What is the difference between rubbing alcohol and white spirit?

Author: Peggie Feeney PhD  |  Last update: Thursday, December 25, 2025

Although white spirit and rubbing alcohol are both solvents, they are chemically different. While the spirit is a petroleum-based solvent, white rubbing alcohol is an ethanol solvent with a methanol additive. Unlike any other solvent, both rubbing alcohol and white spirits can effectively dissolve cured paint.

What is a substitute for rubbing alcohol?

Denatured alcohol is probably the best alternative and can be had cheap almost everywhere.

Is spirit and rubbing alcohol the same?

Rubbing alcohol is considered to be a surgical spirit rather than a methylated spirit since it is used in medical environments as a topical application. It is a type of denatured alcohol prepared from a special solution consisting of roughly 70 percent pure ethanol or Isopropyl alcohol in its concentrated form.

Are white spirits the same as alcohol?

So, white spirit is a petroleum-based solvent, and methylated spirit is an alcohol-based solvent.

What is a substitute for white spirit?

Bird Brand EcoSpirit is an alternative to White Spirit and Turps Substitute. As it is a blend using low VOC and bio-degradable ingredients it can be safely disposed of down the sink after use. EcoSpirit removes water based, most oil and xylene based paints whilst also conditioning wet brushes, rollers and paint pads.

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Can I use white spirit instead of rubbing alcohol?

Although white spirit and rubbing alcohol are both solvents, they are chemically different. While the spirit is a petroleum-based solvent, white rubbing alcohol is an ethanol solvent with a methanol additive. Unlike any other solvent, both rubbing alcohol and white spirits can effectively dissolve cured paint.

What is white spirit called in America?

White spirit (AU, UK and Ireland) or mineral spirits (US, Canada), also known as mineral turpentine (AU/NZ/ZA), turpentine substitute, and petroleum spirits, is a petroleum-derived clear liquid used as a common organic solvent in painting.

Is isopropyl alcohol the same as rubbing alcohol?

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.

What is a spirit vs alcohol?

What's The Difference Between Alcohol and Spirits? All spirits are alcoholic, but not all alcoholic drinks are spirits, also referred to as hard liquor. These drinks tend to have a higher alcohol content than other alcoholic beverages and are made via distillation.

Is surgical spirit rubbing alcohol?

Surgical spirit, also known as rubbing alcohol is a liquid solution commonly used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. It is composed of isopropyl alcohol, water, and other additives including castor oil and methyl salicylate.

What is rubbing alcohol best used for?

These uses include cleaning bites and piercings, eliminating odors, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and items within the home. 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.

What is the fancy name for rubbing alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol, also known as surgical spirit in some regions, refers to a group of denatured alcohols commonly used as topical antiseptics. These solutions are primarily composed of either isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) or ethanol, with isopropyl alcohol being the more widely available formulation.

Is rubbing alcohol just vodka?

Is vodka the same as isopropyl alcohol? Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) is different from vodka (also known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol) because it is toxic and cannot be consumed. The kind of isopropyl alcohol you can buy in any grocery or drug store is 70% isopropyl alcohol by volume (ABV) and 30% water.

Can I use vinegar instead of rubbing alcohol?

Clean surfaces naturally.

You can swap the rubbing alcohol for distilled white vinegar, but do not use any vinegar solution on granite, marble, natural stone or hardwood.

Is hydrogen peroxide the same as rubbing alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol is more of a chemical solvent. Hydrogen peroxide is a nonchlorinated oxidizing bleach. Both will kill bacteria. If using either on a fresh wound, peroxide should only be used once for the initial cleaning.

Are spirit and isopropyl alcohol the same?

But isopropyl alcohol should not be confused with methylated spirits when it comes to cleaning as these two substances have very different chemical compositions. While isopropyl is pure alcohol with no additives, methylated spirits are ethyl alcohol mixed with other toxic substances like methanol.

Why is alcohol called spirit?

Some think it stems from the Arabic word al-ghawl, which means spirit in the demon sense. Others think it comes from the word al-koh'l, a word meaning to paint. Al-koh'l was used to refer to the black eyeliner popular in ancient times that was created through a chemical process similar to distilling.

What is the use of spirit?

Skin Preparation: Surgical Spirit can be used to prepare the skin before medical procedures, such as injections or minor surgeries. It helps cleanse the skin and creates a sterile surface for these procedures, reducing the risk of contamination. Convenient Application: Surgical Spirit is easy to apply.

What to use instead of rubbing alcohol?

Hydrogen peroxide is another antiseptic, or disinfectant, that kills viruses and various forms of bacteria. But it needs more time than rubbing alcohol to kill germs. It takes up to five minutes to do its job. Hydrogen peroxide also can kill the virus causing COVID.

Why is rubbing alcohol so expensive?

A: Isopropyl alcohol can be purified to about 70% by distillation. Anything purer needs to be separated by more expensive means, and so costs more.

What type of alcohol is best for cleaning?

You can buy rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.

Is acetone the same as white spirit?

While Acetone shares similarities with the White Spirit, it is not the same and should not be used for the same purposes without serious consideration. Acetone, while able to clean oil-based paint, is, in fact, more flammable and includes a more pungent irritating odour.

What are the 4 types of white spirit?

White spirits are four types – Type 0 (high aromatic) , Type 1 (hydrodesulfurization) , Type 2 (low aromatic) and Type 3 (odorless). The composition of the various types of white spirit depends on the production process.

What are 5 white spirits?

US: WHITE SPIRIT PURCHASES, 2022-2023
  • Tequila. 50% 56%
  • Unflavored Vodka. 45% 52%
  • Flavored Vodka. 40% 41%
  • White/Light Rum. 29% 30%
  • Flavored Rum. 26% 31%
  • Gin. 25% 25%
  • Mezcal. 9% 13%

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