Uses For Rubbing Alcohol That You Didn’t Know About
It turns out that rubbing alcohol has more uses than just making your open wounds hurt even more while cleaning them. In reality, this commonplace household item is extremely helpful to have on hand for a variety of reasons beyond scraped knees.
Yes, it cleans wounds, but it can also be used to clean a variety of different things as well. Check out all the incredible hacks you can be using which this household product.
Remove Stubborn Stickers
Maybe you're just trying (and failing) to peel off a stubborn price tag on a gift. Maybe your kid just has a passion for putting stickers on your household surfaces.
Rubbing alcohol can make removing a stubborn sticker a breeze. Soak the whole sticker in alcohol and leave it for ten minutes. The rubbing alcohol works to dissolve the adhesive, making it easy to wipe the sticker and its goo away with ease. Say goodbye to that horrible Peppe Pig sticker your child put on the bathroom door.
Remove Stains From Microfiber
Microfiber has become an increasingly popular choice for upholstery due to its durability and stain resistance. If you do happen to stain the microfiber upholstery on your furniture or have microfiber cleaning cloths that look a little worse for the wear, rubbing alcohol has your back. It's an easy way to clean stains from microfiber fabrics without damaging them.
Gently mist some rubbing alcohol over the areas you want to clean using a spray bottle. Afterwards, just wipe it clean with a sponge or a cloth.
Clean Your Electronics
I am genuinely terrified and disgusted by how gross my laptop and phone are. With lots of daily use, our electronics need to be disinfected on a regular basis. The only problem is that many traditional cleaners have the potential to damage them.
Rubbing alcohol is a perfect cleaner for your electronic items because it evaporates quickly, leaving less opportunity for the moisture to damage your devices. Just apply a bit of rubbing alcohol to a cotton swab and wipe it across your device and lightly wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth.
Get Rid Of Fruit Flies
Fruit flies can be an absolute nuisance and seem to appear in the kitchen out of thin air. To keep them at bay, fill a fine-mist spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray it at fruit flies the next time you see them.
The alcohol intoxicates them and knocks them unconscious so you can easily wipe them up and throw them outside where they belong! It's a pretty humane way to keep those pesky flies out of your kitchen.
Remove Hairspray Residue
If hairspray or other aerosol hair products are part of your daily routine, you definitely know that they have a tendency to leave a sticky residue on countertops and other bathroom surfaces.
To fix it, just dampen a cloth or paper towel with rubbing alcohol and wipe everything down—sink, countertop, and anything else that might have been in the line of fire. Everything will be left sparkling clean in seconds. Alcohol wipes also work well for this.
Make Your Smelly Shoes Much More Pleasant
Gross smelling shoes are an unfortunate reality of life. If you, or someone in your household, have shoes that smell less than pleasant, rubbing alcohol can help you out.
To deodorize those rotten cheese-smelling shoes, spray the insides with rubbing alcohol using a fine mist spray bottle and then set them outside to dry in the sun. The combination of alcohol and sunlight helps to kill the bacteria that are creating the stink in the shoes.
Use It As Deodorant
If you forgot to run to CVS for deodorant last night, you have nothing to fear—rubbing alcohol can be a great substitute in a pinch. Add 15 drops of a skin-safe essential oil (lavender, tea tree, and rosehip oil are all good choices) to some rubbing alcohol in a fine-mist spray bottle.
Shake the container gently to make sure it mixes together a bit and then spray it on. Just make sure you don't have any open cuts in the area!
Save Broken Powder Makeups
I've had my fair share of shattered eye shadows, blushes, and bronzers throughout my life, and it's always devastating. With makeup being pretty expensive, my heart shatters alongside the powder when I drop my highlighter container.
However, you can salvage the items! All you have to do is place the broken bits back into the container, then add rubbing alcohol a few drops at a time. Use a popsicle stick or a small spoon to mix the alcohol and the powder together, then smoothen the mixture out and let it set and dry for a couple of hours. It will be good as new!
