How to Safely Use Denatured Alcohol in Your Home

Denatured alcohol is ethanol or alcohol that has an added toxic chemical, which makes it unsafe for humans to consume it. In most cases, 5-10% methanol is added to the alcohol to make it bad tasting. You’ll often find this ingredient in cleaning products and cosmetics.1

While isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and denatured alcohol can be confused with each other, they are not the same thing and have different chemical compounds. Denatured alcohol is toxic and flammable, so it’s important to know how to use it safely.1

Uses of Denatured Alcohol

Denatured alcohol was developed during the Prohibition era when the United States government began adding methanol to industrial alcohol in an effort to deter people from drinking it. However, their efforts backfired.2

In 1926, when the “Noble Experiment” of adding poison to alcohol was first implemented, people chose to drink the concoction anyway, especially during the holidays, and then suffered the consequences. Twenty-three people died in New York City alone that year, and many more were left permanently blind. The experiment was eventually repealed seven years later, but historians estimate that before that occurred, 10,000 people died from drinking denatured alcohol.2

Despite its less-than-desirable beginnings, today, denatured alcohol is used in a variety of different ways, and its consumption is not as frequent—though it does still occur.3 Here are some ways people use denatured alcohol in the modern era:45678

Home cleaning and disinfection: Because denatured alcohol has antimicrobial properties, it can be mixed with water and used to clean a variety of surfaces in your home. It will help eliminate grease and paint and reduce mold and mildew.

Medical cleaning and disinfection: Denatured alcohol is often used to clean and disinfect hospital surfaces, such as surgical room equipment or patient room counters. Evidence suggests it can kill E. coli, cold viruses, and norovirus.

Fuel source: Camping stoves and other small devices can use denatured alcohol as an inexpensive fuel source.

Cosmetics: When used in cosmetics, denatured alcohol is often listed as “alcohol denat” or “specially denatured (SD) alcohol.” Manufacturers put denatured alcohol in cosmetics because of its drying abilities.

Household products: Denatured alcohol is also an active ingredient in several household products, such as window cleaners and de-icers.

Preserving specimens and samples: Denatured alcohol is often effective in helping to preserve different organisms, which is particularly useful to scientists who work in research labs.

Hand Sanitizers and Denatured Alcohol

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed companies to use denatured alcohol to make hand sanitizer. However, this permission was only temporary and the FDA has since ordered that all companies stop producing hand sanitizer products with denatured alcohol by December 31, 2021.9

Differences Between Denatured and Isopropyl Alcohol

Although denatured alcohol and isopropyl alcohol can be used in similar ways, they have different chemical makeups. Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol or ethanol that contains toxic additives like methanol that make it unfit for human consumption.1

Isopropyl alcohol (also called rubbing alcohol) is usually found in 70% concentration and is not as toxic as denatured alcohol. However, it can still be dangerous, especially for young children, if you drink it. In fact, it is the most common type of toxic alcohol ingestion reported to Poison Control each year.10

Risks of Poisoning

Poisoning from denatured alcohol usually occurs as a result of accidental ingestion, though some people deliberately drink denatured alcohol, often due to substance use disorder (SUD). When this happens, the consequences are dire.3

Drinking as little as 10 milliliters (mL), or about two teaspoons, of methanol (often found in denatured alcohol) can cause permanent blindness. Drinking 100-200 mL (or 3 to 7 ounces) is fatal. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract can quickly absorb methanol—usually in 30-60 minutes. As such, complications can occur fast.3

When treating poisoning in the emergency room, it can often be challenging to differentiate methanol poisoning from the normal effects of drinking alcohol. It can take 12-24 hours to determine methanol intoxication, especially if the person is exceptionally drunk and sleeping.3

Disposing Denatured Alcohol

Denatured alcohol, whether in its original form or as part of a paint solvent, shellac, de-icer, expired hand sanitizer, or household cleaning item, is considered a hazardous waste and carries some risk of poisoning.

Do not pour denatured alcohol or products that contain it down the drain. They can interact with the vapors in your water pipes and sewer systems, leading to fires and explosions. These products can also contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems. Instead, wrap the container and place it in a trash can for garbage collection.11

Safety Considerations

If you have denatured alcohol in your home, or if it’s an ingredient in another product that you use, it’s important to take precautions when using and storing the liquid. Here are some tips for safely using it in your home:12

Keep it away from open flames: Denatured alcohol is highly flammable, so you need to avoid smoking around it and keep it away from open flames.

Make sure you have proper ventilation: Inhaling fumes from denatured alcohol can cause headaches and dizziness, so make sure you open a window if you’re cleaning something with it.

Do not ingest it: Denatured alcohol is toxic, and ingesting it can result in blindness or even death.

Wear protective eyewear and gloves: Denatured alcohol can irritate the eyes and skin, so it’s important to take the proper precautions when using it.

Store it in a safe and secure location away from children: Because denatured alcohol is flammable and highly toxic if ingested, it’s important to pick a safe and secure location for storage. It should be in a cool, dry place where children cannot access it.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you or a loved one accidentally (or even intentionally) ingested denatured alcohol, it’s important to get emergency help right away. Call poison control or 911 and head toward the nearest emergency room.

Researchers indicate that within one hour of drinking it, people may feel nauseous, vomit, and have stomach pain. Headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision also are common.3 Some people may also experience drowsiness, confusion, and ataxia (inability to coordinate muscle movements).13

That said, do not assume that if there are no symptoms initially, there isn’t an issue. It’s also possible that a person may not experience symptoms right away. However, the more time you wait between exposure and treatment, the worse the toxicity gets and the higher the risk of serious complications.13

A Quick Review

Denatured alcohol is alcohol that has an added toxin (such as methanol) to make it bitter-tasting and dangerous for human consumption. Instead, the ingredient is found in several cleaning, household, and cosmetic products.

If you use denatured alcohol in your home, keep safety at the top of your mind. Be sure you’re storing it safely, wearing protective clothing and eyewear, and keeping it away from flames. If you or a loved one ingests it, get medical attention immediately, as serious complications can occur without treatment.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. 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It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. 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