Demineralised Water

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:26 pm

Is demineralised water the same as distilled? My supermarket sells them both.

Thanks

Peter

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:48 pm

pedroski wrote:Is demineralised water the same as distilled? My supermarket sells them both.

Thanks

Peter

Here in the States, I've never seen "demineralised water", but it sounds like distilled. I'm not sure I understand why they would sell both though, unless there is a difference. But seeing that it's the minerals that cause the gunky buildup problem in your humidifier, I would think *either* would work.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:43 pm

"Distilled" water has had the mineral stripped out of it through distillation, which is a mechanical process.

"Demineralized" water COULD have been demineralized through distillation OR, it could have been done through an ion-exchange process involving chemistry.

Have you ever seen those jugs that can be bought which have some coloured crystal in them? You add tap water, give it a shake, and you have demineralized water for use in your iron. When the crystals turn brown (after several refills of the jug) the crystals have stripped all of the mineral out of the water that they can -the demineralizing capability of the jug is now toast!

So, take a look at the label. If the "demineralized" water says something like "demineralized through steam distillation" then it is distilled water. If it does not specify that distillation occurred, then it may have been chemically demineralized.

Is one method better/safer? Who knows? What I do know is that I prefer water that has been distilled. For me, less chemical in the process is better!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:51 pm

Distilled water is water that has been heated to vaporization and then allowed to condense ... hopefully in a sterile container. If a sterile process is maintained from source to use and water stored in plastic containers is not allowed to sit in a warm/hot warehouse for extended amount of time, distillation will remove all contaminants and is as close to pure water as you can get.

Demineralization uses a deionization method to remove minerals in solution. It will not remove organic compounds or pathogens unless further filtration/purification techniques are used ... unlike water softeners (ion exchange) which simply replace one mineral for another ... usually magnesium or sodium for calcium. Desalination is a type of demineralization.

UV radiation and chlorination methods are used to kill pathogens. There is also activated carbon filtration which can remove some organic compounds as well as chlorine.

Then there is reverse osmosis which mechanically removes particles larger than the osmosis membrane can also remove some minerals in addition to pathogens depending on membrane size.

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:01 pm

What about purified water vs. distilled water? Someone told me it was the same thing so I've been using purified in my HH. Tonight, I went to store to get another jug and they were out. A manager said "can you use distilled"? I laughed because I could never find distilled and that's why I just bought purified. I didn't realize they sold distilled water in the bleach/laundry detergent aisle! grrrr...oh well..I've never had anything growing, water has always been crystal clear. Is there a major difference?

Mary

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:07 pm

Purified does not neccessarily mean distilled. In other words, all distilled water is purified but not all purified water is distilled.

If you have a choice, distilled should be the preferred for HH use.

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:35 pm

LOL..now I do..now that the blonde knows where to find it in her grocery store!

Mary

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:53 pm

Hey Mary, it's not just blondes, I didn't know that's where they stored it either.

Roberto, Will & Vader, thanks for your replies and great explanations, I appreciate it. I'll go with distilled.

Peter

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:39 am

I will venture into an area that I have a vast amount of ignorance.
I do not know what type or concentrations salts are left behind in purified or demineralized or RO water.
If a heavy ion such as Calcium or Magnesium is simply replaced in an Ion exchange, then the salts will remain as sodium or potassium.
They have a greater solubility, but will eventualy precipitate out when the water is deleted in the HH.
At some point all the minerals left will form a precipitate and become a film or scale on the sides or bottom of the container.
The less the total amt of these salts, the less the amt of precipitate, but at some point all will be salted out and form this precipitate.
The ONLY way there is no precipitate is for NO salts to be in the water as in distillation.
Those less ignorant than I can find the amt and type of solutes left after the water is demineralized.
Best advice remains is to use DISTILLED water and make it all moot.
No minerals, no pretipitates. tomjax

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:35 am

Thanks Peter, I feel better! Actually, the store manager said it's there because it's used in irons and I kindof looked at him and said, "ironing"? Something I hate to do...lol..but have just put in regular water..yikes! My mother swears she told me that but Martha Stewart I ain't!

Mask

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