Dissolve Windshield Frost
There are few things I hate more in the winter than having to wake up earlier and rush to get ready so that I can stand in the cold struggling to scrape ice and frost off of my windshield.
If you're anything like me and would prefer to spend your time drinking coffee in the warmth of your home, spray the windshield with lightly-misted rubbing alcohol before getting into the car. When you put on the windshield wipers, the frost will come right off.
Clean Your Blinds
Cleaning the slats on Venetian blinds is a total pain, but it can be a bit easier if you use rubbing alcohol. To maximize efficiency, wrap a flat tool like a spatula in cloth and secure it using a rubber band.
Soak the cloth end in a bowl of rubbing alcohol and get to work moving it across the tops and bottoms of the slats of your blinds. This method is easy and the slats dry quickly.
Erase Permanent Marker
We've all had a permanent marker accident at some point, whether it was someone confusing it for a dry-erase one on the whiteboard or a mistake where it ended up on your clothing.
Rubbing alcohol can take that stain out easily. When you apply it to the permanent marker stain, it rehydrates the ink left behind, making it easy to wipe away. Just put a bit on the stain, let it soak for a minute, and them wipe the marker right off!
Disinfect Your Kid's Toys
My children are precious little beings that I love with my whole heart, but I am not afraid to admit that they are disgusting little creatures who will put anything and everything in their mouths without any regard for cleanliness.
Sanitizing their toys using rubbing alcohol is a quick, easy, and safe way to keep your toddler's toys bacteria-free. It not only kills the bacteria, but it's a safer and healthier choice than most harsh, chemical-filled cleaning products.
Stretch Out Tight Shoes
You know that pair of really cute shoes that your sister gave you because they just didn't work for her? They're perfect, apart from the fact that they're a tad snug. Use rubbing alcohol to stretch them out a little!
Rub it on with a dampened cloth or spray a light layer onto the outside and inside of your shoes and then put them on with a thick layer of socks to stretch them out a bit.
Spot Clean Carpets
I like carpets and rugs, but they are horrifically hard to clean stains from. While there are many spot-cleaning products available on the market, rubbing alcohol generally is a better solution for taking out stains on the carpet.
Just pour a little bit of alcohol onto the affected areas and blot to remove the stain. Repeat as necessary for really tough stains. It will take the mark out of the fabric without discoloring it the way some other cleaners do.
Remove Dog Ticks
Ticks are gross little buggers, but luckily they hate the taste of rubbing alcohol as much as they like to terrorize your furry friend. Before attempting to remove a tick from your dog, use a cotton swab soaking in rubbing alcohol to dab at the critter.
This makes it loosen its grip, and from there, grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Disinfect the wound by dabbing it with the alcohol.
Clean Your Jewelry
Have your rings lost their shine? If your bracelets, earrings, necklaces, or rings are looking dull, you can give them a refresher using rubbing alcohol.
Place your jewelry pieces that have lost their luster into a bowl and fill it up with rubbing alcohol so that all of the items are fully submerged in the solution. Let them sit for a few hours, then wipe them off with a clean cloth after to achieve a super shine.
Give Your Sponges A Refresher
Sponges often get a bad rap due to their tendency to trap bacteria, but you can keep your sponges squeaky clean and help extend their life with the help of a little rubbing alcohol.
Soak your sponges in rubbing alcohol to help disinfect them. Not only does this make sure that you're killing any harmful bacteria that could be transferred while cleaning, but it also helps clean out the sponge so that it works better and lasts longer.
Get Rid Of Marks On Your Stainless Steel
While there are many products available that are made to specifically clean stainless steel, rubbing alcohol does the trick just as well and leaves your appliances looking spotless and shiny while disinfecting the surfaces.
All you have to do is dampen a cloth or paper towel with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the desired surface. Due to its quick evaporation time, the rubbing alcohol leaves everything dry and free of smudges within seconds of wiping them down.
