Isopropyl Alcohol - 70% or 91%?

[MeowKat]

So Ive been a user of 91% Isopropyl (rubbing) Alcohol for various purposes for several years now and recently made the mistake of purchasing 70%. I had forgotten how weak this variety was and was disappointed when a strong aroma did not pierce of air when I opened the bottle. Furthermore, Im afraid that because it wont leave extremely dry skin behind that it is in fact not really "working". I have to see it to believe it! And I want to see the bodies of dead germs everywhere including collateral damage to supple skin surface.

Does it matter to you either way what type of alcohol you use? Or are you an indifferent middle of the road type, just going through life in a happy-go-lucky fashion not really caring if the job was done or not?

[Leros]

I've always used 91% for cleaning thermal compound off my CPUs. I don't use rubbing alcohol for medical reasons too much.

[her209]

70%? Wimp!

[Martingale]

Wow, I've never seen such lopsided poll results.

[MeowKat]

Originally posted by: Leros
I've always used 91% for cleaning thermal compound off my CPUs. I don't use rubbing alcohol for medical reasons too much.

Ive used it for that reason too. Unfortunately now I have to use the 70% bottle I accidently purchased the other day. No sense in pouring $1.49 down the drain.

[Cogman]

For medical stuff, it really doesn't matter. 70% will kill 99.99% of everything on the skin.

The only reason to go with 91% is if you are cleaning something that can't get wet.

[MeowKat]

Originally posted by: Cogman
For medical stuff, it really doesn't matter. 70% will kill 99.99% of everything on the skin.

The only reason to go with 91% is if you are cleaning something that can't get wet.

Hmmm.....what are some things you cant get wet?

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat

Hmmm.....what are some things you cant get wet?

Electronic circuit boards. Anything that rusts, There could be other things, but those are the two that comes off the top of my head.

[Vinny N]

Best I ever used was 99% from a chem student

Of course, they suggested that I use their "water" (aka acetone).

I was even more wowed. As long it's not plastic that is going to be melted away acetone is awesome for cleaning cpus and other goodies

[MeowKat]

Originally posted by: Vinny N
Best I ever used was 99% from a chem student

Of course, they suggested that I use their "water" (aka acetone).

I was even more wowed. As long it's not plastic that is going to be melted away acetone is awesome for cleaning cpus and other goodies

Thanks for the suggestion! But I prefer to biosynthesize small amounts in my own human body. :shocked:

[kami333]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
So Ive been a user of 91% Isopropyl (rubbing) Alcohol for various purposes for several years now and recently made the mistake of purchasing 70%. I had forgotten how weak this variety was and was disappointed when a strong aroma did not pierce of air when I opened the bottle. Furthermore, Im afraid that because it wont leave extremely dry skin behind that it is in fact not really "working". I have to see it to believe it! And I want to see the bodies of dead germs everywhere including collateral damage to supple skin surface.

Does it matter to you either way what type of alcohol you use? Or are you an indifferent middle of the road type, just going through life in a happy-go-lucky fashion not really caring if the job was done or not?

Actually 70% isopropyl is a better disinfectant. Alcohol works as a disinfectant by denaturing proteins, a small amount of water makes it more efficient.

[MotF Bane]

91%, all I use alcohol for is cleaning computer parts.

[Bill Brasky]

I use ethanol to do cleaning in the lab when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to use proper detergent. But usually alcohol is reserved for computer parts. 91%.

[troytime]

91% burns so much better

[0roo0roo]

i use 70-91 for cleaning stuff like hs paste. 50% dilute to spray on screens for cleaning.
so what do you rub it on your skin for anyways? whats the point.

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Cogman
For medical stuff, it really doesn't matter. 70% will kill 99.99% of everything on the skin.

The only reason to go with 91% is if you are cleaning something that can't get wet.

So how many bacteria are there if 0.01% survives? And, if you start with 2000 bacteria that double every 15 minutes... How long til it didn't matter in the first place?

[DLeRium]

I use 91 or 99% for cleaning stuff on computers...

[DanTMWTMP]

LOL @ thread. But there's quite a bit of cool info too.

Originally posted by: Cogman
For medical stuff, it really doesn't matter. 70% will kill 99.99% of everything on the skin.

The only reason to go with 91% is if you are cleaning something that can't get wet.

Originally posted by: kami333

Actually 70% isopropyl is a better disinfectant. Alcohol works as a disinfectant by denaturing proteins, a small amount of water makes it more efficient.

That's interesting. I never knew.


I've always got 91% to clean my balls and, sometimes, my arse (I had a cut down there once. I figured, that having my dump cover up the wound wasn't a good idea, and it's a good idea to disinfect it). The burn was incredible. I doubled up in pain on the floor, but never felt so refreshed, knowing all those bacteria was dying and screaming.

[her209]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
That's interesting. I never knew.

I've always got 91% to clean my balls and, sometimes, my arse (I had a cut down there once. I figured, that having my dump cover up the wound wasn't a good idea, and it's a good idea to disinfect it). The burn was incredible. I doubled up in pain on the floor, but never felt so refreshed, knowing all those bacteria was dying and screaming.

Wow. Too much information!

[MeowKat]

Originally posted by: her209

Wow. Too much information!

My thoughts exactly. :laugh:

But Ive had to apply some to the 'cavity' as well, and trust me the pain is incredible but the feeling afterwards is quite refreshing.

[MeowKat]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

So how many bacteria are there if 0.01% survives? And, if you start with 2000 bacteria that double every 15 minutes... How long til it didn't matter in the first place?

I am glad we agree on this point. I have no sympathy for bacteria. I dont care what kind of life they led up to that point. I dont care what their philosphical point of view is. I dont even care where they were born.

They must die. They must die now.

[Kobota]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat

Hmmm.....what are some things you cant get wet?

well there was this girl, but i was drunk, i did my best

[MeowKat]

Originally posted by: Kobota

well there was this girl, but i was drunk, i did my best

Was her name Ellen?

[Squisher]

70% is a better disinfectant than 91%.

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat

Hmmm.....what are some things you cant get wet?

mermaids?