What do you use distilled water for?

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Distilling is one of the most traditional methods for purifying water, killing all remaining impurities and minerals. The best home water distiller can also provide activated carbon filters and better cleaning for extra purified water! But what do you use distilled water for? 

Distilled water may be free of also beneficial minerals but have many uses in the kitchen, medical field, and food industries. Let’s discuss what you can do with distilled water and why it’s great for your home. 

Why Use Distillation?

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Water distillation can free your water of bacteria, metals, viruses, and organic and inorganic compounds by creating steam and evaporating it into purified water while having contaminants removed. 

Distilling your water allows cleaner and “soft” water for other uses at home, especially for medical purposes. Pure distilled water has higher pH levels that are safer for people vulnerable to infections or water-borne diseases. 

It also comes in handy to treat wastewater during emergencies such as disasters or blackouts. Water distillation is not always dependent on electric power but also on a stove, depending on the model. It’s highly effective household usage and drinking that can protect your health. 

pH in distilled water

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The pH levels of water are pertaining to how acidic or alkaline it is. Distilled water is often at 7, which is neutral for alkaline or “soft” water. But this may still depend on your water source’s quality and the pressure and temperature used in the distiller machine.

Acidic water pH levels are from 0 to 6.5, while alkaline or soft water has a pH level from 8 to 12. 

The neutral pH level of distilled water can change when exposed to air or different substances since it’s highly reactive and can absorb carbon dioxide from the air, dropping its pH levels and becoming slightly more acidic. The pH levels in distilled water can also change when in contact with acidic or alkaline substances.

Knowing the pH levels of your water helps identify how exposed it is to contaminants and dissolved compounds like minerals and metals. 

Since distilled water is at a neutral 7, you can also find out how efficient a water distiller is in softening and removing the contaminants, hence heightening the pH levels, depending on the results of purified water.

What does a water distiller remove?

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Water distillers can kill almost all impurities and bacteria depending on the distiller’s brand and your water source. While no appliance can kill 100% of contaminants, they are still one of the most trusted treatments for purifying water.

It can kill various organic and inorganic compounds, chemicals, pesticides, and bacteria. Here are the particles distillers remove to purify water.

Chemicals

Water distillers are known to remove chemicals from public or private water systems in cleaning water. Chemicals such as chlorine, chloramine, and radionuclides are removed during distillation, leaving purified water free of chemicals. 

Biological Contaminants

Most provide activated carbon filtration to help kill volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are products of the water distillation process.  

Bacteria and Viruses

Water distillers purify your water of dangerous bacteria and water-borne diseases. Here is the list of bacteria water distillers can kill: 
Enteroviruses – Found in water sources, can cause gastrointestinal illness.

1. E. coli bacteria – Causes gastrointestinal illnesses and is often found in water contaminated with fecal matter.
2. Norovirus – A highly contagious virus that spreads in water and causes vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Hepatitis A virus – Causes liver inflammation through contaminated water.
4. Rotavirus – Can be spread through contaminated water, another common cause of diarrhea in children.
5. Salmonella bacteria – A virus in water contaminated with animal feces, causing gastrointestinal diseases.

You can also free your water of lingering herbicides and pesticides that cause water-borne diseases and infections like diarrhea and other long-term health issues.

Though it can remove many types of viruses and bacteria, don’t forget to use sterilized and clean equipment in storing distilled water to ensure your purified water remains free from contamination. 

Metals

Water distillers are known for killing dissolved metals in water from contaminated water supplies. Here are some heavy metals that distillers remove from water:

• lead
• nitrate
• iron
• Mercury
• arsenic 

Minerals

Beneficial minerals are also removed from the water. They cannot absorb inorganic minerals so drinking water without these can greatly affect your diet, so water filtration systems provide mineral water. 

Here are some of the minerals and nutrients distilled water would lack:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Manganese
• Nitrate
• Zinc
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Calcium

On the good side, you’ll have soft water that is less brutal for pipes, faucets, and sinks. Water rich in minerals is also known as hard water, which can clog pipes with mineral deposits and cause water stains, needing regular maintenance that may cost more in the long run. 

Is It Safe to Drink Distilled Water?

Distilled water is one of the safest drinking options due to being purified of most impurities. But it may taste flat from the lack of minerals and oxygen. But it’s still a healthy option with many uses in your household.

Things to Consider before Drinking Distilled Water

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It’s best to consider the few cons before purchasing your water distiller and using it for healthier purified water.

• Water distillers are also known to remove oxygen which is often why most people find distilled water to have a flat taste. 
• Check your local tap water’s quality to ensure the contaminants and impurities from your source water.
• Distilled water is highly absorbent and may leach traces of plastics and other substances from its container.
• Drinking distilled water lacks essential minerals and nutrients that occur naturally in water. But you can adjust your diet plan by consuming fruits and vegetables daily to gain them.
• Using electric-powered water distillers may be costly in the long run as it consumes large amounts of energy.

