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Five ways to use isopropyl alcohol

Bottle of phd isopropyl alcohol sitting on a sink

Overview

Rubbing alcohol is no one-trick pony - when it comes to cleaning your home, it has a multitude of uses, including stain removal and hand sanitiser.

Steps

1Gather your tools and materials

Below you'll find all the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.

2What is isopropyl alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol, otherwise known as rubbing alcohol, is the hidden weapon in anyone's cleaning cupboard. From removing stains and sticky residue, to streak-free cleaning, it has a multitude of uses all over your home. It can even be used to make your own hand sanitiser! Here are five of our favourites.

Pro tip: whenever you work with rubbing alcohol, it's essential to wear rubber gloves.

3Remove stains from furniture

If you have a stain on your couch or any other upholstered furniture, rubbing alcohol is the perfect stain remover. Squeeze a bit of rubbing alcohol, let it sit on the stain for a few minutes, then wipe the area.

4Clean your glasses

In a small spray bottle, add three parts rubbing alcohol to one part water, along with one small drop of dish soap. Shake it to combine and spray on your glasses, wiping with a flat microfibre cloth. The cloth that comes with your glasses should do the trick!

5Create your own D.I.Y. disinfectant spray

Add 2:1 proportion of rubbing alcohol to water in a spray bottle. Shake to combine and then use to disinfect surfaces such as tables, door handles and appliances. Let the spray sit for one–two minutes before you wipe it dry so all the germs are gone. Use a microfibre cloth to wipe down any stainless steel surfaces – this will ensure a streak-free shine!

6Remove build-up from mirrors

To get rid of product build-up on your bathroom mirror, dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe away that sticky mess with ease. Use the other side of the microfibre cloth to dry the mirror for a streak-free finish.

7Create your own hand sanitiser

You can use isopropyl alcohol to make your own hand sanitiser. All you need is aloe vera gel and an essential oil, such as tea-tree oil. To create an effective hand sanitiser, stick to a 2:1 ratio of aloe vera and alcohol. Add to a soap pump dispenser, add a few drops of your essential oil and mix all ingredients thoroughly until they are well blended.

8Find more great cleaning tips

Make your house shine with our quick and easy cleaning tips. Also, check out our guide to cleaning your bathroom in under 10 minutes.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.