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Alcohol for cleaning

10 years ago

I've read a lot hear about using alcohol for cleaning and want to use it. What kind of alcohol do you use -- is it regular isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or something else? The isopropyl alcohol I am familiar with just comes in small 16 oz. bottles. Is that what you use or is there a special kind (or a larger size bottle) for cleaning purposes?

Comments (5)

  • 10 years ago

    I use regular isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol all the time to clean. I think I heard of this idea here.

    I usually mix it 50/50 with tap water and sometimes add either a few drops of tea tree oil or sweet orange essential oil. I use it to clean my kitchen counters, bathrooms, actually almost all surfaces in the house. It's wonderful on my stainless steel appliances and the granite counters.

    I buy the biggest bottles I can find. Costco sells pairs of large bottles, so I get those when I'm there.

  • 10 years ago

    I see that some isopropyl alcohol is 70%, some is around 90%. What am I looking for? And where can I find larger bottles other than Costco?

  • 10 years ago

    Alcohol kills germs...it also dissolves some finishes....like shellac and will harm some plastics.
    When you dilute it 50% you also dilute the germ killing properties....and make it safer to use near painted and varnished surfaces.
    If you have something that needs the germ killing properties of alcohol, use it full strength and be careful where it drips.
    Alcohol also "carries off" water. That is as it evaporates it takes the water from a wet surface with it. Mixed with some cleaner and water, it makes windows and mirrors sparkle.....BUT I have harmed woodwork around a window and the frame on a mirror with alcohol.
    So...use carefully.


  • 10 years ago

    There is really no point in cleaning with isopropyl.

    A. It will damage most materials' protective coatings if used full strength.

    B. Once diluted it loses its disinfectant qualities anyway.

    Try ammonia instead. It is a lot less caustic and still retains much of its disinfectant qualities even when diluted. It is also a lot less costly to use.

    Why spend more money for less of an effect and more potential damage?

  • 10 years ago

    Ammonia is not a registered disinfectant by the CDC....does not kill staph bacteria....and will also harm many finishes....and when diluted loses even more disinfectant properties.....and the fumes are very irritating. I have used ammonia to strip old paint.

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