Water, as an essential fluid to the human body, needs to be taken in an adequate amount every day in order to be able to function properly. So it is important that we always have water that is safe to consume. This way, people are always in search of the purest form of water available – water that you know contains no harmful chemicals or ingredients and will be one hundred percent good for you and your body.
If you are on the hunt for water that is at its very purest, then distilled water is just what you are looking for. And distilled water is not just for drinking — it is also essential for people who have sleep apnea and who use humidifiers.
It is good for cleaning auto engine parts or filling in your aquariums because the lack of additional minerals prevents corrosion or buildups that unpurified water may otherwise cause. It is likewise ideal for watering your plants, washing your hair, and much more.
For those who fear that the water around you is not as pure as you would like for it to be, you may find yourselves resorting to purchasing distilled water for use. But that can prove to be very, very costly and impractical.
If you are also in the outdoors or in a place where only “hard” water is available or water from streams, then you may find yourself wishing had there been a way to be able to make your water more purified.
Whatever your situation may be, if you are looking for the best, most practical, and least expensive way to be able to have a steady supply of distilled water at hand, then we’ve got the solution for you! All you have to do, my friend, is make your very own distilled water!
Now you may be thinking that you have no idea how to make distilled water – and that it may be hard. Well, fear not, because we are here to share with you how to make your own distilled water – in # easy steps!
Different Types Of Water
Before we delve into the how, let’s first get to know the what – as in, what are the different types of water? Knowing this will help you to understand the value of distilled water and why it is good to know how to make your own.
There are several types of water, such as tap, filtered, purified, and distilled. It can all seem a bit confusing, we know, and understandably so. So let’s break things down!
1. Tap Water
Tap water is probably the most straightforward of all. Tap water is water that you can get straight from the tap. Turn on your faucet, and voila, you have tap water at hand! The quality of tap water may vary depending on the location, and it may contain traces of minerals that are specific to where you are located.
Tap water may also contain chemical traces from the municipal water treatment. The hope is that your tap water is safe for consumption, but the hard reality is that in most cases, it just is not the case.
2. Filtered Water
Because tap water is generally not as safe to drink as we would like it to be, one solution for that is filtered water. Filtered water begins as plain and simple tap water. In your household, you may already be able to access filtered water via a faucet filter, a whole-house filtration system, or even a water filtration pitcher. Nowadays, you can even purchase a filtered water bottle for yourself!
Most water that is filtered passes through a combination of carbon plus micron filters. These aid in the removal of chemicals like chlorine and pesticides (chlorine is commonly mixed in with municipal tap water because it is used as a disinfectant). This combination also helps in removing metals such as lead or copper. In addition, filters may also eliminate foul tastes and odors.
3. Purified Water
Purified water is another type of water that starts out as tap water too. It is tap water that then goes through many purification processes, such as those that are used for water filtration. The difference between filtered water and purified water is that purified water goes one step further – it has an additional process that takes away chemical pollutants, fungi, algae, and bacteria. Purified water can often be found in bottles at the local grocery store.
4. Distilled Water
Now we get to the main star of the show, aka distilled water. What makes distilled water shine is the fact that it is an even more specialized type of purified water than the ones mentioned above – and yet, at the same time, it is much cheaper and easier to make at home.
Same as purified water, distilled water is able to meet the classification requirement of 10ppm or less (in this case, ppm refers to parts per million of the total amount of dissolved solids or contaminants).
Also Read:- What Is Distilled Water? Uses and Safety
Distilled Water: What Is It, Exactly
Above, we touched on the different types of water, including distilled water. Now let’s dive deeper into what distilled water really is and why it is a great choice.
Distilled water is water that’s gone through a cycle of evaporation and then condensation. As water evaporates, it then leaves behind minerals and impurities, rising as pure water vapor. With the proper tools, it is possible for this water vapor to be re-condensed and then captured to create a source of safe and clean drinking water, aka distilled water.
Natural forms of distilled water include rainwater and snow. Distillation is quite literally the method that is seen in nature, where the sun heats the water on the surface of the earth, which transforms it into vapor (aka evaporation), which rises and leaves all contaminants behind. This rising vapor forms clouds. When the upper atmosphere’s temperature drops, the vapors cool down and are converted back into water form. This falls down as rain (aka precipitation) or snow, and then the cycle begins all over again.
Distilling water basically involves boiling fresh water until the time it becomes water vapor. This water vapor is then condensed back again to liquid form in another container. As this process takes place, contaminants are separated and removed from the water.
