, you don’t have to store it. Simply turn off the water source, unplug it, and cover the alkaline port with a plug or plastic wrap to prevent the water cell from drying out.

Sometimes, circumstances may cause the water cell to dry out. In such instances, follow the same protocols as when you started using the machine. This will gradually moisten the water cell membranes and gaskets, preventing them from bursting. It’s a responsible approach that doesn’t harm your water ionizer.

Warning: We Do Not Recommend Commercial Use of Water Ionizers

Most water ionizers are made for residential use. Pouring more than a gallon of water at a time could overwork a machine. Indeed, using more than 10 gallons per day would be considered excessive. If you want to pour more than one gallon at a time, wait 10 or 20 minutes between pours to allow the machine to cool off. We recommend purchasing several machines or a commercial water ionizer if you have a public establishment that regularly uses several gallons of water.

Warning: We Do Not Recommend Excessive Use of the Strongest Power Level of Any Water Ionizer

Most water ionizers have several power levels: Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Sometimes, they are referred to by other terms, such as 9 and 9.5, but this is another way of simply designating a power level for the machine. However it’s named, we recommend sparingly using the most powerful level. I usually stick with the second-strongest level for my drinking water and reserve the highest level for the rare occasions when I want the strongest ionization (usually just a few times a year to fill my strong acidic water bottles). Overuse of the highest level of a water ionizer can prematurely wear out the machine, so we do not recommend it.

Warning: You Must Prevent Roach Infestations

A roach infestation could void your warranty, so be aware of this if you live in a city area (or another location that is prone to occasional roach infestations).

Roaches are attracted to warmth, moisture, and electronics. Therefore, water ionizers, like all other electronic equipment, are susceptible to infestations by roaches. The best way to control this in cities (where roach problems sometimes plague people) is to use Contact roach trays and put one or two immediately under or behind each piece of electronic equipment. Never use sprays because that would spoil the trays. The scent of sprays will repel roaches from eating the bait. Once a roach eats the bait and returns to the nest (roaches are cannibals), the others are consumed in about 10-20 days. This Combat poison is spread throughout the nest in this manner, and it wipes it out.

If your equipment gets infested, I suggest unplugging it immediately and placing it in a large, sealed trash bag with several Combat trays. The bag should be sealed tightly. Wait 10 to 20 days. Isolating your machine in this manner should preserve the equipment, provided you do not allow the situation to persist for too long, which could result in irreparable electrical damage.

Questions and Answers

Question: How do you fine-tune a water ionizer to your desired pH levels?

Answer: A water ionizer can produce many alkaline levels, spanning from about 7.5 to about 11.5. You can increase alkalinity by slowing down the water flow at any level or by increasing the level selected. Then, when you move up to the next level, you can initially use a faster flow, then slow it down to achieve increased alkalinity over time. Every water source is different, so I can not tell you what pH you’ll get at any level. In other words, you need to test it. A pH test kit is included with every ionizer. You can use this to test the ionized water at various levels until you understand what to expect at different levels and water flow rates. After that, I suggest conducting regular tests to ensure your ionizer performs properly.

Question: Should I start with a portable water ionizer to see if it helps me?

I recommend buying a regular water ionizer because its ORP will be significantly better than that of a portable one. However, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to purchase a portable one, such as the AlkalinePlus PH Pitcher, which is one of the best portable water ionizers I’ve ever tested. A portable ionizer won’t offer the benefits of a regular one, but the AlkalinePlus Pitcher comes closest.

Question: How much alkaline water should one drink?

Answer: Drink as much as you can or want. I drink three quarts to a gallon every day. Sometimes, I even drink more. Thirst is not always the best indicator of whether you need water. As people age, their ability to accurately assess their hydration needs decreases. They think they’re not thirsty, so they don’t drink. I’ve seen this in both my parents as they grew older. It’s easy to get into a habit of dehydration and then forget to drink. A better test would be to see if you have any congestion, sinus problems, headaches, or constipation, which would mean it’s time to drink more water! A rule of thumb for a caregiver for a dehydrated elderly person is to give them 1-2 ounces of ionized water every half-hour while they're awake, then let them sip on their own inbetween. If all you can drink at first is a quart a day, then do that. But try to work up to a bare minimum of 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight as soon as you can.

