Yes, you can mix methylated spirits (meths) and vinegar for DIY cleaning solutions, often with water and essential oils, creating effective formulas for glass, general surfaces, or mould, as the alcohol evaporates quickly, and vinegar cuts grime, but always test on a small area and avoid using on plastics/paints, notes Little Aussie Communities and Museums of History New South Wales. Popular recipes combine them for streak-free windows or disinfectant sprays, taking advantage of their different cleaning properties.
The solvent is a mixture of water : methylated spirits : vinegar in the ratio 1:2:2 by volume. Different ratios can be used to change the results.
You should not use methylated spirits on painted, varnished, or lacquered surfaces, certain plastics (like acrylics), inside kettles, or on skin, as it can dissolve finishes, damage materials, or cause skin irritation; always spot test first and use in well-ventilated areas due to its flammability and strong fumes.
Mixing rubbing alcohol and vinegar is generally not recommended due to possible harmful fumes. Both substances are acidic and can cause skin or respiratory irritation if combined improperly. Use each separately for cleaning tasks, ensuring good ventilation. Avoid mixing with other chemicals like bleach.
Rubbing alcohol and vinegar can be used together as a remedy for ear issues, particularly for drying out trapped water and preventing infections. The combination works because rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly, while vinegar has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent bacterial growth.
Bleach and rubbing alcohol create chloroform. This combination is highly toxic and can cause damage to your eyes, lungs, and liver. Combining these products can create peracetic / peroxyacetic acid, which can be highly corrosive and irritate your eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
Simply add 4 parts Methylated Spirits to 1 part water in a spray bottle, spray onto the affected area/s, leave to sit for a few minutes and then wipe off with a damp cloth. To prevent mould, use as a surface spray and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.
"You can ease all affects if you get to hospital early enough and that hospital has the treatment needed," he said. "You can die from a very small proportion of methanol and you can survive from a quite substantial one, if you get to help. "The most important antidote is regular alcohol."
Cleaning showerscreen glass
To clean, apply a reputable, ammonia-free glass cleaner or methylated spirits to the glass. Wipe in a circular motion with a clean non-abrasive lint-free cloth.
But eight places you should never use vinegar include:
However, this can occur when heavy rainfall meets blocked drains, and the drainpipes are unable to handle the volume of rainwater due to an outside drain blockage. That's why households are being encouraged to pour vinegar into their drains to help keep them clear.
I googled on how to reduce vinegar taste in sauces and found out most suggest 3 options:
Because it is essentially alcohol, methylated spirits is great for disinfecting and sterilising. And because the alcohol evaporates, it not only leaves a sparkling, streak-free surface behind, but cleaning with Methylated Spirits means there is no need for rinsing.
Here are some common dangerous combinations to avoid: Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine gas. This can cause coughing, trouble breathing, burning, and watery eyes. Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine gas.
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.
Early signs: vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness. 12-48 hours after drinking: abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, breathlessness, blurred vision and/or blindness, coma and convulsions. If you or someone you are travelling with have any of these symptoms seek urgent medical attention.
The preferred antidote is fomepizole, with ethanol used if this is not available. Hemodialysis may also be used in those where there is organ damage or a high degree of acidosis. Other treatments may include sodium bicarbonate, folate, and thiamine.
Alcoholic ketoacidosis is the immediate cause of death in a relatively high number of cases of death of chronic alcoholics (up to 23%).
KEEP AWAY FROM ACIDS AND CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES. Refer to Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use.
Instead of household mixtures, professional cleaners apply industry-grade, commercial cleaning solutions designed for safety and compliance. These products are selected based on surface type and facility requirements: Neutral-pH Floor Cleaners — safe for most hard surfaces, effective without damaging finishes.
For streak-free, fast-drying results on general window cleaning, methylated spirits (alcohol) is often better as it evaporates quickly, cutting grease and smudges. However, vinegar (diluted with water) is excellent for cutting through grime and mineral deposits, though it can be harsh on treated glass and requires a good wipe-down to prevent streaks. For tough jobs, a mix of water, a little dish soap, and some methylated spirits or vinegar works well, but always use a microfiber cloth and distilled water for best results.
It seems like the major product of the two would just be a mixture of the two compounds (isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid). There would also be some isopropyl acetate formed but it would likely not be the major product without some fine tuning of conditions (Dean-Stark apparatus/temperature tuning).
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).
Pouring rubbing alcohol into a toilet is generally not advisable due to its flammability. However, small amounts diluted in water typically do not pose an explosion risk in household sewer systems. Alcohol vapors can ignite if exposed to an open flame, but sewers are usually well-ventilated, reducing this risk.