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Rubbing alcohol (plain alcohol)
Also called: isopropyl alcohol, 70% alcohol, ethanol
Kills many germs on contact, but is not a good surface disinfectant.
Alcohol works best at 60% to 90% in water. It is not a good choice for operatory surfaces: CDC notes it evaporates too fast to keep a surface wet for the contact time, and it does not clean off debris. It also does not kill spores.
How to spot it
- Bottles labeled isopropyl or ethyl alcohol without an EPA hospital disinfectant registration.
What it is used for
- Used for limited tasks such as wiping the rubber top of a multidose vial before entering it.
Safety and care
- Flammable; keep away from flames and heat.
Related
Sources: CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17), CDC. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008): Chemical Disinfectants