Noah Vinter
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), also known as rubbing alcohol, is commonly used for household cleaning, in laboratories, and for industrial applications. The concentration of IPA determines its effectiveness in killing germs, cleaning surfaces, and evaporating without leaving residue. While 99% IPA is perfect for cleaning electronics, 91% IPA is more suitable for critical cleaning in labs and specialty industrial processes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Typical use case | 91%: Critical cleaning in labs, removing moisture from electronics, specialty industrial processes 99%: Electronics cleaning, industrial degreasing |
| Effectiveness in killing bacteria | 91%: Kills bacteria, but 70% is considered more effective due to slower evaporation 99%: Less effective than 70% due to faster evaporation |
| Evaporation rate | 91%: Faster than 70% 99%: Fastest |
| Moisture content | 91%: Contains 8% water 99%: Absorbs water from the air over time and becomes 91% |
| Residue | 91%: May leave residue 99%: Less likely to leave residue |
| Cost | 91%: Less expensive than 99% |
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$12.89 $13.99
$12.89 $13.99
What You'll Learn
Effectiveness in killing bacteria
The effectiveness of isopropyl alcohol in killing bacteria depends on its concentration. The optimum concentration for disinfection purposes is between 60% and 90% solution in water. Typically, 70% solutions are used as they are more effective than their higher purity counterparts (90-99%). The presence of 30% water slows down evaporation, enhancing its germ-killing ability by prolonging surface contact.
For basic household disinfection, 70% isopropyl alcohol is preferred. However, for industrial degreasing or electronics work, 91% or 99% may be more suitable. These higher concentrations introduce minimal moisture to sensitive electronics and circuit boards. Lower water content (like 99%) evaporates faster but may not always yield the best disinfecting results.
The ideal concentration depends on the application. For example, electronics cleaning often requires minimal moisture (91% or 99%), whereas general surface disinfection often uses 70% for longer contact.
While 91% and 99% isopropyl alcohol solutions are effective in removing grease and oil, they may not be as effective in killing bacteria due to their higher concentration.
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Use cases
The ideal concentration of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) depends on the intended application. Here are some use cases for 91% and 99% alcohol:
91% Alcohol Use Cases:
- Electronics cleaning: 91% alcohol evaporates quickly and minimises moisture introduction to sensitive electronics.
- Critical cleaning in labs: The faster evaporation rate of 91% alcohol makes it suitable for lab equipment cleaning.
- Removing moisture from electronics: The quick-drying nature of 91% alcohol is useful for removing moisture from electronics.
- Specialty industrial processes: 91% alcohol can be used in specific industrial applications.
- Household cleaning: 91% alcohol is effective for general household cleaning and disinfection.
- Resin printing: 91% IPA is commonly used for cleaning resin beds and plates in resin printing. While it may leave a residue, it is still a preferred option due to its effectiveness and cost.
99% Alcohol Use Cases:
- Electronics cleaning: Like 91% alcohol, 99% alcohol is suitable for cleaning electronics due to its low moisture content.
- Industrial degreasing: 99% alcohol is effective for removing heavy grease and oil in industrial settings.
- Laboratory applications: In certain laboratory settings, 99% alcohol may be preferred for its higher purity and faster drying time.
- Medical applications: 99% alcohol can be used for medical purposes, such as natural pest control on houseplants and soothing stomachs after surgery.
- Resin printing: While more expensive, 99% IPA is favoured by some resin printing enthusiasts as it can be used for more washes before needing to be replaced.
In summary, 91% alcohol is often chosen for its quick evaporation and suitability for electronics, lab, and household cleaning. On the other hand, 99% alcohol is preferred when maximum purity and minimal moisture are required, such as in industrial degreasing, certain laboratory applications, and resin printing.
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Cost
The cost of 91% and 99% alcohol depends on the use case and quantity purchased. For example, during the COVID pandemic, 99% alcohol was cheaper when bought in industrial bulk.
In general, 99% alcohol is more expensive than 91% alcohol because it requires more work to produce. The higher percentage alcohol is created through a different process from distillation, which leads to a significant rise in cost. Additionally, 99% alcohol can be exposed to the air for only a few hours before it absorbs water and becomes 91% alcohol, which may impact its effectiveness for certain applications.
The ideal concentration of alcohol depends on the specific application. For basic household disinfection, 70% alcohol is often recommended because it has more water, which slows down evaporation and enhances its germ-killing ability by prolonging surface contact. On the other hand, for industrial degreasing or electronics work, 91% or 99% alcohol may be preferred as they evaporate quickly and introduce minimal moisture to sensitive electronics.
It is worth noting that the effectiveness of alcohol in disinfection depends on the type of germs being targeted. While 70% alcohol is generally more effective for disinfection, higher concentrations like 91% or 99% may be necessary for certain types of viruses. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific use case when deciding between 91% and 99% alcohol to ensure cost-effectiveness.
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Moisture content
The difference between 91% and 99% isopropyl alcohol lies in their moisture content. 99% isopropyl alcohol has just 1% moisture content, while 91% isopropyl alcohol contains 9% purified water.
The higher the percentage of alcohol, the greater the evaporation rate, so 99% isopropyl alcohol will dry faster than 91%. However, 91% isopropyl alcohol is still a strong variant and is very effective for disinfection. It is commonly used for sterilising skin prior to injections or vaccinations and is often included in first aid kits for cleaning wounds.
For electronics cleaning, both 91% and 99% are suitable as they evaporate quickly and introduce minimal moisture to sensitive circuit boards. In fact, any isopropyl alcohol concentration above 90% is suitable for electronics cleaning.
The ideal concentration of isopropyl alcohol depends on the intended application. For example, 99% isopropyl alcohol is commonly used for chemical formulations in laboratories, while 70% is often used for basic household disinfection as it has a slower evaporation rate, allowing for more effective microbial kill.
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Safety
When it comes to safety, it is important to note that isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is highly flammable, even at 70% concentration. Therefore, it should be handled with caution and stored securely, away from heat sources, sparks, or open flames. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should also be worn when handling IPA, and waste should be disposed of responsibly.
The concentration of IPA also affects its safety profile. While 99% IPA is more pure, it can be more expensive and may not offer significantly better cleaning or disinfecting power compared to lower concentrations. In fact, 70% IPA is generally preferred for disinfection because the presence of water slows down evaporation, enhancing its germ-killing ability by prolonging surface contact time.
On the other hand, higher concentrations like 91% or 99% IPA are better suited for electronics cleaning due to their faster evaporation rates and minimal moisture introduction, which is crucial for sensitive components like circuit boards.
It is worth noting that the effectiveness of IPA can vary depending on the specific application and environment. For example, 99% IPA may absorb moisture from the air over time, especially in high-humidity areas, resulting in a lower effective concentration.
Additionally, while IPA is commonly used as a topical disinfectant and in hand sanitizers, it can be toxic if ingested. It is important to always read the labels and follow instructions when using any concentration of IPA to ensure safe and proper usage.
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Frequently asked questions
91% and 99% refer to the concentration of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in a solution, also known as "rubbing alcohol". The higher the concentration, the less water is in the solution.
91% alcohol is used for critical cleaning in labs, removing moisture from electronics, and specialty industrial processes.
99% alcohol is used for cleaning things when you want to avoid moisture, such as cleaning electronic components or skin oils off of fingernails before applying nail polish.
70% alcohol is generally preferred for standard disinfection because it stays on surfaces longer, allowing more time to kill microbes.
To make 70% alcohol from a higher concentration, dilute it with distilled water. To make 70% alcohol from 91% alcohol, mix 1 part 91% IPA with approximately 0.28 parts water.
