Distilled water is about 99.9% pure, meaning it is free from most minerals, contaminants, and impurities typically found in tap, spring, and even many types of purified water.
What Makes Distilled Water So Pure?
Distilled water undergoes a rigorous process called distillation, where water is boiled into vapor and then condensed back into liquid form, leaving behind nearly all contaminants, minerals, and impurities. This results in water that is about 99.9% pure.
When people ask, how pure is distilled water for drinking?, it’s important to note that while the purity is extremely high, that doesn’t automatically make it ideal for everyday consumption. We’ll get into why in a bit.
For a deeper dive into how purity levels compare across types of water, you can also check out this guide on how pure is mineral water.
Purified Water vs. Distilled Water: What’s the Difference?
While purified water and distilled water sound similar, they’re not exactly the same.
- Purified water refers to any water that has been filtered or processed to remove impurities, achieving a purity level of around 99%.
- Distilled water is a type of purified water, but it undergoes distillation to reach 99.9% purity.
In everyday life, especially for sensitive uses like baby formula, people often wonder: purified vs distilled water for baby — which is better?
Both are generally safe, but distilled water is often preferred for its higher purity when mixing with infant formula. However, always follow your pediatrician’s advice.
If you’re curious about broader comparisons, our article on how pure is alkaline water offers additional insights.
Why Distilled Water Is Not Always Suitable for Drinking
Despite being ultra-pure, distilled water is not always ideal for drinking because:
- It lacks essential minerals like calcium and magnesium that your body needs.
- Its purity can make it more aggressive at absorbing substances, potentially pulling metals from containers or pipes.
- Some people report a flat taste or even minor digestive discomfort when drinking only distilled water for long periods.
The general question of is distilled water safe to drink has a nuanced answer: yes, it’s technically safe for short-term or occasional use, but it’s not the best choice for daily hydration for most people.
What Is Distilled Water Used For?
Given its extreme purity, distilled water is essential in situations where mineral contamination could cause problems, such as:
- Medical devices like CPAP machines
- Laboratory experiments
- Car batteries and radiators
- Steam irons
- Certain cosmetic formulations
Distilled water’s lack of minerals prevents build-up and contamination, making it ideal for these specialized applications.
Can I Use Purified Water Instead of Distilled Water?
Many people ask, can I use purified water instead of distilled water?
It depends on the use case. For steam irons or CPAP machines, distilled is usually required. For drinking or cooking, purified water is often sufficient.
However, always check your device manuals or consult professionals before substituting.
What Is Purified Water Exactly?
Purified water is water that has undergone a cleaning process — such as reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, deionization, or distillation — to remove chemicals, pollutants, and bacteria. It usually retains some minerals unless specifically removed.
When comparing purified water vs spring water, spring water often contains natural minerals and comes from underground sources, while purified water focuses purely on cleanliness, regardless of origin.
How Pure Is Distilled Water According to Reddit?
The topic of how pure is distilled water Reddit threads often comes up when researching online.
For example, users on this Reddit discussion highlight that while distilled water is highly pure, it’s not necessarily superior for daily hydration due to the missing electrolytes and minerals.
Many in the Reddit community echo scientific advice: distilled water is best reserved for specific uses, not necessarily as a daily drinking source.
Final Thoughts: Should You Choose Distilled Water?
To summarize:
- Distilled water is about 99.9% pure, making it one of the cleanest types of water available.
- It’s perfect for appliances, lab work, and certain health needs, but not always ideal for daily drinking due to the lack of minerals.
- Purified water is a broader category and usually meets most everyday needs, especially when you’re considering choices like purified water vs spring water.
Always match your water choice to your specific needs—and when in doubt, consult health or technical professionals.
