Vivian Marlowe
Diluting 90% isopropyl alcohol to 70% isopropyl alcohol is a common practice, especially in disinfectant solutions. Diluting 90% isopropyl alcohol to 70% increases its disinfecting power by slowing down evaporation and improving microbial penetration. To dilute 1 litre of 90% isopropyl alcohol to 70%, you need to add 286ml of distilled water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Starting Alcohol Concentration | 90% |
| Ending Alcohol Concentration | 70% |
| Dilution Method | Add distilled water |
| Dilution Ratio | 1:1 |
| Dilution Calculation | (Starting Alcohol % - Ending Alcohol %) / Ending Alcohol % |
| Example Calculation | (90% - 70%) / 70% = 0.3 |
| Example Volume Calculation | Desired Volume of 70% Alcohol * 0.3 = Volume of 90% Alcohol to use |
| Example | For 100ml of 70% alcohol, use 30ml of 90% alcohol and add distilled water to reach 100ml |
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What You'll Learn
Diluting 90% alcohol to 70% increases its disinfecting power
For example, a 90% alcohol solution was unable to kill Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria in over two hours, whereas a 50% solution achieved the same result in under 10 seconds. A 90% solution is so strong that it can dry before it can enter the bacteria to kill it.
On the other hand, a 70% alcohol solution has enough water content to allow it to cross a cell membrane and get into the bacteria to kill it. This is why 70% alcohol solutions are considered more effective at killing most bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces.
The water content in a 70% alcohol solution also slows evaporation, increasing contact time with the surface being disinfected. This is another reason why a 70% alcohol solution is more effective than a 90% solution.
To dilute 90% alcohol to 70%, you can use the following formula: V1 * M1 = V2 * M2, where V1 is the volume of ethanol you want to get, M1 is the concentration of ethanol you want to get, V2 is the volume of your stock ethanol, and M2 is the concentration of your stock ethanol. For example, if you want to make 100 mL of 70% ethanol from 95% ethanol, you would do the following calculation: 100 * 70 = a * 95, where "a" is the amount of 95% ethanol needed. In this case, "a" is equal to approximately 74 mL. You would then take 74 mL of 95% ethanol and add distilled water until the total volume is 100 mL.
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Diluting alcohol involves adding water
To dilute alcohol from 90% to 70%, you can use the formula: V1 * M1 = V2 * M2. In this formula, V1 represents the volume of ethanol you want to obtain, M1 is the desired concentration (70%), V2 is the volume of your stock ethanol (90%), and M2 is the concentration of your stock ethanol. By plugging in these values, you can calculate the amount of water needed to dilute the alcohol to the desired concentration.
For example, if you want to make 100 mL of ethanol at 70% concentration from 90% ethanol, you would calculate it as follows: 100 * 70 = a * 90, where 'a' represents the volume of 90% ethanol needed. Solving for 'a', you get approximately 73.68 mL of 90% ethanol, to which you would add water until the total volume reaches 100 mL.
It's important to note that the water used for dilution should be free of hardening substances, particularly calcium and magnesium, as these can cause haziness or sedimentation in the final product. Distillers may opt for water with a small amount of mineral salts to enhance the taste of the diluted alcohol. Additionally, the water should be flavour-neutral, so water treated with chlorine or fluoride may not be ideal.
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Use distilled water, not tap water
When diluting alcohol from 90% to 70%, it is important to use distilled water instead of tap water. Distilled water is the purest form of water available. It is created by boiling natural water and collecting the steam as it cools and condenses back into a liquid. This process removes all minerals and impurities, resulting in pure H2O.
Tap water, on the other hand, can contain various mineral deposits and impurities. While tap water is treated and safe to consume, it may not be ideal for certain applications due to the presence of these additional substances. The minerals in tap water can leave residue or buildup in appliances and equipment, requiring more frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Distilled water is often preferred for diluting chemicals and in laboratory settings. It helps ensure that the reactivity of the chemicals is not altered by the presence of unknown substances in the water. In the context of diluting alcohol, using distilled water provides a pure and consistent base, allowing for accurate measurements and results.
Additionally, distilled water can be advantageous for appliances such as humidifiers and CPAP machines. The lack of minerals in distilled water helps prevent mineral buildup, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance. This keeps the appliances functioning optimally and extends their lifespan.
While distilled water offers benefits in these specific contexts, it is important to note that it may not be recommended for regular drinking. Some studies suggest that long-term consumption of distilled water, which lacks minerals such as calcium and magnesium, may have potential health impacts. Therefore, it is generally advised to use distilled water for specific purposes, such as dilution or appliances, while relying on safe tap water or filtered water for daily hydration.
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90% alcohol is too strong for hand sanitiser
While alcohol-based hand sanitisers are known for their antimicrobial properties, formulations with extremely high alcohol concentrations, such as 90%, can be problematic. Firstly, they may cause skin dryness with frequent use, leading to an unpleasant user experience and potential skin damage. To counteract this effect, humectants or skin conditioners are often added, but these can make the sanitiser too runny or sticky, reducing its effectiveness.
Additionally, 90% alcohol solutions are not necessary for effective hand hygiene. Research has shown that ethanol concentrations of 30% and above are effective against SARS-CoV-2, indicating that lower concentrations can still provide adequate antimicrobial protection. Therefore, diluting 90% alcohol to 70% strikes a balance between antimicrobial efficacy and user experience.
To dilute 90% alcohol to 70%, one can use a simple dilution calculation: V1 x M1 = V2 x M2, where V1 is the desired volume of 70% alcohol, M1 is the desired concentration of 70%, V2 is the volume of the 90% alcohol solution, and M2 is the concentration of the 90% alcohol solution. For example, to make 100ml of 70% alcohol from 90% alcohol, you would take 73.68ml of the 90% solution and add distilled water until the total volume reaches 100ml.
In conclusion, while 90% alcohol may be effective at killing microorganisms, it is too strong for hand sanitiser applications due to safety concerns, user experience, and the fact that lower concentrations are equally effective. Diluting 90% alcohol to 70% is a simple process and results in a safer and more user-friendly product.
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Diluting alcohol reduces its flammability
Liquor with an alcohol content of over 50% is considered flammable, and this is known as 100-proof liquor. However, there are exceptions, as 80-proof liquor with 40% alcohol content may still ignite, especially when exposed to high temperatures. On the other hand, wine, with a lower alcohol content, will not ignite as easily and can even be used to put out a fire.
The flammability of alcohol is influenced by its concentration. To dilute 90% alcohol to 70%, you would need to add water. For example, to dilute 100ml of 95% ethanol to 70%, you would need to mix 70ml of the ethanol with water to a total volume of 95ml.
The process of diluting alcohol is relatively simple, but it requires careful calculations to achieve the desired concentration. The volume of water added will depend on the initial concentration of the alcohol and the target concentration. It is important to handle alcohol with caution, especially when working with high concentrations, as it is a flammable substance.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to convert 90% alcohol to 70% alcohol is by diluting it with distilled water. The amount of water needed will depend on the volume of alcohol you have.
To convert 1 litre of 90% alcohol to 70%, you will need to add 286ml of distilled water. For smaller amounts, you can use the dilution equation: Volume of water = V2-V1.
70% alcohol is considered the "disinfectant sweet spot" because it contains about 30% water, which enables a more thorough microbial kill. The increased water content slows evaporation and enhances protein denaturation, improving the disinfectant's effectiveness.
