What Is Distilled Water? (2024)

You’ve probably faced this choice while dining out: Tap, bottled, or sparklingwater?

But what about distilled water?

It’s not that different from what flows out of your kitchen faucet. But distilled water goes through a process that sets it apart from other types of H2O.

What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is steam from boiling water that’s been cooled and returned to its liquid state. Some people claim distilled water is the purestwateryou can drink.

All water -- no matter if it comes from a natural spring, artesian well, or regular tap -- may have trace but safe amounts ofminerals, bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants.

Tap Water vs. Distilled Water vs. Filtered Water vs. Purified Water

As the name says, tap water is the one that comes out a faucet. It has likely been disinfected with chlorine, plus filtered to remove sediments and treated with chemicals to neutralize dirt. Fluoride has also been added to prevent tooth decay.

Filtered water is tap water that has been run through filters to remove chlorine (this improves the taste) and other things such as bacteria and some chemicals. Different types of filters remove different things. Most bottled water is filtered in some way.

Purified water is water that is essentially free of microbes and chemicals. This is achieved by reverse osmosis (forcing the water through a membrane to get rid of chemicals, minerals and microbes), ozonization (disinfecting water using ozone rather than a chemical), or distillation. The EPA requires purified water to not contain more than 10 parts per million of total dissolved solids in order to be labeled purified water.

Distilled water is a type of purified water. Salts, minerals, and other organic materials are removed by collecting the steam from boiling water.

Is Distilled Water Safe to Drink?

Distilled water is safe to drink. But you’ll probably find it flat or bland. That’s because it’s stripped of important minerals likecalcium, sodium, andmagnesiumthat give tap water its familiar flavor. What’s left is just hydrogen and oxygen and nothing else.

Uses of Distilled Water

Distilled water is ideal for when purity is important. Common uses include:

Medical tools and procedures.Hospitals clean equipment with it to help avoid contamination and infections.Kidney dialysismachines use ultra-pure water to filter waste fromblood.
Lab tests.Nothing in distilled water reacts with or affects the accuracy of lab experiments.
Cosmetics.If water is an ingredient in your moisturizer, deodorant, or shampoo, it’s almost always distilled.
Automobiles.Since it lacks minerals, distilled water won’t corrode metal engine parts or interfere with batteries.

At home, you may want to reach for distilled water for cooking and several other reasons, including:

Infant formula. Mix it with infantformulaif yourbabyhas weakimmunity. Otherwise, tap water is fine.
CPAP machine. Fill the water chamber for aCPAPhumidifier if you use it forsleep apnea. Many manufacturers recommend distilled water to make thehumidifierlast longer.
Neti pot. Use it with aneti potto clear yoursinuses.
Iron. Use it in your clothes iron to prevent scale buildup.
Shampoo yourhair.Fluoride, chlorine, and other additives in the water from your shower may dull your hair.

Risks of Using Distilled Water

Distilled water lacks evenelectrolyteslikepotassiumand other minerals your body needs. So you may miss out on a bit of these micronutrients if you drink only the distilled stuff.

Some studies have found a link between drinking water low in calcium and magnesium and tiredness,muscle cramps, weakness, andheart disease. Also, distilled water may not help you stay hydrated as well as other kinds of water.

If you use distilled water for your fish tank, be sure to add a sea minerals supplement to the aquarium. Somecoffeefans think that distilled water makes for a purer-tasting cup. But the Specialty Coffee Association of America says that a certain level of minerals is ideal in order to extract the best brew.

Storage

Unopened bottled distilled water from a store lasts basically forever. But stash it away from direct sunlight. And once it’s opened, be sure to close it up well after use. Certain germs can grow even in nutrient-poor distilled water.

How to Make Your Own Distilled Water

Fill a large pot of water halfway.
Tie a cup to the pot’s lid so the cup will hang rightside up inside the pot when the lid is shut. The cup should be high enough inside the pot that it does not touch the water.
Boil the water for 20 minutes. Boiling creates vapor that rises and then condenses back into water.
The water that drops from the lid into the cup is distilled.

FAQs

Can we drink distilled water? ›

Distilled water is safe to drink. But you'll probably find it flat or bland. That's because it's stripped of important minerals like calcium, sodium, and magnesium that give tap water its familiar flavor. What's left is just hydrogen and oxygen and nothing else.

Tell Me More ›

Is purified water the same as distilled water? ›

Both purified and distilled water are very healthy for you and are essentially the same. The main difference between the two is that purified water doesn't necessarily get rid of all of the healthy minerals that can be found in water, which isn't the case with distilled water.

Learn More ›

Is boiled water the same as distilled water? ›

No, boiled water is not the same as distilled water. Boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms, but it doesn't remove all impurities such as minerals and salts. Distilled water, on the other hand, is water that has been boiled into steam and then cooled to return it to its liquid state.

Show Me More ›

What does distilled water do to your body? ›

Electrolyte imbalance: The lack of minerals in distilled water causes an imbalance between sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and other nutrients in the body. Dehydration: Electrolytes present in water are essential for healthy body functions. They regulate and control the distribution of body fluids.

See Details ›

Is distilled water good for your kidneys? ›

May be beneficial for people with certain medical conditions: Distilled water may be beneficial for people with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease, as it is free from minerals and other impurities that can be harmful to people with compromised kidney function.

Get More Info ›

What can I use instead of distilled water? ›

If distilled or filtered water is unavailable, you can consider using bottled water as an alternative. Look for bottles labeled as “distilled” or “purified” to help minimize mineral content. However, keep in mind that not all bottled waters are created equal, and some may still contain minerals and additives.

Know More ›

Can I use spring water in place of distilled water? ›

However, spring water is sourced from natural underground water sources. If you are looking for the best source of water to keep your family hydrated, spring water is the best choice for you. But, if you need water that is mineral-free for appliances or sensitive equipment, distilled water is the way to go.

Find Out More ›

What is the healthiest water to drink? ›

No beating around the bush here. Without a doubt, spring water is the winner. It is considered the best water to drink, providing vital nutrients as it moves through the body. This is, of course, spring water that is bottled at the source and proven to be actual living spring water.

Keep Reading ›

Is rain water distilled? ›

It is possible, therefore, for us to drink untreated rainwater. This is because rainwater is pure, distilled water evaporated from the sun - nothing else. However, when rainwater falls from the sky, substances from the air and land melt into the rainwater.

Learn More Now ›

Is Brita water distilled? ›

No. BRITA water filters which contain ion exchange resin and activated carbon reduce substances from tap water that can affect its taste and appearance. The process only partially de-mineralises water. Distilled water, in contrast, is fully de-mineralised.

Find Out More ›

Where do you get distilled water? ›

You can buy distilled water at your local grocery store or on Amazon, but making it home will save you money and keep a few plastic jugs out of the recycling system. Learning to make this bacteria-frew water at home will also save you if the store is out of stock.

What natural water is safe to drink? ›

Outside the Home

If you suspect or know the water is contaminated with toxic chemicals or fuels, it cannot be made safe and you should not drink or bathe in this water. Possible sources of water that could be made safe by treatment include: Rainwater. Streams, rivers, and other moving bodies of water.