Distilled Water

bigtiller · Mar 13, 2012

Can it go bad? I have half a jug of it that has been on the shelf for several years that I only use for topping off batteries.

I have a feeling this is one of those questions that the answer is --- if you have to ask, you probably already know the answer.

kf4uda · Mar 13, 2012

Unless some organism got in it and grew, then it should be just fine. If it has been sealed setting on the shelf I don't see how anything could get in. The water in itself is not going to go bad.

DKCDKC · Mar 13, 2012

I keep distilled water for batteries and for various family medical devices. I have kept some for a year or more without a problem. The medical folks say that, since distilled water has nothing in it, it will keep indefinitely. Since is is in a plastic bottle, however, eventually there may be a tiny bit of plastic substances that move into the water, but so small an amount it probably cannot be detected.

patrick_g · Mar 13, 2012

The plastic getting into the water is definitely detectable but not harmful to batteries at those low concentrations. Like everyone said, no worries mate. If you don't see any discoloration to indicate biologic growth due to inadvertent contamination then the water is as good now as when purchased. Also it should pass the smell test. It will probably just smell like a plastic container. If there is some other smell it might have become contaminated.

Patrick

kenmac · Mar 13, 2012

At 88 cents per gallon. I would just buy a new gallon

bigtiller · Mar 13, 2012

I gave it the look and sniff test then topped off the battery. Thanks for the advise! I figured if I just poured it in without asking, with my luck, the garage would burn down.

Mace Canute · Mar 14, 2012

bigtiller said:
I gave it the look and sniff test then topped off the battery. Thanks for the advise! I figured if I just poured it in without asking, with my luck, the garage would burn down.

A look and sniff test! Oh pshaw, pshaw! Just have a good swig and a gargle!

buickanddeere · Mar 14, 2012

It will be fine. Good to hear you have good sense and use distiller water in batteries and cooling systems. Those folk who use water from the tap have no clue.

David_Kb7uns · Mar 14, 2012

You better watch out for what they are passing for distilled water. There is a company out here that is doing reverse osmosis, micro filtered and UV treated water as distilled. The people in the store said it was equal but it is not, close but not the same. As for shelf life old stuff is fine for batteries and radiators but I would get fresh for medical uses.

David Kb7uns