Water quality varies significantly, impacting its use in homes and industries. A key characteristic is water hardness, which refers to the concentration of dissolved minerals within it.
Understanding Water Hardness
Water hardness refers to the concentration of dissolved minerals within it, primarily calcium and magnesium ions. Water becomes “hard” as it percolates through geological formations like limestone and gypsum, dissolving these minerals along the way. Conversely, “soft water” contains a low concentration of these minerals.
Hard water often leaves distinct signs in a household. You might notice a film on your hands after washing, caused by soap reacting with calcium to form soap scum. Spotting on dishes and glassware, mineral stains on clothes, and limescale buildup on fixtures and appliances are also common indicators of hard water. In contrast, soft water allows soap and shampoo to lather easily, resulting in cleaner-feeling skin and hair, and leaves no mineral residue on surfaces or fabrics.
How Distilled Water is Made
Distilled water is produced through a purification process known as distillation, one of the oldest methods of water treatment. This method involves heating water to its boiling point, causing it to transform into steam. As the water vapor rises, it leaves behind most impurities, minerals, and other dissolved solids that do not vaporize with the water.
The purified steam is then collected and cooled in a separate chamber, where it condenses back into liquid water. This condensed liquid is distilled water, characterized by its high purity due to the effective removal of inorganic compounds like metals, nitrates, and hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Distilled Water is Soft
Distilled water is unequivocally considered soft water. The distillation process effectively removes almost all dissolved minerals, including the calcium and magnesium ions that cause water hardness. The boiling and condensation steps ensure these mineral impurities are left behind, resulting in water with extremely low mineral content and virtually no hardness.
The inherent softness and purity of distilled water make it suitable for various specialized applications where mineral buildup or impurities would be detrimental. It is commonly used in steam irons to prevent scale, in medical applications, and in laboratories for experiments requiring highly purified water. The absence of dissolved minerals also impacts its taste; many describe distilled water as “flat” or “bland” because the minerals typically contribute to water’s flavor profile. While safe to drink, its lack of minerals means it does not contribute to dietary mineral intake.