Alcohol kills some viruses, but not all. Effectiveness depends on the concentration and type of alcohol, as well as the species of virus.
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In addition to using sanitizers to clean their hands, people can use rubbing alcohol to disinfect frequently touched items in the home, such as phones and computer keyboards.
This article explains how well alcohol can kill viruses, how it works, and what concentrations to look for. It also provides instructions on how to use hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol.
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The effectiveness of these alcohols depends on their concentration and the type of virus. Enveloped viruses have a lipid membrane while non-enveloped viruses are those without a lipid membrane. Generally, non-enveloped viruses are more resistant to disinfectants.
Isopropyl alcohol works against enveloped viruses but not against non-enveloped viruses. Ethyl alcohol acts against enveloped viruses and some non-enveloped viruses. Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol have powerful antiviral action against:
These alcohols have no antiviral action against non-enveloped viruses, such as poliomyelitis and hepatitis A.
Adding water to alcohol makes it more effective at denaturing proteins. This is because alcohol evaporates very quickly. Water slows this down, exposing viruses to alcohol longer.
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the outermost membrane of SARS-CoV-2 contains lipids, alcohol is effective against it.
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People can use alcohol-based sanitizers or rubbing alcohol around the house to clean small objects and frequently touched surfaces, like phones or doorknobs. To clean these items, start by:
- Make sure the room is well ventilated.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball.
- Replace the cap to prevent inhalation.
- Wipe the pad on the surface.
- Dispose of cotton safely.
The National Capital Poison Control Center warns that rubbing alcohol has certain dangers. Even small amounts are poisonous if a person inhales the vapors or drinks any amount. To reduce the risk, a person should:
- keep rubbing alcohol safely out of the reach of children
- use it only in well-ventilated rooms
- keep away from open flames
- never swallow rubbing alcohol
There are two ways to use alcohol on the skin to kill viruses. The first is to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel. People can use it by applying gel to the palms and rubbing all over the hands, including between the fingers. Then wait for it to dry.
Doctors no longer recommend people use rubbing alcohol to clean wounds, as it can further damage tissue. Instead, a person can rinse the wound under running tap water for 5 to 10 minutes before soaking a gauze pad in saline solution or tap water and gently dabbing or wiping the wound. skin with. Alternatively, they can use an alcohol-free wipe.
Although alcohol gels and sterilants are effective in killing a number of potentially harmful microbes, they have certain drawbacks.
Inferior to washing with soap and water
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In some situations, washing hands with soap and water is necessary for good hygiene. These include:
- before, during and after food preparation
- after going to the toilet
- after touching the garbage
- when hands are visibly oily or dirty
- before and after caring for a sick person
- before and after visiting someone with a weakened immune system
If soap and water are not available, use a disinfectant containing at least 60% alcohol.
Inferior to other surface cleaners
Alcohol is
These substances can kill a wider variety of germs than alcohol and do not evaporate as quickly, which means they are in contact with germs longer. However, they have their own advantages and disadvantages and have not entirely replaced alcohol.
The rapid evaporation of alcohol can be an asset when disinfecting non-invasive equipment, such as thermometers. Also, unlike hydrogen peroxide, alcohol does not bleach clothing and fabrics.
Antibiotic resistance
Alcohol-based sanitizers have antibacterial properties in addition to their antiviral properties. However, bacteria can evolve over time so that substances no longer harm them. This is called antibiotic resistance.
Some researchers worry that hand sanitizers contribute to antibiotic resistance. However, a
Some experts advise cleaning hands with sanitizer for 20-30 seconds and letting them dry to reduce the risk of remaining bacteria developing resistance.
Isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol can kill viruses that have high lipid cell membranes. SARS-CoV-2 falls into this category, along with HIV, hepatitis B virus, and herpes viruses. Alcohol works by altering the structure of the viral membrane, rendering it unable to function.
Washing hands with soap and water is preferable to using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. However, when this option is not available, people can use hand gels containing
People can also use rubbing alcohol to clean small items around the house, but it’s important to follow precautions when handling them.
