It’s usual to find rubbing alcohol in household products. It has a variety of possible applications in both ordinary household cleaning and personal care. There is nothing better than using multitaskers like rubbing alcohol to clean effectively and economically. Even though common first-aid products like rubbing alcohol can be more potent than usual, there are still risks involved. Alcohol should be used with extreme caution around the house due to its special chemical characteristics. Check out these rubbing alcohol mistakes to avoid before using rubbing alcohol to perform some cleaning around your home.
Precautions to Follow
Don’t use Near Flames
Rubbing alcohol contains alcohol, which is very flammable, as is evident from the name. This indicates that it is important to refrain from using it near open flames or anything else that is smoking. So make sure to extinguish any candles that are burning in the room before using your DIY cleaning products that contain rubbing alcohol. For deep cleaning purposes, it is always better to hire the services of a reputed house cleaning company.
Don’t use in unventilated space
Isopropyl alcohol produces fumes that could be dangerous because it is a volatile chemical, which is a fancy way of saying it evaporates quickly. Open your windows and keep the space as well-ventilated as you can when you’re using rubbing alcohol to clean your home.
Don’t Mix With Bleach
Bleach and alcohol are one of many chemicals that you should never mix together. Because rubbing alcohol includes both ethanol and isopropyl, it can combine with bleach to make chloroform, a hazardous substance that is both toxic and corrosive. Chloroform fumes can irritate the skin, lungs, and eyes, as well as produce nausea and dizziness, as well as major problems with the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Talk to the cleaning professionals if needed.
Don’t Use On Certain Surfaces
Rubbing alcohol is a super-effective disinfectant that can kill E. Coli bacteria and the flu virus on counters, toilets, and even your laptop or cell phone, but there are some surfaces you should avoid sanitising with it. Rubbing alcohol, for instance, can practically liquify varnishes or finishes since the ethanol in it acts as a solvent, seriously harming your furniture or other surfaces in your home.
Don’t Apply On Wounds
Given its antibacterial qualities, isopropyl alcohol is frequently used by doctors to sanitise medical equipment. You can even use it to clean a small skin cut. However, consuming or applying too much isopropyl alcohol might be quite harmful. Rubbing alcohol shouldn’t be used to clean cuts or other more severe wounds because it might hinder healing and cause further skin irritation. Additionally, avoid applying it to delicate regions with inflamed, dry, or burnt skin.
Be Careful Not To Ingest
Even a small amount of rubbing alcohol can be poisonous if consumed, in addition to being detrimental to the skin when applied. Because of this, you should always keep rubbing alcohol out of kids’ reach. Rubbing alcohol should also be kept in the original bottle rather than being transferred to a glass jar or another container. This prevents it from ever being confused for water or another liquid.
