What is the pH and TDS of Distilled Water? An In-Depth Guide for You

Hey there! As an expert in home renovation and repair, I know having access to clean, safe water is so important for both your home and health. In this guide, I‘ll be providing a deep-dive into two key measurements that tell you the quality of distilled water – pH and total dissolved solids or TDS. I‘ll explain what these levels mean, ideal values, and how you can best use distilled water in your home. My goal is to give you a comprehensive understanding so you can fully utilize this highly purified water source. Let‘s get started!

A Closer Look at Distilled Water

Before we get into pH and TDS, let‘s quickly go over what exactly distilled water is.

Distillation is one of the best purification methods that uses evaporation to remove impurities from water. Here‘s how it works:

The original water source is boiled, causing it to turn into steam

This steam is captured and cooled, condensing it back into liquid water

The condensed distilled water is collected in a separate container

In this process, nearly 100% of contaminants and dissolved minerals are left behind, leaving just pure H20 in its most basic form.

Distillation removes up to 99.9% of:

Dissolved salts like sodium, calcium, and magnesium

Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury

Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa

Chemical pollutants such as pesticides and industrial compounds

Sediments and particulate matter

This makes distilled water one of the purest types of water you can find. It meets strict purity standards for medical, laboratory, and pharmaceutical applications. But it‘s also readily available for drinking, cooking, and household uses after remineralization.

Now let‘s look at what the pH and TDS levels tell you about distilled water quality.

pH of Distilled Water – Why a Neutral Value is Ideal

Let‘s start with pH, which stands for "potential hydrogen". The pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline water is, rated on a scale of 0 to 14:

0-6.9 = Acidic

7 = Neutral

7.1-14 = Alkaline

Pure distilled water has a neutral pH around 7, which is neither acidic nor alkaline. This is because distillation removes ions like calcium and magnesium that can shift pH up or down.

According to the U.S. Pharmacopeia standards, the acceptable pH range for purified distilled water is between 5 to 7. More alkaline water can absorb chemicals like carbon dioxide from the air after distillation, lowering purity.

Here‘s a table showing how pH changes can indicate contamination in stored distilled water:

pH Level	Indication
5-7	Pure, neutral pH
5.5-6	Slight drop from CO2 absorption
8+	Rise from container leaching

As you can see, the ideal pH for freshly distilled water falls within the neutral 5 to 7 range. Higher or lower readings could mean contamination.

Neutral pH distilled water is perfectly safe for drinking and mixing in beverages or food. It also has excellent cleaning properties without being too harsh.

How Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Levels Demonstrate Purity

Now let‘s look at total dissolved solids or TDS. This measures the amount of inorganic salts and minerals dissolved in the water. Distilled water has extremely low TDS due to the removal of nearly all dissolved compounds.

TDS includes:

• Calcium and magnesium
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Sulfate
• Nitrate

TDS is measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). Purified distilled water has less than 10 ppm TDS. For high-purity needs, TDS should not exceed 5 ppm.

Higher TDS indicates more dissolved minerals and impurities remaining after distillation. Here‘s a simple chart:

TDS Level	Water Quality
0-10 ppm	Pure distilled water
10-30 ppm	Acceptable for drinking
100+ ppm	May indicate contamination

As you can see, those super low TDS values under 10 ppm are ideal for distilled water used for drinking, cooking, and other household purposes.

Higher TDS readings over 20 ppm could signify:

• Residues from an incomplete distillation
• Absorption of atmospheric gases like CO2
• Leaching of minerals from storage containers

So when buying or making distilled water, aim for less than 10 ppm TDS for the highest quality!

Is Distilled Water with Low Minerals Safe to Drink?

You might wonder if pure distilled water that‘s low in minerals is actually safe or healthy to drink.

While it‘s true distilled water lacks beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, it is perfectly safe to drink if you follow a few simple steps:

• Remineralize: Adding a pinch of Celtic sea salt or drops of a mineral supplement elevates minerals to healthy levels while stabilizing the water.

• Ensure neutral pH: Test that your distilled water has a pH around 7 before drinking. This indicates freshness and prevents an overly acidic or alkaline mineral balance.

