Distilled water is one of the purest forms of water available. Through the process of distillation – where water is boiled into steam and then condensed back into liquid – impurities, minerals, and contaminants are removed. This makes distilled water especially useful in situations where purity matters most.
But what are the most common uses of distilled water in the UK and worldwide? You’ll be amazed at how wide-ranging its applications are, from household appliances and medical equipment to laboratories and automotive systems.
Understanding its uses can help you choose the right type of water for tasks that require cleanliness, consistency, and mineral-free performance.
In this post:
Key Takeaways
Distilled water is highly purified, with minerals and contaminants removed through the distillation process
It helps prevent limescale and corrosion, protecting appliances, engines, and batteries
Common household uses include steam irons, cleaning and watering sensitive indoor plants.
Many professional environments rely on it, including laboratories, healthcare, aquariums, and manufacturing
Its purity makes it essential in specialised industries, from electronics production to advanced engineering applications
Uses of Distilled Water at Home
Perhaps the most well-known application for distilled water is in steam irons, to prolong the life of this common household appliance. Newer models may not necessarily need pure water, but older versions tend to operate better with distilled water, improving long-term efficiency. You can read more about the use of distilled water in steam irons here.
Distilled water is also commonly used in the car parked on your driveway – specifically, in its cooling system. Similarly to what happens in batteries, any minerals present in tap water become sources of corrosion for the engine, rapidly depleting the anti-corrosion mix present in the antifreeze.
Another common use of distilled water – although perhaps not found in many homes – is in cigar humidors, as use of tap water over time significantly reduces the device’s efficacy.
Other uses for distilled water at home include:
- Watering indoor plants that are sensitive to minerals
- Making home cosmetics or skincare products
- Cleaning windows and mirrors without leaving mineral spots
Distilled Water in The Workplace
Distilled water is also commonly used by aquarists, aquaculture farmers, fish breeders, and aquariums, who prefer to avoid the presence of chemicals in the water they use. However, this is only a starting point – as nutrients and other additives need to be added, as completely pure water completely deprived of all minerals would not sustain fish life for long.
Due to the need for absolutely pure water to conduct experiments, most laboratory applications require distilled or double distilled water. This is particularly relevant in assays (analytical procedures) that need minute amounts of water, where any impurities would affect the results.
Another interesting use is in healthcare, involving constant positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems. These are used by sleep apnoea patients. In essence, the device humidifies the air around the person’s mouth to assist breathing while sleeping, and distilled water can be part of this process.
Other uses for distilled water in industries includes:
- Sterilisation and cleaning of medical instruments
- Cooling systems in industrial machinery
- Production of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
- Manufacturing electronics and semiconductors
- Metal processing and electroplating
- Commercial food processing
- Brewing beer or specialty beverages where mineral control is important
Other Uses For Distilled Water
Commonly in the manufacturing world, distilled water is used to top up lead acid batteries. It’s essential that no minerals are added, as these can be corrosive and decrease the lifespan of the battery.
Although no longer commonplace, early models of Boeing 707 needed distilled water to increase air density, facilitating take off in difficult atmospheric conditions.
Another use of distilled water is in nuclear submarines, where it is used as a coolant liquid in the nuclear reactor. It also allows the submarine to stay at sea for longer, as having a distiller on board provides fresh water for the crew to consume.
Conclusion
Distilled water plays an important role in a wide range of everyday and specialised applications, from household appliances and plant care to laboratories, healthcare, and industrial processes.
Its mineral-free purity helps prevent buildup, corrosion, and contamination, making it the preferred choice wherever water quality matters.
