Is it okay to spray alcohol on bed sheets?

Author: Dr. Hosea Brekke  |  Last update: Sunday, September 21, 2025

Spraying alcohol on your bed can help disinfect it by killing microorganisms, but it poses risks such as being flammable and potentially damaging certain fabrics. Alcohol evaporates quickly, which may limit its effectiveness as a disinfectant.

Is it safe to spray alcohol on fabric?

Rubbing alcohol can discolor, damage, and fade some fabrics, so it's best to exercise caution when using it to treat stains. While rubbing alcohol is an effective stain remover for fabrics like cotton and linen, it is best to avoid using it on fabrics containing wool, silk, acetate, rayon, or acrylic fibers.

What can I spray on my bed sheets?

In a spray bottle mix:
  • 1 cup water.
  • 1 tbsp witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol or vodka)
  • 20 drops of essential oils of your choice. Chantel loves using lavender, sweet orange or ylang-ylang for a calming, peaceful smell.

Can I spray isopropyl alcohol on a sofa to get rid of bed bugs?

Rubbing alcohol does kill bed bugs. It works by dissolving their exoskeleton and dehydrating their insides. However, it's not the most effective method to eliminate a bed bug infestation since it only kills the bugs on direct contact and won't reach the bugs hiding in a mattress or upholstered furniture.

Is it safe to spray rubbing alcohol?

Safety Precautions

Occasional, brief use of IPA products (e.g., wiping down a cell phone or counter) isn't typically a concern, but sustained wiping or spraying activities in a room or enclosed area creates risk for high exposure.

This Is What Happens When You Spray Your Mattress with Alcohol

Where should you not use rubbing alcohol?

Flammable Surfaces

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.

How to sanitize fabric without washing?

You can sanitize a lot of fabrics without having to wash them. If you're unable to wash your curtains in the machine, a sanitizing or disinfecting spray will get the job done as long as you're using it as directed. Try: Clorox Fabric Sanitizer.

Is rubbing alcohol flammable after it dries?

According to the World Health Organization, all alcohol-based products are potentially flammable and therefore they should be stored away from high temperatures and flames.

Will alcohol keep bed bugs away?

They hate the smell of alcohol and using it is an effective solution to your problem. The rubbing alcohol can dry out bed bugs bodies, which can eventually lead to their death. Using this scent is good for your property because the odor that rubbing alcohol releases prevent the pest from laying eggs in your area.

What can I spray on my bed for bed bugs?

There is only one insect growth regulator that is labeled for bed bug control; hydroprene, which is available as a liquid or an aerosol. This product is designed to be sprayed into cracks and crevices where young bed bug nymphs will come in contact with the dried residues.

How do you disinfect bed sheets?

Have some white vinegar laying around in the kitchen? This can also be used to help disinfect your bedding! Just add half a cup of the vinegar into the washing machine. Vinegar also helps deep clean your bedding, giving you bright, fresh smelling sheets each time you use it.

What kills bed bugs on sheets?

Clean All Items Within a Bed-Bug-Infested Living Area

Heat treat clothing, bedding, and other items that can withstand a hot dryer (household dryer at high heat for 30 minutes), which will kill bed bugs and eggs.

Can I spray Lysol on my bed sheets?

Cleaning your bedsheets and pillowcases

What's more, cleaning our bedding with detergent doesn't always remove germs like we may think. You should make sure you use a laundry sanitizer such as Lysol® Laundry Sanitizer, which kills 99.9% of bacteria and is gentle on even the softest of fabrics.

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.

Can I spray alcohol on my pillowcase?

You can, but whether you'd actually want to is debatable. For your bedding, stick to the washer and dryer.

Is smelling isopropyl alcohol harmful?

► Inhaling Isopropyl Alcohol can irritate the nose and throat. ► Repeated high exposure can cause headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of coordination, unconsciousness and even death.

What smell do bed bugs hate?

Bed bugs are sensitive to strong smells and certain scents can help keep them away. Essential oils like lavender, tea tree and peppermint are popular choices. These oils not only smell good but also act as natural repellents.

Does Vicks VapoRub keep bed bugs away?

While some people believe that the strong smell of VapoRub might repel bed bugs, there is no reliable data to support this claim.

How to tell if bedbugs are in your clothes?

They are nocturnal insects that feed on human blood, often leaving small blood stains on the fabric. Another sign of bed bugs is the presence of tiny, dark fecal spots. These are often found along seams or in folds of clothing. A musty odor, similar to that of a wet towel, can also indicate the presence of bed bugs.

What does spraying alcohol on bed sheets do?

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.

Will rubbing alcohol damage clothes?

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.

Can you clean a toilet with rubbing alcohol?

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.

How do you disinfect bedding?

Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration) to the wash. It could bleach some fabrics so a good way is to mix it with water before hand and then pour the liquid into the machine. This ensures there is no spot bleaching. Pine oil is very effective at disinfecting.

How to stop jeans from smelling without washing?

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a versatile and natural odor-neutralizer. To remove odors, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the smelly areas of your clothing and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Shake off the excess, and your clothes should smell much fresher.

Can you use rubbing alcohol in a laundry washing machine?

Never place items cleaned with rubbing alcohol in the washer or dryer unless they've been thoroughly rinsed first and ensure the items are kept away from flammable substances.

Previous article
Are car air filters one size fits all?
Next article
What clogs drain the most?