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What Is Distilled Water Used For? 20 Important Uses For Distilled Water

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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Allison Lancaster

Have you ever wondered if the water you’re drinking is truly safe for you and your family? While tap water is readily available in most homes, it’s not always the best option. In fact, using distilled water can have several benefits beyond just drinking.

What Can I Use Distilled Water For?

From household cleaning to personal hygiene, distilled water can play a vital role in improving your family’s health and well-being. So, if you’re curious about the various ways you can use distilled water in your home, keep reading. In this article, we’ll share 20 reasons why you should be using distilled water.

Distilled water in bottle pouring out.
Stock images by Depositphotos

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is a type of water that has been purified through a process known as distillation. During distillation, water is heated until it reaches its boiling point, causing it to evaporate and become steam.

The steam is then captured and condensed back into water, which is free from any impurities or minerals that were present in the original water source. Because of its purity, distilled water is often used in scientific experiments, medical procedures, and industrial applications where water quality is critical.

It is also sometimes used in household appliances such as irons or humidifiers to prevent mineral buildup that can cause damage over time.

Is Distilled Water Healthy?

Distilled water is a type of purified water that removes heavy metals, inorganic minerals, harmful contaminants, harmful substances, harmful chemicals, and other water impurities that you are likely to find in different types of water, including fresh water and regular tap water.

While the process of distillation makes the water high quality and possibly the cleanest to consume, it does lack enough minerals to make it the better choice. 

Many other types of water add back important minerals and nutrients that distilled water may be lacking.

Purified vs Distilled Water

The main difference between distilled water and purified water is that distilled water has all contaminants removed to make it purified, but the process also removes minerals, whereas minerals will likely still be present in other forms of purified water.

This is an important distinction if you want the health benefits of the minerals for your own consumption or when watering your plants or giving drinking water to your pets. 

glass of distilled water

20 Ways to Use Distilled Water at Home

1. Drinking Water

Many of us have the false sense of security that our water filter is actually removing every toxin and impurity from your tap water before it even touches your tongue. But unfortunately, we may be wrong! While it does do a decent job of separating minerals and other undesirables from your water, the distillation process is a much more reliable and effective filtration method. 

Can you drink distilled water?

When it comes to your drinking water, purity should be your number one concern, and that’s why you may want to choose distilled water mainly for your drinking purposes. But not to confuse you, it isn’t the only water that you drink. That’s because filtered water does contain a handful of important minerals that your body needs, unlike distilled water. Keep in mind that distilled water is known for its flat taste in contrast to mineral water.

Are water bottles distilled water?

Most brands of bottled water use spring water that contains essential minerals. These natural minerals make the best-tasting drinking water. 

What are some distilled water bottle brands?

Some brands of distilled water bottles include Ice Mountain Brand Distilled Water, Smartwater Vapor Distilled Water, Snugell CPAP Distilled Water, Poland Spring Distilled Water, Hint Water, and Smartwater Alkaline. 

2. For Your Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, and Juices

Discover what you’ve been missing out on all this time by brewing your favorite hot and cold beverages using only distilled water.

Not only will you be protecting yourself from some of the crud and contaminants that are undoubtedly present in your tap water, but you’ll also be able to enjoy these drinks exactly the way they were meant to taste.

3. In Your Humidifiers 

For those of you with humidifiers in your home, it’s time that you stop using tap water. I say this for a couple of reasons. While it’s not necessarily going to cause any serious or lasting harm to you and your family, it does increase the chances of:

  • Bacterial growth inside of your humidifier, though it’s originally meant to keep your family healthy
  • Spreading unnecessary white dust particles throughout your home  

You won’t come across these problems when using distilled water and your family may be healthier for it, too! I also use distilled water in my essential oil diffusers.

4. To Top Off Automobile Fluids

You may have been doing this next one for years, but now you’ll know better. Adding tap water to top off your vehicle’s fluid levels is a guaranteed way to cause mineral deposits and also shorten the life of those particular power sources, whether it’s your battery or radiator.

It’s certainly better to go with a coolant for your radiator, but if you have to go with water, make sure that you are using distilled water. You will want to be sure to check with your automobile manufacturer or mechanic before doing this though.