Remove Ink Stains
When I was in college, my bed sheets were riddled with ink stains from ballpoint pens I left open while studying in bed. Even now, I sometimes make the mistake of putting an uncapped pen into my pocket.
Much like with permanent marker, you can soak the stained fabric in rubbing alcohol to help get the mark out. Pour the alcohol onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before throwing the garment into the wash.
You Can Safely Remove Wax From Your Ears Using Peroxide
A 2015 study from Australian Family Physician supports ear irrigation as the most effective way to remove ear wax. Ear irrigation involves a liquid that softens the wax and dislodges it. Since hydrogen peroxide makes the wax bubble and weaken, it's a safe way to clean your ears.
Start by lying on your side. Place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your upward-facing ear. Wait five minutes, then sit up and use a tissue to absorb any excess liquid. Then do the same on your other ear. Remember to consult your doctor before trying these home remedies.
Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Rubbing alcohol also comes in handy when you need to get rid of bed bugs! Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and remove the sheets from the bed. Allowing enough time for the rubbing alcohol to dry before you go to sleep, spray it onto the mattress.
The rubbing alcohol only gets rid of the bed bugs it comes in contact with, so make sure to spray across the entire surface of the mattress. Once dry, you're OK to make the bed using clean sheets.
Worried About Germs This Flu Season? Disinfect Bathroom And Kitchen Surfaces
Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial. That's why many household cleaners include this ingredient. If you're running low on kitchen cleaners, use 3% hydrogen peroxide instead. Store it in a spray bottle and use as you would any other household cleaner.
Although hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant, it takes time to work. You might want to leave the solution on your countertops or walls for a minute before wiping. A mixture of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and plain soap makes an efficient cleaning solution for windows and mirrors.
Make A Reed Diffuser
Keep your spaces smelling amazing with a little help from rubbing alcohol and oils. Add a 1/4 cup of your favorite carrier oil—I personally prefer coconut oil—with 12 drops of your essential oil of choice and a splash of rubbing alcohol inside a small glass bottle or narrow vase.
Throw in some wooden skewers, and you're set! Now you have a homemade reed diffuser that only took minutes to make with a scent that's completely unique to your home.
Remove Ink Stains From Clothes
It's nearly impossible to rub ink out of clothing. At least, it would be if we didn't have hydrogen peroxide. For light-colored clothing, you can soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and dab it on the infected area. Then wash your clothes as normal.
If this doesn't work, your fabric may need a heavy-duty recipe. Create a solution of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% ammonia. The ammonia catalyzes the peroxide to work better. Only use clear ammonia, and don't use it on wool or silk since the ammonia will eat through the proteins on both fabrics.
Sometimes The Air Needs Cleaning, Too
Clean air can improve your quality of life. Well, you can combine hydrogen peroxide and a humidifier to reduce the germs floating through your home.
You'll want to dilute your 3% hydrogen peroxide a lot. Mix one part of peroxide with eight parts of water, and add the mixture to your humidifier. If you have a diffuser, you can add some drops of essential oils for a pleasant smell. Then let the machine work its magic. Don't use this technique if you have pets around.
Reshine Your Rusty Tools
When is the last time you cleaned your gardening shovel, screws, or hammer? Probably never. If your tools begin to rust, it's time for a scrub. Pour a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the rusted area and rub it with steel wool or a brush.
Before you dive into this DIY, test a small of hydrogen peroxide. H202 may react with some metallic irons, although it shouldn't affect stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. Double-check what your tools are made of before experimenting.
Bye Bye, Burn Residue
Burn residue can take ages to scrub off. Since burned debris cakes onto the surface of pots and pans, just scrubbing won't do much. You need a substance that dissolves and lifts the residue. Use hydrogen peroxide to remove the grime without having to scrub.
Pour a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide (3% is fine) to cover all the burned areas. Then stir in a pile of baking soda. Leave it for at least a couple of hours; aim for six hours. The debris should lift right off! Wipe off any sticky remains until your pot or pan looks like new.
