Isopropyl alcohol has long been a staple for disinfecting home medical or personal hygiene equipment like thermometers andtweezers.

Warning

Never mix alcohol and bleach.

It creates chloroform, a toxic compound that emits harmful fumes.

bottle of rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

70% is best for household use.

However, The disinfecting power of rubbing alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80-85%.

The alcohol breaks down the minerals in the water that left the telltale spots onchrome fixtures.

removing permanent marker

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

All you need is water, rubbing alcohol, your favorite essential oil, and a misting bottle.

Regular cleaning helps prevent excessive wear and helps keep stains under control.

Do not use rubbing alcohol or any dry-cleaning solvent around open flames.

cleaning a mirror with rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Turn on fans and open windows to provide good ventilation.

A spritz of alcohol and a paper towel quickly transform your board into a brand-new one.

Fruit flies die on contact when sprayed with the solution.

cleaning spots of of sink hardware

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Get rid of the sticky, unsightly hairspray stains in seconds.

Soak your brushes in alcohol for 30 minutes to kill the bacteria.

Only use this on gold, silver, platinum, and precious gems.

cleaning a cell phone with rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Keep alcohol away from pearls, opals, and costume jewelry.

Use a paper towel to wipe it clean.

Similarly, spray the inside of the bowl using a toilet brush.

person preparing to clean the kitchen with rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Alcohol-based wipes are also helpful for surface cleaning.

Vinegar works by loosening dirt and oil.

It is a gentler cleaner, takes longer to work, and has a stinky odor.

homemade room spray using rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

According to the CDC, vinegar is ineffective against most bacteria and viruses.

Centers for Disease Control.

Dangers of mixing bleach and alcohol.

spray cleaner made from rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

The International Association for Chemical Safety.

Chemical Disinfectants.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cleaning for a Healthy Home.

Person’s Hand Holding Ice Gel Pack On Ankle - stock photo

Andrey Popov / Getty Images

Cleaning shoe insoles with vinegar

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Dry erase residue wiped off whiteboard with gray towel

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Fruit flies sprayed down on white surface next to vile of rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Treating a hairspray stain on a blouse

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Container wiped with clean cloth to remove sticker residue and white vinegar

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Soaking the sponges in a cleaning solution

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Letting the makeup brushes dry after cleaning

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Cleaning silver jewelry with vinegar

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley