Rubbing alcohol, scientifically known as isopropyl alcohol, is a common household item that offers much more than basic first-aid use. This affordable liquid, typically consisting of 70% alcohol and 30% purified water, has powerful antiseptic and disinfectant properties, making it a versatile cleaner for a variety of household tasks.
You may already rely on rubbing alcohol for cleaning purposes, but there are likely several ways to use it that you haven’t discovered yet. From eliminating permanent marker stains on multiple surfaces to removing red wine from fabrics and floors, rubbing alcohol is a remarkable solution for tackling stubborn stains and tricky messes.
Here’s a guide to unexpected items and surfaces you can clean with rubbing alcohol. Consider referring to it the next time you’re faced with a cleaning challenge.
Rubbing Alcohol Cleaning Safety Guidelines
While rubbing alcohol is highly effective, it’s essential to follow safety guidelines to prevent any accidents. Keep the following tips in mind before using rubbing alcohol around your home:
– Do Not Mix with Bleach: Combining rubbing alcohol with bleach produces chloroform, a toxic substance that can be harmful if inhaled.
– Avoid Using Near Open Flames: Rubbing alcohol is highly flammable, so make sure to extinguish any candles and keep it away from heat sources before using.
– Ensure Proper Ventilation: Always use rubbing alcohol in a well-ventilated area. Open windows and turn on fans to improve airflow.
– Keep Out of Reach of Children and Pets: Store rubbing alcohol safely away from kids and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.
– Test on Surfaces First: Before applying rubbing alcohol to any surface, check if the material can safely handle it. Perform a small patch test in an inconspicuous area to avoid potential damage.
– Do Not Ingest: Rubbing alcohol is poisonous and should never be ingested. Even when used for wound care, apply it sparingly, as too much absorption through the skin can be dangerous.
1. Stainless Steel
To effortlessly remove water spots, smudges, and fingerprints from stainless steel surfaces, dampen a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol.
Wipe down appliances and sinks, ensuring you move in the direction of the grain. This method quickly restores the shine to refrigerators, microwaves, and dishwasher doors, even after they’ve been smudged by little hands.
Rubbing alcohol is also effective at removing lipstick and ink from stainless steel dryer drums.
2. Chrome
For chrome fixtures and furniture accents, use the same technique. Wipe with rubbing alcohol to remove smudges and spots.
Because rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly, there’s no need for rinsing.
It also helps break down mineral deposits and hard water stains, leaving chrome fixtures spotless with minimal effort.
3. Microwave Interior
If you’ve had a food splatter in your microwave, don’t worry about intense scrubbing. Simply combine equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for a minute or two.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly, dip a microfiber cloth in the liquid, and use it to wipe down the interior. The steam will loosen food debris, making it much easier to clean.
4. Sponges
To clean and disinfect kitchen sponges, soak them in rubbing alcohol once a week to extend their lifespan.
Place the sponge in a small food storage container, cover it with rubbing alcohol, and let it soak for about an hour. Afterward, wring it out, and it’s ready to be used again, refreshed and clean.
5. Grease and Grime
For tackling grease on kitchen surfaces, mix a solution of 50% hot water and 50% rubbing alcohol in a bowl.
Dip a clean sponge into the solution and use it to scrub greasy spots on stoves, backsplashes, cabinets, and small appliances.
Once the grease is gone, dampen another sponge with warm water to rinse, then dry the area with a soft towel.
6. Cleaning Countertops and Other Surfaces
Rubbing alcohol serves as an effective and budget-friendly disinfectant, especially useful during cold and flu season.
It can be applied to frequently touched surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, light switches, and handles to keep germs at bay.
Use a cloth soaked in undiluted rubbing alcohol for the best results, as diluting it reduces its effectiveness as a disinfectant.
However, be cautious when applying rubbing alcohol to surfaces like quartz, wood, acrylic, or any painted, stained, lacquered, or shellacked areas, as it may cause damage.
7. Cleaning Glass and Mirrors
For an affordable and effective DIY window cleaner, mix rubbing alcohol with water in a spray bottle, optionally adding a small amount of white vinegar for extra cleaning power.
Shake the mixture and spray it onto glass surfaces such as windows, tabletops, and mirrors for a streak-free finish.
This solution is especially effective for removing hairspray, toothpaste splatters, and even marker residue from dry-erase boards.
8. Cleaning Chandeliers
Cleaning chandeliers can be a delicate task, but rubbing alcohol offers an inexpensive and effective solution. Create a cleaning spray by mixing one part alcohol with four parts distilled water.
Lightly spray a soft cloth with the mixture and, wearing cotton gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints, carefully wipe each chandelier piece to remove dust and grime.
