While water and rubbing alcohol combined create an effective homemade cleaning agent, it’s not an all-purpose cleaner that can be used on any surface. Rubbing alcohol can be harsh on certain items and will even ruin them if used often.
Take notes from the pros of the items you should avoid cleaning with rubbing alcohol and learn what to clean them with instead.
Warning
Rubbing alcohol is highly flammable and should always be avoided in areas exposed to high heat or flames, such as a stovetop, grill, or surfaces near a fireplace.
Painted Surfaces
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Whether it’s your walls or furniture, experts agree it’s best to avoid using rubbing alcohol to clean any kind of painted surface. The alcohol eats away at the paint, causing discoloration or even chipped paint spots.
Mock recommends using a mild soap and water to clean painted areas and keep them intact.
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Wood Furniture
According to Bossart, rubbing alcohol is too harsh on wood surfaces.
“Rubbing alcohol can strip varnish or paint and leave a dull, damaged surface,” she says.
If the finish or protective layer of the wood is gone, it can quickly become compromised and rot. Instead, Bossart recommends using a gentler cleaner of dish soap and water.
Natural Stone
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Hold off on cleaning your marble countertops with rubbing alcohol. Natural stone, like marble, granite, or travertine, is porous and can be damaged by rubbing alcohol.
“The dangers of cleaning these items with rubbing alcohol include dulling the surface, causing the surface to become cloudy and brittle,” Mock says.
Acrylic Plastics
If plastic organizers around your home are in need of a clean, avoid using rubbing alcohol to do the job. Rubbing alcohol can cause discoloration, warping, or brittleness in some plastics, especially acrylic.
Instead, use a microfiber cloth to dust acrylic containers and wash them in warm, soapy water for a deeper clean.
Leather
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Experts say to skip rubbing alcohol for your leather couch, jacket, or other leather surfaces if you want them to last.
“Alcohol can dry out the leather and cause cracking over time,” Bossart says.
For small stains, warm water and dish soap should do the trick. Otherwise, a leather conditioner is great for maintenance and deep cleaning.
Electronic Screens and Monitors
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Varela says to avoid using rubbing alcohol to clean electronic screens since electronics can be sensitive to rubbing alcohol.
“It’s unnecessary to use a strong cleaning agent [on electronics],” Varela says.
Instead, use a cloth slightly damp with water to clean electronic screens and monitors. You can also use a commercial screen cleaner product and soft cloth to clean these items.
What Items Can Be Cleaned with Rubbing Alcohol?
Rubbing alcohol works wonders on sticky surfaces and removing sap or residue from items. You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean mirrors, windows, or stainless steel surfaces to remove streaks and smudges.
Hardy household surfaces, such as tiled floors or bathroom fixtures, are also good spots to use rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol works quickly to disinfect and evaporates quickly so there’s no need to rinse with water.
Always dilute rubbing alcohol with water to create your cleaning solution since a small amount will go a long way.
“I suggest finding a spray bottle with a wide mouth to cover the surface with the least amount of rubbing alcohol,” Varela says. “Just a tiny bit is enough to clean and sanitize.”