• Consume mineral-rich foods: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds to obtain key minerals and electrolytes missing in distilled water.

Following these steps, you can safely take advantage of distilled water‘s pure composition and high hydration without any mineral deficiencies. Personally, I drink distilled water daily and my doctor says my mineral levels are totally normal.

How TDS Level Affects Drinking Water Quality and Health

To give you a full understanding of TDS, let‘s examine how it impacts drinking water quality and your health:

• 0-50 ppm – Very low TDS indicates excellent water purity. May be lacking in beneficial minerals but ideal for detoxification.
• 50-150 ppm – Good drinking water quality, minerals provide light taste.
• 150-300 ppm – Fair quality, high enough mineral content to potentially affect taste, odor and color.
• 300-500 ppm – Poor quality with high TDS approaching undesirable levels. Can contribute to scale buildup in pipes and appliances.
• 500+ ppm – High TDS makes water unfit for consumption and potentially unhealthy depending on composition of dissolved solids.

Based on these TDS guidelines, you can see that distilled water falls into the ideal 0-50 ppm range for drinking water quality and purity.

On the health side, here are the potential issues with high TDS water:

• Gastrointestinal irritation
• Change in bowel movements
• Kidney stress from excess minerals
• Increased risk of kidney stones
• Potential toxicity from heavy metals

So when it comes to your health, lower TDS distilled water is the way to go. Of course, always talk to your doctor about your personal water intake needs.

How Do TDS and pH Levels Differ?

Now that you understand TDS and pH, it‘s important to know that they are two separate water measurements:

TDS

• Measures dissolved mineral content
• Reported in ppm or mg/L
• Affects taste, odor, color

pH

• Measures acidity or alkalinity
• Scale of 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline)
• Affects corrosion and mineral solubility

While related, TDS represents the solid composition and pH represents the acid-base balance. You can have water with low TDS and high pH or high TDS and low pH.

Checking both TDS and pH gives you a complete picture of your distilled water‘s quality and mineral characteristics. Pretty cool how these two measurements work together, huh?

Ideal pH Range for Drinking Water

Now that you understand pH, let‘s look at the ideal range for drinking water:

• 6.5 – 8.5 pH – Acceptable range
• 7.0 to 8.0 pH – Optimal for drinking

The EPA regulates that public drinking water must fall between 6.5 to 8.5 pH to control corrosion in pipes. For the best taste and health benefits, aim for a neutral pH around 7.

Alkaline water with pH over 8.5 may have a bitter, unpleasant taste. Acidic water under 6.5 pH can leach heavy metals from plumbing and causes corrosion.

Distilled water with a freshly neutralized pH from 5 to 7 falls well within the target range for safe drinking. However, it does not contain minerals to stabilize the pH over time.

Why Add Minerals Back to Distilled Water?

Even though purity is the goal, distilled water with ultra-low TDS under 10 ppm is considered "unstable". This means it is hungry to interact with substances that raise its pH and mineral levels.

If left unmodified, distilled water can:

• Absorb carbon dioxide from air, lowering pH
• Leach minerals from containers and pipes
• Produce a flat, unpalatable taste

To optimize distilled water for drinking, a process called remineralization is recommended. This involves adding back healthy minerals to raise TDS to around 50-100 ppm.

Benefits of remineralization include:

• Stabilizes pH between 7 and 8
• Adds electrolytes like magnesium and potassium
• Improves taste
• Reduces corrosion of pipes and fixtures

A simple way is to add a tiny pinch of natural sea salt or drops of a mineral concentrate. This balances the water for optimal stability, flavor, and health benefits.

Properly Storing Distilled Water

One downside of distilled water’s purity is it tends to absorb impurities easily during storage. Here are my top tips for keeping your distilled water contaminant-free:

• Use glass, stainless steel or food-grade plastic containers – avoid leaching from regular plastics
• Thoroughly clean containers before each use
• Fill containers completely to the top with no airspace
• Seal tightly to prevent gas absorption
• Store in a cool, dark place and avoid sunlight exposure
• Limit storage time to less than 6 months
• After opening, use within 1-2 weeks

Following these rules minimizes chemical absorption and container leaching. I recommend smaller containers to use up opened distilled water quickly. Proper storage keeps it fresher for longer!