Have Discolored Nails? Try This
Fungi can transform your nails into yellowed, cracked fragments of what they used to be. Hydrogen peroxide can kill this fungus quickly and efficiently. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of hot water with one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide. For extra strength, include one teaspoon of baking soda.
Soak your nails in this solution for about ten minutes. If you don't want your skin to soften, you can soak a cotton ball in the mixture and press it to your nails. If you need to, scrub stains off with a clean, unused toothbrush or a nail brush.
Hydrogen Peroxide Is A Natural Deodorant
When bacteria breaks down sweat, it creates body odor. Because our armpits sweat more than any other area, they're the main culprit of body odor. Some people use 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill these germs, and hence halt the B.O.
Hydrogen peroxide is not an antiperspirant, so it won't inhibit your sweating. But neither do deodorants. Swipe or spray some hydrogen peroxide wherever you're sweating for odor relief. And it's certainly cheaper than paying for a deodorant that could contain harmful substances like aluminum.
Help Your Plants Grow Big And Strong
Hydrogen peroxide works by releasing oxygen. Because plants use oxygen to absorb nutrients from the soil, they love this extra oxygen molecule. This promotes healthier, more vigorous plant growth for your garden.
To encourage garden growth, mix one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per one cup of water. After you pour the mixture into a spray bottle, mist your plants. If you want to cover an entire garden, increase your dosage to 35% hydrogen peroxide. You can also use this to pre-treat seeds. Since peroxide kills fungi, it also wards off potential diseases such as root infections.
Wash Your Fruits And Vegetables
It's essential to wash your fruits and vegetables when you bring them home. You never know who touched them or which pesticides they came into contact with. But instead of paying $8 for a veggie wash, why don't you use a little bit of hydrogen peroxide?
To create a veggie cleaner, fill your sink with cold water and add 1/4 cup of 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide. Wash your fruit and vegetables in the mixture, and then rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. According to Poison Control, hydrogen peroxide isn't toxic, except in large amounts.
Soften Those Cracked Heels
Why spend your money on spa foot treatments when you have so many other things to pay for? If you have cracked, rough callouses on the edges of your feet, hydrogen peroxide can soften that skin by breaking down the tissue around it.
Dilute two cups of hydrogen peroxide into two cups of hot water. Soak feet for 30 minutes. After you dry them off, scrub off all the dead skin. Then lather your feet with lotion, pop on some warm fuzzy socks, and hit the hay. Your feet will feel super soft in the morning.
Mix Hydrogen Peroxide With Borax For An Even Deeper Rust Clean
We already told you that scrubbing 3% hydrogen peroxide with steel wool will help remove rust from old metal tools. If even that doesn't do the trick, try mixing 3% hydrogen peroxide with borax and dish soap for an even deeper clean.
Combine 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of regular dish soap, and a scoop of borax to make a solution that will pre-cleanse the rusted surface. Cover the rusted surface entirely and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then you can srub the rust away as normal.
Remove Labels Or Glue
It can be difficult and frustrating trying to remove a label or a sticker from a product you purchased. More often than not, the label or sticker will break apart into irritating small bits that take way too much work to get off. Plus you end up getting the label or sticker stuck under your nails, and it makes a big mess.
An easier way to remove labels and stickers is by using hydrogen peroxide. Set the product on a flat surface and spray the label or sticker with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit. After about 10 minutes, the label should easily come off with a little light scrubbing.
This Can Alleviate A Painful Canker Sore
Anyone who has had a canker sore knows that it hurts. While hydrogen peroxide can't make a canker sore disappear, it can speed up the healing. The peroxide kills growing bacteria in your mouth, which may ameliorate some pain.
Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with water--no more than half and half. Apply the mixture to your canker sore. Either dip a cotton ball in the solution and press it to your sore, or swish the liquid in your mouth. Either way, make sure not to swallow any of the peroxide. Oh, and it might sting a bit.
