How to Clean with Rubbing Alcohol

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Last Updated: July 1, 2021 References

Rubbing alcohol is a very useful product for cleaning. Not only is it cheap, but its effective as a degreaser, disinfectant, and a general cleaner. As a result, many people use rubbing alcohol on a daily basis for a variety of cleaning tasks. However, while it is a popular cleaner, there are a number of challenges associated with using it. In order to clean successfully with rubbing alcohol, you’ll have to prepare the surface, apply it in an effective way, and be safe while doing so. Thankfully, with a little information and some effort, you’ll be cleaning with rubbing alcohol in no time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Surface

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Get your rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is a solution of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. It is commonly sold at most big box stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores.
- Rubbing alcohol typically comes as 60% to 90% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water solution. Depending on what you’re cleaning, you may want a higher or lower percentage.
- Sometimes rubbing alcohol will come as an ethanol and distilled water solution. For the purposes of cleaning, they are interchangeable.
- In addition to cleaning, rubbing alcohol has disinfectant properties and may kill bacteria or viruses.
2
Buy materials to use when cleaning with rubbing alcohol. After you get your rubbing alcohol, you’ll need to secure materials to use to help you clean. Ultimately, you’ll be able to use a variety of cotton or other fabric products to aid in your cleaning.
- For surfaces that may scratch easily, consider microfiber rags. Such surfaces include plastic (like keyboards or mice), other computer accessories, or car components.
- For surfaces that are hard to access, you’ll want to consider cotton Q-tips. Such surfaces include groves in plastic or metal auto parts.
- For surfaces in which you need a somewhat abrasive aid, use regular cotton rags or clothes.
- Whenever possible, use clean white rags to lessen the chance of color transfer.^{[1]
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3
Confirm that the material you’ll be cleaning won’t be damaged by rubbing alcohol. Before you begin the process of cleaning with rubbing alcohol, you need to make sure that the surface or material won’t be damaged by it. This is important, since rubbing alcohol can damage certain surfaces.
- Read any care tag or directions that comes with whatever you’re cleaning.
- Make sure you’ve read care instructions on consumer electronics like LCD or LED screens. You should, particularly, avoid cleaning smartphone or tablet screens with rubbing alcohol. This could remove the fine, slick, coating that enables your touchscreen to work smoothly.
- Be careful when using alcohol on delicate and aged fabrics or finished wood. Rubbing alcohol may remove lacquer or finish from wood.^{[2]
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EXPERT TIP

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Our Expert Agrees: Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean mirrors, ink stains, and bathroom fixtures. It's also great for removing grime from cell phones, keyboards, and other commonly-used devices. It's commonly used to sterilize hospital equipment. Just check the surface of whatever you're cleaning, because rubbing alcohol is strong enough to remove the outer coating of certain materials.
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Clean the surface of the material. Before you clean the material with alcohol, you need to prepare it by wiping it down with water first. Wiping it down and removing dirt and grime is important, as any residual dirt could hinder the cleaning process and/or damage the material.
- Take a clean rag. Depending on whether the surface is delicate or not, you'll need to choose between a regular cotton rag or a microfiber rag.
- Dampen the rag.
- Wipe the material down gently and slowly.
- Allow the material to dry.
- Consider blowing or using a cool blow dryer to blow away dust or residual fibers left from a rag.^{[3]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Rubbing Alcohol

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Dampen your cleaning aid with rubbing alcohol. Your first step in using rubbing alcohol to clean will be to dampen whatever cleaning aid you’re using. Dampening is important, as you don’t’ want a lot of extra alcohol left on the surface of whatever it is you are cleaning.
- If you’re cleaning with a cotton swab or a rag, firmly put it over the top of the bottle of rubbing alcohol and turn the bottle over. Allow the alcohol to penetrate the swab or rag for a couple seconds.
- If the alcohol starts to drip on the floor or onto your hand, you’ve applied too much.
- Make sure you're in an well-ventilated, as alcohol evaporates quickly. ^{[4]
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2
Perform a test cleaning. While some materials are more vulnerable to alcohol than others, you should still do a test cleaning on whatever you’re cleaning. By doing a test cleaning, you’ll make sure that you don’t completely ruin what you’re cleaning.
- Pick a spot that is not normally visible on the material of what you will be cleaning.
- Take a cotton swab or Q-tip, dampen it with alcohol, and clean a 1-inch by 1-inch area.
- Let the area dry.
- Wait several hours to see if the color fades or the material has been damaged in any way.^{[5]
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3
Apply the cleaning aid with rubbing alcohol to the surface of whatever you are cleaning. Now that you’ve dampened your cleaning aid, take it and apply it to the surface of whatever you’re cleaning. When applying the cleaning aid with rubbing alcohol, make sure to:
- Move the cleaning aid gently across the surface of whatever you’re cleaning.
- Swipe the cleaning aid in a back and forth pattern so you get good cleaning coverage.
- Observe to make sure that you’re not leaving pools of alcohol behind you as you clean. If you are, take a clean, dry, white rag and sop up any excess.^{[6]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining Safety

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Find a well-ventilated area. You should always use rubbing alcohol in a well-ventilated area. This is because rubbing alcohol can evaporate quickly and its fumes are flammable. As a result, make sure that wherever you are, it is well-ventilated.
- If you’re in a garage or workshop, make sure to leave the garage door or workshop door open. If there are any windows, open them.
- If you’re inside, make sure the air conditioner is running, you’ve got a fan on, and interior doors are open. This will maximize air flow.
- Cleaning outdoors might work best.
- If you notice yourself getting light-headed, move to a better ventilated area immediately.^{[7]
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Avoid using rubbing alcohol around cigarettes or open flames. Alcohol is a highly-flammable substance. As a result, you should never use it around an open flame of any sort.
- Extinguish candles, incense, or similar things before using rubbing alcohol.
- Don’t smoke when using rubbing alcohol.
- Avoid using rubbing alcohol around a gas lamp, a fire place, or near a gas-fueled stove that is on.^{[8]
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3
Never mix alcohol and bleach. You should never mix alcohol and bleach. The combination will create a toxic mixture that could irritate your lungs and cause you further medical problems.
- If you’ve mixed alcohol and bleach together and notice negative effects, contact the poison control hotline immediately at: (800) 222-1222
- If you suspect you or a friend are suffering from medical problems associated with inhaling alcohol and bleach, go to the hospital immediately.
- Always be cautious when mixing chemicals with each other.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I use isopropyl alchohol to clean several dried black, slightly sticky small spots on my fabric couch?

Brad Bane

Community Answer

Yes, it is safe. You can apply it with a toothbrush or a cotton ball.
Question

Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean bloodstains from carpet?

Lrb

Community Answer

No, it will further stain your carpet and is not enough to sanitize the area due to the flooring texture. Detergent, steaming, shampooing, etc. is a better path for this.
Question

Is it okay to use it to clean hair brushes and combs?

Lrb

Community Answer

It depends on whether you use plastic or boar's hair. If they are natural hair brushes, I recommend a good boiling in a pot. For plastic combs and brushes for only personal use, alcohol and a scrub between the fronds is perfectly acceptable.