You can use rubbing alcohol on some surfaces like marble, limestone, or terrazzo, but not on wood. The chemical will damage a wood finish. And while it's safe to use in a pinch on coated leather, like in your car, over time, it will damage and discolor the leather.
Rubbing alcohol is a highly flammable substance, so you should never use it to clean flammable surfaces, or areas that are exposed to open flames (such as a fireplace). It's also a smart idea to steer clear of surfaces that routinely get hot.
Isopropyl Alcohol is not compatible with OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); ACID ANHYDRIDES; ALKALI METALS (such as LITHIUM, SODIUM and POTASSIUM); ALKALINE EARTH METALS (such ...
This 70% USP Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol can be used for everyday needs around the house—especially kids, pets, or general cleaning—as well as in medical facilities such as hospitals, urgent cares, or other spaces where patients are consistently visiting and need extra clean spaces.
Can a little homemade cleaning spray and disinfectant really do that much damage? Yes. And this is because of how alcohol interacts with wood and wood finishes. While you might expect it to do nothing or just leave a small stain, rubbing alcohol acts as a solvent when it comes into contact with wood and wood finishes.
It Disinfects (Most) Things
You can mix a 50/50 solution of water and rubbing alcohol to disinfect your hard-surface countertops, like granite and quartz. Hospitals also sometimes use alcohol towelettes to get rid of germs on small surfaces like stethoscopes, scissors, and thermometers.
In fact, good old dish soap works great for giving your toilet a scrub. You can also use plain, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol (about a cup or two of EITHER but NOT both) if you need a bit more sanitizing power.
The main difference between isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol is the concentration. The concentration of isopropyl alcohol is 100%, while the concentration of rubbing alcohol is less because of the addition of water. Otherwise, the two liquids have similar properties. They are antibacterial and antiseptic.
Rubbing alcohol works well for blotting stains out of the leather seat. Use a ball of cotton wool or a dry, lint-free cloth to apply the alcohol and clean the area. After cleaning the stain, apply a liquid dish soap solution with warm water to clean off the alcohol.
Glass Cleaner: Vinegar can be combined with water and rubbing alcohol to create a homemade glass cleaner. Mix a cup of water, a cup of rubbing alcohol, and one tablespoon vinegar in a spray bottle. “This concoction will work on glass, chrome, stainless steel and hard tiles,” says Mock.
Is it safe to put rubbing alcohol in your ear? When it comes to putting rubbing alcohol in ears for cleaning purposes, it's safe to do so as long as you do it correctly. Start by putting 2-3 drops in one ear, then hold your head to the side for a few minutes so the rubbing alcohol can clear out bacteria and earwax.
People should avoid inhaling large quantities of rubbing alcohol vapor, as this can have serious side effects. They should also avoid long-term use of rubbing alcohol on the skin. Drinking rubbing alcohol can cause poisoning and serious illness.
Not only does alcohol make an excellent bedding and mattress disinfectant spray, but spraying alcohol on sheets also helps to eliminate unpleasant odors caused by sweat, spills, and other sources to leave your bed smelling nice and fresh.
Because it's a gastrointestinal irritant, it can cause nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting blood. In addition, "due to having a higher molecular weight than ethanol, isopropanol, is more intoxicating than ethanol and can produce an altered sensorium, hypotension, hypothermia, and even cardiopulmonary collapse.
It can be used to spot-treat stains on durable clothing items such as denim, as well as most carpets and upholstery. But refrain from applying alcohol to synthetic or more sensitive materials like rayon, silk, and wool, because alcohol can shrink, discolor, and wear down the fibers of these fabrics.
People should be aware that rubbing alcohol can increase skin dryness and irritation. This, in turn, can increase the severity and frequency of acne breakouts. As such, the AAD do not recommend rubbing alcohol as a treatment for acne.
Quick Evaporation: Isopropyl alcohol evaporates rapidly, minimizing the time bacteria have to break down sweat components and produce odor. Deodorizing Effect: By eliminating odor-causing bacteria, isopropyl alcohol acts as a deodorant, providing a temporary solution to combat armpit smell.
Moisten a clean, soft, lint free, cotton cloth with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water (also known as rubbing alcohol). Do not use fibrous materials, such as paper towels. The cloth should be moist with no free liquid to ensure dripping does not occur. Do not spray any liquids directly onto the product.
Rubbing alcohol can be effective for removing nail polish when a cotton ball soaked in it is placed on the nails for a few minutes, softening the polish for easy removal. Similarly, hand sanitizer, rich in alcohol, may also work but might require more effort for thicker or layered polishes.
Do not bathe in it: Some old-time remedies called for soothing fevers and aches with alcohol baths or alcohol-soaked compresses applied to the skin. Bad idea. If too much alcohol is absorbed into the skin, it can be toxic to the heart and nerves.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda is also a mild abrasive, so it will remove stains and grime from your toilet bowl. To clean your toilet, use one cup of baking soda with two cups of white vinegar. Brush it into the bowl, let it sit for five minutes, then flush again with the water on full force.
If stain remains, soak an absorbent pad in rubbing alcohol. Wring as dry as possible. Apply pad to the stain and let it remain on the area for 5 minutes. Soak another absorbent pad in household ammonia.