Can You Drink Distilled Water?

Water is something that we all need on a daily basis – for drinking, cooking, staying healthy, and just feeling our best. That’s why the quality of the water we drink really counts.

One kind of water that tends to pique people’s interest is distilled water. You may have seen it in the supermarket or in appliances and wondered: Can you really drink distilled water? Is it safe? And is it good for you?

For Australians, understanding what distilled water is – and when it’s a good idea to drink it – can help you make better decisions about your daily hydration routine.

Distilled water is made through a process called distillation.

Here’s how it works:

• Water is heated to boiling, turning it into steam
• The steam is cooled down and turned back into liquid
• Everything else – minerals, chemicals, and impurities – gets left behind

The end result is very pure water, free from things like:

• Bacteria and viruses
• Heavy metals
• Salts and minerals
• Chemical contaminants

Distilled water is very different from the kinds of water that we all drink on a daily basis. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Tap Water: Contains minerals, and depending on where you live, may also include chlorine or other treatment chemicals
• Spring Water: Naturally sourced and often rich in minerals, but not always completely free from impurities
• Filtered Water: Removes many unwanted contaminants while keeping some beneficial minerals
• Distilled Water: Stripped of everything — both contaminants and minerals — making it one of the purest options available

Yes — distilled water is generally safe to drink. In fact, because it’s so pure, it can be helpful in certain situations. Some potential benefits include:

• Free from contaminants: Distillation removes substances like lead, mercury, and chlorine
• Clean, neutral taste: Many people enjoy it if their tap water tastes metallic or strongly chlorinated
• Useful for short-term cleansing: Some people choose distilled water during detox or cleansing programs because it contains no extra compounds

Even though it’s pure, distilled water isn’t perfect — especially as an everyday option. Here are a few downsides:

• No essential minerals: Calcium, magnesium, and potassium are removed, which your body normally gets in small amounts through water
• Can taste a bit flat: Without minerals, some people find it bland or “empty”
• Not ideal long-term: Drinking only distilled water in large amounts could affect electrolyte balance, especially if you’re active or sweating a lot

Australia has strong drinking water regulations, and in most areas, tap water is considered safe. That said, water quality can still vary depending on:

• Your region
• Ageing pipes and plumbing
• Local treatment methods

Distilled water can be a useful option when you want the purest water possible or have specific health-related needs.

Distilled water is often used for:

• Medical purposes: Such as dialysis or other treatments requiring ultra-pure water
• Travel: When you’re unsure about local water quality
• Home appliances: Humidifiers, CPAP machines, and steam irons often recommend distilled water to prevent mineral buildup

If you like drinking distilled water but worry about missing minerals, you can easily balance things out by:

• Adding electrolyte or mineral drops
• Eating more mineral-rich foods
• Alternating between distilled water and filtered or mineral water

One thing people don’t always consider is the environmental impact. Distillation takes more energy than other purification methods because it requires boiling water.

Heating water to high temperatures uses significantly more electricity compared to filtration systems like carbon or reverse osmosis filters.

Buying bottled distilled water can also create unnecessary plastic waste. A home filtration system is often a more sustainable long-term option.

For most households, filtered water is often the more practical everyday choice. A good filtration system can remove harmful contaminants while still leaving behind beneficial minerals.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is especially popular for Australians who want a high level of purification. RO systems can remove up to 99% of impurities, including heavy metals and bacteria — and many modern systems also allow mineral enhancement for better taste and healthier hydration.

Distilled water is safe, clean, and extremely pure. But because it removes all minerals, it’s usually not the best option for long-term everyday drinking.

For Australians, it may make sense in specific situations — but for daily hydration, many people prefer filtered or reverse osmosis water for a better balance of purity and minerals.

Yes, distilled water can be used to prepare infant formula because it’s free of contaminants.

However, it shouldn’t replace regular water long-term, since babies need minerals for proper growth and development.

Not quite. Boiling kills germs, but it doesn’t remove dissolved minerals or salts. Distillation goes a step further by removing everything, making the water much purer.

Distilled water is easy to find in Australia — available at supermarkets, pharmacies, and online stores. You can also purchase home distillation systems if you need it regularly.

Distilled water is one of the cleanest forms of water you can drink, but its lack of minerals makes it less ideal as an everyday choice. For a healthier and more sustainable option, reverse osmosis water often stands out. It removes harmful impurities while still supporting balanced hydration — especially w