How important is distilled water?

[AshleyR]

Another newbie question! Hope you all don't mind....

Is it REALLY important to use DISTILLED water when making soap?

I've noticed that a few sources have said that you can use distilled OR regular tap water, but that distilled was "preferred".

As I've mentioned in other posts, I live in a really tiny town with no access to a lot of supplies, so I'm wondering if using plain 'ole tap water in my soap will really be a big deal. Will the soap totally flop?

Thanks!

 

[SimplyE]

Hi Ashley,

My first couple of batches I just used water out of my tap, which is well water, and they turned out fine. I don't use water anymore though, and use aloe juice and goatmilk, and last week even used beer.

I believe some people do use distilled water, but if you do a search, I believe that other people use tap water with fine results. I am pretty new still, so I can't really tell you why on either. I am sure someone will jump in though.

Hows the lye hunt?

ETA: If I had read further, I would have realized you found lye! Awesome!

 

[soapaddict]

Depends on what is in your water. I get terrible ash if I use even filtered tap water so I stick with distilled.

 

[Woodi]

Hard water contains minerals which may affect quality of finished soap, but many people use straight tap water without problems.

Our well ater is UV filtered and passed through a salt softener bath. I use it without any problems.

 

[Healinya]

My first batch I forgot to use distilled, used tap instead. Thru it away after a month of curing - it was crumbly and just icky-looking. Of course, this is dirty tampa water, I won't even drink it because if you fill a glass and let it sit - you see sediment at the bottom.

Also, for 69 cents a gallon - is it even worth chancing it. Your tap water may be fine today, but contaminated tomorrow for whatever reason.

 

[MikeInPdx]

Portland has very clean, very soft tap water so that's what I use. I've never had a problem.

 

[AshleyR]

Thanks everyone. I've made two batches so far using tap water, and no problems yet! I think our water is pretty clean.

 

[Healinya]

I'm jeaous of you guys and your fancy clean water :roll: I bet you guys even use it to cook with... and your clothes aren't dingy after three washings..


I still think you should use distilled a few times, just so you can compare.