Answering what do you use distilled water for:

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You’d be surprised how widely many use distilled water commercially and industrially. Facilities use it due to its high level of purification. One of the many benefits of distilled water is that you can use it for many tasks at home as well! 

Drinking water

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Distilled water is okay for drinking, making coffee, and other beverages. But it’s less appealing or flavorful than filtered and bottled water. The good side is that it’s free of viruses and pesticides, making it safer for people with weaker immune systems. But results may also depend on your source water, whether your water supply comes from spring water or wells. 

Medical News Today shared that it won’t drastically change their health and that people with a balanced diet that provides needed nutrients and minerals can drink distilled water without a problem. That means you’ll need to eat healthily to make up for the lack of nutrients in distilled water.

Baby formula

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Babies’ immune systems and needs are trickier than those of adults. But distilled water is considered safe for mixing formula since it is free of mineral content and fluoride that can cause mild dental fluorosis, the change in babies’ teeth appearance by having small visible lacy white markings on their teeth. 

Distilled water’s mineral-free factor helps prevent mineral overdose for babies whose bodies are delicate, letting them have the correct amount of nutrient balance. Parents should also use pure BPA-free, reusable, and sterilized bottles to prevent bacteria or dangerous plastic ingredients from leaching into the distilled water. 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital noted that well water is the least recommended for babies. Tap water and other source waters should be distilled, not microwaved. Microwaved water has uneven hot spots that can burn your baby’s mouth. 

Consumable Needs

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Factories use distilled water for canned fruits and vegetables to help maintain their freshness over time. It helps preserve taste, texture, and color by being unlikely to contain harmful contaminants and bacteria that could lead to spoilage or other issues.

Minerals and other impurities found in tap water can react with stored food by having ingredients and metal leach with one another over time. Distilled water helps minimalize this by being purified of 99.9% of particles.

Plants

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Watering your plants with distilled water prevents over-mineralization that can stunt their growth and provide the right balance of nutrients with their fertilizers! It’s purified of chemicals and metals that will help your plants flourish.

Hunker notes that too much mineral concentration in soil from tap water can lead to leaf discoloration and affect its growth. Tap water also has traces of chlorine and fluoride that can be harsh on some plants, especially houseplants that do not get washed by rain as often.

A water softener is also not advised for removing the minerals from your tap water as it uses potassium and sodium. Trace levels of these chemicals can slowly damage plants.

Cleaning 

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Tap water can also be naturally rich in minerals, known as hard water. Using this to clean your home can leave unwanted water stains on fabric and glass. On the other hand, distilled water is free of minerals. It won’t leave any residue when wiping or cleaning appliances and furniture.

Ice Cubes

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Since distilled water is safe for drinking, that also means that it’s a go-sign for making ice cubes for your drinks. 

Freezing tap water will not kill bacteria or particles but leave them dormant. Once it melts, these impurities become active again, leaving you vulnerable to food-poisoning or water-borne illnesses. Using distilled water for ice cubes is guaranteed safer and less likely to have lingering contaminants in your drinks.

CPAP Machine

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Distilled water is the safest for medical use because of its bacteria and mineral-free attributes to prevent limescale build-up, making it ideal for sterilizing tools and other appliances. It’s important to own distilled water for CPAP machines since pure H2O helps with continuous positive airway pressure.

It is also used for CPAP machines, this device helps relieve patients with Sleep Apnea. Sleep Foundation states it is the best option for CPAP humidifiers as it is the purest form of water. Using tap water can cause mineral build-up and bacterial growth, leading to airway irritation or your machine to breakdown.

Signs of bad distilled water

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The often culprit for bad distilled water is when it’s stored incorrectly or exposed to chemicals nearby. Distilled water is highly absorbent. It’s easy to spot when distilled water has gone bad or is not purified enough. Cook Gem has mentioned the signs of bad distilled water you should look out for:

Smell 

A strange smell from your distilled water may be from chemicals leached into it. Inspect your distiller, pour water into your glass, and identify the scent. 

Also, check the surroundings where you store your distilled water. The cause may be a stored chemical or solvent close to it. 

Algae 

Immediately get rid of your distilled water and sterilize the container if you notice algae in the inner part of the bottle and floating inside. It may come from not storing your distilled water correctly. 

Algae can grow in warm places and exposure to sunlight. It will develop over time, especially when not stored in the proper environment.

Cloudiness 

Cloudiness highly means your distilled water has chemicals or bacteria. Drinking or using it on household appliances can affect your health. Throw the distilled water immediately and sterilize the container once you notice this.

Chemical taste 

Distilled water is known to taste flat or have no taste at all. So, if you notice a chemical taste in your water, it is likely contaminated. It often happens when you store your distilled water close to sunlight; the plastic ingredients melt and leach into the distilled water.

The chemical taste can also come from chemicals or solutions stored near your water. Do not drink or use the water and discard it with the container if this happens.

