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Is there a difference between “Rubbing Alcohol” and “70% Alcohol” ?

April 26, 2017baby newborn Parenting pregnancy

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Is there a difference between “Rubbing Alcohol” and “70% Alcohol” ?

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Actually no, there are different kinds of rubbing alcohol. Basically, the rubbing means it is NOT suitable for drinking and is for topical use. Generally most of the rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol; however, you can find ethyl rubbing alcohol. You can tell the two apart by two ways. First, simply read the label. The second is to smell the alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol has the standard “rubbing alcohol” smell everyone knows. Ethyl rubbing alcohol has a distinctive sweet smell. Also, the concentration of alcohol varies. Most rubbing alcohol is 70% isopropyl alcohol, although you can find 95% isopropyl alcohol along with lesser percentages if you look for it. If you are worried about killing bacteria, 70% isopropyl alcohol is the most bacteriocidal. Your best bet is the general, all purpose 70% isopropyl alcohol.