You’ve probably already known that there are many uses for rubbing alcohol. It makes an excellent abrasive cleaner for tough stains and all that… but it also has other benefits you probably didn’t know about!
1. Deodorant replacement
Next time you forget your deodorant, don’t panic! You can actually use rubbing alcohol instead. The alcohol kills bacteria under your armpits which are the source of body odor. Just don’t use this as a permanent solution – rubbing alcohol can harm the skin if used for long periods of time.
2. Homemade cooling pad
Alcohol has a lower freezing point. When you put it in the freezer, it simply turns into a cold, thick liquid. This trait makes rubbing alcohol great for putting together a homemade cooling pad! Just pour 2 parts water and 1 part alcohol into a baggie, put it in the freezer for a few hours, then use it to keep food in a cooler cold or as a cold pack for sprains.
3. Bed bug killer
Bed bugs are disgusting; everyone hates them. If you are unfortunate enough to find them in your home, they can be tough to get rid of. Rubbing alcohol is the answer! All you need to do is put some in a spray bottle then spray your mattress and pillows generously. Bed bugs lay eggs, so it’s important to do this multiple times so they don’t come back.
4. Get rid of cold sores
Did you know 85% of our population are carriers of the herpes virus? Only a small percentage of us ever present symptoms, but it’s still a scary thought. If you ever do get cold sores, get 70% isopropyl alcohol and dab some onto the spots. According to the University of Michigan, this will make the herpes sores go away faster.
5. Cleaning your ears
Do you clean your ears with a Q-tip? This is actually highly dangerous; all you’re doing is pushing ear wax further down into your ear canal. This can cause a buildup and, in some cases, a painful blowout. Instead of ramming a Q-tip into your ear, mix some white vinegar and alcohol together in a small container. Dip the Q-tip in your homemade solution and gently place it in your ear. Let the solution do its job; don’t ram it in or move it around. The solution will naturally clean the wax from your ear. Afterwards, just dip the other end in some water and gently clean it out!
6. Kills lice
Lice is another bug that’s incredibly gross and difficult to get rid of. Luckily, rubbing alcohol can do the trick! Just put some in a spray bottle with a small amount of lavender oil (for a better smell). Go outside so you don’t make a mess and apply it generously to your hair. Make sure you get the solution into your scalp! Then use a comb to comb out all the dead lice. Make sure to also soak the comb in the solution for at least an hour before you use it again.
7. Alleviate ingrown hairs
All those red dots after you shave are no fun. Just apply some rubbing alcohol to those areas on your skin and it should alleviate the problem and prevent bacterial infection!
8. Homemade hand sanitizer
Alcohol is the base for most hand sanitizers, and you can make your own at home! Just mix 4 oz. aloe vera gel, a half tablespoon of isopropyl alcohol, and a few drops of tea tree oil into sealable bottle. It’s that easy!
Here’s a video if you need more help:
There you have it – 8 surprising, yet practical, ways to use rubbing alcohol! Now go get yourself some rubbing alcohol and put it to good use.
