Acetone vs alcohol for cleaning, which one is better for your needs? Both isopropyl alcohol and acetone are very versatile chemical solvents that are affordable and can be used for a number of different applications. However, you may be wondering which of these solvents is best for cleaning, and the answer is that it depends on what you are using it to clean. From industrial degreasing and automotive parts cleaning, to sanitizing medical tools and food prep surfaces, acetone and alcohol have a place in almost every industry, but which of these is best for your needs? If you are looking for one or both of these solvents, or expert advice on which solvent is the best option for your particular needs, Ecolink can help.
Acetone VS Alcohol For Cleaning Across Industries:
- Industrial – Both acetone and alcohol can be used to clean industrial machinery to remove debris after use. Alcohol and acetone have a high evaporation rate, making it perfect for quickly and effectively degumming machinery.
- Medical – Alcohol is great for cleaning and disinfecting medical tools, in addition to being used to clean and disinfect skin and minor wounds in basic first aid scenarios.
- Automotive – Acetone is great for cleaning automotive parts to remove dirt or oil build up.
- Wood Cleaning – Acetone is a strong solvent that can be used to break down and remove resins and finishes from wood when restoring or refinishing items like furniture or wood floors.
- Food Surfaces – Alcohol can be mixed with water and used to disinfect kitchen surfaces and countertops, keeping your home or workplace free of germs that can cause illness.
- Paint thinning – Acetone is most commonly used to thin or remove paint from various surfaces in addition to be able to thin and remove lacquers and resins.
- Plastics – When cleaning plastics, alcohol is the best choice to effectively clean and disinfect without damaging or breaking down the plastic.
Want To Learn More About Acetone VS Alcohol For Cleaning?
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FAQs
For example, you'll find that acetone is good for removing stubborn stains on porcelain, paint, and melted plastic on surfaces. On the other hand, denatured alcohol is best for cleaning plastic and dissolving the finish on surfaces without damaging the underlying paint.
Is 100% acetone the same as rubbing alcohol? ›
The key difference between acetone and IPA is that acetone has a C=O. bond in the middle of the chemical structure, whereas isopropyl alcohol has a C-OH group in the middle of the chemical structure. Despite the differences in structures between acetone and IPA, both are highly soluble.
Is acetone or alcohol better for cleaning bongs? ›
We recommend a strong Isopropyl alcohol (91%) for your average cleaning, though you can use 70% for lighter cleaning or 100% acetone (nail polish remover) for heavy-duty cleaning.
Is acetone a good cleaning agent? ›
Acetone is a powerful colorless solvent that is used to clean in the manufacturing process of many plastic, metal, and composite products. Common uses of acetone include cleaner for grease, oil, resin, ink, permanent marker, adhesive, and paint.
What is better than acetone for cleaning? ›
AcraStrip: A Safer Alternative to Using Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) or Acetone Solvents.
Is 91% isopropyl alcohol the same as acetone? ›
The key difference between acetone and isopropyl alcohol is that acetone has a C=O. bond in the middle of the chemical structure, whereas isopropyl alcohol has a C-OH group in the middle of the chemical structure.
Can I use isopropyl alcohol to clean? ›
Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl, has several potential uses in personal care, as well as in general household cleaning. These include skin cleansing and disinfecting. However, the incorrect use of rubbing alcohol can cause serious side effects, including skin irritation and poisoning.
Is 91% alcohol the same as acetone? ›
Although acetone and alcohol are used in the production of the same kinds of products, they are different chemical compounds. Alcohol is an ethanol-based compound that contains additives whereas acetone is a chemical compound that occurs naturally and is made up of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon.
Is 70% rubbing alcohol good for cleaning bongs? ›
While all isopropyl alcohols (IPA) can be effective, there are some key differences between the concentrations of IPA available. In particular, 99% IPA is generally considered the best choice for cleaning bongs, outperforming both 91% and 70% IPA.
What is the healthiest cleaner for bongs? ›
Vinegar and rice will also work, but Navarro and Reyna prefer the former method. You can also buy commercial pipe cleaners, but Navarro points out that many “aren't necessarily the best for the earth. I find, for the most part, isopropyl alcohol and rock salt always do the trick.
Vinegar & Rice
This approach can be used with any glassware, and many of the steps are the same as when you're using alcohol and coarse salt. Because vinegar is mildly acidic, and rice is hard & coarse, together they act as a cleaning solution that loosens resin build-up in your bong and bowl. Magic!
What can you not clean with acetone? ›
Acetone should never be used on clear windows, lenses, or clear plastics.
When not to use acetone? ›
Products that have acetone are safe to use when you follow the manufacturer's instructions. The chemical is very flammable, so you need to avoid using things like paint and nail polish remover near open flames. Breathing in large amounts of acetone can cause health problems like: Nose, throat, eye, and lung irritation.
Can I use acetone instead of cleaner? ›
Acetone is the main ingredient in nail polish remover. It can dissolve nail polish and other oily substances. Therefore, it can be used as a cleaning agent to remove various stains and grease.
What cleans better than alcohol? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is another antiseptic, or disinfectant, that kills viruses and various forms of bacteria. But it needs more time than rubbing alcohol does to kill germs. It needs up to 5 minutes to do its job.
Is rubbing alcohol the best cleaner? ›
Rubbing alcohol can help clean and disinfect hard surfaces. It is effective against most, but not all, pathogens.
What is the strongest cleaning alcohol? ›
What's the most effective alcohol concentration solution? A concentration of about 70 percent isopropanol or ethyl alcohol is most effective for killing germs. In general, solutions with 60 to 90 percent alcohol tend to be more effective at killing viruses than solutions with alcohol concentrations outside this range.
Is acetone the best degreaser? ›
Acetone is very effective as a thinner, cleaning solvent, or remover for fiberglass resins, polyester and epoxy resins, adhesives or contact cement, ink, latex paint, and uncured lacquers. It is also excellent at degreasing metal work.
