Can alcohol damage circuits?

Author: Dr. Fanny Ullrich MD  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

Not all electronic components are compatible with isopropyl alcohol cleaning, however. In particular, polycarbonate electronic components, typically in PCBs, seals and gaskets, are extremely harmed by exposure to an isopropyl alcohol cleaning solution.

Does alcohol damage circuit boards?

Isopropyl alcohol is a great circuit board cleaner because it is cheap, widely available and evaporates quickly. Compared to other cleaners, alcohol contains fewer chemicals. It is also relatively non-toxic. Isopropyl alcohol used to clean PCBs should be 90% grade or better.

How does alcohol affect electricity?

Because alcohol is a covalent molecule, it does not transmit electricity. As a result, it does not allow free electrons to pass through it. Because the bonding inside the alcohol molecule is strong enough to prevent the water molecules from breaking the connections, it does not ionise in water.

What alcohol doesn't damage electronics?

High concentrations of Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) are great for electronics, even preferred. For example, 99% IPA is only 1% water and therefore will dry very quickly on its own and pose no corrosion risk.

Can you use 70% alcohol on electronics?

Yes, 70% isopropyl alcohol(IPA ) is safe for electronics. Rubbing alcohol (IPA) is used as a disinfectant on electronics products.

The Ugly Truth About Alcohol’s Effect On Your Brain. | Dr Daniel Amen

What's the difference between rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol?

No – isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol are not the same thing. Isopropyl alcohol is pure alcohol and is a colorless liquid with a musty, sharp odor. There are no other ingredients in a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. By contrast, rubbing alcohol contains isopropyl alcohol among other ingredients, such as water.

Is 70% isopropyl alcohol conductive?

Isopropyl alcohol itself is not conductive. A 99% or even 70% alcohol/water solution will only be as conductive as the water portion, inhibited somewhat by the alcohol. It is conductive enough to worry about, though, so don't run the electronics involved until they're completely dry.

Is 100% isopropyl alcohol safe for electronics?

Isopropyl alcohol removes oils, adhesives, fingerprints, soldering flux and other contaminants, making it ideal for cleaning electronics. However, it is important to note that only alcohol with a grade of 90% or more should be employed on circuit boards and other internal electronics.

How to clean a circuit board without alcohol?

Combine Baking Soda and Distilled Water – This will be your PCB cleaner solution. You'll need about ¼ a cup of baking soda and one or two tablespoons of water and mix until you have a thick paste. 3. Clean with Your Brush – Using your soft-bristled brush, start to clean with your solution.

Is rubbing alcohol electrically conductive?

As far as alcohol yes. The conductivity of isopropyl alcohol (which is commonly the major component of rubbing alcohol) is typically 6 μS. m−1, so it is very low (typical value for a metal would be multiple millions of S.m−1!).

Will isopropyl alcohol damage my phone?

Do not use rubbing alcohol, paper towels, compressed air, dish soap or vinegar. All of these can damage your phone: Paper towels can scratch your screen, and vinegar could damage its coating. Do not use hand sanitizer on your phone screen, but do sanitize your hands before touching your phone.

Can I clean my laptop with isopropyl alcohol?

Using a moist soft cloth, wipe off the surface of the laptop keyboard. If necessary, use a mild cleaning solution such as isopropyl alcohol solution (DO NOT USE ethyl alcohol) for difficult spills or messes. This will also disinfect the surface. Note: Always spray or moisten the cloth, not the laptop.

What liquid destroys electronics?

Clean water, like rainwater or water out of a tap, can damage internal circuitry if it gets inside electronics because it contains impurities.

Can you use 70 isopropyl alcohol to clean screens?

Can I use isopropyl alcohol directly on the screen to clean tough stains? It's not recommended to apply isopropyl alcohol directly on the screen. Instead, dampen a microfiber cloth with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and water mixture. Excessive alcohol can harm the screen coatings, so use it sparingly.

What usually goes bad on a circuit board?

Power Component Failure. (Includes transformers, transistors, IGBT modules, rectifiers). Causes of failure: heat, over or under voltage, normal component aging. Some problems can be visible such as exploded components, or, more often, they could look perfectly good and require meter testing of each component.

Can you use WD-40 to clean a circuit board?

WD-40 Specialist® Contact Cleaner

Safe and ideal for use on printed circuit boards, controls, battery terminals, switches, precision instruments and electric panels.

Can I use 91 isopropyl alcohol to clean?

Basically, a 90 or 91 percent alcohol solution is too powerful in some cases: It fries the outside of the cell before it can get into the inside and kill the actual germ. 70 percent alcohol is just the right proportion of water and alcohol to zap the entire cell.

What is safe to clean a circuit board with?

Dampen a lint-free towel or cotton swab with a suitable cleaning agent, such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, or baking soda. Gently wipe the surface of the circuit board, focusing on areas with visible dirt or residue. Avoid applying excessive pressure or scrubbing, as this can damage the components.

Is rubbing alcohol the same as isopropyl alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol are not the same. Rubbing alcohol consists of isopropyl alcohol and some water. Sometimes it contains other additional ingredients. On the other hand, isopropyl alcohol is pure alcohol with little to no water and other ingredients.

How to clean a circuit board with alcohol?

How to Remove Wet Contaminants From a PCB
  1. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA): Dip a cotton swab in IPA and gently wipe the board with it to loosen and remove grease and oil. ...
  2. Demineralized water: Though using IPA is the preferred method, wiping the board with demineralized water can help you remove any wet contaminants.

Does isopropyl alcohol leave a residue when it dries?

It is safe on most painted surfaces, plastics, and elastomers. It leaves no residue, evaporates quickly relative to water, and does not cause corrosion.

What percentage of isopropyl alcohol is safe for electronics?

You can use 70%, 91%, or 99% isopropyl alcohol to clean various types of electronics – what you choose will depend on what you're cleaning. For externals – such as disinfecting your smartphone or TV remote – 60-70 percent will do a better job.

What can I use instead of rubbing alcohol for cleaning electronics?

Solvents such as; acetone, paint thinner, benzene, methylene chloride or toluene. Ammonia (i.e. Windex) Ethyl alcohol.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean electronics?

Another safe and effective disinfectant for electronics is hydrogen peroxide. This disinfectant is often used in hospitals and other medical settings because it's very effective at killing germs and bacteria. Look for a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant that is at least 3% to get the best results.

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