Yes, you can absolutely buy isopropyl alcohol (often sold under brand names like Isocol) from a chemist (pharmacy), both in-store and online, as it's a common antiseptic and multipurpose cleaner for first aid, sanitizing, and household cleaning. Pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse, Amcal, and others stock various sizes and forms, such as sprays and liquids, making it readily available for personal and home use, says Chemist Warehouse, Amcal Pharmacy, and Chemist Discount Centre.
Yes--rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol, IPA) is a safe and effective choice for cleaning most computer surfaces when used correctly. Follow these guidelines to avoid damage and get the best results. 70%--90% isopropyl alcohol: 70% is good for general cleaning; 90%+ evaporates faster and leaves less moisture.
The toxic oral dose is about 0.5–1 mL/kg of rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol) but varies depending on individual tolerance and whether any other depressants were ingested. Fatalities have occurred after adult ingestion of 240 mL, but patients with ingestions of up to 1 L have recovered with supportive care.
Solutions of 70% IPA in water should be left on surfaces for 30 seconds to ensure disinfection. Pure (100%) IPA evaporates too quickly for such use and is less effective.
Such products include window cleaners, disinfectants, hand sanitisers, rubbing alcohol, de-icers and anti-freeze products.
In Australia, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is known as rubbing alcohol, often sold under brand names like Isocol, used as a disinfectant, cleaner, and antiseptic, available in different strengths (like 70% or 99%+), and found at pharmacies, hardware stores (like Bunnings and Mitre 10) and supermarkets 1, 3, 5, 6. It's used for disinfecting skin/wounds (70% is common), cleaning electronics, removing stains, and making hand sanitiser {1, 3, 8}.
Rubbing alcohol can damage wood, painted surfaces, natural stone, and delicate fabrics by stripping finishes, causing discoloration, or degrading fibers. It can dry out materials like leather and rubber, leading to cracks and brittleness, so opt for gentler, specialized cleaners instead.
The general guideline is that about 5% or less IPA can be poured down the sink, so pour a small volume of IPA followed by a lot of water (and repeat until its gone) and it'll be fine. Rinse out the bottle a few times afterwards if you're still worried about peroxide formation.
There are some bacteria that are highly resistant to being killed by alcohol. These include the genera mycobacterium and clostridium. In the hospital setting we often encounter Clostridium Difficile (c. diff).
No, they are not exactly the same, but closely related: Rubbing alcohol is typically a diluted solution (around 70%) of isopropyl alcohol (or sometimes ethanol) mixed with water and other additives, making it suitable for skin disinfection and household cleaning, whereas pure isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is a stronger, industrial-grade solvent used in labs and electronics, too harsh for direct skin application in high concentrations.
You can mix a 50/50 solution of water and rubbing alcohol to disinfect your hard-surface countertops, like granite and quartz. Hospitals also sometimes use alcohol towelettes to get rid of germs on small surfaces like stethoscopes, scissors, and thermometers.
The "3-2-1" (or often "1-2-3") drinking rule is a guideline for moderate alcohol consumption: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and at least 3 alcohol-free days per week, helping to pace intake and reduce risks. It aligns with official health advice, emphasizing that the body processes only about one standard drink (e.g., 12oz beer, 5oz wine) per hour, and provides a framework for mindful drinking to avoid binge patterns and health issues, though it's a simplification of broader guidelines.
Because alcohol consumption is socially accepted, the boundary between problem drinking and addiction difficult to interpret. The risk of addiction is often underestimated. That is also why alcohol is called a silent killer: it is a disease that develops inconspicuously and can slowly lead to mental, physical decay.
Isopropyl alcohol removes oils, adhesives, fingerprints, soldering flux and other contaminants, making it ideal for cleaning electronics. However, it is important to note that only alcohol with a grade of 90% or more should be employed on circuit boards and other internal electronics.
The enduring question of "70% vs. 91% Isopropyl Alcohol" for disinfection finds a clear, science-backed answer: for most medical and general disinfection purposes, 70% Isopropyl Alcohol stands as the more effective and reliable choice.
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge your iPhone in any cleaning agents.
To make your own disinfecting spray that can be safely used on a variety of surfaces around your home, just combine the following ingredients in a large glass spray bottle: 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol, 20 drops lemon essential oil, 20 drops tea tree essential oil.
Boiling is sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa (WHO, 2015). If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, paperboiling water towel, or coffee filter. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute.
Both rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide kill fungi, too. Which product you use depends on what germs you're trying to kill, the surface you're trying to kill them on, and how much time you have. Rubbing alcohol works faster, but it can damage porous surfaces such as wood or granite.
Potential Risks to Plumbing Systems
Introducing alcohol into your plumbing can lead to unintended consequences: Damage to Plumbing Components: High concentrations of alcohol, especially large volumes poured all at once, have the potential to harm certain plumbing components.
To dispose of dirty IPA/Ethanol/Alcohol, you should never pour it down the drain. Instead, locate your local household hazardous waste (HHW) disposal site or event to drop it off.
Here's how to tell if the alcohol on your shelf or in your fridge is better tossed in the trash.
There are better, safer cleaners made specifically for toilets and plumbing systems, like Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's Bio Ben." Not only is rubbing alcohol ineffective, but it's also flammable and a solvent, which means that it has corrosive properties.
Using isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar together makes a quickly evaporating spray glass and mirror cleaner that competes with national brands. This can also be used to give a nice shine to hard tiles, chrome, and other surfaces.
Skin and Eye Contact: Contact with isopropyl alcohol can cause skin dryness and irritation. It's advisable to wear protective gloves and safety goggles when handling IPA to avoid direct skin and eye contact. Ingestion: Isopropyl alcohol is toxic when ingested.