Difference between revisions of "Use Rubbing Alcohol"

Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, is a tremendously useful agent. It can be used as an antiseptic, a cleaning agent, and even as a survival tool. Rubbing alcohol is not safe for consumption, and anyone who accidentally ingests rubbing alcohol should seek immediate medical attention.<ref name="rf1">http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0359.html</ref> Knowing how to safely use rubbing alcohol in your home can help you treat wounds and keep a cleaner home.

#Clean your hands with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is a common ingredient in most commercial hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizer is used to disinfect the hands, and does not require soap or water. Simply rubbing hand sanitizer on the hands for approximately 30 seconds, or until the liquid has evaporated, kills the majority of bacteria present. Hand sanitizer often includes additional components, such as a moisturizing element to prevent the hands from drying out, but these components are not necessary. If you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, or if you want to ensure that your hands are completely clean, rubbing alcohol may be used to disinfect the hands.<ref name="rf2">http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/1/136.full</ref>

#* Rub the hands together vigorously for approximately 30 seconds, or until the hands are completely covered and the alcohol begins to evaporate.<ref name="rf2" />

#* Note that rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer do not remove dirt from the hands. If your hands are visibly soiled, you may need to wash your hands with soap and water to remove the dirt from your skin.<ref name="rf2" />

#Treat wounds with rubbing alcohol. One of the most common uses of rubbing alcohol is treating wounds. This is because rubbing alcohol makes an excellent antiseptic. It kills germs by coagulating each germ's protein. Once a germ's protein is solidified, the germ dies rather quickly.<ref name="rf3">http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/rubbing-alcohol-good-anticeptic/</ref>

#* Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the skin surrounding a wound. This may be particularly helpful for puncture wounds, which can introduce foreign germs into the wound.<ref name="rf4">http://www.childrenscolorado.org/wellness-safety/is-your-child-sick/puncturewound/puncture-wound-/photos</ref> Once the wound is clean, you can bandage the wound, and seek medical attention as needed.

#Disinfect skin before an injection. Certain medications, like insulin, need to be injected into the body. Prior to administering an injection, it's important to disinfect the skin to prevent bacteria from being introduced into the body.<ref name="rf5">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138495/</ref>

#* Pour 60% to 70% rubbing alcohol onto a clean cotton swab.<ref name="rf5" />

#* Thoroughly wipe the skin where the injection will be administered. Do not go over the same area twice.<ref name="rf5" />

#* Wait for the alcohol to completely dry before administering the injection.<ref name="rf5" />

#Disinfect medical tools. Some household medical tools, like tweezers, can harbor bacteria that could be introduced to a wound. For this reason, it's important to disinfect medical tools before use. You can do this with rubbing alcohol.<ref name="rf6">http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0601/p2647.html</ref>

#* Thoroughly douse the tips of tweezers in rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to dry before use, to ensure that any bacteria on the tweezers have been killed.<ref name="rf6" />

#Remove stains with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol can make a surprisingly effective stain remover. Simply mix one part rubbing alcohol with two parts water. You can use this mixture in a spray bottle, or poured on a rag or towel to spot clean stained fabrics.<ref name="rf7">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/01/uses-for-rubbing-alcohol-_n_7657046.html</ref>

#* Rubbing alcohol can be used to treat grass stains before the wash cycle. Apply the rubbing alcohol mixture to a stain, rubbing the fabric thoroughly. Let it sit for ten minutes, then wash the clothing article as you normally would.<ref name="rf7" />

#Clean your bathroom with rubbing alcohol. Because of its antiseptic properties, rubbing alcohol is often used to clean high-germ areas like bathrooms. Apply rubbing alcohol to a paper towel and rub bathroom fixtures like faucets, sinks, and toilets to quickly clean and disinfect these surfaces.<ref name="rf7" />

#Make a window cleaner with rubbing alcohol. In addition to its other cleaning applications, rubbing alcohol can be used to make an effective window cleaner. Just mix one pint of rubbing alcohol with two tablespoons of ammonia and two tablespoons of dish soap. Mix the formula thoroughly, then apply to windows using a spray bottle or sponge.<ref name="rf7" />

#[[Remove a Tick|Remove a tick]]. Some people find that applying rubbing alcohol to a burrowed tick can shock the tick, making it easier to remove. Even if this does not work, experts recommend using rubbing alcohol to kill and preserve a tick after removal. This makes it easier for doctors to determine if the tick was a carrier of Lyme disease.<ref name="rf8">http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html</ref>

#* Use a clean cotton swab to apply rubbing alcohol to the area where a tick is attached. If you don't have cotton swabs, you can pour a little rubbing alcohol directly onto the skin.<ref name="rf7" />

#* Use clean tweezers (preferably after sterilizing them, which you can do with rubbing alcohol) to grip the tick's body as close to the surface of your skin as possible.<ref name="rf8" />

#* Gently pull the tick upward without breaking any part of the tick's body.<ref name="rf8" />

#* Drop the tick into a jar or bottle filled with a little rubbing alcohol. Be sure the tick is completely submerged.<ref name="rf8" />

#* Use rubbing alcohol to cleanse the skin's surface where the tick was removed.<ref name="rf8" />

#Get rid of sneaker odors. Use a spray bottle to apply rubbing alcohol to the inside of sneakers. The rubbing alcohol will kill the bacteria causing the smells, leaving your sneakers clean and odor-free.<ref name="rf7" />

#Remove nail polish. If you're out of nail polish remover, you can use rubbing alcohol in a pinch. Pour some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton swab, and rub hard on your finger nails to remove old nail polish. Nail polish won't come off as easily as with actual nail polish remover, but it will still strip away the old nail polish.<ref name="rf7" />

#Do not use rubbing alcohol to cool feverish skin. A common folk remedy for fevers is to apply rubbing alcohol to the skin. As the alcohol evaporates, it's thought to offer a cooling sensation.<ref name="rf9">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/health/07real.html?_r=0</ref> However, pouring rubbing alcohol on the body, especially on children, can be ''extremely dangerous''. A number of children have actually slipped into comas after their parents applied rubbing alcohol to treat a fever. For this reason, ''using rubbing alcohol to relieve the symptoms of a fever is highly discouraged''.<ref name="rf9" />