Where to Buy Distilled Water: In-Store, Delivery, & Bulk Options Listed

Distilled water has a wide variety of applications ranging from everyday household activities to complex medical procedures. You can usually find small containers of distilled water at your local grocery store, but if you need high-grade distilled water or you need to buy in bulk, you’ll likely need to look elsewhere.

Below, we give a brief overview of the common uses for distilled water, then we list the places (both in-store and online) where you can buy various types and quantities of distilled water or get it delivered to you.

Uses for Distilled Water

Distilled water is created by boiling water and collecting the resulting water vapor. Through this process, any microbes in the water are destroyed, and most minerals and chemicals that were in the water are left behind. The result is a very pure type of water that has many advantages for certain home, automotive, and medical uses.

Home Uses

• Appliances like irons, steam cleaners, and humidifiers (depending on what the product manual specifies)
• Cleaning (Since the distillation process removes minerals from the water, distilled water will not leave streaks or watermarks on surfaces.)
• Home aquariums
• Cooking and canning

Home use of distilled water does not require the same grade of cleanliness as distilled water used in hospitals or laboratories (which may be referred to as laboratory or reagent grade distilled water).

Automotive Uses

• Lead-acid batteries (to prevent mineral deposits and corrosion)
• Automotive cooling systems

Medical Uses

• Autoclave chambers (for sterilizing medical tools)
• Dialysis machines
• Surgeries
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines for sleep apnea patients
• Food preparation for high-risk patients

For hospitals and other medical occupations, higher quality distilled water is likely required. Delivery service of high grade distilled water is likely preferred, or the hospital/lab may purchase a commercial water distiller. Typically, higher grade distilled water for use in hospitals and laboratories is stored in glass or stainless steel containers (instead of plastic).

What We Recommend

Whether you need to buy distilled water in bulk or small containers, Amazon will likely be the cheapest and most inexpensive option. It sells both standard and higher grade distilled water, so you can usually find the right type and quantity to fit your needs.

For in-store options, consider your local grocery store or drugstore, as well as places like Target and Walmart. Most sell distilled water in one-gallon containers. If you need higher grade distilled water, consider ordering online from an industrial supply company like ChemWorld, Research Products International, or ThermoFisher.

The List

Depending on the type and quantity of distilled water you need, there are several places where you can buy it, both in-store and online. Below, we list the grocery stores, drugstores stores, big box stores, online retailers, and industrial supply stores that sell distilled water. We’ve ordered the list starting with the most convenient options and water availability.

You can use the table below for a quick comparison of available types and quantities, then select any store or scroll for more information.

Amazon

• Type: Standard quality or high grade
• Quantities: Small bottles, one-gallon plastic containers, and multi-packs
• Order online

Target

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Order online or find a store

Albertsons

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One- to 2.5-gallon plastic containers
• Order online or find a store

Kroger

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Order online or find a store

Safeway

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One- to 2.5-gallon plastic containers
• Order online or find a store

Food Lion

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Order online or find a store

Walmart

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Find a store

Rite Aid

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Order online or find a store

CVS

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Find a store

Walgreens

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Find a store

SuperValu

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: One-gallon plastic containers
• Find a store

ChemWorld

• Type: High grade
• Quantities: Containers from eight ounces to 275 gallons
• Order online

Research Products International

• Type: High grade
• Quantities: Containers from four liters to 55 gallons
• Order online

ThermoFisher

• Type: High grade
• Quantities: Multi-packs of 100- to 1,000-milliliter containers
• Order online

Costco

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: Six-packs of one-gallon plastic containers
• Order online or find a store

Note: You must be a member to shop at Costco

Sam’s Club

• Type: Standard quality
• Quantities: Six-packs of one-gallon plastic containers
• Find a store

Note: You must be a member to shop at Sam’s Club

Distilled Water Delivery Services

You may be able to find delivery services for your preferred brand of distilled water, depending on your location. Note that distilled water distributors typically only supply standard-grade water, not higher grade distilled water for medical uses. Most offer the option of either one-time delivery or an ongoing subscription (typically monthly). The following companies offer distilled water delivery services, ordered starting with the companies with the broadest service areas:

Hinckley Springs (Crystal Water Brand)

• Options: Five-gallon plastic containers; standard quality
• Service area: Varies; enter your zip code on the company website to see if delivery is available in your area.
• Sign up online

Culligan

• Options: Three- and five-gallon plastic bottles; standard or high quality
• Service area: Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin
• Sign up online

Note: Unlike most other delivery services, Culligan also offers medical- and laboratory-grade distilled water.

ArrowHead Direct

• Options: One-gallon plastic bottles; standard quality
• Service area: Southwestern U.S.
• Sign up online

Deer Park Delivery

• Options: One-gallon plastic bottles; standard quality
• Service area: East coast from Pennsylvania to Virginia, plus Georgia.
• Sign up online

Poland Spring

• Options: One-gallon plastic bottles; standard quality
• Service area: Northeastern U.S.
• Sign up online

Ice Mountain Delivery

• Options: One-gallon plastic containers; standard quality
• Service area: Midwestern U.S. from Wisconsin to Ohio.
• Sign up online

Mountain Glacier

• Options: One-, five-, and 55-gallon containers; standard quality
• Service area: New York, Tennessee, Indiana, and Texas
• Sign up online

Ozarka

• Options: One-gallon plastic containers; standard quality
• Service area: Texas
• Sign up online

In Summary

For most uses, the cheapest and most convenient option to purchase distilled water will likely be through Amazon (which also sells distilled water in bulk) or at your local grocery store. If you need distilled water for a specific use, check online at specialty chemical or laboratory supply stores like ChemWorld, Research Products International, or ThermoFisher. If you need a regular supply of distilled water, consider a regional distilled water delivery service or Hinckley Springs, which serves a large portion of the U.S.

For more about buying specialized types of water, we list where to buy deionized water.