Furniture, walls, or anything else that is painted or finished with lacquer, shellac, or varnish, won't respond well to rubbing alcohol. Left on the surface for too long, the alcohol will begin to eat away at the paint or finish, leaving you with an uneven coat of color.
It does so by stripping away the top layer of the furniture. This can significantly damage the integrity, aesthetics and value of the piece. This damage is immediate once the rubbing alcohol has made contact, and only an expert will be able to repair it.
Do not ever clean a wooden surface with alcohol! It will act like acid and eat away at the enamel, stain and then start to eat away at the wood if left unattended for too long.
Health risks should be negligible if spraying in a well ventilated area. Isopropyl alcohol is a common disinfectant for working surfaces in medical device manufacturing. It is very effective on non porous surfaces, but likely somewhat effective for how you are using it.
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.
Homemade Air Freshener 🫧 1/2 cup vodka or 2 tablespoons isopropyl alcohol, 1/2 cup filtered water, 10 drops essential oil You can use vodka or isopropyl alcohol—vodka is better for fabrics, isopropyl alcohol is cheaper cost-wise.
A mixture of mild dish soap and warm water is a commonly recommended solution for cleaning wooden furniture. The dish soap effectively cuts through grease and grime, while the warm water provides the necessary dilution. This solution is safe for most sealed or varnished wood finishes.
The great thing about alcohol is that like water, is has a nearly neutral pH -- neither acidic nor alkaline. This makes alcohol the perfect ingredient in your homemade cleaner to both to protect and preserve beautifully finished wood and laminate floors.
To tackle the stubborn remnants of wax, moisten a clean cloth with mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol. Gently rub the affected area, allowing the solvent to dissolve the remaining wax.
Mix 2 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part water to create our homemade disinfectant. Then pour the mixture into your spray bottle. Hold the bottle 6 inches away from your furniture and lightly mist your sofas, loveseats, chairs, etc. Allow your furniture to dry before you sit.
► Inhaling Isopropyl Alcohol can irritate the nose and throat. ► Repeated high exposure can cause headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of coordination, unconsciousness and even death.
A solution of warm water, vinegar and about five drops of dish soap can clean and disinfect the furniture if soiled. Remove dust and protect using a soft cloth and non-abrasive furniture polish. Avoid polish build-up by applying furniture polish sparingly to a soft cloth and gently wiping wood surfaces.
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.
Don't use vinegar on unsealed wood: If your wood furniture is unsealed, vinegar can penetrate the wood and cause damage. Only use vinegar on sealed wood furniture. Don't use vinegar on waxed or oiled wood: If your wood furniture is waxed or oiled, vinegar can dissolve the wax or oil and cause damage.
Rubbing alcohol is a convenient, efficient, and cost-effective cleaning agent you can put in mop water. It's also a powerful germicide, which means it can squash bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus.
Finally, don't use rubbing alcohol. Repeated use will lead to vinyl becoming brittle and dry, which will make it crack faster over time. It can also damage the wear layer in a similar way to ammonia.
Never use a floor buffer or polisher while cleaning laminate wood flooring. Don't use abrasive or acidic cleaners. Harsh cleaners might strip the protective coating from the floor. Don't use steel wool or scouring powder.
Wood Pieces or Furniture
Whether you're cleaning a handmade family heirloom or brand new wood coffee table, rubbing alcohol should never be used to clean wood. The substance will strip away the color of the finish and eventually cause the wood to split.
Surfaces to avoid with Dawn® Powerwash:
Wood, including unsealed, varnished, stained, or painted wood surfaces & furniture. Safe on wood cutting boards if rinsed. Glass with UV coatings or other specialty treatments.
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.
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.
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.