Use distilled water. Your humidifier will live longer. Your lungs will breathe cleaner. Your home won’t look like a crime scene from a CSI: Mineral Dust episode.
If you absolutely must use tap water on a road trip emergency, fine. But treat your humidifier like the high-maintenance diva it is—it works better that way. You bought it to feel pampered, not to clean up after its mess.
Now go forth and humidify. And maybe buy an extra jug of distilled water. Your sinuses will send you a thank-you note.