Why is Everyone Buying Distilled Water?

distilled water at a grocery store
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The Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in an era of unprecedented worry and uncertainty. The sales of distilled water have been on the rise since the start of the outbreak. Consumers from all walks of life buy large quantities of distilled water.

In this article, we will explore what could be driving this sudden surge in demand for distilled water during the pandemic.

Key Takeaway
  • Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, people are stocking up on distilled water, considered a safer alternative to tap water.
  • Distilled water is used in various residential, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications.
  • Laboratories also depend on distilled water to prevent the contamination of samples.

Why is Distilled Water in High Demand?

Distilled water has become a highly sought-after commodity as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be felt worldwide. 

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic 

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a significant increase in the demand for drinking distilled water around the world. This is because distilled water is essential for making hand sanitizers, which have become a crucial tool in fighting the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations recommend using hand sanitizer frequently to ensure that hands are clean and germs-free.

Medical facilities also use distilled water for cleaning equipment and sterilizing surgical instruments. With hospitals experiencing an influx of patients due to Covid-19, there has been a surge in demand for distilled water to keep up with these needs. Manufacturers have been struggling to keep up with this sudden increase, leading to shortages and long waiting times for those who rely on it. Nonetheless, companies have ramped up production efforts and implemented measures such as increasing staffing levels and running production lines around the clock to meet rising demand. Here is a list of water distillers that you may find helpful. 

distilled water

Why People Are Buying Distilled Water?

Distilled water has become increasingly popular in recent times, and many people are curious as to why. Distilled water is created through vaporization and condensation, which removes any impurities or minerals that may be present in regular tap water. This results in a pure form of H2O that is free from contaminants.

Distilled water for residential use

Health concerns are the main reason for choosing distilled water over regular tap water. Regular tap water can contain high levels of chlorine, fluoride, and other harmful chemicals to human health. Distilled water is also believed to be easier on the digestive system since it lacks minerals or compounds that may cause reactions or allergies.

Distilled water can be used in household appliances, such as irons or humidifiers, to prevent mineral buildup that could damage these devices. Additionally, using distilled water in aquariums and plants can improve their growth by providing a consistent pH level without introducing minerals that could harm them.

While some argue that using distilled water excessively may lead to mineral deficiencies since it lacks essential elements in regular tap or bottled waters, others believe this is not a major concern as most people consume enough essential minerals throughout their diets.

Distilled water for industrial use

Distilled water has become a popular choice for industrial applications, not just for drinking. This type of water is free of impurities, minerals, and chemicals that may affect manufacturing processes. As a result, many companies are turning to distilled water for various uses, such as in the production of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive batteries, and electronics.

Distilled water is preferred in industries over regular tap water because of its consistent quality. Tap water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can form deposits on machinery or clog pipes during the manufacturing process. In contrast, distilled water lacks the minerals that cause scaling or corrosion in equipment. Additionally, distillation removes contaminants like heavy metals from tap water.

Distilled water can also create specific chemical reactions in industrial applications where purity is essential.

Distilled water for hospitals, clinics, and laboratories

In recent years, the demand for distilled water has spiked considerably, particularly among hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Hospitals rely on distilled water for many purposes, such as sterilization procedures and laboratory work. Since it is free of impurities and minerals like calcium and magnesium are known to cause hard deposits in equipment, it also helps protect medical equipment against corrosion damage.

Similarly, clinics use distilled water for preparing solutions required in various procedures, including wound care dressing preparation.

Laboratories depend on distilled water since standard tap or well water can contain toxic chemicals from industrial processes nearby.

child buying distilled water

Can You Use Filtered Water Instead of Distilled Water for Your CPAP Machine?

For those who suffer from sleep apnea, CPAP machines are crucial for ensuring a good night’s rest. These machines deliver a constant stream of pressurized air through a mask, which helps keep the airway open and prevent interruptions in breathing. However, using the wrong type of water to fill your CPAP machine can cause serious problems.

Many wonders if they can use filtered water instead of distilled water in their CPAP machine. The short answer is no – filtered water may still contain contaminants that could damage the machine or pose health risks to users. Distilled water is specifically treated to remove impurities such as minerals, chemicals, and bacteria that could harm you and your machine.

Using filtered or tap water instead of distilled water can also lead to mineral buildup inside your CPAP machine over time.

What is the Difference Between Distilled Water and Filtered Water?

Two popular types of water are distilled water and filtered water. While they may look the same and serve similar purposes, there are significant differences between them that we should understand.

  • Distilled water is created through the distillation process. Making distilled water involves boiling water and condensing the steam into liquid form. This process removes impurities such as minerals, chemicals, and bacteria from the water. However, some argue that this process also strips away beneficial minerals our bodies need. Distilled water is often used in laboratory settings or medical purposes where purity is crucial.
  • On the other hand, filtered water uses different methods to remove contaminants from the source, such as reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters. These methods can remove harmful substances but leave some minerals intact that make up part of tap or well water’s natural composition.
boiled water

Is Boiled Water the Same as Distilled Water?

Both processes involve heating water, but they are different.

Boiling water involves heating it to its boiling point, 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level. This process kills most bacteria and viruses but does not remove impurities like minerals, chemicals, or heavy metals. Boiled water may still contain minerals or chemicals not removed during the boiling process.

On the other hand, distilled water is created by boiling water and collecting the steam that rises from it. The steam is then condensed back into a liquid form in a separate container, leaving behind any impurities that were present in the original water source. Distilled water is completely free from contaminants since it has undergone a rigorous distillation process that removes all impurities. Another difference between boiled and distilled water is its taste.

Can You Make Distilled Water at Home?

You can make distilled water at home using simple equipment such as a pot with a lid, a heat source, and a collection container. The process involves boiling the water until it turns into steam which then passes through a cooling coil where it condenses to its liquid form. The resulting liquid is pure distilled water that can be used for various purposes, including drinking and cooking.

However, it’s important to note that making distilled water at home requires some precautions. One should ensure that the equipment used is clean and free from residues or contaminants before use.

Conclusion

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a large spike in sales of distilled water. People are stocking up on distilled water for drinking, cleaning, and other uses due to its reputation of being free from pollutants and contaminants. They are buying distilled water for residential and industrial use and hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Additionally, due to the purity of distilled water, many people are also buying distilled water for their CPAP machines and their humidifiers and vaporizers.

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