Reverse Osmosis vs. Distilled Water

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The Reverse Osmosis system and a water distiller are different but popular methods for making pure water. What you should consider using may also depend on your needs. Let’s get with the nitty-gritty of what they are and how they work!

Here’s a quick comparison based on Water Defense‘s findings:

Water Distiller

Water distillers remove impurities by using the hydrologic cycle of heating water to boiling point and condensing the produced water vapor into liquid, making distilled water. This method kills almost all impurities, like heavy metals, bacteria, minerals, and viruses, leaving purified H2O.

pros

• One of the most traditional and known purifying methods.
• You will not always need electricity to power a water distiller.
• Can remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
• Medical and food industries use distilled water because it has the least chemicals and other contaminants.
• Powerful enough to remove pesticides and certain particles reverse osmosis system cannot.
• A water distiller can kill 99% of the contaminants found in water.
• Helps prevent mineral buildup in appliances.

cons

• Expensive and less energy-efficient because it needs lots of power to boil water and make steam for distilled water.
• Water distillers do not provide mineral water.
• Can strip away oxygen and essential minerals, making bland-tasting water.

Reverse Osmosis system

A reverse osmosis system filters smaller particles from water with a semi-permeable membrane, a wall with extra tiny holes to let water pass. Water is pushed through the membrane at high pressure, leaving contaminants on one side. As a result, clean water passes through to the other side.

pros

• Some RO system models also mineralize the water.
• Better at removing total dissolved solids, such as salts and minerals
• Works quicker by providing purified water on the spot.
• Multiple-stage filtration.
• RO systems remove 90 to 99% of contaminants.

cons

• Reverse osmosis systems need an electric power source, which will be useless during emergencies or disasters.
• It partly removes algae, bacteria, copper, fluoride, and nitrates.

Choosing which to use depends on your needs. An RO system and water distiller have their strengths and weaknesses.

Both are thorough purifying methods. RO is better at removing dissolved solids like metals. On the other hand, distilled water is better at removing certain chemical pollutants. Pick which purifying process works better for your body. 

Why do you need minerals?

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Minerals are crucial nutrients for our body to work. NHS Inform notes that it helps keep our bones and teeth strong. We need to consume minerals metabolic process, meaning minerals help fuel our body to convert food into energy. 

They have different roles to play in ensuring your body is healthy. Minerals are also responsible for nerve functions, hormones, and skin, muscle, and hair health. It’s one of the main drivers of your diet. They also are vital in hormone and enzyme production, said Medicine Plus. 

There are various types of minerals that we need. Here are some of the most notable ones:

• Calcium
• Sodium
• Sulfur
• Beta-cerotene
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Silicon

But where can you get it if you don’t have it in your drinking water? There are plenty of food choices you can add to your diet to give you your daily dose of minerals: 

• Cereals
• Meat
• Fruits and vegetables
• Nuts
• Milk and other dairy products

Taking care of yourself means having a healthy diet to receive the right amount of minerals. Doing this will help control your body fluids from inside and outside cells. It’s a staple to living a healthy lifestyle.

FAQs

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Now that you know what do you use distilled water for, you may be researching some related questions and concerns. Luckily, I’ve answered some of them so you can better understand the importance of your water distiller machine.

Does distilled water go bad?

Distilled water can go bad when stored incorrectly. Storing your distilled water close to chemicals like bleach, detergents, and other intense cleaning products can leach chemicals into your distilled water and contaminate it. 

Never leave your water exposed to heat or sunlight; it can melt the plastic or ingredients used for your container and infect your water. Store distilled water correctly by keeping it in a cool place, away from sunshine and any chemical or pollutants to prolong its shelf life and maintain great water quality.

Does Distilled Water Leach Minerals from My Body?

There have been many claims regarding this matter, but studies have noted that this is yet to be further proven. Distilled water is not confirmed to leach minerals from your body but can cause you to pee more often.

Are Distillation Systems Expensive to Operate? What is the Price of Distilled Water?

Water distiller machine costs may vary based on model, brand, and size. Using one requires patience as it would often take 3 to 5-hour cycles of distilling water, but you can do so in advance and store them when needed. A quality water distiller can cost at least $110.00. 

On the other hand, it may also be energy-consuming in the long run when using electrically-powered models as it needs high power to boil water and cool it down every distillation cycle. But some models are stove-powered, which is less pricey and won’t require you to rely on electricity in emergencies.

Wrap-up

Distilled water is one of the purest forms of H2O you can get. Now that we’ve answered what do you use distilled water for, you can be able to maximize it for a healthier lifestyle at home with fewer hassles of mineral build-up on appliances and furniture.

Having a normal daily diet can help make up for the minerals missing in your pure water. The human body needs lots of mineral nutrition and clean water to protect itself from bacteria and viruses that can harm our health over time. Water purification is important in our day-to-day lives to function properly, especially in keeping us safe and healthy.

Now that you know what do you use distilled water for, you can keep on improving your quality of life by enriching your home with fresh and pure water for many uses!