Different forms of alcohol, such as isopropyl and rubbing alcohol, are beneficial for killing germs and sanitizing surfaces, making them a desirable resource in the medical field. 

Rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are valuable resources for many medical procedures. While most consumers use the terms isopropyl and rubbing alcohol interchangeably, they are not quite the same products — although they are similar. Both are affordable and versatile with numerous uses. 

Learn about the differences between rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol and the benefits of using each.

What Is Isopropyl Alcohol Used For?

Isopropyl alcohol is one of the most commonly used disinfectants and alcoholic compounds across numerous industries. When it is used in concentrations between 60% and 90% with between 40% and 10% purified water, it can destroy viruses, bacteria and some types of fungi. This ability makes isopropyl alcohol a valuable solution with versatile function.

Isopropyl alcohol is a key solvent in many cleaning solutions, cosmetics, lotions and more. This type of alcohol can also be used in many other ways, including:

• Hospital cleaning
• Surface disinfection
• Hand sanitizer ingredient
• Ingredient for stripping paint
• Dilution/extraction ingredient in some lab chemicals

What Is Rubbing Alcohol Used For?

Rubbing alcohol is typically made from isopropyl alcohol, although it can also be made from ethyl alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is just isopropyl or ethyl alcohol mixed with a specific amount of water. It is used for external disinfecting and can clean wounds and hard surfaces. 

Many consumers keep rubbing alcohol in their medicine cabinets for a quick, affordable method to clean household cuts and scrapes. Rubbing alcohol is also a valuable resource for medical professionals to disinfect surgical instruments quickly.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Each Type?

Both rubbing and isopropyl alcohols are valuable resources and effective disinfectants. Compared to ethanol, isopropyl alcohol keeps your skin hydrated and evaporates much more quickly. These properties allow isopropyl alcohol to effectively kill germs without drying out the skin or leaving it wet. Isopropyl alcohol is also more efficient at killing various types of cysts and fungi. 

Rubbing alcohol contains more denaturants, making it more effective for cleaning wounds and surgical utensils but toxic if consumed by humans. Rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% can be more effective at killing bacteria because it has a higher concentration of water, allowing it to dissolve slowly and penetrate cells.

Buy Isopropyl and Rubbing Alcohol From Mercedes Scientific

At Mercedes Scientific, we supply the medical community with high-quality consumables and equipment so that your facility can get the resources it needs to safeguard public health effectively. Mercedes Scientific puts the customer first, and we continually strive to improve our process by listening to valued customer feedback. We make it our mission to ensure complete satisfaction with every transaction. 

With our decades of experience, we've learned to optimize the fulfillment process so you can get fast delivery even on large orders of in-demand supplies. Browse our selection of isopropyl and rubbing alcohols online today. 

Contact us to learn more from one of our experts.