Uses of Isopropyl Alcohol | Orlando Ingredient Supplier — Bell Chem (2024)

FAQs

What are the uses of isopropyl alcohol? ›

Isopropyl alcohol is mixed with water for use as a rubbing-alcohol antiseptic. It is also used in aftershave lotions, hand lotions, and other cosmetics. In industry it is used as an inexpensive solvent for cosmetics, drugs, shellacs, and gums, as well as for denaturing ethanol (ethyl alcohol).

IPA – Isopropyl Alcohol is a highly effective, general use cleaning solvent that is used to clean a variety of substrates and remove a variety of soils.

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.

Isopropyl alcohol, particularly in solutions between 60% and 90% alcohol with 10 – 40% purified water, is rapidly antimicrobial against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, usefulness for disinfection drops sharply.

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.

Rubbing alcohol has several potential uses for personal care and household cleaning. These uses include cleaning bites and piercings, eliminating odors, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and items within the home.

Isopropyl alcohol is used in antifreeze products, as a solvent for gums, shellac and essential oils, and in quick-drying inks and oils. It can also be found in body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Primarily, it's used as a cleaning agent. It removes dirt, grease, and contaminants from various surfaces. Isopropyl alcohol's high evaporation rate ensures that surfaces dry quickly, leaving them clean and residue-free. In addition to its cleaning properties, isopropyl alcohol is an excellent disinfectant.

Rubbing alcohol has many uses in your home, including cleaning and disinfectant purposes. You can also take advantage of its antiseptic and cooling purposes on the skin in small amounts. Remember to not drink it, use it on children, or use it near open flames.

Cleans sticky grime and residue: Use 100% Isopropyl Alcohol Straight. Perfect for cleaning computer screens, phones, iPad screen, and is non-streaking: Use 100% Isopropyl Alcohol Straight. General window cleaner: Use 100% Isopropyl Alcohol Straight. Removes ink: Use 100% Isopropyl Alcohol Straight.

What's the difference between rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol? ›

Isopropyl alcohol is pure alcohol and is a colorless liquid with a musty, sharp odor. There are no other ingredients in a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. By contrast, rubbing alcohol contains isopropyl alcohol among other ingredients, such as water. Most rubbing alcohol brands contain 70% isopropyl alcohol.

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.

In addition to being used as a cleanroom cleaning agent, isopropyl alcohol can be found in many everyday products such as inks, paint thinners, general-purpose cleaners, windshield thawing agents, and disinfectants, since it is so effective in killing bacteria and viruses.

Uses. first aid to help prevent the risk of infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

In general, rubbing alcohol is a better option for your skin. This isn't necessarily because it's more effective, but because hydrogen peroxide is too harsh to be used on your skin. Both can be used effectively on hard surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, porcelain, stainless steel, and glass.

It's a powerful germicide, which means it has the ability to kill a wide variety of germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Rubbing alcohol is used in healthcare settings to disinfect hands and surfaces, but can also be used as a household cleaner.

The main difference between isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol is the concentration. The concentration of isopropyl alcohol is 100%, while the concentration of rubbing alcohol is less because of the addition of water. Otherwise, the two liquids have similar properties.

It Disinfects (Most) Things. You can mix a 50/50 solution of water and rubbing alcohol to disinfect your hard-surface countertops, like granite and quartz. Hospitals also sometimes use alcohol towelettes to get rid of germs on small surfaces like stethoscopes, scissors, and thermometers.

IPA, especially in solutions between 60% to 90% alcohol with 10-40% water, is a potent antimicrobial against various bacterias, fungi, and viruses. Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, its effectiveness for disinfection also drops significantly.