Isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropanol, propan-2-ol, or 2-propanol, is a flammable and colorless chemical compound with a very strong odor.
The chemical formula of isopropyl alcohol is CH3CHOHCH3, and it is very similar to Ethanol in its properties. This makes it an effective cleaning agent which is used in many domestic and industrial purposes.
This guide aims at reviewing the different ways in which Isopropyl Alcohol can be used effectively, where you shouldn’t be using it, and other necessary details revolving around the compound.
Let’s get started!
What is Isopropyl Alcohol?
You can find isopropyl alcohol in drugstores by the name of rubbing alcohol. This chemical comes under secondary alcohols, which means that it has two carbon atoms bonded with one alcohol atom.
Isopropyl Alcohol is a liquid that is used extensively for cleaning and disinfecting purposes in households. It is highly effective at removing grime and germs, whether on toilet seats, cleaning counters, or sanitizing toilet brushes. Isopropyl alcohol also contains a variety of antimicrobial properties including being effective against viruses, bacteria and fungi.
Uses of Isopropyl Alcohol
In this section, we are going to discuss a few of the many uses of isopropyl alcohol.
1. Disinfecting and Deodorising Shoes
Smelly shoes can be very annoying.
Your shoes can develop a powerful and unpleasant odor upon regular use, especially if you’re using them to perform any physical activity.
So to get rid of the smell, you can spray some rubbing alcohol on your shoes and it will kill all the smell causing bacteria.
After that, you can keep the shoes under the sun to help them dry, as it’ll give the best results.
2. Whiten and Brighten Hard to Reach Areas like Grout on Tiles and Cracks on Walls
If you’ve ever used bleach on your tiles or walls you’ll know that if done incorrectly can leave a white, chalky mark. Bleaching bathroom tiles sounds like a simple task, but often the final product doesn’t look right.
So for that you can use Isopropyl alcohol as that is highly effective in cleaning walls and areas that are hard to reach. You can use it to brighten dirty places, and you can also use it to clean grout present on tiles. Cracks on walls can also be cleaned by using this chemical compound.
Note: Pure Chem co. offers 99.9% Food Grade Isopropyl Alcohol that you can buy from our online store, available in sizes: quart, gallon, 2.5 gallon, and 5 gallon. Check it out now!
3. Remove Dark Stains from Clothes
Disinfection of kitchen sponges and bathroom, cleaning cloths, and removing dark & filthy stains is another use of isopropyl alcohol. If you want to clean clothes or sponges, you can soak them in isopropyl alcohol in a sealed container for a while and then dry them.
4. Polish Metals and Leather Boots
Although it is often overlooked, using some isopropyl alcohol on metal surfaces can actually help prevent tarnishing.
A lot of the time your silverware will come with some sort of anti-tarnish protection on it, but sometimes it doesn’t. Isopropyl alcohol acts as a desiccant so that moisture in the air won’t spread around and touch the metal you want to keep nice.
So you can use it to polish metals for getting that spotless shine. It will also remove all the water spots by disinfecting everything.
To polish metals & leather boots, you should take a microfibre cloth and soak it in isopropyl alcohol, and then use it to perform the job.
5. Remove Hairspray Residue from Hair
Hairsprays are very sticky. Their residue may stay in your hair even after you’re done removing it. You should use an isopropyl alcohol-soaked cloth to remove hairspray from hair.
6. Cleaning Glass Surfaces
To get that crystal clear shine on all the glass surfaces present in your home, you should be using this incredible chemical compound that will leave no unwanted spots.
7. Removing Sticky Labels from Bottles
It can be a tricky task to get rid of sticky labels from bottles. Those labels leave a weird sticky feeling behind, along with unwanted marks. You can saturate the sticky labels by using isopropyl alcohol.
Dipping the bottle in isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes will help you get rid of the label without leaving any marks behind.
8. Removing Scuff Marks from Tables and Floors
Scuff marks can be very annoying as it becomes a little challenging to get rid of them. You can use a cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol to remove the marks from the floors and tables at your home. Doing so will leave behind clean tables and floors.
