Crazy Ways to Use Rubbing Alcohol

There are so many surprising items around the house that can be used to clean any number of things. One of the most versatile of these is plain old rubbing alcohol, which can be found at almost every grocery store or drug store. There are so many uses for rubbing alcohol ranging from disinfecting to screen cleaning to melting icy windows. Here are just a few of the many, many ways you can use rubbing alcohol both in your home and outside of it.

Screen Cleaning

One of the best ways to use rubbing alcohol is as a cleaner and disinfectant. Many screen cleaner sprays are actually alcohol or just alcohol-based, so when you run out of your favorite bottle of cleaner don’t worry. You can reuse the bottle and simply refill it with rubbing alcohol and dilute it with water for the same cleaning effects. When you use this to clean your phone, tablet, or laptop screen we suggest using a microfiber cloth to wipe the cleaner onto the screen for a clean and streak-free surface.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer has always been an important part of our daily lives, especially in the last few years. The risk of being out and about and touching a public door handle or a mysterious sticky substance on a subway seat is ever-present so it’s a good idea to have a spray or gel sanitizer on hand. If your hand sanitizer is low or you can’t seem to find a scent you enjoy, we have a solution! You can make your own sanitizer by combining the following ingredients in a small squeeze or spray bottle:

• a 2-to-1 ratio of aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol
• about a tablespoon of almond, coconut, or vitamin E oil
• and about 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil

Shake up this mixture and enjoy your new DIY hand sanitizer! Or, if you just want to top off your favorite sanitizer with a bit of rubbing alcohol and shake it up to combine the two, it may be a little more watery than before but your favorite scent will still be just as strong.

Give Your Jewelry A Shiny Refresh

Everyone has a few pieces of jewelry that have lost their luster and sit at the bottom of the box. If you are looking to give these well-worn and dirty pieces a new life, rubbing alcohol can help get the job done. Be sure to check that you are going to be cleaning pieces like gold and silver, not costume jewelry or any stones or crystals that may dissolve with something like rubbing alcohol. You can mix about ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol in a bowl with about a teaspoon of dish soap and allow your dingy jewelry to sit in the mixture for just a few minutes. In a separate bowl, or in your plugged sink, use a toothbrush to rinse the soapy mixture from your jewelry and reveal their shine.

Clean Your Face

There are so many beauty products out there for you to use, it can be a little overwhelming. If you have run out of your favorite toner or acne drying lotion, you can try 70% rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol has similar properties as usual facial astringents and, when used in moderation, can leave your face clean with slightly tightened pores. However, because it is not a regular toner the alcohol is highly drying for your face and should only be used in a pinch and should be followed with a heavier moisturizer. You can also use a cotton swab dipped into the alcohol to spot treat any stubborn acne, the drying and antibacterial properties of the alcohol will lessen the appearance of the acne with a few uses. Remember, only use this in moderation so you don’t damage your skin.

Clear Your Frozen Windshield in the Winter

During the winter, snow and ice can really impact your daily commute, especially if you live somewhere where the snow can pile as high as your head! If you’ve woken up to your car being frozen in the night, don’t worry, a little bit of rubbing alcohol can get you on your way in no time. In a spray bottle, mix together a 2-to-1 ratio of rubbing alcohol and water along with one teaspoon of dish soap and shake it up. You can spray this mixture onto your car’s windshield and door handles and it will get to work melting the ice in a matter of minutes. You can even use a similar mixture in larger quantities to melt ice on your driveway.

Have you tried any of these rubbing alcohol hacks? Tell us about your experience, we’d love to hear about it. If you’ve tried just about everything, including rubbing alcohol, to get your home clean and disinfected don’t worry. We have several different professional home cleaning services that may be able to help you and your home, contact us today to find out if they’re right for you!