💧 Distilled vs Deionised Water — What’s the Difference?

Q: Is distilled water the same as deionised water?
A: No. Distilled water is purified by boiling and condensation, while deionised water is filtered to remove charged ions. Both are very pure, but they’re used for different purposes.

If you’re unsure which to buy, this quick guide explains the difference, common uses, and how to choose the right one for your home, lab, or business.

At The Somerset Clearwater Company, we produce both distilled and deionised water in-house at our Somerset facility — ensuring UK-made quality, consistency, and purity in every drop.

If you’re specifically choosing water for your steam iron, our Best Water for Steam Irons guide explains exactly which type protects your appliance best.

⚗️ What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is made by heating water until it turns to steam, then cooling it back into liquid. This process removes minerals, salts, and many contaminants — leaving ultra-pure water ideal for delicate applications.

Benefits of Distilled Water

• Free from minerals and contaminants

• Neutral pH and stable over time

• Safe for medical and household use

Common Uses

• CPAP and humidifier machines

• Steam irons

• Car batteries and radiators

• Skincare and cosmetics

• Laboratory rinsing and testing

  Learn more about why distilled water keeps irons performing better in our Why Use Distilled Water in Steam Irons article.

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⚡ What Is Deionised Water?

Deionised (DI) water is purified using ion-exchange resins that remove charged particles like calcium, magnesium, and chloride. It’s highly conductive-free water used in technical and cleaning applications.

Benefits of Deionised Water

• Removes ions that cause limescale or residue

• Ideal for glass and electronics cleaning

• Quick and energy-efficient production

Common Uses

• Electronics and PCB rinsing

• Window and glass cleaning

• Car valeting and detailing

• Industrial washing

• Lab experiments (non-sterile applications)

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🧩 Distilled vs Deionised — Which Should You Use?

Recommended water types:

• CPAP machines & medical devices — Distilled water

• Steam irons — Distilled water

• Car batteries & radiators — Distilled or Deionised

• Skincare & cosmetics — Distilled water

• Lab testing — Depends on required purity

• Electronics rinsing — Deionised water

• Window & glass cleaning — Deionised water

• Industrial rinsing — Deionised water

💡 Quick rule: use distilled for appliances and health devices, deionised for cleaning and industry.

Curious about boiled water vs distilled water? Our article explains the difference: Is Distilled Water Just Boiled Water?

🇬🇧 Why Choose The Somerset Clearwater Company?

We don’t just bottle bulk water — we manufacture it ourselves in Somerset. That gives you:

• Traceable, UK-made purity

• Consistent, high-quality batches

• Retail and trade options

• Fast, nationwide delivery

Whether for home, lab, or commercial use, you can rely on Somerset-manufactured purity and performance.

To understand how to spot imitation products and ensure genuine quality, read our Counterfeit Distilled Water Warning.

🚚 Ready to Order?

Explore our distilled and deionised water in 5L, 10L, and 25L containers, shipped directly from Somerset.

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Want to know where to buy distilled water in the UK? Read our guide: Where to Buy Distilled Water in the UK