9. Cleaning the Bathroom Sink and Unclogging Drains
Isopropyl alcohol can bring that shine back in your bathroom by cleaning the sink, and it can also be used to unclog drains. Once you’re done cleaning it with alcohol, you won’t have to rinse it with water because the alcohol will evaporate.
What Not to Use Isopropyl Alcohol For?
Now that we’ve discussed the various uses of Isopropyl alcohol, in this section, we are going to jot down a few things that you should not be using it for.
Acne
Isopropyl alcohol tends to turn your skin very dry. Using rubbing alcohol on your skin to get rid of acne will push your skin to produce more oil, which will further aggravate acne. The use of isopropyl alcohol can also increase the frequency of acne breakouts.
Rubbing alcohol may also burn the open areas on your skin. So to get rid of acne, you should see a dermatologist instead.
Fever
isopropyl alcohol has the property of giving a cooling sensation when applied to the skin. It can give you that cooling effect, but it does not hold the ability to lower your body temperature. It is not only an ineffective way of treating fever, but it can also prove to be highly dangerous, especially for children, as their skin can absorb alcohol, which can be toxic for them.
Moreover, adults can also have heart and neurological problems because of using rubbing alcohol on the skin.
Inhalation of rubbing alcohol can also cause other health issues like neurological issues, cardiac problems, coma, and alcohol poisoning.
Lice
Rubbing alcohol does have the ability to kill lice, but you should never do that because it can lead to chemical burns on your head. You should consider using a lice shampoo, or you should visit a doctor to get proper treatment for the same.
Sterilizing Medical and Surgical Equipment
As per CDC, you should not be using rubbing alcohol to sterilize surgical & medical equipment. This is because rubbing alcohol cannot kill bacteria spores, which is a layer that protects bacteria.
Consumption
Consumption of isopropyl alcohol can have a bad impact on your body. Some side effects of consuming isopropyl alcohol are as follows:
- Shock
- Dehydration
- Slurred speech
- Coma
- Low blood pressure
- Stomach bleeding
- Bleeding in intestines
- Sedation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Unsteady walking
Is Isopropyl Alcohol Effective Against Fungus and Fungal Spores?
When it comes to fungus, isopropyl alcohol can be moderately effective in getting rid of it, but it is not at all effective in getting rid of fungal spores. Fungus and mold make an appearance where there is moisture. And using a surface cleaner such as isopropyl alcohol will not help in removing fungus and fungal spores.
Hydrogen peroxide or bleach are the main components that are often used to remove mold and fungus. However, the EPA does not recommend the use of bleach to get rid of mold.
Final Thoughts
Isopropyl alcohol is one of the most versatile chemicals you’ll ever find, but it’s also one of the less understood (and used) products on the market.
So we hope after reading this guide, you will know how you can use isopropyl alcohol when it comes to personal hygiene, home cleaning and medical purposes. You can also read our guide on most popular FAQs related to Isopropyl Alcohol.
We at Pure Chem co. offer professional-grade 99.9% Food Grade Isopropyl Alcohol that you can buy directly from our online store. The 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol is available in following sizes: quart, gallon, 2.5 gallon, and 5 gallon.
FAQ
What is isopropyl alcohol good for?
When mixed with water, isopropyl alcohol makes for an effective antiseptic. Other uses of rubbing alcohol include its use in making cosmetics, hand lotions, and aftershave creams. It is also commonly used as a solvent. Moreover, isopropyl alcohol is used to denature ethyl alcohol.
Can you use isopropyl alcohol on the skin?
It is safe to use isopropyl alcohol on the skin but only in small amounts. If you use it for prolonged periods or in large quantities, this chemical compound can prove to be toxic for your skin.
What does isopropyl alcohol kill?
As isopropyl is a powerful germicide, it can quickly kill various fungi, viruses, bacteria, and germs. It is also used to disinfect multiple surfaces and even our hands. You’ll also find it in the ingredient list of most household cleaners available in the market.
What can you clean with isopropyl alcohol?
Using isopropyl alcohol, you can clean various things such as stainless steel, hairspray residue, cloths, sponges, sinks, metals, permanent marker stains, cars, walls, and glass.
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