5. Distilled Ice

Cloudy ice is the worst, especially when you’re trying to enjoy an alcoholic mixed drink. That’s because tap water ice can alter the flavor of your beverage, and not in a good way. Distilled ice cubes will be more transparent and not have a negative effect on your beverage’s flavor. 

6. Great for Boiling and Cooking 

Since it’s a good idea to drink distilled water more regularly, it only makes sense that cooking with it is a good idea. So skip turning on the kitchen faucet every time that you need water to cook with and use distilled instead.

Distilled water is perfect for cooking pasta, and veggies, boiling eggs, or even baking cakes with it. 

boiling tap water for cooking

7. Canning Fruits and Vegetables

A lot of people can’t stand the taste of canned fruits and vegetables because of the metallic flavor that aluminum can add to these products. This is why many of them resort to growing their own food and then can do it themselves.

But did you know that it’s not just the can that affects the flavor? The minerals that are present in tap water can also play a huge factor, which is why distilled water is an excellent choice of water when canning.

8. For Healthier Plants

After all this time you may have decided that you simply don’t have the touch when it comes to taking care of plants and outdoor flowers. But it could simply be the water you’re using that’s the real problem. Tap water contains several minerals, especially chlorine, all of which could have a harmful effect on your plants.

Can you give plants distilled water?

Yes, you can. Distilled water is the purest form of water that can be used to hydrate your plants. That said, it does contain a lack of minerals which means that you’ll need to add back some organic materials and beneficial minerals which makes for a balanced diet for your plants.

9. Charging Your Humidor 

Do you enjoy smoking a cigar every now and then? Make sure that you’re using distilled water every time you have to charge your humidor. There’s a chance of bacteria growth when you choose to go with tap water and that can affect the flavor of what you’re trying to enjoy.

10. Improve Your Hair Condition

Did you know that the water coming from your bathroom faucet may be doing more harm than good when it comes to your hair’s health? It’s true. Tap water contains chlorine, calcium, and magnesium, all of which are doing absolutely no favors for your hair.

Should I use distilled water on my hair?

Using distilled water can improve the shine of your hair and also help prevent tangles. It will also allow your hair to absorb all the right minerals that your hair care products may be trying to reach.

11. Cleaning Wounds

Don’t allow pathogens and other harmful bacteria the chance to enter your wounds the next time you have to clean them with water. This is especially important when it comes to flushing out your eyes, because using tap water may lead to an eye infection.

This is also the same for skin infections. Though it may seem dramatic, it’s always a good idea for you to carry a gallon of distilled water with you because you never know when an emergency could happen. 

12. Steam cleaning

If you have a steam cleaner, use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup and ensure optimal cleaning performance.

13. Beauty treatments

Use distilled water in your DIY beauty treatments, such as homemade toners or facial sprays, for a purer and gentler formula.

14. DIY home cleaning products

Distilled water is a great ingredient when making various homemade cleaning solutions for your home and it won’t leave any mineral deposits. 

15. Aquariums

Distilled water is best for aquariums when you require precise water quality control. You also won’t have to worry about mineral deposit buildup in your tank.

16. Medical equipment

Distilled water is the preferred option for operating and cleaning medical equipment, as it safeguards medical devices and equipment against mineral deposits. From a home-use application, consider using distilled water for CPAC (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines as well as devices such as Neti pots or other nasal irrigation devices. 

17. Cleaning windows and glass

Distilled water won’t leave any streaks or residue on glass surfaces. If you are out of window or glass cleaner, opt for distilled water!

18. Jewelry cleaning

Distilled water is gentle on jewelry and won’t discolor it over time or add mineral deposits.

19. Mixing baby formula

Some parents prefer to mix baby formula with distilled water to ensure the highest purity.

20. Arts and crafts projects

Distilled water can be used to mix paint or add to other craft materials that require water. It’s especially great if you’re making edible crafts!

These are a handful of reasons why you should start using distilled water instead of reaching for the kitchen sink. Can you think of any other ways that you and I could use distilled water in our daily lives that you’d be willing to share?

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