dilute everclear for disinfectant.

[JV3]

everyone good with their rubbing alcohol supply for disinfecting stuff? if you're running low and have a liquor store that sells 190 proof alcohol (95% alcohol by volume) you can use it as is or dilute with water down to 70% to conserve it.

here a liter of everclear is $20 per liter and it's widely available still unlike rubbing alcohol. i just did the calculations so people don't have to with 95% alcohol by volume. 8 oz alcohol + 2.485 oz water = 75% alcohol by volume.

that mix will still burn blue (meaning it's a perfect burn so no detectable carbon monoxide) in my fancee feast camping stove so it's just like store bought 70% rubbing alcohol (in this case better).

i only add 2 oz water per 8 oz alcohol so it's for sure above 75% but below 80% so plenty of margin for error without wasting alcohol...best part is if you accidentally drink it you just might feel happy and relaxed

my source (they have different formula for different % alcohol and desired % outcome): https://www.meatsandsausages.com/alcohol/calculations

 

[RayseM]

As I understand - you DO want to add water to the alcohol. It makes it effective as a disinfectant. I wish I could give you the exact quote ore even where I recently read this (within the last month) but it was on a CDC or other medical sight - for what it's worth.

I would not be saying except that as I read it I was quite surprised that water was essential with the alcohol to be an effective disinfectant. Sharing for you to do with as you wish.

Yes - you don't want to go below 70% alcohol. Most isopropyl sold to the public is already reduced, with water, to a 70% alcohol solution. I will keep looking to find the source and requote precisely.

 

[SVTFreak]

You want to dilute it for disinfectant below 75%. I read that ang higher than that and it evaporates too fast to be effective at destroying viruses or killing bacteria. Any less than 60% and it won’t work either. For 100% ipa, it’s easy. 3:1 ipa to water/glycerol. That puts you dead nuts on 75%. Works for everclear also but will fall between 70-75%. Of you are using to disinfect skin, ethanol doesn’t dry your skin as bad as ipa, and a touch of glycerol helps moisturize your skin. Not sure what it’ll do for your burning though lol.