16 Handy Ways to Use Rubbing Alcohol Around the House

Remove Permanent Marker or Ink

Permanent marker isn't always as permanent as the name suggests. Use rubbing alcohol to remove it from hard surfaces, such as laminate countertops and hard plastic items, wood furniture, fabrics, and painted walls.

• Place some rubbing alcohol on an old cloth or paper towel.
• Start at the outside of the stain and work toward the center to prevent ink spreading.
• Dab and blot.
• Move to a clean area of the towel as the ink is transferred.
• Keep working slowly until all of the ink is gone.

Clean Windows and Mirrors

Rubbing alcohol makes a wonderful window and mirror cleaner because it cuts through any build-up like hairspray, toothpaste, and grease.

• Make homemade glass cleaner by pouring one cup of rubbing alcohol, one cup of distilled water, and one tablespoon of vinegar into a spray bottle.
• Shake to mix and label the bottle.
• The solvent-based alcohol will evaporate quickly, eliminating streaks and spots.

Remove Water Spots and Fingerprints

Rid faucets and bathroom fixtures of water spots by wiping them down with a cloth dampened with a few drops of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol breaks down the minerals in the water that left the telltale spots on chrome fixtures.

For stainless steel sinks and appliances, dampen a paper towel or microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe following the metal's grain to remove fingerprints and smudges.

Sanitize Electronic Devices

Cellphones, computer keyboards, earbuds, game controllers, and other high-use electronic gadgets harbor lots of bacteria and grime from our hands. While you should consult the manufacturer before using any cleaning product, a lint-free microfiber cloth dampened with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol will significantly reduce the number of bacteria on the surfaces and remove built-up dirt.

Degrease Your Kitchen

Tackle grease buildup on your stovetop, counters, and cabinets with a rubbing alcohol solution. The alcohol works as a solvent to cut through the grease, and it will dry quickly, leaving the surfaces squeaky clean.

• Mix equal parts hot water and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in a sink or container.
• Dip a clean sponge or soft cloth into the solution and wipe away the grease.
• Dip a fresh sponge or cloth in warm water and rinse the area.
• Use a microfiber cloth to dry the surfaces to a streak-free shine.
  

Make Your Own Air Freshener

Freshen the air in your home with a homemade rubbing alcohol-based room spray. All you need is water, rubbing alcohol, your favorite essential oil, and a misting bottle.

• Fill the bottle 75% full with water and 25% rubbing alcohol.
• Add 10 to 20 drops of essential oil.
• Cap the bottle and shake well to combine the ingredients.
• Mix and match the scented oils to match your tastes and the season.
  

Make Homemade Upholstery Cleaner

The upholstery on our furniture and vehicle seats takes a beating from food and drink spills, pets, and general soil. Regular cleaning helps prevent excessive wear and helps keep stains under control. You can make a rubbing alcohol-based upholstery cleaner for fabrics that should only be dry cleaned or washed with water-free solvent to remove stains and soil.

• Pour two cups of alcohol into a spray bottle and label it.
• Lightly spritz the fabric starting at the top of a cushion or section.
• While the fabric is damp, use a soft-bristled brush to remove the soil.
• Rinse the brush frequently in plain water and shake it to remove as much moisture as possible before continuing to clean.
• Allow the fabric to air-dry.

Homemade Ice Pack

You can make your own gel-like ice pack for bruises. The bag remains pliable and moldable to your bruise and body, and the alcohol lowers the freezing temperature of the water.

Here's a simple, inexpensive recipe:

• All you need is a sturdy, watertight zip-top bag, three parts water, and one part alcohol.
• Freeze the bag.
• Wrap it in a paper towel to keep the chill directly off your skin.

Deodorize Shoes

Mist or dab isopropyl alcohol on the inside of smelly shoes to kill the bacteria that cause shoe odor.

Clean a Dry Erase Board

Refresh a dry-erase board with pesky, hard-to-remove marks. A spritz of alcohol and a paper towel quickly transform your board into a brand-new one.

Eliminate Fruit Flies

If you don't have time for more passive methods of fruit fly removal, instantly eliminate them with a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. Fruit flies die on contact when sprayed with the solution.

Remove Hairspray Residue

Droplets of hairspray dotting surfaces around the house can easily be removed with a swipe of alcohol-soaked paper towel. Get rid of the sticky, unsightly hairspray stains in seconds.

Get Rid of Sticker Residue

Stickers are made to be sticky, adhere to surfaces, and, in most cases, not come off. Alcohol will help break down the adhesives. Here's how to remove the sticker:

• Peel as much of the sticker off as you can.
• Douse the remaining sticker remnants in the rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes.
• Scrape away the residue with a hard, straight edge.

Sanitize Sponges

Employ this trick once a week to keep your sponges longer:

• Thoroughly saturate a sponge with rubbing alcohol.
• Seal it in an airtight container for 30 minutes.
• Squeeze out the excess (wearing gloves).
• Allow it to air dry.
• Use as usual once dried.

Clean Makeup Brushes

Using makeup brushes day in and day out can be problematic for your skin. The oils and bacteria from your skin transfer to the brushes and can pass onto your skin during subsequent uses. Soak your brushes in alcohol for 30 minutes to kill the bacteria.

Restore Sparkle to Jewelry

Submerge your jewelry in a small bowl filled with rubbing alcohol for at least 15 minutes to remove gunk and residue stuck in jewelry parts. Only use this on gold, silver, platinum, and precious gems. Keep alcohol away from pearls, opals, and costume jewelry.