What Is Distilled Water Used For?

Distilled water is free from nearly 99.5% of contaminants, including bacteria, metals, nitrates, and dissolved solids. That makes it one of the safest types of water available. While you might think this makes distilled water the best option for drinking, there are actually several other uses for it. 

What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is the output from distillation, a purification process that converts water into steam and then condenses the steam back into liquid form. The process separated impurities from water by utilizing different boiling points. As water is heated, it forms a vapor and rises. The water vapor that rises leaves behind contaminants with higher boiling points. Once the vapor cools and condenses back to a liquid, the resulting distilled water is collected in a sterile container and can be used for various purposes. 

What Can You Use Distilled Water For?

Distilled water is considered relatively pure. Besides drinking, it is ideal for uses where sterility is important, including: 

• Humidifiers
• Neti pots and nasal rinses
• Irons
• Water heaters
• Fish aquariums
• Cleaning faucets and showerheads
• Cleaning glass surfaces
• Steam cleaners
• Car detailing
• CPAP machines

Sterile vs. Distilled Water

Sterile water is water that doesn’t have organic materials such as microorganisms. However, sterile water may contain inorganic chemicals. Boiling water for at least 20 minutes sterilizes it from organic contaminants, making it safe to drink. Because distilled water removes organic and inorganic matter, distilled water is a more pure option than sterile water. 

Advantages of Distilled Water

Distilled water is very safe to consume because the distillation process removes a wide range of contaminants, including total dissolved solids, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sediment, microorganisms, and pharmaceuticals. These substances are commonly found in tap water. Drinking and using distilled water reduces the chances of consuming these potentially harmful substances. Distilled water is also free from minerals and electrolytes, making it a good drinking water choice for people who require strict low-sodium diets. 

Disadvantages of Distilled Water

While there are several important benefits of distilled water, that doesn’t mean it’s without key disadvantages. Distilled water lacks healthy minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These minerals help balance energy levels and maintain healthy muscles. Many people consume these minerals through their water. Drinking distilled water means you’ll need to obtain these nutrients through food in your diet or re-introduce these minerals into your water through mineral drops. Without adding minerals back into distilled water, the water may have a flatter taste that many consider unpleasant. 

 

Can you drink distilled water? Here’s what to know. 

 

Does Distilled Water Go Bad?

Distilled water doesn’t go bad or lose its properties over time if stored properly. Once opened, it’s best to use distilled water within a couple of weeks to a month. If open and stored improperly, bacteria or mold can grow. Chemical leaching is also a concern. This occurs when distilled water is stored in a plastic container. Over time, heat and direct sunlight can cause distilled water to take on chemicals from its container. 

How to Store Distilled Water After Opening

Whether you make or purchase distilled water, it should be kept in a cool, dark place without any exposure to harsh sunlight or heat. Glass or other high-quality containers should be used to store distilled water over plastic containers, which can leach harmful chemicals. The container should also be airtight to prevent contamination.

Can RO Water Be Used In Place of Distilled Water?

Reverse osmosis (RO) water is one of the best choices for drinking water available. It can be used as a substitute for distilled water since both are highly treated for contaminants. Kind Water’s 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System is a point-of-use system often installed in the kitchen. While impurities are significantly reduced, Kind Water’s RO system automatically introduces healthy minerals back into the water, unlike the distillation process.