Hey there! Lillie here. As an expert in home improvements and repairs, I get asked this question a lot. I‘m here to give you the complete lowdown on filtered water versus distilled water, so you know exactly when it‘s ok to use filtered water, and when only distilled water will do.
What Makes Distilled Water So Special Anyway?
Distilled water is about as pure as water can get. The distillation process removes pretty much everything – minerals, salts, metals, bacteria, chemicals, you name it.
Here‘s how it works:
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Water is boiled and the steam is captured.
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The steam condenses back into water, leaving behind all impurities.
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The result is neutral pH water that‘s 99.9% pure.
This level of purity is crucial for certain applications where mineral deposits or bacteria could cause real problems. We‘re talking medical equipment, irons, batteries, humidifiers, and CPAP machines.
Now let‘s compare that to filtered water…
Filtered Water – Pretty Good, But Not Perfect
Filtered water is a major upgrade from regular old tap water. Running water through a filter can remove chlorine, pesticides, sediment and other gunk.
But here‘s the catch – filtration cannot remove 100% of impurities and minerals. The exact amount removed depends on the type of filter:
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Carbon filters – Remove chlorine, pesticides, solvents.
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Reverse osmosis – Removes dissolved salts and minerals. Gets 50-99% of impurities.
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Mechanical filters – Traps sediment, rust, silt.
So filtered water retains more contaminants than distilled. It also keeps some natural minerals, which can affect taste and acidity.
Let‘s zoom in on some key differences:
| Metric | Distilled Water | Filtered Water |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.9% pure | Varies – 50-99% purity |
| Minerals | Virtually zero | Retains some minerals |
| Contaminants Removed | Heavy metals, bacteria, salts, asbestos, fluoride, chlorine | Partial removal depends on filter type |
| Acidity | Neutral pH | Can be slightly acidic |
| Taste | None | Slight mineral taste |
When Filtered Water Doesn‘t Cut It
Filtered water is perfectly fine for drinking, cooking, pets and watering plants. But for certain applications, the purity of distilled water is non-negotiable.
Here are some examples where filtered water is a no-no:
Medical Equipment – Minerals in filtered water can leave behind scale and residue. This could affect calibration and performance.
CPAP Machines – Bacteria and minerals in filtered water can clog tubes and cause mold growth. Yuck!
Steam Irons – Mineral deposits from filtered water can spew out of the iron‘s vents, damaging fabric.
Car Batteries – For best performance and battery life, they need mineral-free distilled water.
Humidifiers – Filtered water can create mineral dust that blows into the air. Distilled water prevents this.
Cosmetics – lotions, creams, toners and cleansers require pure distilled water. Minerals and bacteria in filtered water can irriate skin.
Jewelry Cleaning – Residual minerals in filtered water can cause tiny scratches on jewelry when cleaning.
See what I mean? For these critical uses, filtered water could do more harm than good.
Distilled Water Alternatives (When You‘re In a Pinch)
Sometimes distilled water isn‘t available. In those cases, you have a few options:
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Deionized Water – Almost as pure as distilled. Removes minerals through ion exchange.
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Sterile/Purified Water – Made for medical use. Distilled + filtration/UV irradiation to sterilize.
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Softened Water – Removes some minerals like calcium and magnesium. Not as pure but works in a pinch.
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Bottled Water – Varying purity – check label for details. "Purified" is your best bet.
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Boiled Water – Kills bacteria but doesn‘t remove minerals.
These all work okay for temporary replacements, but aren‘t as good as actual distilled water.
Let‘s Review The Key Points:
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Distilled water is about as pure as it gets – filtered water retains more impurities
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For drinking, pets, plants, cooking – filtered water works great
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For medical devices, cosmetics, batteries – distilled water is a must!
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In a pinch, try deionized water, boiled water or purified bottled water
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When in doubt, check device manuals for recommended water type
So in summary – filtered is fine for casual everyday uses, but anytime purity is critical, make sure to use distilled!
Hope this clears up the filtered vs distilled debate. Let me know if you have any other home care questions!
