Isopropyl alcohol

We’ve talked before about how the pandemic has shown some serious strain on our global supply chains. Once upon a time it came for isopropyl alcohol. While IPA may not be We know, rely on, and recommend isopropyl alcohol (a.k.a. isopropanol, or IPA) for many of our techniques and guides. It’s pretty simple stuff, but it is sold in different ways, and recommended for a myriad of uses. Understandably, people have questions. Let’s clean up these questions. What Is Isopropyl Alcohol? How Is It Made? Isopropyl alcohol is a clear chemical that is flammable. It smells a bit like vodka or other spirits, just without any kind of scent other than alcohol. Manufacturers make it by adding water to It’s usually sold in a few set percentages of alcohol-to-water: 70% and 90/91% are most common, but you’ll sometimes see 60% or, at hardware and specialty supply stores, 95-99%. Why Do You Recommend Isopropyl Alcohol for Cleaning Electronics and Removing Adhesive? It’s widely available (at least in non-crisis times), it’s relatively inexpensive, and it does a few important jobs at once. Isopropyl: • Dissolves oils, adhesives, soldering flux, residues, fingerprints, and other contaminants • Leaves no oils or traces, unlike many ethanol compounds • Evaporates quickly (at least in spaces above 60 degrees Fahrenheit) • Is relatively non-toxic, assuming you’re working in a decently ventilated area • Disinfects viruses and bacteria (at concentrations of • Mixes with water fully and then evaporates...

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...

Isopropyl alcohol, also referred to as isopropanol, is a chemical commonly found in rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and certain cleaning products. You might hear it abbreviated as both IPA or ISO. ISO poisoning occurs when your liver can no longer manage the amount of ISO in your body. Symptoms of ISO poisoning can appear immediately but may take a few hours to become noticeable. ISO poisoning usually causes: • • confusion • • slowed breathing In severe cases, it can lead to a coma. ISO poisoning requires immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away if you suspect that you or someone you know has ISO poisoning. If you’re unsure of what to do, you can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or visit their When calling for help, provide as much detail as possible about: • the affected person’s age, height, and weight • the route of exposure • how much ISO was involved ISO can be toxic when ingested orally, inhaled, or applied topically, particularly in large amounts. But keep in mind that ISO can be harmful to children in smaller amounts. To put things into perspective, ISO is more toxic than ethanol (the kind of alcohol you can drink) but less toxic than many other toxic alcohols, including ethylene glycol and methanol. Your body can handle small amounts of ISO. In fact, your kidneys remove approximately But when you ingest more ISO than your body can manage (which occurs around 200 milliliters for an adu...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Rubbing alcohol (more formally known as isopropyl alcohol) has a variety of uses for health, hygiene and household. Some of them might surprise you, so we spoke with What is rubbing alcohol used for? Rubbing alcohol’s claim to fame lies in its disinfecting powers: It can kill many bacteria, viruses and fungi. The rubbing alcohol you buy at the drugstore is a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water. It comes in different strengths, ranging from 50% to 90% isopropyl alcohol. “Lower concentrations aren’t as good at killing germs,” Dr. Beers says. “But very high concentrations can be harsher when used on the skin. The 70% variety tends to be a good choice for most household uses.” And there are a whole lot of uses. Here are 12 ways to put rubbing alcohol to good use. 1. Clean your bathroom tools Alcohol is handy for disinfecting household tools like thermometers, scissors and manicure tools. You can even use it to clean makeup brushes: Swirl the brush in a small cup of rubbing alcohol, then allow it to air dry. There’s a chance alcohol can damage delicate surfaces like the protective coatings on some glasses lenses so use caution when trying it on a new tool. 2. Wipe down your tech Use rubbing alcohol to zap germs on high-touch surfaces like your phone, keyboard and computer mouse. Use a small amount on a cloth...

You can buy rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria. The disinfecting power of rubbing alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80%-85%. It’s common to feel sick to your stomach or throw up after surgery. It’s a side effect of the medicine that helps you to sleep (anesthesia). Some research studies show that breathing in rubbing alcohol on alcohol pads can help to soothe your stomach after surgery. It may work faster than standard anti-nausea medicines, but the effects are short-term. For years, doctors and parents sponged rubbing alcohol onto kids’ skin to treat fevers. It does make skin cooler to the touch, but today, science shows that alcohol is dangerous because it can soak into the skin and cause alcohol poisoning, coma, and even death, especially for babies and small children. Instead, bring down your child’s fever with medicine that has acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You can use rubbing alcohol to clean some surfaces. For a DIY glass and window cleaner, mix 1 pint rubbing alcohol with ½ cup ammonia and ½ teaspoon liquid dish detergent. Add enough water to make a gallon and pour into spray bottles. To get bugs and tree sap off of your car, first wash your car and then dab some rubbing alcohol on leftover spots with a cloth....