Distilled water doesn’t go bad, right?
Don’t stress. Today, we’re running through how to store distilled water, how long it lasts, and whether it goes bad.
Whether you use distilled water in home appliances – think humidifier, iron, CPAP machine – or you like to drink it, you’ll find all the info you need here.
What’s the lowdown?
Because distilled water is free of impurities, it won’t go off as long as it’s unopened. Once it has been opened, though, the air and packing will react with the water, making it smell and taste funky after a week or so.
What Is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is a type of purified water made by boiling water into vapor and then condensing it in a separate container. This process means the impurities are left in the initial container, away from the newly distilled water.
That means distilled water is great for people trying to detox and free their bodies from impurities. It’s also good for home appliances like humidifiers, as using regular, unpurified water can promote bacteria growth in the moisture you’re breathing in!
Signs Your Distilled Water Has Gone Bad
Before your distilled water has been opened, it’s pretty unlikely that it’s gone bad, provided you’ve stored it appropriately. More on that later.
With unopened distilled water, look for issues with the bottle or container, like a broken seal. If you find any, your water is probably contaminated, so it’s time for the bin.
Once your distilled water is open, it does fare better than its non-purified counterpart, being affected less by bacteria in the air and packaging.
You shouldn’t drink your distilled water if it smells or tastes funky. It probably isn’t the water that has caused this but the packaging itself. Discard if you find any changes in odor or taste.
As for distilled water for home appliances, you should go by the recommended expiration dates. But don’t worry – using old distilled water in your appliances won’t damage them.
If you’ve found that your distilled water is indeed bad, there are plenty of uses for old distilled water, like:
- Watering plants
- Using 2-week-old distilled drinking water in home appliances
- Cleaning
How To Store Distilled Water
Storing distilled water is pretty simple.
For unopened distilled water, whether for drinking or for use in home appliances, store it in a cool, dry place, like your pantry.
How To Store Distilled Water For Home Appliances
Once opened, keep the container tightly sealed when not in use. Since you’re not drinking it, your distilled water is fine to be left in the pantry or utility room.
Remember to keep away from solvents and chemicals.
For long-term storage, opt for a high-density polyethylene container. These are impact-resistant, corrosive-proof, light-limiting, and temperature-regulating.
How To Store Distilled Water for Drinking
Once you’ve opened or made your own distilled water, you should either leave it in the bottle it came in or transfer it to a glass bottle or BPA-free food-grade bottle.
Remember to seal the bottle or tank securely every time you’re finished using it.
How Long Distilled Water Lasts
Distilled water, before opening, provided the packaging is intact, basically lasts indefinitely.
Once opened, your distilled water for home appliances will last for up to 1-2 years.
Water you’ve distilled at home or open distilled water for drinking will last for 4-7 days in the pantry and up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
So, Does Distilled Water Go Bad?
Well, basically, no.
At least, not when it’s still sealed, as long as the packaging is still intact.
You can tell if your distilled water is off through any changes in taste or smell. If you catch any, play it safe and pour your water down the sink.
