Rubbing alcohol is a solvent, and Cornell lists it among its stain-removal solvents. It dissolves many inks and dyes, and it can lift lipstick, grass and evergreen sap when used carefully. The catch is that it can also set blood and vomit, fade some dyes and damage certain synthetic fibers.
Test a hidden spot before you start, since alcohol can fade untested dyes and bleed some silk colors. Never mix it with bleach, because the pair can form chloroform, which can cause dizziness and nausea. Work with one product at a time and rinse in between so no two cleaners meet on the fabric.
5 steps
Step by step
- 1
Pick the Right Alcohol and Test
Use 70% isopropyl alcohol, or 90% denatured alcohol, with no added color or fragrance. Test a hidden spot first, because alcohol can fade some dyes.
- 2
Blot Ink from the Back
Sponge the area around the ink stain with rubbing alcohol first. Place the stain face down on clean paper towels and apply alcohol to the back of the stain, replacing the towels often.
- 3
Rinse and Launder
Rinse the fabric thoroughly, then launder it. Use one product at a time, and rinse in between each one.
- 4
Dab Lipstick on Napkins
Place the stain face down on paper towels. Dab with a towel dampened with rubbing alcohol at 70 or 90 percent until no more color transfers to the towel.
- 5
Handle Skin Gently
For ink on skin, wash with soap and water first. If that fails, gently scrub with rubbing alcohol, and never put it in the eyes.
Stains Rubbing Alcohol Can Lift
Rubbing alcohol is most useful on dye-based stains. ACI uses it on ink, blotting from the back onto paper towels, and UGA lists it for felt-tip and non-red stamp-pad ink.
It also works on lipstick, where ACI dabs with rubbing alcohol at 70 or 90 percent. Cornell's procedures for grass, lipstick and some plastics, such as shellac, include alcohol steps too.
Tannin, Drink and Sap Stains
Alcohol has a role on some tannin stains: Cornell applies it after a detergent-and-vinegar step, and UGA uses the same soak before sponging fruit stains with alcohol. Woolmark uses equal parts warm water and rubbing alcohol on alcoholic-drink stains on wool.
For evergreen pitch, Cornell says to dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol, vegetable shortening or petroleum jelly, rub, then wash with soap and water. Cornell also has an alcohol step for body-waste, deodorant and red-dye stains, letting it stand as long as the stain keeps lifting.
Where Rubbing Alcohol Is Unsafe
Rubbing alcohol can damage acetate, triacetate, modacrylic and acrylic fibers, so UGA says to dilute it with 2 parts water if you must use it on them. It can fade colored fabrics with untested dyes, and some silk dyes bleed when they touch alcohol.
Do not use it on leather, since Nissan says never to use alcohol on leather and Mazda advises against alcohols for interior cleaning. GM warns against solvents such as alcohol on car interior plastic, vinyl and trim. GE also warns that alcohol can damage the protective layer on stainless steel.
Blood and Vomit
Rubbing alcohol is the wrong first move for blood and vomit. Texas A&M warns that these stains are set by alcohol.
Cornell's protein and starch procedure has no alcohol step. Texas A&M also advises against using chemicals unless you are certain they work on the stain you are treating.
Common Myths
One myth is that rubbing alcohol removes any ink. ACI says some ballpoint, felt-tip and liquid inks may be impossible to remove, and UGA calls many permanent inks almost impossible to remove on many surfaces.
Another myth is that alcohol is a safe first try on any fresh stain. Texas A&M warns that blood and vomit are set by alcohol, so test before you treat any fresh stain.
What Never to Mix With It
Never mix rubbing alcohol with chlorine bleach, since the combination can form chloroform. Poison Control's general rule is never to mix household cleaning products, and that includes pairing alcohol with vinegar, baking soda, dish soap or borax.
Bleach-based bathroom cleaners can release chlorine gas when mixed with vinegar or other acids, so keep them far apart. Glass cleaners, ammonia and multi-purpose cleaners carry labels that say not to mix them with other household products, so keep those apart from alcohol too.
Questions
Does rubbing alcohol remove stains?
Yes, on some stains. It can lift many inks, dyes, lipstick and tree sap, and Cornell lists it among its stain-removal solvents. It is not a cure-all, and it can set blood and vomit.
Does hand sanitizer remove stains?
Nothing confirms that hand sanitizer works; rubbing alcohol at 70% or 90% is the one to use. Test any product on a hidden spot first, and never mix it with bleach.
Does isopropyl alcohol stain fabric?
Isopropyl alcohol can fade some dyes, so the risk depends on the fabric's color. UGA says the common 70% isopropyl alcohol is sufficient for most stain removal jobs. Test a hidden spot before you use it on colored fabric.
Is rubbing alcohol safe on silk and acrylic?
Not always. Some silk dyes bleed when they touch alcohol, so test first. Alcohol can damage acrylic and other synthetic fibers, and UGA says to dilute it with 2 parts water if you must use it on them.
Can I mix rubbing alcohol with bleach?
No. Bleach and rubbing alcohol can form chloroform, which can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches and loss of consciousness. Use one product at a time and rinse in between.
Does rubbing alcohol work on blood?
No, it is a poor choice. Texas A&M warns that blood and vomit are set by alcohol. Cornell's protein stain procedure has no alcohol step.
Can rubbing alcohol damage leather or car seats?
Yes, it is not recommended. Nissan says never to use alcohol on leather, and Mazda advises against alcohols for interior cleaning. GM also warns against solvents like alcohol on interior plastic, vinyl and trim.
Related guides
Other household cleaners
Sources
Every verdict, amount and warning here comes from these sources.