Here's How To Clean Your Toothbrushes
Have you ever thought about how many germs gather on your toothbrushes? The reality is that they attract plenty of bacteria, and yet most people never clean their toothbrushes. According to the Children's Oral Health Institute, hydrogen peroxide is a safe method of disinfecting your child's toothbrushes.
Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a cup, and place your toothbrushes into it bristles-down. Leave the toothbrushes in there until the liquid stops bubbling. Afterward, rinse the toothbrush thoroughly before use. Another method is to swish your toothbrush through a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide before use.
If You Have Carpet Stains, Check This Out
Commercial carpet-cleaning products contain sodium percarbonate, which is a powdered form of hydrogen peroxide. That's why cleaners often have "Oxy" or "Oxi" in the name. Why don't you skip the extra charge and use hydrogen peroxide instead?
Before you start pouring, dilute the peroxide. Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with five parts water. Spray it on the dirty spot and wait for a couple of minutes, and then scrub the stain away. You might want to test it on a small area first.
Time For Teeth Whitening
According to a 2004 study in the Journal of Dentistry, hydrogen peroxide effectively bleaches teeth. To whiten your teeth, create a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. Swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, or as long as you can stand. Spit the solution out if it hurts your mouth, and don't swallow it.
The higher the concentration, the brighter the whitening. However, a 2006 study from the same journal reported that higher concentrations could harm the enamel. If you use a higher concentration (25% or 35%), shorten the amount of time that the peroxide is in your mouth.
Give Your Dishwasher More Oomph
Dishwashers make everything easier--when they work. If you don't clean your dishwasher, the extra residue will cake the walls and leave your dishes less than lustrous. Plus, the hydrogen peroxide will lend your dishwasher soap more cleaning power.
Before you run your next load, add 1/4 cup (or three ounces) of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your dishwasher. Close the door and run it. The hot water will swirl it around, and the peroxide will disinfect the surface. That's all you have to do!
Lighten Your Hair At Half The Price
Hydrogen peroxide makes up 6% to 10% of most blonde hair dyes. To save money, you can use the liquid chemical to lighten your hair instead of a lengthy routine. Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, an alkaline chemical that will lower the acidity. Spread the paste through your hair and leave it on from 15 to 60 minutes. Then, rinse your hair with cold water.
While the solution won't turn your hair bleach blonde, it will lighten the color noticeably. Be careful handling hydrogen peroxide, because it easily irritates the eyes. And if you use too much, it can damage your hair and skin.
Help Unclog Your Drain
If your sink drain keeps clogging, hydrogen peroxide may be able to help! Try pouring one cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain and let it sit for an hour. After an hour has passed, run several hot cups of water down the drain to encourage the gunk to pass through.
For best results, repeat the process every two weeks to keep your drain from clogging up again. It's always handy to keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide under the sink!
Protect Your Shower From Mildew
Nobody likes cleaning their shower. That's why it's best to clean a shower and shield it from future mold at the same time. Fill a spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Spritz the walls of your shower and let it work its magic for 10 minutes. Then, wipe the mildew away.
According to a 2013 study in BMC Research Notes, hydrogen peroxide effectively kills microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. It also demolishes budding yeast systems, so you won't have to clean your shower for a while longer.
It Can Save Your Dog's Life
Dog owners understand the risk of accidental poisoning. As soon as your dog eats a lot of grapes or chocolate, you're on the clock. You can safely induce vomiting by feeding your dog a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide creates a mild reaction but not extreme enough to cause harm.
To induce vomiting, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide (any higher concentration is toxic). Feed your dog one teaspoon per five pounds of their body weight. The vomiting works ten to 15 minutes after eating, and it can last for up to 45 minutes. Afterward, follow up with your vet.
Kill Mold Without Using Harsh Chemicals
Mold can develop within 24 hours. Leaving it unattended can result in respiratory illnesses; it's a hazard to those with allergies. While it's important to kill mold quickly, most people don't want to spray chemicals everywhere. Here's a way to eradicate mold without those dangerous cleaners.
