- Rubbing alcohol's most common use is in the health field. Alcohol's disinfectant properties make it a common treatment for scrapes, cuts and insect bites. It can also be used to help treat sore muscles by dabbing the product on the affected area. You can also use rubbing alcohol to create an ice pack by combining one part alcohol with two parts water in a resealable plastic bag. Place the solution in the freezer. Because it does not freeze thoroughly, it is often more comfortable than applying ice directly.
- Rubbing alcohol has a number of cleaning uses. Blot ink stains on carpet or other surfaces with rubbing alcohol to help dissolve the spill. If the stain is deep, soak it in rubbing alcohol to help remove it. Apply rubbing alcohol via a clean cloth to kitchen surfaces that need a good scrubbing. It's not necessary to rinse, says online resource WalletPop, because the alcohol evaporates nearly immediately. This rapid evaporation also makes it ideal for cleaning electronics, such as the external parts of keyboards and cell phones.
- Mix a half-cup rubbing alcohol with a quart of water for a homemade window treatment. Spray the solution on car or household windows to help defrost them. Additionally, you can pre-treat the windows with the same solution. Similarly, wash mirrors with rubbing alcohol. Not only will it clean them, but it will disinfect them as well.
- Rubbing alcohol also has several other uses around the house. Spraying fruit with a fine mist of rubbing alcohol is said to ward off fruit flies, reports WalletPop. Somewhat similarly, Reader's Digest recommends dabbing rubbing alcohol on ticks that have attached themselves to pets, as the taste of the alcohol will cause the parasite to loosen their grip. One thing it can never be used for, however, is a drink. Drinking rubbing alcohol can cause serious bodily harm.
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