Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

15 Genius Uses for Rubbing Alcohol You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner!

Rubbing alcohol (AKA surgical spirit) is a household hero you never knew you needed! This budget friendly staple can do so much more than just disinfect cuts and scrapes. Whether you’re looking for an effective cleaner, a DIY beauty hack, or even a way to freshen up your home, rubbing alcohol is a must have.

The best part? It’s inexpensive, readily available, and incredibly versatile. From tackling tough stains to keeping pesky germs at bay, these clever uses for rubbing alcohol will make your life easier. Read on to discover 15 ways to use rubbing alcohol around your home, you won’t believe you didn’t try these sooner!

Important Safety Warnings

While rubbing alcohol is incredibly useful, it must be handled with care:

Do not ingest rubbing alcohol
It is toxic and can be fatal if consumed.
Avoid using it to reduce fever
Applying it to the skin can be dangerous and ineffective.
Keep away from open flames
Rubbing alcohol is highly flammable, so never use it near heat sources.
Use with supervision around children
Ensure they do not accidentally ingest or misuse it.
Watch for allergic reactions
If you experience difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, seek emergency medical help immediately.

15 Uses For Rubbing Alcohol

Let’s get straight into the many wonderful uses for rubbing alcohol you’ll wish you knew sooner;

1. Make a Mouldable Ice Pack

Create a DIY ice pack that won’t freeze solid! Mix rubbing alcohol with water (1:3 ratio) in a sealable plastic bag and pop it in the freezer. The result? A flexible, reusable ice pack perfect for soothing aches and pains.

2. Streak Free Mirrors & Glass

Say goodbye to smudges and streaks! Mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spritz onto mirrors and windows. Wipe down with a lint free cloth for a crystal clear finish.

3. Remove Stubborn Scuff Marks

Scuff marks on tiles or laminate floors? No problem! Dab a bit of rubbing alcohol onto a cloth and rub away those pesky marks in seconds.

4. Banish Smelly Shoes

Freshen up stinky trainers by spraying the insides with rubbing alcohol. Place them in a sunny spot to dry, and the odour causing bacteria will be gone!

5. Prevent Frost On Your Windscreen

Winter mornings just got easier! Before the temperature drops, spray your windscreen with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water (1:4 ratio). This prevents frost from sticking overnight.

6. Instant De-Icer for Your Car

If frost has already formed, no worries! Spray rubbing alcohol directly onto the ice, wait a few moments, and watch it melt away effortlessly.

7. Remove Permanent Marker

Accidentally used a permanent marker on a whiteboard or hard surface? Rubbing alcohol works like magic to lift ink stains, just apply and wipe away.

8. Refresh Your Jewellery

Soak your jewellery in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes, then buff with a soft cloth to restore its sparkle. It also disinfects earrings and other accessories.

9. DIY Air Freshener

Combine one cup of rubbing alcohol with 10 drops of your favourite essential oil. Pour into a spray bottle and mist your home for a quick refresh!

10. Get Rid Of Onion & Garlic Smells

Cooking up a storm but left with smelly hands? Rub a little rubbing alcohol onto your hands, then rinse to banish odours instantly.

11. Clean Your Smartphone

Your phone harbours more germs than you think! Wipe it down with a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to keep it clean and bacteria free.

12. Say Goodbye To Grease

Cut through stubborn kitchen grease on your hob, backsplash, or oven hood. Simply wipe with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.

13. Clean Your Whiteboard With Ease

Dried-up whiteboard marker? A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol will have your board looking brand new.

14. Remove Ring Around The Collar

Tired of yellow stains on shirt collars? Dab rubbing alcohol on the area before washing, and watch those stains vanish.

15. Tick Removal Trick

If you or your pet gets a tick, apply rubbing alcohol with a cotton pad. It will encourage the tick to loosen its grip, making removal easier.

Bonus Hacks

As if that wasn’t enough, here are another 10 bonus hacks using rubbing alcohol!

16. Sparkling Stainless Steel

Wipe down stainless steel sinks and appliances with rubbing alcohol to remove water spots and fingerprints for a spotless finish.

17. Sterilise Beauty Tools & Tweezers

Give your makeup brushes, tweezers, and scissors a deep clean by soaking them in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes. Let them air dry for a germ free shine.

18. Clean Candle Jars

Love your candles but hate the black soot on the glass? Wipe the jar with rubbing alcohol to make it look as good as new (just don’t do this near a flame!).

19. Prevent Swimmer’s Ear

If you spend a lot of time in the water, prevent ear infections by adding a few drops of rubbing alcohol into each ear after swimming to help dry up any trapped moisture.

20. The Ultimate Degreaser

For stubborn grease stains on kitchen counters and cabinets, rubbing alcohol works wonders. Simply apply, wipe, and enjoy a grease free surface!

21. Disinfect Light Switches & Door Handles

Keep germs at bay by wiping down high touch surfaces like light switches, remote controls, and doorknobs with rubbing alcohol.

22. Clean Your Glasses

Foggy lenses? Spray rubbing alcohol onto your glasses and wipe them with a soft cloth for a streak free shine.

23. Polish Chrome Fixtures

Make your taps and chrome fixtures gleam! Rub a little rubbing alcohol onto them with a soft cloth and buff for a mirror like shine.

24. Remove Nail Polish Without Acetone

Out of nail polish remover? Rubbing alcohol can work as an alternative, just soak a cotton pad and gently wipe off the polish.

25. Eliminate Mould & Mildew

Got stubborn mould in the bathroom? Spray rubbing alcohol directly onto affected areas and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing away.

Which One Will You Try First?

With these 25 genius hacks, rubbing alcohol is truly a household must have! Which one will you try first? Save this post so you can always have these tips handy! And don’t forget to share it with your friends so they can reap the benefits too!

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