Add 3% hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle. Saturate the mold-infected walls with the solution, and leave it there for ten minutes. Over time, the anti-fungal liquid will destroy the organisms. After ten minutes pass, scrub the area to remove all the stains. Then wipe the surface to dislodge any remaining mold stains.
Finally, An Easy Way To Clean Your Retainer Or Mouthguard
That tiny plastic mold that you have to stuff into your mouth every night is hard to keep clean. But you can clean your retainer for little-to-no money by using hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water.
Place your retainer into a jar and submerge it in water. Add one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a sprinkle of baking soda. Leave the retainer in there for about ten minutes. Afterward, take it out and rinse all the residue off. Make sure to rinse your retainer thoroughly before popping it back in your mouth.
Your Humidifier Needs Cleaning, Too
When's the last time you cleaned your humidifier or diffuser? Bacteria adore wet, warm places. Humidifiers remain damp for a long time. Plus, standing water allows bacteria to multiply. Dirty humidifiers can trigger allergy symptoms rather than help them.
To clean a humidifier or diffuser, add two cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide to one gallon of water. Pour it into the humidifier's water tank and filter, scrub it, and let it sit for 10 to 30 minutes. Then rinse the base in clean water and leave it to air dry.
Re-Beautify Your Makeup Brushes
"Through daily use, makeup brushes can accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, oil, pollution, and bacteria, says dermatologist Dr. Debbie Palmer, who co-founded the Dermatology Associates of New York. Dirty makeup brushes can result in staph infections if they aren't cleaned properly. Fortunately, hydrogen peroxide sufficiently disinfects them.
Add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to a bowl of warm water. Soak your brushes in the mixture for ten minutes. Swish the brushes around every now again. Afterward, remove your makeup brushes, rinse them with cold water, and let them air dry. If there's any remaining residue, you can wash it off with soap.
Treat Acne Spots
Hydrogen peroxide works as a spot treatment for acne. When the peroxide touches your skin, it loses an extra oxygen atom. That oxidization process kills off the bacteria, which allows your skin to heal faster. Don't use it for acne scars, as overuse can damage your skin further.
To spot-treat your acne, saturate a cotton ball with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Dab the cotton ball over the infected areas, leave for five minutes, and then rinse your face with cold water. Limit your use to three times a week, and make sure to wash your face before applying hydrogen peroxide.
Beat That Bad Breath
Hydrogen peroxide not only whitens your teeth, but it also eliminates bad breath. Gargling hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria in your throat, so it can also assuage sore throats and gum inflammation. Before you pour it straight into your mouth, dilute the peroxide in water.
Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into water: one part peroxide per two parts water. This will lower the concentration to 1% hydrogen peroxide. Gargle and swish the solution around your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds and then spit it out. Do not swallow. Rinse your mouth afterward, and you're ready to go!
Clear Your Contact Lenses
If you don't clean your contact lenses, you run the risk of spreading an eye infection. Instead of buying a solution, you can clear your lenses with hydrogen peroxide. This technique may help people who are sensitive to the preservatives used in contact solutions. To prevent hydrogen peroxide from stinging your eyes, you'll need a neutralizer as well.
To clean your contact lenses, you can place them in 3% hydrogen peroxide for a little while. Afterward, leave them in a neutralizer for a couple of hours. Usually, the directions on the bottle will tell you exactly how long to leave them in.
Disinfect Your Sponges
When your sponge starts smelling, it's time to clean it. You don't have to throw your sponge away every time it smells germ-infested. Hydrogen peroxide will soak into the sponge and kill all bacteria inside the tiniest crevices.
To start, place your sponge in a container. Pour hydrogen peroxide until the sponge is mostly submerged, and watch for the white bubbles. That means the bacteria is dying. After a few minutes, flip the sponge over and leave it for a few more minutes. Then take out the sponge and rinse it. You're done!
