[Lifehack] Rubbing Alcohol + Spray Nozzle = White Board Cleaner, Disinfectant Spray, Etc.

by Berkana in Living > Cleaning

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[Lifehack] Rubbing Alcohol + Spray Nozzle = White Board Cleaner, Disinfectant Spray, Etc.

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I noticed that a 22oz bottle of white board cleaner costs about $7-$9 at most office supply vendors. What a rip-off. As far as I can tell, it is virtually identical to rubbing alcohol. I can get 32oz (1 quart) of rubbing alcohol for $2.30 at my local market, and I can't tell the difference. In fact, it seemed to me to work even better than the dry-erase cleaner spray. If I can't tell the difference, I shouldn't have to pay the difference, and neither should you.

Get yourself a spray nozzle; you can either recover one from an empty spray bottle of some sort of household cleaner and clean it off by spraying some hot water through it. Alternative, you can buy them cheap. I got a pair at Daiso for $1.50. Then get yourself some rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), and replace the cap with the spray nozzle. It should be an exact fit. Then get yourself a microfiber cloth, and you're set. While you're at it, get a whole stack of microfiber cloths from Target or Costco. 

What is this good for?

* cleaning white boards until they gleam like new. 
* glass cleaner
* disinfectant spray
* cleaning finger prints and things stained by greasy hands. Rubbing alcohol can cut grease just enough. Microfiber helps.
* cleaning glasses
* cleaning and disinfecting smart phone screens
* cleaning and disinfecting laptop keyboards and screens

Anything you need to clean that benefits from a little moisture and quick drying can be cleaned this way. Besides being cheap, rubbing alcohol is also non-toxic and kills germs. Why isn't everyone using rubbing alcohol instead of expensive cleaners? I 

Rubbing alcohol is usually sold in 70% strength and 90% or 99% concentrations. I find that 70% works just fine, whereas the higher concentrations leave a strong alcohol odor. If you are cleaning your laptop keyboard, and are concerned about water exposure, go ahead and use the 99% concentration. Or, just spray the cloth lightly rather than spraying your keyboard.