Rubbing alcohol is one of those products almost all of us have in a cupboard somewhere, yet many of us aren’t making the most of this brilliantly useful solution.
The popularity of rubbing alcohol has shot up recently as a result of the pandemic, with many of us using it to ensure that surfaces within the home remain spotlessly clean and germ-free. But did you know that rubbing alcohol can also be used to clean a whole host of other household items, helping to remove everything from watermarks on taps to stains on fabrics?
Take a look at our list of the top everyday uses of rubbing alcohol to see how you could use rubbing alcohol to make household chores that little bit easier.
Make your own disinfectant
Forget buying expensive disinfectants in wasteful, single-use plastic bottles. You can easily make your own, and it’ll be far more effective than a shop-bought product!
All you need is an empty spray bottle and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Simply pour rubbing alcohol into the spray bottle and dilute with water to reach your desired concentration (we recommend 70% IPA for best results). You’ll be able to start using your diluted rubbing alcohol disinfectant straight away, to clean and disinfect all kinds of surfaces within your home. It’s great for high-traffic areas, door handles, TV remotes, and even your dining table.
Freshen up your shoes
If you’re regularly hit by an unpleasant odor when you open your shoe cabinet, it might be time to freshen up your footwear. Rubbing alcohol is great for this because it kills any bacteria that might be lurking in your favorite pumps, and it’ll help to remove any unwanted smells too.
It’s easy to get your shoes smelling sweet again using rubbing alcohol. Simply spray the solution inside your shoes, leave them for approximately 12 hours to make sure they’re completely dry, and when you go back to them you’ll find all those nasty smells have gone.
Remove stubborn stains on fabrics
A stain on your favourite jumper is always frustrating, especially when your usual stain removers can’t quite get it out. But rubbing alcohol could well save the day. It’s a great stain remover, and it’s safe to use on a wide range of different fabrics.
Whether you’ve spilled coffee down your best white shirt, there’s a red wine stain on your dress, or your little ones have come home covered in all kinds of unidentifiable stains - try rubbing alcohol. Just spray a little of the solution on the stain itself, let it soak in for a few minutes, then pop your clothes in the washing machine as normal.
Disinfect smartphones and other devices
Some household objects are constantly in our hands, and that means they present a real risk when it comes to germs and bacteria. However, digital devices can be easily cleaned using rubbing alcohol solutions.
We recommend that devices such as phones be regularly disinfected, to remove any potentially harmful germs that may be lingering on the screen. Just put some rubbing alcohol onto a cloth and wipe it over the screen to disinfect it.
Clean your kitchen cloths and sponges
We all like to keep our kitchens as clean as possible, but germs and bacteria might be lurking where you least expect it. Dishcloths and sponges are particularly risky, as they can easily harbor germs that you might unwittingly spread around the kitchen as you clean.
It’s a good idea to regularly disinfect the dishcloths and sponges you use often. All you need to do is pour a decent amount of rubbing alcohol into a bowl, let your clothes and sponges sit in the solution for around 10 minutes, then rinse well to remove any excess rubbing alcohol. You’ll then be left with sparkling clean, germ-free sponges that are ready to use.
Hand sanitizer
If you’ve found your sanitizer supplies running low and you’re struggling to find more, it’s possible to use rubbing alcohol as an alternative - at least until you can get yourself a new stock of hand sanitizer.
Get your mirrors sparkling
Whether you’re cleaning a mirror in the bathroom, or your hallway mirror needs brightening up, rubbing alcohol will do the trick. Simply spray rubbing alcohol directly on the mirror, and give it a good wipe. When it dries you’ll find that the mirror is beautifully clean, and free of any dirty streaks. It’s one of the easiest, cheapest and most effective ways of keeping your mirrors in pristine condition.
Degrease kitchen surfaces
Kitchen surfaces are prone to grease build-up, particularly if you’re a keen cook who uses the kitchen very regularly. But rubbing alcohol is your friend. It can be used to de-grease your kitchen surfaces and get them sparkling and clean in no time.
Soak a sponge in rubbing alcohol, then use the sponge to wipe over any greasy areas in the kitchen. The alcohol will cut through the grease, leaving a spotlessly clean finish with minimal effort.
Remove fingerprints and marks from taps
Bathroom taps are often left covered in watermarks and fingerprints, which can be difficult to remove. Rubbing alcohol is great for this task. All you’ll need is your bottle of homemade rubbing alcohol disinfectant, and you’re ready to go.
Just spray the disinfectant on the area you’d like to clean, and wipe it off with a cloth straightaway. Not only will the surface be free of fingerprints and marks, it’ll also be completely germ-free and sanitized too.
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If you’d like to keep your home spotlessly clean, free of germs and safe for the whole family, rubbing alcohol is a must. Take a look at our selection of isopropyl alcohol products, or get in touch if you’d like more information about the best rubbing alcohol solutions for the jobs you have in mind. We’re on hand to help and advise you on how to use rubbing alcohol, so you can make the most of your product.