8 Smart Ways to Use Rubbing Alcohol Around Your Home and Garden

Disinfect Surfaces

Rubbing alcohol is an ideal option for disinfecting surfaces such as counters, doorknobs, and light switches. “It kills both bacteria and viruses, making it a usable replacement for strong chemical cleaners,” explains Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, a family cleaning company.

“Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave a residue, allowing surfaces to dry quickly," says Schrader. (See ya, streaky surfaces!)

Clean Silk Flowers

Artificial flowers can get covered with dust, grease, and grime, especially if displayed or hung in the kitchen. Tom Yates, founder of Wreaths.co.uk., has discovered rubbing alcohol to be the perfect solution. "Rubbing alcohol helps to break through the grime and bring the artificial petals and leaves back to their original beauty," he says. "It works well to break down the grease, but also dries quickly so the petals and leaves don’t become saturated in water."

Yates recommends avoiding undiluted rubbing alcohol, as it could cause colors to fade or bleed, and to use only when cleaning silk, plastic, or fabric flowers. "Always dilute it in a spray bottle with 50 percent water so that it is more gentle," he says, "and test it on an inconspicuous area."

Lift Carpet Stains

One of the best uses for rubbing alcohol around your home is getting tough stains out of rugs and carpeting. "Dab some rubbing alcohol on the stain, but don't rub it in," advises Andrew Cohn, DIY and craft expert with COHn Acrylics.

"Repeat until the stain starts to fade. Then let it air dry, and boom—you've cleaned up your stain."

Decontaminate Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes need to be cleaned periodically for both hygienic and functional purposes. Luckily, with rubbing alcohol, a quick clean couldn't be simpler. “Just spray a small amount of rubbing alcohol directly onto the bristles and gently swirl them on a paper towel or washcloth,” advises professional organizer Lauren Saltman.

Though a fast fix for when you're doing your makeup in the morning, rubbing alcohol shouldn't be used as your regular makeup brush cleanser. “Rubbing alcohol dries quickly, making it a good option for a quick cleaning—but frequent use of rubbing alcohol can dry out and damage the bristles, so use with caution," Saltman explains. (For a deep clean, you're better off using a gentle dish soap or tea tree oil.)

Create Cool Colors for Crafting

Looking to get creative with your existing craft supplies? "You can create some really cool color schemes and art with rubbing alcohol," shares Cohn.

"Using a dropper, drip the rubbing alcohol onto the canvas you’ve painted and it will separate the colors creating a watercolor like effect." Be sure to use sparingly—a little goes a long way.

Wipe Down Metal Surfaces

“Rubbing alcohol can be an effective cleaning agent for the metal surfaces in your yard, like your pool ladder,” says pool service and maintenance expert Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana.

Yamaguchi recommends diluting the rubbing alcohol with water, so that it’s a 1:1 ratio or contains slightly more rubbing alcohol than water. Take a cloth and rub the solution onto the shiny metal surface, then let it dry.

"This is great for high-touch metal surfaces like pool ladders not only because it’s quick and effective, but because it is a disinfectant, as well," says Yamaguchi.

Make Windows Shine

Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa, a home cleaning service in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, loves cleaning with cost-effective rubbing alcohol. “It’s eco-friendly and safe for people who are sensitive to other products," he says.

Knoll likes to add about 10 percent of rubbing alcohol to a bottle of regular glass cleaner. “It helps the cleaner dry faster and keeps windows from getting streaky,” he says. (Be sure to test on a small area first in case your windows have a tint or film that can be damaged.)

Sanitize Gardening Tools

If the blades on your shears aren't clean, you run the risk of damaging your plant when you prune it. Infections or diseases might spread, warns gardening and yard expert Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love.

After each use, Corcoran says to make wiping your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol a habit. This will help sanitize them for your next gardening sesh.