11 Surprising Things Rubbing Alcohol Can Do
There are some things in your medicine cabinet you probably have around because you feel like “have to”. You might not know why you have them, but you know that your parents did growing up, so they must have some use that’s unknown you to. One of those items is without a doubt is rubbing alcohol.
You have a bottle in your bathroom, but be honest with yourself: what do you really use it for? Maybe you put it on a cut every so often? Otherwise, you’re clueless.
Well, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that there are seriously unexpected ways that you can use rubbing alcohol in your everyday life! Here are just a few of our favorites.
1. Eliminate Ticks
The key with ticks is to remove them as soon as possible and rubbing alcohol can help you do that without leaving a part of the tick inside you. Yuck. Dab a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol around the tick. When the area is well treated, you can then use tweezers to remove the dangerous bug.
2. Soothe Mosquito Bites
Just like rubbing alcohol can help relieve the pain of cuts, it can help ease itchy mosquito bites. All you have to do is dab alcohol on the affected site as many times as necessary until the itching subsides.
3. Kill Bed Bugs
Take it from someone who’s
battled bed bugs before: anything you can do to get them out, you do it! The
American Pest Control suggest that you fill a spray bottle with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Spritz mattress, headboard, and box springs with rubbing alcohol, as it will kill the bugs on contact. Spray frequently in order to eliminate the eggs. Make sure that the room has ventilated and the liquid has dried before going to sleep.
4. Remove Upholstery Stains
The Huffington Post suggests mixing 1 part rubbing alcohol with 2 parts water. Pour into a spray bottle and spray directly on stains, then gently work out the stain with a bristle brush.
One Crazy House suggests that you still take off the cover and throw it into the wash after this treatment if possible.
5. Car De-Icer
Need to get to work fast, but forgot that it’s wintertime? You probably went outside to find your windshield covered in ice. Bummer. Well, if you have this rubbing alcohol de-icer, you have nothing to fear! This mixture, made in a handy little spray bottle, is the perfect way to quickly and harmlessly get the ice right off your car.
8. Shine Stainless Steel Appliances
Smudged stainless steel fridges and microwaves don’t stand a chance against rubbing alcohol! Wet a cleaning rag with the liquid and wipe down your dirtiest appliances. They’ll be glimmering no time at all.
9. Treat Sore Muscles
If you have sore muscles, follow the advice of
Fluster Buster and massage your legs with rubbing alcohol. This home remedy also works for painful joints.
10. Sanitize Hands
Instead of using store-bought hand sanitizer, you can make your own with rubbing alcohol as the main ingredient. Use 3 parts rubbing alcohol and 1 part aloe vera to make something as effective as Purell!
10. Fix Broken Makeup
You dropped your compact or blush and it shattered. Don’t panic! You won’t have to buy more as long as you have some rubbing alcohol on hand. This hack can be accomplished just by pouring
rubbing alcohol into the broken compact and smoothing it out with your finger. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
11. Clean Eyeglasses
Foggy eyeglasses don’t fly, but rubbing your lenses on your t-shirt also doesn’t accomplish much. A great solution is to spritz eyeglasses with rubbing alcohol and wiping them with a soft cloth for a streak-free clean.