The Benefits You Can Get Out Of Distilled Water
Distilling water can benefit you in a multitude of ways. Distillation is vital because of its many benefits, such as:
- Giving you water that is safe to drink if you are not sure about the quality of water in your area and whether or not that water contains impurities that are not healthy for you
- Removing these said impurities and providing you with water that is safe for many purposes like washing your hair and body, cleaning things, taking care of your plants or fish, using it in humidifiers, and more
- Getting water that is pure and safe enough for drinking
Also Read:- 8 Safest Ways to Purify Water Easily
How To Make Your Own Distilled Water?
There are quite a various ways you can make your own distilled water. Whether you begin with tap water, water from a mountain stream, or bottled water, distillation is a good way to remove anything unfavorable or unwanted from your water supply.
You may utilize a heat source to speed up the process, collect condensation that comes from moist soil, or make use of a home distillation kit which is ideal if you need high volumes of distilled water.
We’re here to present to you the basic process of making your own distilled water.
The Process
Materials and tools
- 5-gallon pot of stainless steel material that comes with a lid
- A round baking rack
- Glass bowl
- Tap water
- Over mitts
- Ice
What to keep in mind before you begin:
Refresh your knowledge about the water cycle. Remember – Liquid water => water vapor => and condensation all have vital roles in making distilled water.
Step 1. Place the Back Rack in the Pot and Then add Water
Put the backing rack into the bottom part of your 5-gallon stainless steel container or pot. After that, add around two and a half gallons of tap water into the pot (if you are using a smaller pot, you may fill it halfway).
Step 2. Place the Glass Bowl Above the Water in the Pot
Put the glass bowl in the pot on top of the water. The bowl must then float on the water’s surface. The backing rack will aid in preventing the bowl from having contact with the pot’s base. Ensure that there is enough space for air to be able to circulate around the top of the bowl and its sides.
Step 3. Put the Inverted Lid Atop the Pot and Then Fill it up With Ice
Take the lid and invert it (with the assumption that the lid is concave if you are looking at it coming from the bottom). Place the inverted lid atop the pot. Fill up the lid with ice cubes. Ice cubes are very helpful in the making of distilled water because they cause the water vapor to then condense on the lid’s underside more speedily. After this happens, droplets of distilled water will fall down towards the glass bowl inside the pot.
Step 4. Boil the Water and Then Monitor the Ice That is Left in the Lid
The next step you need to do is to set the burner between medium and medium-high heat. The ideal is to have it be hot enough for the water in the pot to simmer but not boil. Make sure that you are periodically checking back on your pot. If you see that the ice that is in the lid has melted already, dump it all out in the sink.
Replace this with fresh ice, making sure that you use oven mitts because the lid will be extremely hot. Most likely, it will take around 45 minutes or thereabouts to convert the tap water in the pot to distilled water.
Step 5. Let the Distilled Water Cool Before Storing It
When all of the tap water found in the pot has already evaporated, condensed, and then dropped into the bowl as distilled water, you have now completed the process of distilling water. Before you place the distilled water into containers or bottles for storage or putting them to use, make sure that you allow the water to cool completely first.
The Best Uses Of Distilled Water In The Home
So now you’re all prepared to make your own distilled water and wondering what you can use distilled water for. There are actually quite a number of ways it can be utilized in the household. Here are a few common uses of water that is distilled:
- Drinking water
- Filling humidifiers
- Sterilizing baby bottles
- Filling the tank on CPAP machines
- Steaming laundry or ironing laundry
- Watering house plants that are on the more sensitive side
- Car maintenance
- Canning of fruits and vegetables
- Cleaning wounds
Also Read:- How to Install an Under Sink Water Filter in 10 Easy Steps
Distilled Water FAQs
How Long is Water Simmered to Turn it Into Distilled Water?
The process of water distillation will take about 45 minutes or thereabouts.
Is It Safe to Drink Distilled Water?
Yes, it is very safe to drink distilled water. The only catch is that you may find it tastes flat or bland in comparison to tap water or filtered water.
What is the Best Way That I Can Store my Distilled Water?
The ideal way to store distilled water is by putting it in a glass container. Keep the container stored in a cool, dry place. Make sure that it is not exposed directly to sunlight.
How Long Can I Be Able to Keep Distilled Water?
If you store distilled water properly, an unopened, store-bought bottle or container of distilled water can last for many years – five or even more. Once you open it, however, store-bought distilled water can be used for appliances for a year or thereabouts. For drinking, however, it should be consumed in a week. Distilled water that is homemade can last up to one week. Now that you know how to make distilled water, it will now be much simpler and cost-convenient for you to always have safe and pure water within reach. You won’t have to search high and low or shell out tons of cash to procure pure water – you can make it within the comforts of your home whenever you need it! So congratulations on your new life skill. Enjoy your freshly made distilled water!