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Thread: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

  1. #1
    Registered Member TankWatcher's Avatar
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    Question Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Hi all

    Is Isopropyl Alcohol the same thing as rubbing alcohol? I'd like to use it both for hand sterilisation, but also for wiping down & sterilising a tank.

    Eddie, I think you recently used rubbing alcohol for that purpose and that's what's made me think of using it myself, but I'm unsure if they are the same thing. My internet search told me it was, but from the bottle I can't see any advertised germ killing info. Talks about using if for cleaning PC's, lenses - things like that?

    What do you guys think?
    Cheers
    Robyn

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    SimplyDiscus Sponsor and MVP Nov.2015 Disgirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Hi Robyn, I have two kinds of alcohol. The isopropyl alcohol is 91% and the isopropyl rubbing alcohol is only 70%. They both say first aid antiseptic. So, just use the 70% and it should be good!
    Barb

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    Registered Member Eddie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Thats the one Robyn, 70%, it is well known for it sanitizing properties. I use it in a spray bottle for tanks and use it on my hands when moving between tanks and equipment.

    Eddie
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Dang, mine says 100% Isopropyl. Can I still use it?
    Cheers
    Robyn

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    Registered Member Eddie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Quote Originally Posted by TankWatcher View Post
    Dang, mine says 100% Isopropyl. Can I still use it?
    Wow, I don't know. Never seen or used 100%.

    Eddie
    Visit Eddie's Place

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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    It's okay to use, but I'd rinse very well after using. There are some organisms that are resistant to, and unaffected by, alcohol. The most effective sterilizing technique that can be used on hard surfaces is a 4:1 water:bleach solution.

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    SimplyDiscus Sponsor and MVP Nov.2015 Disgirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Yes, bleach is really good to kill everything. In the lab we used a 10% solution and left it on awhile. 4% on your skin would burn and smell for a long time .
    Barb

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    Registered Member Ed13's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Quote Originally Posted by KDodds View Post
    It's okay to use, but I'd rinse very well after using. There are some organisms that are resistant to, and unaffected by, alcohol. The most effective sterilizing technique that can be used on hard surfaces is a 4:1 water:bleach solution.
    Quote Originally Posted by Disgirl View Post
    Yes, bleach is really good to kill everything. In the lab we used a 10% solution and left it on awhile. 4% on your skin would burn and smell for a long time .
    Barb
    Def bleach for the tank and equipment, alcohol for my hands and as a quick sterilization for equipment.
    When science and magic collide, the story begins.

  9. #9
    Registered Member jeff@zina.com's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    100% Isopropyl is fine for sterilization but hard on skin, it dries it out. I use bleach solutions, though they are also hard on skin. A decent hand lotion will fix it though.

    Jeff

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    Registered Member TankWatcher's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Thanks for clearing this up. You've all been a great help

    The only Isopropyl I'd found so far was either:

    • % of Isopropyl in product was not specified. Plus a distinct spell of perfume was present
    • 100% Isopropyl


    Wanting to avoid the perfume, I bought the 100% version.

    A google search for rubbing alcohol said it could be Isopropyl or Ethanol, so in the end I was unsure of what I had.

    thanks once again
    Cheers
    Robyn

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Virkon, Bleach, Alcohol...those are my choices in that order for sterilizing things.

    -Ryan
    -Ryan Karcher
    Aquatic Eco Systems Technician

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    Registered Member TankWatcher's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Quote Originally Posted by Dkarc@Aol.com View Post
    Virkon, Bleach, Alcohol...those are my choices in that order for sterilizing things.

    -Ryan
    Hi Ryan Virkon sounds interesting. Found this link http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/prod...roductid=16726

    It is described as being a "Broad spectrum virucidal disinfectant" ..... "Friendly to man, animals & the environment". Seems this would mean that I don't need to be as nervous as I always am when using bleach.
    Cheers
    Robyn

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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Which is why we use it. We use bleach from time to time, but we limit our use of it because our floor drain runs into a pond out front of the greenhouse. We have not had any issues with that (bleach and pond), but they have had minor issues on the farm doing the same thing in larger volumes (gallons of bleach).

    Virkon is nice, but it is damn expensive...$100USD for a tub of the stuff.

    -Ryan
    -Ryan Karcher
    Aquatic Eco Systems Technician

  14. #14
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Quote Originally Posted by Dkarc@Aol.com View Post
    Virkon is nice, but it is damn expensive...$100USD for a tub of the stuff.
    Thanks for extra info, Ryan. I've ordered it now, but your comment made me look at again at the volume I was buying for the cost. Hmm, only 50grams (1.7oz). I thought I'd orderd 500g. Hope that will be enough to do a few tanks.
    Cheers
    Robyn

  15. #15
    Registered Member TankWatcher's Avatar
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    Default Re: Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilisation

    Do I still need to be concerned about neutralising the virkon (as I would dechlor bleach)? If I do need to neutralise the virkon, how is this done?
    Cheers
    Robyn

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