10 Amazing Uses Of Rubbing Alcohol

By jeps Sunday, January 22, 2017

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Rubbing alcohol, a.k.a. Isopropyl alcohol, contains several uses for the health industry and represents a popular product in most home medicine cabinets. It acts as an efficient antiseptic, astringent, liniment, surface disinfectant and cleaning agent.

It's essentially a solvent, meaning it breaks up dirt and oil, and additionally acts as an effective disinfectant. It's generally 70% isopropyl alcohol or ethanol and 30% distilled water. The ethanol content could get as high as 90%, depending upon the manufacturer.

Nowadays, among the basic household uses of rubbing alcohol is as an impressive cleaning agent. As a matter of fact, it's among the active ingredients in a lot of commercial products utilized to disinfect surfaces and also electronic devices. In general, in those products, it's mixed with some other chemical which assists it to stay on the surface longer and not evaporate as rapidly.

Here are the top 10 awesome uses of rubbing alcohol.

1. Prevents Swimmer’s Ear

Once water gets entrapped deep in the ear canal, it could be really frustrating to get rid of the residual liquid, it also heightens the danger of infectious pathogens, resulting to swimmer’s ear. Even so, you could stave off an infection using rubbing alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol evaporates a great deal easier and faster compared to water. By mixing some rubbing alcohol to the water trapped inside the ear, the subsequent mixture will vaporize quicker, hence drying the ear and stopping infection.

1. Combine even parts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
2. Fill up an ear dropper using the solution.
3. Lie down with the affected ear looking up.
4. Put 2 to 4 drops into the ear and await 10 minutes.
5. Angle your ear to the reverse direction to allow for drainage of any excess liquid.
6. Repeat as required.

2. Cleans Minor Cuts And Abrasions

Rubbing alcohol is exactly the correct ingredient to try once you have a minor cut or abrasion. Firstly, this natural antiseptic agent disinfects the inflicted area and obliterates surface bacteria to ward off bacterial proliferation.

Additionally, its astringent property assists to prevent bleeding in minor cuts and scrapes by tightening the capillaries which are losing blood.

1. Use some rubbing alcohol on the inflicted area with a cotton ball.
2. Leave it for a number of minutes.
3. Because rubbing alcohol can dry your skin, use some moisturizing lotion or just aloe vera gel upon the area after you're finished.
4. Repeat a number of times a day for many days.

3. Prevents Acne And Pimples

Rubbing alcohol is also effective for stopping acne and pimples, because of its disinfectant, soothing and cooling properties. It should assist to get rid of dirt from the skin and unclog blocked pores.

Be sure you apply it as soon as you see the first signs of a pimple.

1. Soak a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol (70 pct strength).
2. Pat it over the inflicted area softly.
3. Let it work for about 10 minutes.
4. Wash the inflicted area using lukewarm water. You can also follow through using a light moisturizer or simply aloe vera gel.
5. Repeat 2x every day for couple of days only.

4. Addresses Poison Ivy

Once exposed to poison ivy or a different plant which irritates the skin, the symptoms similar to extreme itching and redness can have things difficult for you. On such a situation, a bottle of rubbing alcohol is everything that you require for quick relief, because of its disinfectant, soothing and cooling properties.
It also sterilizes the inflicted skin and assists to ward off infection.

1. Saturate a paper towel using rubbing alcohol.
2. Use this to lightly wipe the affected area.
3. Once the area is thoroughly dry, rinse it using soap and warm water.
4. Repeat a number of times a day for about 2 to 3 days.

Note: people having sensitive skin should stay off from using rubbing alcohol since it can lead to dryness and peeling.

5. Treats Toenail Fungus

Rubbing alcohol contain antiseptic properties which can help to combat a toenail fungus. Additionally, constituting as a drying agent, it assists to keep the inflicted area dry to curb fungal growth. Fungi flourish in warm, damp environments.
It should provide you relief from the irritation and pain, and also bringing down the risk for additional infection.

1. Combine even quantities of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
2. Soak a thick pad of cotton into the solution and put it on the infected toenail.
3. Wrap it using a small bandage or tape to maintain the cotton pad in place.
4. Let it sit for as long as about 30 to 45 minutes.
5. Finish up by softly scrubbing the toenail using a soft-bristled toothbrush, then wash the area.
6. Follow this treatment once every day for a number of days.

6. Kills Head Lice

Getting head lice is a really annoying and also an embarrassing problem that a lot of people get to face. It’s really hard to control head lice, but you can eliminate this problem speedily using rubbing alcohol.
Rubbing alcohol will effectively obliterate lice and nits. This potent disinfectant is safe to try.

1. Keeping your head bowed over a tub, pour out a bit of rubbing alcohol onto your hair.
2. With your fingers, spread the rubbing alcohol around your scalp and all over your hair.
3. Give it time for about 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Apply some conditioner onto your scalp.
5. Using a nit comb, brush out all the lice.
6. Finish up by shampooing your hair.
7. Follow this treatment once a week for a few months.

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7. Soothes Mosquito Bites

This common household antiseptic could also be employed to alleviate irritation induced by mosquito bites and even chigger bites. It will bring down pain, swelling and itching, and also help in quicker healing.
Embodying a natural antiseptic agent, rubbing alcohol also cuts down the risk for acquiring an infection.

1. Use some rubbing alcohol directly along the inflicted area.
2. Massage the area softly for as long as 1 minute.
3. Wait 10 minutes, and then wash off the region using cool water.
4. Finish up by using some moisturizer or fresh aloe vera gel.
5. Repeat as required.

8. Soothes Muscle Aches

Rubbing alcohol acts as a liniment which can be rubbed over aching muscles or painful joints to aid to bring down pain and swelling.
As it brings out tension in the muscles and cause increased blood flow to the affected area, the increased circulation assists to alleviate pain and inflammation.

1. Use rubbing alcohol on your aching muscles.
2. Massage lightly using circular motions as long as 10 minutes.
3. Wrap the area using a warm cloth for at the least half an hour.
4. Repeat 2 or 3x in a day.

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9. Gets Rid Of Ink Stains

Rubbing alcohol is also excellent for getting rid of ink stains from several fabrics, even from carpets. It serves to break down the pigment with no detrimental effects to the fabric.
To help remove an ink stain, it is best to remove the stain as soon as possible.

1. First, blot the wet ink using a paper towel.
2. And then, use rubbing alcohol to the stain.
3. Repeatedly dab a clean rag all over it just until the stain breaks through. You can continue changing the rag once it begins to pick up the ink to avoid re-staining on your clothing.
4. Lastly, wash the clothing using cold water to get rid of the rubbing alcohol prior to placing it in the laundry.

When removing ink stain from a carpet, use a mixture of 2 parts liquid dish soap and 1 part rubbing alcohol.

10. Glass Cleaner

Rubbing alcohol acts as an effectual glass cleaner because it dries quick and doesn't leave any stains or streaks. As a matter of fact, several window cleaners utilize rubbing alcohol as among the ingredients.
Devise your own homemade glass cleaner at home with rubbing alcohol.

1. Pour 2 cups of distilled water in into a spray bottle.
2. Mix ¼ cup apiece of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar for it.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch then mix it good.
4. Spray this solution on your mirrors and glasses then rub them clean with a lint-free cloth or a crumpled up newspaper.