# Is Isopropyl Alcohol an effective disinfectant? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 2, 2002, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034 "2002-08-02T16:44:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chromie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@chromie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chromie)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/1 "2002-08-02T16:44:14Z")
That is, the “rubbing alcohol” found in most supermarkets? (The bottle in my medicine cabinet is listed "70% by volume) Thanks, anyone who reads\posts! ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/2 "2002-08-02T16:56:06Z")
Mainly, I believe it’s the disruption of bacterial cell membranes (IPA is a potent solvent). There’s also some dehydration going on. IPA is toxic to humans, but I don’t know about bacteria. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/3 "2002-08-02T16:57:13Z")
Very effective. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/4 "2002-08-02T16:58:53Z")
Use topically only, please. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/5 "2002-08-02T17:39:15Z")
Sure. If you look at the various disinfecting sprays sold on the market today, you’ll see their main active ingredient is isopropyl alchohol. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/6 "2002-08-02T18:04:30Z")
> [@](#): > > **Mr. Moto** : Very effective. > > AND > > **Mr. Moto** : Use topically only, please. Good advice, and even more might be added. Use alcohol only on intact skin, if at all. Wounds should not be treated with alcohol, since is very effective in disturbing living cells, including the cells exposed by cuts, or abrasions. Killing the cells along wound edges will delay healing, and promote scarring. Use alcohol to disinfect tools, or objects used during first aid, and dry them off before touching the wound with them. Hands disinfected with alcohol would be included, although it would be better to use some other less toxic disinfectant on hands. For wounds, antibiotic ointments, such as NeoSporin, or Triple Antibiotic Ointment are more conducive to rapid healing. Cover with dry sterile dressings. ## Tris “The word _aerobics_ comes from two Greek words: _aero_, meaning ‘ability to,’ and _bics_, meaning ‘withstand tremendous boredom.’” ~ Dave Barry ~ ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/7 "2002-08-02T18:10:55Z")
OK, that’s weird. I could have _sworn_ that the OP said “WHY is isopropyl alcohol an effective disinfectant?” Moderator, could you please change the OP so everyone else looks stupid and not me? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/8 "2002-08-02T18:41:07Z")
I am no expert but I want to post this so someone who is more knowledgeable might jump in with **The Straight Dope**. IIRC ISA is good for bacteria but not effective on viruses. Since I was 18 or so I have tried to take the American Red Cross CPR training every few years and back in the mid-late 80s they used ISA to wipe down the CPR dummies to disinfect them but then they switched to bleach (full strength Clorox no less) because it was more effective against viruses (AIDS was (is) the big concern). Anyone know the real story on ISA vs. Viruses? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/9 "2002-08-02T18:48:09Z")
That’s IPA, to most people, and it’s generally acknowledged that bleach is more effective against viruses than IPA. However, IPA is more effective against bacteria, and is effective aginst some viruses. The wise CPR student uses both (IPA first, then bleach). ---
**Author:** ![chromie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@chromie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chromie)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/10 "2002-08-02T21:14:25Z")
Ok! Thanks again, all. ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/11 "2002-08-02T21:26:44Z")
Whatever you do, DO NOT use isopropyl alcohol on your scrotum! ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/12 "2002-08-02T21:36:33Z")
And why were you disinfecting your scrotum? Wait a minute. Never mind. Tris ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/13 "2002-08-02T22:42:23Z")
IPA is one of the main cleaning agents used where I work: In a pharmaceutical lab. HIGHLY effective on the formulation/production machinery. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/14 "2002-08-03T00:01:47Z")
Well, in my lab, we use bleach followed by ethanol. Which really has nothing to do with anything, but there you go. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-isopropyl-alcohol-an-effective-disinfectant/122034/15 "2002-08-03T10:27:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Surreal \* > \*\*Whatever you do, DO NOT use isopropyl alcohol on your scrotum! \*\* Yup–it gives new meaning to that phrase,“the fire down below.”:eek: