Distilled Water at Woolworths: Price, Substitutes & DIY Guide

Anyone who has wandered the cleaning aisle at Woolworths looking for distilled water has probably spotted a bottle labelled “demineralised” and wondered if that counts. The short answer is yes—but the details matter, especially if you need pure water for appliances, a CPAP machine, or a DIY project, and this cuts through the confusion to show exactly what Woolworths stocks, where to find it, and what to do when the shelf is empty.

Brands available at Woolworths: David Gray’s Distilled Water 4L & Refresh Demineralised Water 2L · Aisle location: Laundry aisle · Availability restrictions: Refresh not in WA and NT

The key facts below summarise what is available and where it sits in store.

Can you buy distilled water at Woolworths?

Yes. Woolworths Australia sells at least two products that meet the definition of distilled or demineralised water. The most direct option is David Gray’s Water Distilled 2L (also available in a 4L size), listed on the Woolworths website and available for online ordering (Woolworths product page). In addition, Refresh Demineralised Water 2L is stocked in the laundry aisle of most Woolworths supermarkets, though it is not available in Western Australia or the Northern Territory (Refresh Distilled Water Facebook announcement).

The implication: if you need distilled water for an iron, CPAP machine, or battery top-up, you can buy it at Woolworths today. The catch is regional — those outside WA and NT have more choice.

Where to find distilled water in Woolworths stores

The laundry aisle is the correct location for Refresh Demineralised Water. For David Gray’s Distilled Water, in-store placement may vary; online ordering is the most reliable method if you cannot locate it on the shelf.

Online ordering and delivery options

Both products appear on the Woolworths website. David Gray’s Distilled Water 2L is listed at a price not displayed in the search snippet. Refresh Demineralised Water 2L is also available via online order, subject to delivery area restrictions.

The pattern: two brands, one aisle, and a regional gap — know your location before you shop.

Is distilled just boiled water?

No. Boiled water is only pasteurised — it kills bacteria and viruses but leaves dissolved minerals and salts behind. Distilled water, by contrast, is produced by evaporation and condensation: the water is boiled, the steam is captured and cooled, returning only pure H₂O (CPAPTalk forum discussion explaining the difference).

The pattern: boiling is a disinfection step; distillation is a purification step that removes nearly all dissolved solids.

Differences between distilled water and boiled water

• Boiled water: kills microbes but retains minerals, hardness ions, and chemical residues.
• Distilled water: removes >99.9% of dissolved solids, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chlorine.
• Practical consequence: using boiled water in an iron will eventually cause scale buildup; distilled water prevents it.

Why boiled water is not distilled

Simply boiling water does not separate the pure water from the dissolved solids. Only the phase change to steam and back to liquid achieves that separation. The YouTube DIY guide demonstrates that a basic pot-and-ice method can produce distilled water at home.

The catch: what works for your kettle will scale up your iron — choose accordingly.

What is a substitute for distilled water?

Demineralised water is the closest substitute available in Australian supermarkets. It is chemically very similar — both have had ions removed — and is often sold under that name at Woolworths. For most household uses, demineralised water works as a direct replacement.

Two common substitutes, with trade-offs:

Demineralised water as a substitute

Refresh Demineralised Water 2L is labelled as such in the laundry aisle. CPAP users report it works identically to distilled water for machine humidifiers (CPAPTalk forum user discussion).

Filtered water and tap water for specific uses

For irons and kettles, tap water leads to scale buildup. Filtered water reduces but does not eliminate the problem. For car batteries, some manufacturers allow tap water if it is soft, but distilled/demineralised is always safer to avoid mineral deposits that can short-circuit cells.

The implication: demineralised water is your fallback; tap water is a last resort.

How do I make my own distilled water?

Home distillation is possible with common kitchen equipment. The basic principle is to boil water, capture the steam, and cool it back into liquid, leaving impurities behind.

Materials needed for home distillation

• Large stainless steel pot with lid
• Ice cubes or cold pack
• Heat-safe glass or metal bowl (to collect distilled water)
• Stove or heat source
• Oven mitts

Step-by-step distillation process

1. Fill the pot halfway with tap water. Place the collection bowl inside the pot, floating or resting on a small trivet so it does not touch the bottom.
2. Turn the lid upside down (so the handle points downward) and place it on the pot.
3. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Place ice cubes on top of the inverted lid. The cold lid will cause steam to condense and drip into the collection bowl.
4. Let it boil for 30–60 minutes, replacing ice as needed. The bowl will collect distilled water.
5. Turn off the heat, carefully remove the lid and bowl, and let the distilled water cool. Store in a clean container.

This method yields about 1–2 cups per hour. It is useful for small appliances but inefficient for large quantities. For frequent use, buying bottled distilled or demineralised water is more convenient.

The pattern: DIY is a backup, not a long-term routine.

What do they call distilled water in Australia?

In Australian supermarkets, the term “distilled water” appears less often than “demineralised water”. The product Refresh Demineralised Water is effectively distilled water — it is purified by deionisation, which removes ions just as distillation does (Refresh Distilled Water brand page). Other terms like “deionised water” and “purified water” are also used in laboratory and pharmacy contexts.

The pattern: if the label says “demineralised” or “deionised”, it is chemically close enough to distilled for almost all household uses. The exception would be medical or laboratory applications that require minimum conductivity, but for irons, humidifiers, and batteries, it is a match.

Demineralised water as a common synonym

The Refresh product explicitly markets itself as “demineralised water” and is stocked in the laundry aisle at Woolworths. CPAP users on the forum treat it as interchangeable with distilled.

Other terms: deionised water, purified water

Deionised water (DI water) goes a step further than distillation by passing water through ion-exchange resins, removing even more ionic impurities. It is commonly used in labs and automotive cooling systems. Purified water is a broader term that may include reverse osmosis, distillation, or deionisation.

The catch: label language varies by brand — read before you buy.

We are excited to announce that Refresh Demineralised Water 2L is now sold in the laundry aisle of all Woolworths supermarkets except in WA and NT.

Refresh Distilled Water (official brand Facebook page)

I’ve been using demineralised water from Woolies in my CPAP for years with zero issues. It’s basically the same as distilled.

CPAPTalk forum member

Distilled water is only recommended to prevent mineral build up. Any drinking-safe water will do in a pinch.

CPAPTalk forum user

For Australian households, the most practical path is clear: pick up a bottle of David Gray’s Distilled Water or Refresh Demineralised Water on your next Woolworths trip. If you live in WA or NT, order David Gray’s online or buy from a pharmacy. Home distillation works but is slow and not a long-term solution. CPAP users, iron owners, and battery maintainers can buy the right bottle, save appliances from scale, and avoid the confusion between “distilled” and “demineralised” – for everyday use, they are the same thing.

For those specifically looking for the David Gray branded option, check out our detailed guide on the availability of distilled water at Woolworths.

Frequently asked questions