70% Alcohol Solution Recipe using 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
70% Isopropyl Alcohol Surface Spray Recipe
Alcohol surface sprays can be useful for cleaning routines when they are labeled, stored, and used correctly. This guide explains how to use 70% isopropyl alcohol, also called rubbing alcohol, as a ready-to-use alcohol surface spray.
This recipe is for hard, nonporous surfaces only. It is not a hand sanitizer recipe, and it should not be used on skin, pets, food, wounds, toys that may be mouthed by children, or surfaces that are not compatible with alcohol.
For a Culinary Solvent recipe using ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl alcohol, view our preferred disinfectant spray recipe using 200 proof ethanol.
Recipe: 70% Alcohol Surface Spray Using 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
This recipe starts with store-bought 70% isopropyl alcohol. No water should be added. No fragrance, essential oils, aloe gel, or other non-alcohol ingredients should be added. Diluting 70% isopropyl alcohol will lower the final alcohol concentration below 70%.
The most important part of this recipe is simple: use 70% isopropyl alcohol as-is. Do not dilute it.
Before You Start
Clean first, then apply the alcohol surface spray. Alcohol works best on surfaces that are already free of visible dirt, grease, dust, and grime. If a surface is visibly dirty, clean it first with soap and water or a surface-safe cleaner before applying the alcohol.
Alcohol is flammable. Store and use this spray away from flames, sparks, pilot lights, cigarettes, candles, hot surfaces, and other ignition sources. Use in a well-ventilated area and allow treated surfaces to dry fully before using appliances, electronics, or anything that may create heat or sparks.
Do not mix isopropyl alcohol with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, commercial cleaners, or other disinfectants. Mixing cleaning chemicals can create dangerous fumes or reduce product effectiveness.
Alcohol may damage some surfaces, including certain plastics, acrylic, painted finishes, finished wood, leather, natural stone, electronics, and coated screens. Test a small hidden area first and follow the surface manufacturer’s cleaning instructions when available.
Ingredients
- 12 fl oz 70% isopropyl alcohol
- No water
- No fragrance, essential oils, aloe gel, or added cleaners
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pour 70% isopropyl alcohol into a clean spray bottle, or use it directly from its original container if it already has the type of dispenser you need.
Step 2: Do not add water or any other ingredients. This alcohol is already diluted to 70%.
Step 3: Label the spray bottle clearly as “70% Isopropyl Alcohol Surface Spray.” Include the date transferred and the word “Flammable.”
Congratulations!
Your 70% isopropyl alcohol surface spray is ready to use on compatible hard, nonporous surfaces.
How the Alcohol Percentage Is Calculated
Because this recipe uses 70% isopropyl alcohol as-is, the final alcohol concentration remains 70% alcohol by volume.
12 fl oz of 70% isopropyl alcohol = 12 fl oz of 70% alcohol solution
If water, fragrance, aloe gel, or other ingredients are added, the final alcohol percentage will be lower.
How to Use 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Surface Spray
Spray the clean, hard, nonporous surface until it is visibly wet. Allow the surface to remain wet before wiping or letting it air dry. If the surface dries too quickly, reapply more solution so the surface stays wet long enough for proper contact time.
Do not spray into the air. Do not use as a room spray, body spray, linen spray, hand sanitizer, or food-contact sanitizer unless you are following the rules and instructions that apply to that specific use.
Do not spray directly into electronics, outlets, switches, appliances, or open flames. If cleaning electronics, follow the device manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store 70% isopropyl alcohol in a tightly sealed container away from heat, flames, sparks, and direct sunlight. Keep the bottle closed when not in use. Alcohol can evaporate if the bottle is left open, and evaporation may lower the alcohol concentration over time.
Follow the storage and disposal directions on the original product label. If the bottle has been left open, stored near heat, contaminated, or is no longer clearly labeled, discard it safely and use a fresh bottle.
Can This Recipe Be Sold or Distributed?
This recipe is intended for small personal-use batches only. Disinfectants sold or distributed in the United States may be regulated by the EPA and must meet applicable labeling, registration, and use-direction requirements. Do not use this home recipe for commercial manufacturing, resale, public distribution, or regulated disinfectant claims.
Why This Recipe Is Different From Ethanol Surface Spray
Isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol are different alcohols. Both are used in cleaning and disinfecting products, but they are not the same ingredient. Isopropyl alcohol is not food grade alcohol and should never be swallowed.
Culinary Solvent does not sell isopropyl alcohol. For a surface spray recipe using Culinary Solvent’s 200 proof food grade ethanol, use our 200 proof ethanol disinfectant spray recipe.
