When people say “rubbing alcohol,” “meths,” or “denatured alcohol,” it’s easy to get confused — especially when you’re trying to clean or sanitise your home.
In reality, Methylated Spirits and Isopropyl Alcohol are two quite different liquids. Each has its uses — and important differences you should know about before using them for cleaning.
This guide helps you understand what each chemical is, how they differ, when to use one over the other — and most importantly, how to use them safely.
What Are They — Chemically Different Substances
Methylated Spirits
- Methylated spirits (also called denatured alcohol) is primarily ethanol (ethyl alcohol) with added chemicals — most commonly methanol — to make it poisonous/undesirable for drinking.
- This mixture is often dyed or scented to discourage consumption.
- Because of the toxic additives (like methanol), methylated spirits can be hazardous if ingested, inhaled, or applied carelessly.
Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol)
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is a different alcohol — it’s not ethanol-based. Its chemical structure (isopropanol) makes it an effective solvent, disinfectant, and cleaner.
- IPA usually comes as a solution (70% is common), which balances evaporation speed and disinfecting ability. This concentration helps it kill microbes effectively.
- IPA is widely used for sanitising, disinfecting, cleaning electronics or surfaces, and removing oils, grease, or sticky residue.
Cleaning Power: Where Each Works Best
Both have strengths — but they shine in different cleaning situations.
✅ When Isopropyl Alcohol is Best
- Disinfecting surfaces — kills germs and bacteria.
- Cleaning electronics, glass, mirrors — IPA evaporates quickly and leaves little residue.
- Removing fingerprints, grease stains, sticky residues — good for kitchens, door handles, light switches.
✅ When Methylated Spirits May Be Useful
- Heavy-duty cleaning jobs — cutting through grease, oil, paint or adhesive residue, especially on glass, metal, tile or tiles, tiles grouts, certain hard surfaces.
- Quick evaporation needed — meths dries fast, which can be useful in humid or hot conditions where streaks are a concern.
- Non-delicate surfaces that need a strong solvent — as long as ventilation and safety are properly handled.
But — and this is important — methylated spirits are toxic and more dangerous to use (especially children or pets), so they require extra care.
Safety & Limitations — Use With Care
Risk / Limitation | What to Watch / Avoid |
Toxicity (methanol in meths) | Never ingest or inhale; wear gloves and ensure ventilation. |
Flammability (both alcohols) | Keep away from heat, flame, sparks. |
Surface damage (varnished wood, plastics, delicate materials) | Test on small patch first — especially with meths. |
Quick evaporation | Good for surfaces but may not give enough contact time for full disinfection (for meths). Use isopropyl when germ kill is needed. |
Best Practices & What You Should Know
- For everyday cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting — use isopropyl alcohol. It’s safer, effective, and leaves minimal residue.
- For deep grease, paint, adhesive, tough stains — you may use methylated spirits, but only on non-porous, hard surfaces, and only with gloves, mask, and good ventilation.
- Never mix alcohol-based cleaners with bleach or other chemicals. It can produce dangerous reactions or toxic fumes.
- Avoid using these chemicals on surfaces like finished wood, delicate plastics, natural stone, or fabrics — unless you test first.
- Always store alcohol-based cleaners safely — away from heat, direct sunlight, children, and pets.
Our Recommendation (For Professional Cleaners & Homeowners)
If you want to keep cleaning safe, effective, and gentle: use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol / IPA) for most jobs — disinfecting surfaces, wiping down counters, cleaning glass & electronics, sanitising bathrooms, etc.
If you need a stronger solvent for grease, adhesive residue, paint stains, or heavy grime — and the surface can handle it — you can consider careful use of methylated spirits, but only with strong safety precautions.
Many professional cleaning services like us, All in One Aussie Cleaning, prefer to avoid meths because of the toxicity risk — and often use safer, more targeted cleaning agents instead.
Conclusion: They’re Not the Same — Use Them Wisely
Methylated spirits and isopropyl alcohol — though both are “alcohols” — are chemically different, behave differently, and serve different cleaning purposes.
- Use isopropyl alcohol when you want disinfection, fast drying, and safe cleaning on most surfaces.
- Use methylated spirits only when you need strong solvent action for grime, grease, paint residue — and only with proper safety measures.
Choose the right one depending on your cleaning goal. And always prioritise safety, ventilation, and surface-compatibility.
FAQs
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1. Is methylated spirits the same as isopropyl alcohol?
No. They are not the same, even though they’re often confused.
Methylated spirits are ethanol mixed with additives, while isopropyl alcohol is a different chemical compound altogether. -
2. Is methylated spirits the same as rubbing alcohol?
Not exactly.
Rubbing alcohol is usually isopropyl alcohol, whereas methylated spirits are ethanol-based and contain denaturing agents. -
3. Can I use methylated spirits instead of isopropyl alcohol?
Sometimes — but it depends on the task.
Methylated spirits can clean glass, remove some stains, and dissolve grease, but it’s not suitable for skin, medical use, or delicate surfaces. -
4. Can methylated spirits replace rubbing alcohol for cleaning?
For general household cleaning, yes, in some cases.
For disinfection, electronics, or skin contact, no — isopropyl alcohol is the safer and more appropriate choice. -
5. Does methylated spirits kill germs?
Methylated spirits can reduce some bacteria, but it is not a medical-grade disinfectant. It should not be relied on for sanitising wounds or high-risk surfaces.
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6. Is isopropyl alcohol safer than methylated spirits?
Generally, yes.
Isopropyl alcohol evaporates cleanly and is designed for cleaning, disinfecting, and technical use. Methylated spirits contain additives that can leave residue or cause irritation. -
7. Which one is better for stain removal- Isopropyl Alcohol or Methylated Spirits?
Isopropyl alcohol → safer for carpets, fabrics, and delicate surfaces
Methylated spirits → stronger solvent but higher risk of damage
