Many terms are thrown around when it comes to water: hard water, soft water, spring water, and distilled water. It can be tough to keep track of what’s what and even more challenging to figure out which type of water is best for you and your home.
Distilled water is purified water that has been boiled and condensed into liquid form. It has no minerals, salts, or other organic materials typically found in tap water or natural water sources. Distilled water differs from different types of water because it is very pure and has no taste or odor. It is also free of contaminants that may harm health or interfere with specific applications. But is distilled water soft water? And what are the benefits and drawbacks of drinking it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.
What is Soft Water?
Soft water is water that possesses low levels of dissolved minerals. The term “soft water” is often used in contrast to “hard water,” which has high dissolved minerals.
While the terms “hard” and “soft” refer to the mineral content of water, they can also be used to represent other properties of water. For example, hard water is often considered more “alkaline,” while soft water is more “acidic.”
The level of hardness or softness in water is calculated by its “dissolved mineral content.” The two most typical minerals found in water are calcium and magnesium. Water with high levels of these minerals is considered hard, while water with low levels is considered soft.
Most public water supplies in the United States are treated to remove dissolved minerals, making them safe for drinking. However, some private wells containing positively dissolved minerals may need to be treated.
In general, soft water is considered to be better for your skin and hair than hard water. It is because hard water can leave behind deposits, making your skin feel dry and your hair feel brittle.
Is Distilled Water Soft Water?
While distilled water is technically soft, it’s not the same as soft water treated with a water softener. Water is boiled, the minerals are removed, and the steam is condensed into the water to create distilled water. It implies that soft water has no benefits, like being easier on your skin and hair or containing soap scum buildup in your shower. You can also consider it based on the pH level.
pH Level
The pH level of distilled water measures how acidic or basic it is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with seven being neutral, lower than seven being sarcastic and higher than seven being basic. Theoretically, distilled water should have a pH of 7 because it has no dissolved minerals or other substances that could affect its acidity or alkalinity. However, distilled water is slightly acidic, with a pH of about 5.8, because it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and forms a weak carbonic acid. It means that distilled water is more acidic than regular tap water or mineral water, which usually have pH levels between 6.5 and 8.5.
Advantages of Drinking Distilled Water
Some of the benefits of drinking distilled water are:
- It helps sidestep diseases caused by unclean water, as distillation removes waterborne pathogens and harmful chemicals.
- It cleanses the body with pure water, with no further additives or contaminants that may interfere with detoxification.
- It absorbs and destroys harmful substances from the body and tends to remove them from whatever it touches to maintain balance.
- It is collected in its purest form, produced by boiling and condensing water back into a liquid state.
- It helps stop waterborne diseases, as it is free of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other microorganisms that may cause infections.
Disadvantages of Drinking Distilled Water
Drinking distilled water also has some drawbacks, such as:
- It lacks essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium that give tap water its flavor and electrolyte balance. These minerals are also necessary for hydration and health.
- It may leach minerals from your body or whatever it touches, such as plastic bottles. This may cause mineral deficiencies or corrosion of metal parts.
- It may have a bland taste because it has no minerals or other substances that enhance its flavor. Some people may find this boring or unpleasant.
Therefore, there may be better options than drinking distilled water alone for hydration and health. Consuming purified water and various foods that provide minerals and nutrients is better.
Alternatives to Soft and Distilled Water
A few distinct sorts of water can be used as an alternative to soft or distilled water. These consist of reverse osmosis, carbon, and deionized water.
Deionized Water
Ion exchange is used to create deionized water from tap water. The water has a shallow mineral content after this process removes all dissolved minerals from it. Deionized water is frequently used in laboratories and industrial settings because it doesn’t interrupt chemical reactions.
Carbon Filtered Water
Carbon-filtered water passes tap water through a mattress of activated carbon. It removes contaminants from the water, including chlorine, chemicals, and heavy metals. Carbon-filtered water can be used for drinking, cooking, and other household uses.
Reverse osmosis (RO) Water
Reverse osmosis (RO) water is made by forcing tap water through a semipermeable membrane. It removes contaminants from the water, including dissolved minerals and chemicals. RO water is often used in aquariums and fish tanks because it contains no harmful chemicals that could harm the fish.
Conclusion
As we have seen in this article, distilled water is not considered soft. Distilled water has been stripped of any minerals that would make it suitable for drinking or cooking purposes and, as such, needs to be increased with minerals before being consumed. Suppose you are looking for a source of soft water. In that case, consider purchasing an ion exchange, reverse osmosis, or carbon filtration water system to provide the filtered and softened water you need for your household. Overall, understanding the differences between distilled and soft water can help ensure you get the correct type of clean drinking water for your home.