When making both cold process and melt and pour soap, a spray bottle of 99% Isopropyl Alcohol is helpful. Also known as rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol helps to prevent soda ash on cold process soap, and helps layers stick together when working with melt and pour. It is also helpful to have on hand to clean up messy surfaces after making projects!
The two most common types of alcohol are isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol. The basic difference between the two is that ethyl alcohol is commonly used for consumption, while isopropyl alcohol is used for topical application. Isopropyl alcohol is not safe for consumption.
Isopropyl alcohol (aka: rubbing alcohol) can be found in varying percentages, most commonly from 60%-99%. The percentage refers to the amount of isopropanol(isopropyl alcohol) per volume. The remainder of the formula consists of water. The more diluted rubbing alcohol formulations are commonly used as a mild topical treatment, while the higher concentrations are commonly used for cleaning.When making cold processsoap or other projects, 99% isopropyl alcohol is recommended.
Curious how to incorporate isopropyl alcohol into your soap making? When working with melt and pour, sometimes air bubbles can form. Spraying isopropyl alcohol immediately after pouring breaks up these air bubbles and creates a smooth surface. Spraying isopropyl alcohol in between melt and pour layers also helps the layers adhere. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to disperse oxides and clays to be used in melt and pour projects, like in the Charcoal and Rose Clay Melt and Pour.
For cold process soap making, isopropyl alcohol is great for helping to prevent soda ash. Soda ash occurs when unsaponified lye reacts with the carbon monoxide in the air. This reaction causes a white film to form on the top of cold process soap. Soda ash isa completelyharmless cosmetic issue. Soda ash can be prevented by spraying the top of cold process soap with isopropyl alcohol within 10-15 minutes of pouring your fresh soap. If you’d like to learn more about soda ash and how to prevent it,check out this blog post.
Ready to put your 99% isopropyl alcohol to use? When you receive isopropyl alcohol from Bramble Berry, it comes in a standard plastic container. We like to pour it into8 oz. Bottles with a Spray Topfor ease of use. Don’t forget to label it!
Now that your rubbing alcohol is in a spray bottle, let’s get crafting. Below are a collection of melt and pour tutorials in which rubbing alcohol is crucial due to the layers and embeds.
Top Row, left to right: Violet Glitter Gradient Melt and Pour, Embedded Heart Melt and Pour Tutorial
Bottom Row, left to right: Rainbow Hearts Melt and Pour,Rainbow Unicorn Melt and Pour
If you are looking for other crafting options, rubbing alcohol plays a key role in creating liquid perfumes and room sprays. It even comes in handy when creating nail polish!
Top row, left to right: White Ginger and Amber Spray Perfume, Springtime Room Spray
Bottom row, left to right: Anti-Pinch Nail Polish, New Year New Fragrance
Do you find isopropyl alcohol essential in your crafting space? What is your favorite way to use it?
FAQs
The only downside of 99% isopropyl alcohol is that, understandably, it needs to be used and stored properly. In this concentration, it is highly flammable, may cause dizziness if used in high quantities in an ill-ventilated area, and can be an irritant to skin and eyes. Of course, it should also never be ingested.
What does isopropyl alcohol do in soap? ›
Isopropyl Alcohol or Rubbing Alcohol, as it is commonly known, has many uses. For the soap maker it is most useful when spritzing your newly poured melt and pour soaps. Helping to remove surface bubbles, but it is also a powerful solvent with many useful applications.
Does 99% isopropyl alcohol leave residue? ›
99% IPA evaporates cleanly and minimizes residual substances. Rapid evaporation reduces shelf life but is more effective against sticky residues, grease, and grime than 70% concentrations.
What is the difference between 91 and 99 isopropyl alcohol? ›
99% IPA has the highest concentration of alcohol, with only 1% water, making it the most effective at dissolving resin and other buildup in your bong. 91% IPA has 9% water, and 70% IPA has 30% water, which means they are less potent and may take longer to work.
What is better 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%.
What is isopropyl alcohol 99% used for? ›
99% isopropyl alcohol is used: To act as a solvent, a general-purpose cleaner's ingredient, or to clean surfaces. 99% isopropyl alcohol won't corrode metals or plastics, so it can be used extensively on all surfaces without leaving stains, including glass and screens.
Is it safe to bathe in isopropyl alcohol? ›
Do not bathe in it: Some old-time remedies called for soothing fevers and aches with alcohol baths or alcohol-soaked compresses applied to the skin. Bad idea. If too much alcohol is absorbed into the skin, it can be toxic to the heart and nerves.
Where should you not use isopropyl alcohol? ›
Keep Isopropyl Alcohol out of confined spaces, such as sewers, because of the possibility of an explosion. DO NOT wash into sewer. Isopropyl Alcohol is dangerous to aquatic life at high concentrations.