10 Unique Ways To Use Distilled Water At Home

Okay, so now that you know all about distilled water quality – here are some great ways I recommend using it around your home:

1. Drinking water – Enjoy pure refreshment and hydration

2. Coffee and tea – Allows true flavors to shine

3. Humidifiers – Prevents white dust on furniture

4. Irons and steamers – Stops mineral buildup

5. CPAP machines – Keeps components crud-free

6. Auto batteries – Prevents corrosion from minerals

7. Aquariums – Creates a healthy fish environment

8. Sensitive skin care – Gently cleanses without irritation

9. Polishing mirrors and windows – Leaves a streak-free shine

10. Rinsing produce – Removes pesticides and wax coatings

With so many uses, distilled water is a multi-purpose must-have for your home and health!

Are Home Water Distillers Worth It?

Distilled water is fairly cheap to buy at the store, so you may wonder if a home distiller is worth the investment.

In my opinion, yes – here‘s why:

• Convenience of unlimited distilled water right at home
• Removes the need to lug heavy bottles from the store
• More eco-friendly than disposable plastic jugs
• Pays for itself over time compared to store costs
• Distillers can produce 3-5 gallons per day

High quality home distillers from brands like Megahome and AquaNui are made of stainless steel and include carbon filters. This lets you easily get the same purity as store-bought.

My favorite is the AquaNui countertop distiller which provides 4 gallons daily and runs at only 5 cents per gallon – saving me tons of money and plastic waste!

So while the initial investment might seem high, over time a home distiller can definitely be worth it for convenience and cost savings. And you have total control over the water quality.

Is Distilled Water Safe for Infant Formula?

One important question new parents often ask is whether distilled water is safe for mixing baby formula. The answer is yes – with a few precautions.

Here are my tips for safely using distilled water for infant formula:

• Add a tiny pinch of natural sea salt or mineral drops to raise TDS and stabilize pH
• Test pH to ensure it‘s between 7 and 8 before mixing
• Heat water to boiling for sterilization then cool before mixing formula
• Carefully follow formula directions for mixing powder and water ratios

The extra step of adding a trace of minerals brings distilled water to the ideal range for infant consumption. And the boiling ensures there are no harmful microbes present.

By following these steps, you can feel good knowing your baby is getting super purified, contaminant-free water safe for their developing little bodies!

Unique Health Benefits of Distilled Water

Thanks to its extra purity, distilled water offers some exclusive health perks:

• Rapid hydration – Low TDS allows fast absorption into cells
• Toxin removal – Helps flush waste and heavy metals from body
• Nutrient delivery – Promotes circulation of vitamins and minerals
• Supplement aid – Boosts absorption of supplements taken with distilled water
• Detox support – Provides pure hydration during cleanses and fasts

Drinking 1-2 liters of properly remineralized distilled water per day can supercharge hydration, remove impurities, and deliver key health advantages not found in tap or spring water.

Personally, I drink distilled water daily and really notice benefits like better digestion, increased energy, glowing skin and reduced allergy symptoms. But of course check with your doctor about your personal water intake needs.

Let‘s Sum It All Up!

Alright, after reading this monster guide – give yourself a pat on the back! You now know all about the pH, TDS, safety, uses and benefits of distilled water.

The key takeaways are:

• Distillation removes nearly 100% of impurities, producing highly purified water
• The ideal pH of distilled water is a neutral value around 7
• Low TDS under 10 ppm indicates excellent purity
• Remineralization optimizes distilled water for drinking
• Proper storage and handling maintains purity
• Distilled water has many uses that benefit your home and health!

Hopefully you feel like a distilled water expert now! I‘m confident having this in-depth knowledge will help you maximize the many advantages of this fantastically pure water source.

Let me know if you have any other distilled water questions. I‘m always happy to chat more about how to optimize your home and health through water quality – two topics I‘m absolutely passionate about.