common uses of distilled water
Distilled water is a common water used in industry because it doesn’t contain bacteria, minerals and other chemical impurities. It’s also widely available at home for a range of uses. It’s ideal for cleaning and can also be used to make drinks, although experts recommend avoiding drinking it with alcohol as this could cause a toxic reaction. Distilled water is suitable for use in medical and health devices, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and cool mist humidifiers, and in foods like canning. It’s also an excellent choice for growing plants, as it won’t leave mineral deposits on the leaves and stems, as is often the case with tap and filtered water.
It can be a great alternative to bathing and washing hair, as it’s microbe-free and won’t leave residue on the skin and hair. It’s also an excellent choice for steam irons and cleaning household items, such as pots and pans, because it won’t clog them or leave residue on surfaces. Distilled water is also suitable for use in cooking and can be boiled to make pasta, vegetables and soups.
One of the most important and useful applications of how to make distilled water is in laboratory settings where it’s commonly used for cleaning equipment and glass containers. This is because it’s free of mineral deposits and chemicals that can contaminate chemical solutions, experiments and test tubes. It’s a common substitute for tap water when cleaning these types of items and is especially important in environments where contaminated solutions or equipment can pose health risks, such as for immunocompromised people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant patients or HIV/AIDS sufferers.
What are the common uses of distilled water?
While it is safe to drink, it’s not recommended for everyday use because it’s missing many of the beneficial minerals that come from tap, spring and mineral water. These minerals are responsible for maintaining a balance of electrolytes in the body, which is essential for good health.
Another way to make distilled water is to collect rainwater and snow, but this method is only practical in areas with minimal pollution. The precipitation can be contaminated as it falls through the atmosphere by toxins from smog-ridden cities, and you may not be able to legally collect water in some jurisdictions.
A more convenient way to make distilled water is to boil tap water until it turns into steam, then funnel the water outside to a container where it can be collected. This method is also safer than distilling it at home because you don’t have to worry about boiling plastic that could leak into the distilled water. However, you should still boil tap water in a glass bowl rather than plastic to avoid the potential risk of explosions or fires. Using glass is especially important for safety reasons since the distilled water will be extremely hot after it’s been collected. It’s best to store the distilled water in a glass bottle, which should be dishwasher-safe and made of non-porous material.