Question: How much time does the body need to adjust to the change in higher-pH water?

Answer: Every “body” is different, so I always advise people to learn to observe how their bodies are doing. If it’s doing well, move up a level. Some people do this fast [every couple of days], and some slowly. I was quick myself at first, but when I hit level three, I had some urinary symptoms, so I moved back to level two. It took me two years to reach level 3. I’ve heard of people moving up to level 4, but their source water was more neutral than mine, and their ionized water at level 4 had a pH similar to mine at level 3. So, your source water does have something to do with it, and your diet also plays a role. It's crucial to listen to your body and adjust your alkalinity levels accordingly.

Question: How do you watch your body for symptoms while raising your pH level?

Answer: Symptoms are things that need to be corrected. Symptoms include pains, aches, rashes, congestion, constipation, diarrhea, and colds. When you increase your body’s alkalinity, you allow toxins to be released from your cells and enter the bloodstream. Toxins are best released slowly. Also, the various organs in your body need different pH levels. For instance, your skin requires a pH level of around 5.5-6.5, and your kidneys/urinary tract need a slightly acidic pH. Your body’s alkalinity will only rise so much before your acid-loving organs protest the changes. It is a gradual process to alkalize your body, so don’t rush it. Patience and understanding of your body's needs are key in this process.

Question: Do you need to perform any specific cleaning on a water ionizer?

Answer: Not necessarily. Water ionizers usually have self-cleaning systems, which should give you peace of mind about maintenance. Test the water ionizer, and if it tests okay and the water flow rate is still reasonable, then you’re good to go. You only need to perform a vinegar or citric acid wash if the flow rate slows down or the ionization levels drop below their optimal levels. If you have hard water, I recommend reading further to better protect your water ionizer.

Question: What happens when you boil ionized water?

Answer: When you boil ionized water, it loses its alkalinity and can turn acidic. It also loses its ORP. Even heating the water to below the boiling point does some of this. Many have noticed a difference in using this water for cooking, even though it loses its properties.

Question: What happens if you freeze ionized water?

Answer: If you freeze ionized water, you can’t measure the pH and ORP until it thaws. It’s thawed enough to test the pH and ORP, but has lost much of the pH and ORP [but not all]. In our house, we fill the ice cube trays with ionized water and then place them in the freezer to keep them cold.

Question: What happens if you add lemon, lime, or flavor enhancers to ionized water?

Answer: Alkaline ionized water will turn neutral or even acidic if you add flavor aids. Lemons and limes are good because they are natural, and they have an “alkaline ash” [which is the byproduct of digestion]. Therefore, I always suggest drinking plain ionized water. Still, of all the drink mixes listed above, I mean a light natural lemon-aid or green tea [unheated], and if sweetened, then use something natural, like Stevia. For some reason, adding alcohol to ionized water doesn’t alter its pH or ORP.

Question: Which container is best for storing ionized water?

Answer: The best answer is posted in How to Store Ionized Water. Insulated medical-grade stainless steel vacuum bottles store the pH/ORP better. It is also best to use small containers [about 24 oz. or less] rather than huge gallon-sized ones. Using containers filled with ionized water and no air gap is the best approach. This way, you’ll benefit from nearly the same pH and ORP as when your ionized water was first poured.

Question: Are small white particles in ionized water or a white film on the inside of the glass or bottle normal?

Answer: Provided it’s not excessive, this is normal. Ionization will undissolve some of the dissolved calcium that’s in your water. When undissolved, it appears as sediment and will sink to the bottom of the glass or stick to the sides of the glass or bottle over time. It is harmless calcium carbonate. The amount of calcium in your water does not replace the need for calcium supplementation, as it is insignificant. If the amount of calcium deposits becomes excessive, it may be time to clean your machine. See my post on how to do a vinegar wash.