Ways To Save With Rubbing Alcohol

We explore some ways to save with rubbing alcohol around the house. You’ll find it can replace some of your pricey store-bought cleaners.

by Janean Nusz

Rubbing alcohol not only makes an amazingly simple cleaner, but it kills nasty germs around your house in the process.

Rubbing alcohol is not just for medicinal purposes anymore; it can be used in all sorts of practical and cleaning applications around the home. Much cheaper than other cleaners, rubbing alcohol works just as well.

Money-Saving Household Uses for Rubbing Alcohol

Use rubbing alcohol to:

1. Clean your dry erase boards with a cloth or paper towel dampened in it.

The alcohol removes the buildup from stubborn dry-erase markers.

3. Clean grimy phones, switch plates and doorknobs.

Not only will the alcohol remove the oily dirt and dust, but it will also kill germs on these frequently handled areas.

3. Wipe dust and dirt from your table tops to uncover a great shine.

Alcohol may not be suitable as a cleaner for all tabletop finishes, so be sure to do a spot test first!

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4. Keep an ice pack on hand for those sudden emergencies.

Build your own inexpensive model by filling a freezer bag with one part alcohol and two parts water. Label it well, and pop it in the freezer.

The rubbing alcohol will keep the water from freezing into an unmanageable block. When needed, the ice pack will have a moldable slushy form, which is perfect for forming around skinned knees and elbows and the odd-sized lump left behind after an unfortunate tumble.

5. Care for dusty decorative candles that have been stored away.

Before lighting, wipe the dust away with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol removes the dust without ruining the wick, as water often does. Be sure to let the alcohol evaporate completely before lighting the candles!

6. Use as a deodorant in a pinch.

If you run out of deodorant, use alcohol instead. Add a few drops of your favorite essential for a nicer smell.

7. Remove fresh ink stains.

Just blot them with alcohol on a cloth. This procedure also often works to remove permanent marker stains on carpet.

8. Make a terrific, streak-free window and glass cleaner.

Just dampen a cloth with a 50% mixture of water and alcohol and wipe glass clean.

9. Clean stainless steel.

Alcohol can remove the water spots from stainless steel. Just use a microfiber cloth dampened with a bit of alcohol and you’ll have streak-free stainless surfaces.

10. Remove hairspray residue.

If you tend to get hairspray on your bathroom mirror or tile, you can easily clean the sticky build-up with alcohol.

11. Deodorize shoes.

Keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol handy to spray inside of smelly shoes. This can be especially helpful for kids’ sports shoes an adult’s work boots.

12. Disinfect sponges.

Keep a plastic container of alcohol on hand to soak and sanitize dirty kitchen and bathroom sponges. Just let them soak for a few hours inside the container and to get more use out of each sponge.

13. Make a windshield de-icer.

Combine two parts 70% rubbing alcohol to one part water in a spray bottle and spray on your car windshield and windows each night during the winter months. It will be much easier to clear your windshield and windows of frost in the morning.

Do remember that, although rubbing alcohol makes a fabulous, inexpensive cleaner, it is considered extremely flammable. To avoid any potential problems, make sure that you store rubbing alcohol in a cool, dry place away from anything that emits heat and/or sparks.

Reviewed February 2023