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What Is Deionized Water?
Deionized water is water that has had most of its dissolved mineral ions removed, includingcommon ones like sodium, calcium, iron, copper, chloride, and sulfate. This is achieved througha process called ion exchange, where both positively and negatively charged ions areeliminated. If you need a quick chemistry refresher: ions are atoms with an electrical charge;positive ions have more protons than electrons, and negative ions have more electrons thanprotons.
By stripping away these ions, the resulting water becomes highly pure and non-conductive,making it ideal for specialized uses such as laboratory experiments, industrial processes, andelectronic manufacturing.
While water doesn’t have charged ions in its chemical structure, it can hold them as dissolved minerals. Positively charged ions found in water are called cations and can include:
- Lead
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Copper
- Calcium
- Sodium
If the ions have a negative charge, they’re called anions. Anions typically include:
- Nitrate
- Sulfate
- Fluoride
- Chloride
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How to Deionize Water
Deionization is typically a two-step process. The first step is filtration in an ion exchange resin. As water flows through this filter, it forces the ions to exchange with other molecules. Hydrogen ions replace cations, and hydroxide ions replace anions. The hydrogen and hydroxide eventually combine to form a new water molecule.
The second step is called reverse osmosis. It works by using pressure to force the water molecules through a membrane. The water molecules are small enough to pass through with ease. However, larger particles, like minerals and contaminants, get trapped and left behind.
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Benefits of Deionized Water
Deionized water has a ton of benefits for the scientific community. Because it has such small levels of impurities, it can be used for manufacturing drugs and cleaning sensitive equipment. But what about in your home?
Deionized water has fewer contaminants, so it’s excellent for cleaning windows and other glass surfaces. You might notice less streaking and staining — especially on dishes and silverware.
Your appliances will also love deionized water. With fewer minerals and contaminants flowing through, there may be less scale buildup, helping to extend the life of dishwashers, washing machines, and more.
Better Tasting Water in Your Home
Now that you know more about deionized water, you might be wondering — is it a good choice for my home? In most cases, no.
Deionized water lacks many helpful minerals we typically consume in water (like calcium and magnesium), so it’s not suitable for long-term drinking. Deionization also doesn’t kill off microorganisms or bacteria, which can affect your health.
Instead of seeking out an ion exchange resin filtration system for your home, you’re better off looking for standard all-house water filtration. These systems deliver great-tasting water right from the tap.
Whatever water filtration or purification system you’re looking for, Pentair is here to help. Enjoy water you can trust for your whole home.
Water 101
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