The kit · solvent
Rubbing alcohol: what it removes and where never to use it
70% (or 91–99%) isopropyl alcohol. Dissolves many inks, dyes, resins and sap.
- pH
- product-dependent in water
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 0 materials
- UK name
- isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
01 How to use it
Dab with a white cloth or cotton pad and blot onto a paper towel underneath; change the towel as the ink transfers. Ventilate; it is flammable.
- Flammable: no open flames, and let it evaporate before using heat.
- Never mix with chlorine bleach (chloroform and other toxic compounds).
How it works
Solvents dissolve what water cannot: inks, resins, waxes, adhesives, nail polish and some oils. Each solvent dissolves particular materials, which is also why each one can damage particular surfaces.
On a label
On an ingredient list, rubbing alcohol shows up as isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol, or (in hand sanitiser) ethanol.
The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Dye
- Polymer
- Oil and fat
- Pigment particles
Rubbing alcohol is strongest against dye, and useful on polymer. It is part of the method in 124 stain files, for stains such as lipstick, mascara, hair dye, permanent marker, ink and highlighter.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White shirt | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Jeans | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Linen | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Sheets and bedding | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Towels | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baby clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Polyester | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Leggings and activewear | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wool and cashmere | Test first | Usually fine on wool, but test dyes first. |
| Silk | Test first | It can lift silk dyes; test inside a seam. |
| Rayon and viscose | Test first | Test first; some rayon dyes run with alcohol. |
| Carpet | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wool rug | Test first | Usually fine on wool, but test dyes first. |
| Fabric couch | Test first | Test on the back or underside first; it can lift dyes from some fabrics. |
| Microfiber couch | Test first | Test on the back or underside first; it can lift dyes from some fabrics. |
| Velvet upholstery | Test first | Test on the back or underside first; it can lift dyes from some fabrics. |
| Car seats | Test first | Test on the back or underside first; it can lift dyes from some fabrics. |
| Mattress | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Leather | Test first | Neat alcohol strips dye and oils from leather. Use it only on a cotton bud for ink, or diluted 1:1 with water for mould, test first, and condition afterwards. |
| Suede and nubuck | Test first | A light dab can lift ink from suede; test first and brush the nap once dry. |
| White sneakers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Marble | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Granite | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Quartz countertop | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Test first | Alcohol dissolves shellac (French polish) and softens some lacquers, leaving a cloudy, sticky patch. Most polyurethane-finished floors and furniture tolerate a brief dab: test in a hidden spot first. |
| Tile grout | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Painted walls | Test first | It can soften latex paint; test in a corner. |
| Plastic containers | Test first | Most plastics are fine; it can craze clear acrylic. |
04 How the files use it
Rubbing alcohol appears in 124 stain files. The steps it is used in most:
- Alcohol, blotted through (58 files): Lipstick is soluble in alcohol, not water. Blotting through pushes it out of the fabric instead of spreading it sideways.
- Dab with alcohol (38 files): Lipstick dissolves in alcohol but not water, and alcohol evaporates before it can soak the backing.
- Wipe with alcohol (18 files): Alcohol dissolves the ink without abrasion.
- Test, then a cotton bud (6 files): Most modern polyurethane finishes shrug off a brief dab of alcohol; shellac dissolves in it, which is why the test comes first.
- Cotton bud of alcohol (4 files): Lipstick dissolves in alcohol, but alcohol also strips leather dye and oils, so it touches only the mark.
05 Mixing
The combinations people ask about most, and what actually happens.
- Can you mix chlorine bleach and rubbing alcohol? Toxic chloroform and chlorinated compounds
- Can you mix white vinegar and rubbing alcohol? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix baking soda and rubbing alcohol? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix rubbing alcohol and acetone? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix rubbing alcohol and dish soap? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix ammonia and rubbing alcohol? Caution a product-dependent combination
06 Files that use it
07 Myth files
- Does hairspray remove ink? It used to work because hairspray was mostly alcohol. Modern formulas add resins and oils that can leave a new stain.
- Does milk remove ink stains? An old remedy with little effect on modern ballpoint ink, and it adds a protein stain.
08 Questions
What stains does rubbing alcohol remove?
It works best on dye and polymer, which is why it appears in the files for lipstick, mascara, hair dye, permanent marker and ink.
How do you use rubbing alcohol safely?
Dab with a white cloth or cotton pad and blot onto a paper towel underneath; change the towel as the ink transfers. Ventilate; it is flammable. Flammable: no open flames, and let it evaporate before using heat.
What should you never mix with rubbing alcohol?
chlorine bleach. Bleach reacts with alcohols to form chloroform and other chlorinated organic compounds, which are toxic to breathe and can damage the liver and nervous system. Do not combine commercial cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use.
Where should you never use rubbing alcohol?
Nowhere on file is ruled out completely, but check the material file before using it on anything delicate.