So you're following a DIY remedy how-to, or trying to fix yourself a neti pot and you stop in your tracks...
It calls for distilled water.
Do you really have to stop what you're doing and head out to the store JUST to purchase a gallon?
The answer is no, you can easily distill your own water at home with simple equipment found in your kitchen!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you*
What is distilled water?
Distilled water is steam from boiling water that has been condensed back into a liquid and collected in a secondary container separate from impurities.
It works quite simply and similar to the Earth's natural water cycle.
The process of distilling water removes anything that is inorganic or mineral in your water, such as arsenic, chlorine and fluoride.
The boiling also kills any micro-biologic organisms.
This is important for use where you need purified water without any reactants in it.
Uses for distilled water:
One of the more common reasons to utilize distilled water is in air humidifiers, essential oil diffusers and CPAP machines. This reduces buildup inside your machines to keep them clean and functioning like new for years to come. The same goes for filling clothes irons.
As mentioned in the opener of this blog post, distilled water is also recommended for use in neti pots, because you don't want to be potentially pouring bacteria and toxins through your nasal passages.
Distilled water has endless applications in amateur and home chemistry, where the use of pure, contaminate-free water is essential for certain chemical reactions.
As mentioned in the How-to video towards the end of this post, I plan on using mine to create both Sodium Chlorite and Citric Acid solutions.
Should I drink distilled water?
Safe water is the most important and necessary element in life.
In emergency situations, such as needing to drink water from the ocean, an unreliable source, or even urine - knowing how to distill water could be a lifesaving skill.
While I believe everyone should know how to distill water to drink in these cases, understand that this process removes minerals that contribute to our health.
Without these minerals the water is left de-ionized, at a pH of 7 at the time of distillation but can become as acidic as pH 5.5 within a couple of hours due to absorption of carbon dioxide.
Distilled water can also pull toxic constituents from materials it comes into contact with. So if you are storing your homemade distilled water in a plastic jug for extended periods of time, you’ll find that chemicals begin to leach into it.
(I like to store my drinking water in cobalt blue glass, this is an affiliate link*)
If distilled water must become your drinking water I would suggest an effort be taken to re-mineralize it prior to consumption.
This can be done with trace mineral drops, mineral stones (such as the ones pictured to the right), or Sole made from Himalayan pink salt.
(If you're interested in upgrading your drinking water to ionized, alkaline drinking water, check out this demo and feel free to contact me directly for a 1-on-1 consultation) 💧
How to make distilled water: (Steps & Video)
Step 1: Locate:
A large pot with domed lid and heatproof handle
A heatproof collection bowl that fits inside the large pot
Water to be distilled
A ceramic coffee mug or secondary heatproof bowl (optional)
Ice (optional, recommended)
Step 2: Thoroughly clean all equipment, especially the lid and collection bowl.
(I like to give everything a spray down with 2.5 pH sanitizing water.)
Step 3: Place the heatproof ceramic coffee mug or a flat-bottomed bowl upside down into the large pot. (Optional)
Step 4: Place the heatproof collection bowl right-side up on top of the mug or flat-bottomed bowl. (Optionally, float collection bowl in water in next step.)
Step 5: Fill the bottom of the large pot with water, not exceeding the collection bowl.
Step 6: Without a lid, bring the water to a boil. This will release methanol and ethanol.
Step 7: Place the domed lid upside down onto the large pot.
Step 8: Top with ice and continue boiling, draining and replacing as needed.
(This step is optional, depending on availability of ice, but recommended and will quicken the distilling process)
Step 9: After some time, your collection bowl will begin to fill with freshly distilled water! Allow to cool and transfer your distilled water into a clean container (glass is preferred) and store tightly sealed away from direct sunlight.
Watch "How to Make Distilled Water" Video below:
Congratulations, you now harbor the newfound skill of being able to easily distill water at home utilizing common kitchen equipment! Time to put it to good use!
Did you find this post useful or informative?
What do you plan to use your distilled water for?
Let me know in the comment section below!
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