9. Cleaning Blinds
Cleaning window blinds is often tedious, but rubbing alcohol can make the job easier. Soak a cloth in alcohol and wrap it around a duster brush, spatula, or set of tongs.
Run the tool between the slats to remove dust efficiently.
10. Cleaning Upholstery and Carpet
Rubbing alcohol is a handy solution for removing stains from microfiber upholstery and carpets. Simply spray the alcohol directly onto the stain and use a light-colored sponge or soft-bristled brush to scrub it out.
The stain should lift quickly, and any remaining dampness will evaporate fast. For revitalizing the fabric, gently brush it in circular motions after cleaning.
Additionally, rubbing alcohol can be used to remove sticky substances such as candle wax or tree sap, as well as fatty stains like butter from carpets.
However, avoid using it on delicate fabrics like wool, rayon, and silk, as it may cause discoloration or fading.
11. Cleaning Electronics
Rubbing alcohol is highly effective for cleaning frequently used electronics such as cellphones, tablets, headphones, controllers, keyboards, and computer mice.
These items often harbor bacteria, germs, dirt, oil, makeup, and even food particles due to frequent handling. To safely disinfect these devices, dampen a lint-free cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe the surfaces.
Avoid spraying alcohol directly onto the devices to prevent liquid from entering ports or speakers. For tight spaces, such as the gaps between keyboard keys, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
12. Removing Flooring Spills and Scuffs
Rubbing alcohol can help address spills and scuffs on flooring. For paint spills on hardwood floors, mix rubbing alcohol with lemon juice, apply the solution to the paint, and let it sit for a few minutes.
Then, gently scrape the paint away using a putty knife without damaging the floor.
Rubbing alcohol can also be used to remove ink, crayon scuffs, shoe polish, and nail polish (when combined with a bit of nail polish remover) from laminate floors.
13. Treating Houseplants for Insects
Rubbing alcohol is an effective treatment for small infestations of scale insects, including mealybugs, on houseplants.
Soak a cotton swab in alcohol and gently apply it to the affected areas. The alcohol will kill the pests without harming the plant.
14. Removing Sticker Residue
To remove stubborn sticker residue from surfaces, saturate the area with rubbing alcohol and allow it to sit for a few minutes. The alcohol will loosen the residue, making it easy to wipe away without excessive effort.
15. Cleaning Jewelry and Silver
Rubbing alcohol is a budget-friendly option for cleaning jewelry made of silver, sterling silver, gold, and most gemstones. Submerge the jewelry in a bowl of rubbing alcohol and allow it to soak overnight.
Use a cloth, cotton swab, or a soft toothbrush to gently clean any remaining debris. Afterward, dip the pieces in fresh alcohol and let them air dry.
However, avoid using alcohol on costume jewelry or pieces made from plastic, copper, pearls, or opals, as it can corrode these materials.
16. Clothing Stains
Rubbing alcohol is a versatile stain remover, effective on both acrylic paint and ink stains from clothing. To treat, simply soak the stained area with rubbing alcohol, let it sit for a few minutes, and either blot the area with an old towel underneath (to protect the surface) or throw the garment into the wash.
Got gum on your clothes? Apply rubbing alcohol to the gum, let it dry, and then use duct tape to peel it off.
17. Shoes
If your shoes are smelling unpleasant, rubbing alcohol can help deodorize them. Spray the insoles with rubbing alcohol and allow them to dry before wearing them again.
For faster drying, leave the shoes in the sun.
18. First Aid Supplies Skincare Tools , and Makeup Brushes
Rubbing alcohol is great for disinfecting items like tweezers, cuticle cutters, and thermometers (avoiding the sensor area). For makeup brushes, dip them in a bowl of alcohol, swirl them, rinse, and lay flat to dry.
19. Car Interiors and Exteriors
The interior of your car is often touched with dirty hands. Clean the steering wheel, gear shift, and door handles by wiping them down with a microfiber cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.
For the exterior, use rubbing alcohol for frost removal by mixing two parts rubbing alcohol with one part water in a spray bottle.
Spray on the windshield for easier frost removal. To remove sap, carefully rub the area with a cloth soaked in alcohol.
20. Bedbugs and Fruit Flies
Rubbing alcohol is effective against bedbugs and fruit flies. For minor bedbug infestations, spray affected areas with rubbing alcohol to kill the bugs and their eggs on contact.
To combat fruit flies, spritz them with rubbing alcohol, ensuring that fruit and food are out of the way first.
21. Air Freshener
Create a custom room freshener by combining three parts water, one part rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle.
Shake well and spray to freshen up your home. Be mindful of which essential oils are safe if you have pets.
