FECY Denatured Alcohol

What Is Denatured Alcohol?  

Denatured alcohol, also referred to as “methylated spirits”, is a form of ethanol with specific additives for deterring consumption. The additives make it a poisonous liquid that has a poor taste and nauseating smell. A variety of additives can be used, with ten percent methanol being a common choice. These additives work to inhibit individuals from consuming the alcohol, as well as impede them from using distillation or another practice to create a drinkable version. Most countries require denatured alcohol to be dyed blue or purple to indicate its associated dangers

Beneficial Applications of Denatured Alcohol  

Denatured alcohol is a useful product in a number of scenarios, ranging from general at-home cleaning to industrial work. Some typical applications of denatured alcohol include: 

• Cleaning Agent 

One of the most common uses of denatured alcohol is as a cleaning agent. Denatured alcohol can remove dirt, grease, glue, wax, and other types of grime from a variety of hard surfaces, such as wood, glass, and plastic.   

• Fueling of Small Camping Stoves 

Denatured alcohol can be utilized to fuel small camping stoves and oil heaters. Its low price and ability to burn cleanly make it an attractive fuel for this purpose.  

• Stain Remover 

Denatured alcohol also serves as a useful stain remover. It works well in dissolving oil-based substances, such as oil-based inks and lipstick. It can also effectively remove stains from clothing, such as berry stains and grass stains. To use denatured alcohol as a stain remover, simply dip a cotton ball into the alcohol and then blot the stain. Replace the cotton ball with a fresh one as needed, as it will absorb the stain throughout this process.  

• Pest Extermination 

Bug infestations can be a huge nuisance, but luckily, denatured alcohol can help. It can be used as an insecticide for aphids, bedbugs, and other pests.  

• Woodworking 

After sanding wood, there may be sawdust residue left over. Denatured alcohol can be applied with a soft cloth to remove sawdust, smooth the wood’s surface, and give the wood a professional and glossy finish.   

• Solvent 

Finally, in industrial settings, denatured alcohol is often used as a solvent in products such as shellac and paint thinner.  

Denatured Alcohol Safety  

Denatured alcohol, while versatile, is extremely flammable, thus making it important to store it in a proper location away from sparks or flames. Inhalation in a poorly ventilated environment may cause dizziness and other complications. The substance should never come in contact with a person’s skin or eyes during use. Those applying denatured alcohol as a general cleaner or degreaser should wear protective clothing, goggles, and gloves to prevent these occurrences. Finally, it is important to check the credentials of any supplier offering denatured alcohol. The supplier should have the appropriate environmental accreditations and have a reputation for quality. 

Is denatured alcohol bad for your skin and hair?

Denatured alcohol is sometimes used in cosmetics and skincare products (such as toners) as a drying agent: It dries quickly, neutralizes oil, and gives your skin a smooth, matte feel. In small amounts, denatured alcohol is usually no problem in cosmetics unless it’s mixed with methanol, which can seep in through the skin.

However, while denatured alcohol isn’t toxic at the levels needed for cosmetics, it can cause excessive dryness and disturb the natural barrier on your skin. Some studies suggest that denatured alcohol on skin may also cause breakouts, skin irritation, and redness.

A note of caution: Denatured alcohol can show up in products claiming to be “alcohol-free” through a sneaky marketing loophole. In FDA-approved parlance, “alcohol” only refers to ethanol. So once the alcohol in a product has been “denatured,” it’s no longer ethanol — and therefore, according to the strictest interpretation of FDA standards, is not alcohol.

That said, you don’t need to swear off all alcohols in skincare. There are some — known as fatty alcohols — that are actually good for your skin, like those derived from plants and fruits:

• stearyl alcohol
• cetearyl alcohol
• cetyl alcohol

These kinds of fatty alcohols are often added to skincare products as emollients, or moisturizing agents.

A small 2005 study with 35 participants suggests that adding emollients to alcohol-based hand rubs might decrease skin irritation, so if you’re worried about skincare products with denatured alcohol, look for one that also includes water, glycerin, or fatty alcohols.

Denatured alcohol in hand sanitizer

If you look at the label of many commercial hand sanitizers, you’re likely to see “alcohol denat.” in the ingredients. But as people scramble for a supply of hand sanitizer in the age of COVID-19, some are making their own.

Skincare experts advice against this, as there’s an increased chance you’ll get the ratio of denatured alcohol to other ingredients wrong and use an unsafe amount — remember, denatured alcohol can contain methanol, which is poisonous if absorbed through the skin. (Healthline cautions against DIY-ing hand sanitizer for exactly this reason.)

On the other hand (no pun intended), if you use too little denatured alcohol in your recipe, it won’t be enough to sanitize your hands properly.

Experts agree the best way to sanitize your hands is simply to wash them for at least 20 seconds. If that’s not possible, use an FDA-approved hand sanitizing product.

Cleaning agent for windows or surfaces:

Denatured alcohol is an excellent glass cleaner that cleans and shines your windows while removing dirt, grease, and grime.

The fact that denatured alcohol evaporates so quickly makes it perfect for cleaning glass.

It’s important to remember that it shouldn’t be used to clean porous fabrics, acrylic, vinyl, or uncoated or painted surfaces.

Get rid of mold or mildew:

Mix alcohol and water in a one-to-one ratio to remove mold stains from furniture, leather, or other porous surfaces.

Using a cloth or soft-bristle brush, rub the mixture into the fabric or leather. Allow direct sunlight to fall on the object. Reapply as needed until mold or mildew is no longer visible.

Denatured alcohol should not be used on suede or leather that has been dyed.

Removal of stains:

Denatured alcohol’s degreasing capabilities help remove coffee, grass, and other surface stains that soap and detergents can’t. Because denatured alcohol contains ethanol and methanol, it should be handled with caution.

Scrub the stain with a clean, cotton or textured rag and a tiny bit of denatured alcohol. Allow a few minutes for it to work, then wipe away the denatured alcohol with a clean, wet rag.

Metal-Parts Cleaner:

The oil on the steel can be removed using denatured alcohol. Like any other degreaser and nearly every solvent on the market, it’s also effective at eliminating significant amounts of water. Metal parts and surfaces can be cleaned with denatured alcohol. It won’t corrode the metal because it evaporates so quickly, but it will clean and sanitize it properly.

Stainless steel appliances utilized in commercial kitchens, as well as many other mechanical parts on automobiles, fall into this category. Cleaning the parts with denatured alcohol is recommended by some manufacturers.

Untreated Wood Cleaner and Shellac Mixing:

Denatured alcohol can aid in the creation of a softer, smoother final surface. Sand the wood until a considerable amount of sawdust has built up, then wipe away any excess sawdust that may have wedged itself into the grain of the wood with a cloth soaked in denatured alcohol.

It swiftly dissipates due to its rapid evaporation. This evaporation process will elevate the grain on the wood’s surface, but practically noticeably. Although the raised grain may not be visible, once sanded, the result is a surface that is substantially smoother to the touch.

To protect the wood, most woodworkers and carpenters make their own shellac or varnish. Shellac is a natural resin that, when mixed with denatured alcohol, forms a sticky solution that can be brushed onto wood and protects it from scratches and UV rays.

Skin-care uses:

Denatured alcohol is utilized in cosmetics and skincare products such as toners because it dries quickly, neutralizes oil, and leaves your skin looking smooth and matte.

Uses of Denatured Alcohol.

• Disinfectant.
• Window Cleaning.
• Camping Stove Fuel.
• Paint Removal.
• Fire Juggling.
• Making Jam.
• Removing Ink Stains.
• Woodwork.