Which rubbing alcohol is best for soap making? ›
A quick spray of Isopropyl Alcohol will eliminate all of your bubbles on melt and pour soap. Pour into your own trigger spray bottle and get rid of the bubbles.
How long does 99% isopropyl alcohol last? ›
Unopened IPA (isopropyl alcohol) containers last for long periods of time. Under ideal storage conditions, the shelf life of IPA is roughly three years from the manufacture date. As storage space for flammable liquids is generally limited, most manufacturers order IPA as needed and minimize storage quantity.
When it comes to putting rubbing alcohol in ears for cleaning purposes, it's safe to do so as long as you do it correctly. Start by putting 2-3 drops in one ear, then hold your head to the side for a few minutes so the rubbing alcohol can clear out bacteria and earwax.
Why is isopropyl alcohol so expensive? ›
Isopropyl alcohol is primarily derived from propylene, a petrochemical feedstock. Fluctuations in crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and supply disruptions in the petrochemical industry can directly impact the cost of raw materials, thereby influencing the pricing of isopropyl alcohol.
Which rubbing alcohol is best for skin? ›
Before using rubbing alcohol on your face, make sure that you select an isopropyl alcohol that's no more than 70 percent ethanol. While it's available at the drugstore in 90-percent-alcohol formulas, this is much too strong for your skin, and totally unnecessary.
Does 100% isopropyl alcohol exist? ›
The high grades of Isopropyl Alcohol 100% are suitable for the majority of IPA uses and is commonly used by industrial users and cleaners. Great for: Disinfecting hard surfaces - kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide instead of isopropyl alcohol? ›
Hydrogen Peroxide for Killing Germs. Both hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol can kill germs. Generally, you can use rubbing alcohol on the skin and some surfaces while you can only use hydrogen peroxide on surfaces. Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are two common household cleaners.
What percent isopropyl alcohol is safe for skin? ›
Isopropyl Alcohol 70% Safe on Skin Products.
Is isopropyl alcohol safe in skincare? ›
The unsafe alcohols in some skin care products are generally simple or denatured alcohols, which are created using petroleum-based ingredients. In other words, not really something you want on your skin or in your bloodstream. These not-so-skin-friendly alcohols include ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and alcohol denat.
Can isopropyl alcohol be absorbed through the skin? ›
Blood isopropyl alcohol levels were measured at the beginning and end of the study. At the end of the study, measurable blood isopropyl alcohol levels (range 0.5-1.8 mg/l) were recorded in nine subjects. We confirmed that isopropyl alcohol could be absorbed through the intact skin of adult humans.
Can I use 99 isopropyl alcohol on a derma roller? ›
How To Clean Your Derma Roller? There's only one correct way to clean a derma roller: an isopropyl alcohol solution of 70% or more. If it's less than 70%, it will not sterilise the roller properly, and you will risk a short-term skin irritation or infection.
The two most common types of alcohol are isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol. The basic difference between the two is that ethyl alcohol is commonly used for consumption, while isopropyl alcohol is used for topical application. Isopropyl alcohol is not safe for consumption.
Curious how to incorporate isopropyl alcohol into your soap making? When working with melt and pour, sometimes air bubbles can form. Spraying isopropyl alcohol immediately after pouring breaks up these air bubbles and creates a smooth surface. Spraying isopropyl alcohol in between melt and pour layers also helps the layers adhere. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to disperse oxides and clays to be used in melt and pour projects, like in the Charcoal and Rose Clay Melt and Pour.
For cold process soap making, isopropyl alcohol is great for helping to prevent soda ash. Soda ash occurs when unsaponified lye reacts with the carbon monoxide in the air. This reaction causes a white film to form on the top of cold process soap. Soda ash isa completelyharmless cosmetic issue. Soda ash can be prevented by spraying the top of cold process soap with isopropyl alcohol within 10-15 minutes of pouring your fresh soap. If you’d like to learn more about soda ash and how to prevent it,check out this blog post.
Ready to put your 99% isopropyl alcohol to use? When you receive isopropyl alcohol from Bramble Berry, it comes in a standard plastic container. We like to pour it into8 oz. Bottles with a Spray Topfor ease of use. Don’t forget to label it!
Now that your rubbing alcohol is in a spray bottle, let’s get crafting. Below are a collection of melt and pour tutorials in which rubbing alcohol is crucial due to the layers and embeds.
Top Row, left to right: Violet Glitter Gradient Melt and Pour, Embedded Heart Melt and Pour Tutorial
Top row, left to right: White Ginger and Amber Spray Perfume, Springtime Room Spray