Is denatured alcohol and rubbing alcohol the same? | Homework.Study.com (2024)

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Is denatured alcohol and rubbing alcohol the same? | Homework.Study.com? ›

Answer and Explanation:

Rubbing alcohol is a generic term and is usually manufactured with isopropyl alcohol. Different brands of denatured alcohol contain various denaturants such as bittering agents. The purpose is to discourage recreational human consumption by including additives that are bad tasting, bad-smelling or nauseating.

Denatured alcohol, also known as methylated spirits, metho, or meths in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom; and denatured rectified spirit is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, bad-tasting, foul-smelling, or nauseating to discourage its recreational consumption.

The only difference between denatured alcohol and Ethanol is the denatured has additives in it to make it non-potable. Alternatives may be grain alcohol (Everclear here in the states) and absolute isopropyl alcohol which has not been watered down to become 'rubbing alcohol. '

Rubbing alcohol is a diluted form of isopropyl alcohol. Sometimes, it also contains other ingredients, such as wintergreen essential oil. While the concentration of isopropyl alcohol is 100%, the concentration of many brands of rubbing alcohol is 70%.

While some online stores may market their products as “100% pure denatured isopropyl alcohol”, this is a misnomer. Pure isopropyl alcohol does not contain any denaturants.

In small amounts, denatured alcohol is usually no problem in cosmetics unless it's mixed with methanol, which can seep in through the skin. However, while denatured alcohol isn't toxic at the levels needed for cosmetics, it can cause excessive dryness and disturb the natural barrier on your skin.

Alcohol for paint solvents

Ethanol, or more specifically denatured alcohol, is used as a solvent in many paint applications. It serves as a paint thinner to reduce viscosity and improve flow and is an effective paint remover and paint stripper, helping to break down and eliminate unwanted paint layers.

While acetone is not the same as denatured alcohol, they are used in some of the same processes. Both solvents can be used in the production of plastics, cleaning, degreasing, and as an additive for fuel. While there is overlap some, there are industries or uses exclusive to either acetone or denatured alcohol.

Denatured alcohol is widely known for its anti-bacterial properties. This makes it an ideal cleaning agent. It can be used on a variety of hard surfaces, such as wood, plastic, and glass. Its capacity as a solvent also enables it to dissolve grease and stains, as well as remove light scratches from some surfaces.

What not to clean with rubbing alcohol? ›

You can use rubbing alcohol on some surfaces like marble, limestone, or terrazzo, but not on wood. The chemical will damage a wood finish. And while it's safe to use in a pinch on coated leather, like in your car, over time, it will damage and discolor the leather.

Is vodka the same as isopropyl alcohol? Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) is different from vodka (also known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol) because it is toxic and cannot be consumed. The kind of isopropyl alcohol you can buy in any grocery or drug store is 70% isopropyl alcohol by volume (ABV) and 30% water.

Skin: May be harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin irritation. Eye Contact: Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.

The takeaway

Rubbing alcohol has many uses in your home, including cleaning and disinfectant purposes. You can also take advantage of its antiseptic and cooling purposes on the skin in small amounts.

A common misconception is also that the witch hazel plant naturally contains alcohol, and that's simply not the case. Its astringent properties come from tannins.

A lower percent alcohol means there's more water diluting the mix in the bottle. But according to microbiology, 70 percent alcohol is probably more effective than 91 percent for disinfecting—depending on what kind of germs you're trying to kill.

Denatured alcohol and isopropyl alcohol have similar uses, but they differ chemically. Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol with toxic or bad tasting additives that make it unsuitable for consumption. The chemical formula of ethyl is C₂H₆O and the formula for isopropyl alcohol is C₃H₈O.

One of the most common uses of denatured alcohol is as a cleaning agent. Denatured alcohol can remove dirt, grease, glue, wax, and other types of grime from a variety of hard surfaces, such as wood, glass, and plastic. Denatured alcohol can be utilized to fuel small camping stoves and oil heaters.

Isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol are not the same. Rubbing alcohol consists of isopropyl alcohol and some water. Sometimes it contains other additional ingredients. On the other hand, isopropyl alcohol is pure alcohol with little to no water and other ingredients.