Cleaning With Methylated Spirits – Everything You Need to Know
These days there is a definite movement towards thinking about the chemical makeup of cleaning products. If you are sensitive to some ingredients in cleaning products, or would like to reduce the number of chemicals you are using in your home, cleaning with Methylated Spirits just might be the solution you are looking for.
What Is Methylated Spirits?
Whilst specific formula’s may vary slightly, Methylated Spirits is essentially Ethanol, which is pure alcohol, with a denaturant additive, usually Methanol.
What is a denaturant you ask? This is a product which makes the pure ethanol bitter to the taste, and highly toxic. It is added to ensure the pure alcohol cannot be consumed, or used in the production of any consumable.
Where You Can Use Methylated Spirits
Because it is essentially alcohol, methylated spirits is great for disinfecting and sterilising. And because the alcohol evaporates, it not only leaves a sparkling, streak-free surface behind, but cleaning with Methylated Spirits means there is no need for rinsing.
There are a wide range of things you can use Methylated Spirits to clean:
- Bathrooms – great on ceramic, stone or marble tiles and grout, shower glass and mirrors, ceramic sinks, chrome tapware.
- Kitchens – stainless steel sinks and appliances, stone benchtops, glass splashbacks, ceramic tiles and grout
- Soft Furnishings – spot cleaning of fabric sofas and curtains. Important Note: Spot test an inconspicuous part of the fabric first.
Top Tip #1 – Just put a few drops of Methylated Spirits on a cotton ball, dab at the stain, and as the alcohol evaporates, the stain will too.
Top Tip #2 – A 10:1 Solution of water and Methylated Spirits is great for descaling and degreasing. It is also great for getting the leftover glue from price stickers off any surface where use is appropriate. But don’t ever use it to descale the inside of your kettle, as it is highly toxic.
When NOT To Use Methylated Spirits
There are a few surfaces you should not clean with methylated spirits:
- Painted or varnished surfaces – the spirits can break down the finish and leave it tacky and unstable
- Plastics – it can cause fading and, similar to painted surfaces, it can break down the plastic leaving a gummy, tacky surface
A Few Words Of Caution
Methylated Spirits is essentially alcohol, which is highly flammable, and because of the denaturant additive, it is highly toxic if consumed. It also has a strong smell until the alcohol has evaporated. A few safety tips:
- When cleaning with Methylated Spirits, make sure the area is well ventilated
- Use gloves, and if you have sensitive airways, a mask is a good idea
- Store the product away from reach of children, and away from light and heat
If you would like to try cleaning with Methylated Spirits, Jamac Cleaning Supplies can help you. Click here if you would like to order, or if you would like further information and advice on the best way to tackle your particular cleaning-related problems, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or (02) 9838 1220.
Products Recommended In This Article:
Methylated Spirits