Cleansol Guide · Surface Sanitizing
Isopropyl alcohol 70% – uses, how to use it, and 70% vs 99%
IPA 70% is the quickest way to sanitize phones, keyboards, handles and counters – spray, wait 30 seconds, and it dries on its own. Here is where to use it, what to avoid, and when you need 99.9% instead.
70% v/v
IPA in water
30 sec
keep surface wet
0 residue
no rinsing
Flammable
keep from flames
Quick answer
How do you use isopropyl alcohol 70%? Wipe off dirt, spray the surface until it is wet (for electronics, spray on a cloth), keep it wet for at least 30 seconds and let it air-dry – no rinsing. Use 70% for sanitizing and 99.9% for cleaning electronics and removing grease. It is highly flammable: never use near a flame.
In this guide
What is isopropyl alcohol 70%?
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, isopropanol, also called rubbing alcohol) is a clear, fast-evaporating alcohol. IPA 70% is a ready-to-use mix of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% purified water. It is one of the most widely used surface sanitizers in homes, offices, clinics and labs because it works quickly and leaves nothing behind.
Why 70% sanitizes better than 99%
It sounds strange, but stronger is not better for sanitizing. The water in 70% IPA slows evaporation, so the surface stays wet long enough for the alcohol to act. Pure 99.9% IPA flashes off almost instantly – great for cleaning circuit boards, but it may dry before it has done its job on a door handle.
70%
Stays wet longer → better for sanitizing
99.9%
Dries instantly → better for cleaning electronics & degreasing
Where to use IPA 70%
| Place | What to sanitize |
|---|---|
| Home | Door handles, switches, remotes, taps, mirrors, kitchen steel |
| Office | Keyboards, mouse, phones, desks, lift buttons, POS machines |
| Clinic & salon | Counters, steel trays, chair arms and other hard surfaces |
| Shop & school | Counters, railings, glass doors, shared tablets |
| Car | Gear knob, door handles, phone holder (hard plastic parts) |
Surfaces to avoid
✅ Safe on
- Glass and mirrors
- Stainless steel
- Ceramic tiles and sinks
- Hard plastics
- Electronics casings (spray on a cloth)
❌ Avoid
- Acrylic / perspex – may crack or cloud
- Painted, lacquered or polished wood
- Leather and rubber seals
- Hot or switched-on appliances
- Skin, eyes, or drinking – for surfaces only
Not sure? Test on a small hidden spot first.
How to use IPA 70% – step by step
1
Clean first
Wipe off visible dirt, dust or grease. Alcohol works best on a clean surface.
2
Spray until wet
Hard surfaces: spray directly. Electronics: spray onto a soft cloth.
3
Wait 30 seconds
Keep the surface wet – do not wipe it off immediately.
4
Air-dry
It evaporates in seconds. No rinsing needed.
5
Close the cap
IPA evaporates quickly from an open bottle and loses strength.
Phones, laptops and keyboards
- Switch the device off and unplug it.
- Spray IPA 70% onto a soft microfibre cloth – never directly on the device.
- Wipe the casing, back and keys gently. Keep liquid away from ports, speakers and openings.
- Let it dry fully before switching on.
- For the inside of electronics (circuit boards, flux, thermal paste), use IPA 99.9% instead.
IPA 70% vs IPA 99.9% – which one?
| Job | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Sanitizing handles, counters, phones | IPA 70% |
| Clinic, salon and office surfaces | IPA 70% |
| Circuit boards, flux, thermal paste | IPA 99.9% |
| Camera lenses and screens | IPA 99.9% |
| Sticker glue, ink, grease | IPA 99.9% |
| 3D-print resin parts | IPA 99.9% |
6 common mistakes
| Mistake | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Using near a flame or gas stove | Keep away from flames, diyas, heaters and sparks |
| Spraying directly on a phone | Switch off, spray on a cloth, then wipe |
| Wiping off immediately | Keep the surface wet for 30 seconds |
| Adding water to "stretch" it | Use as it is – water drops it below 70% |
| Using on acrylic or polished wood | Test a hidden spot first, or avoid |
| Leaving the cap open | Close tightly; store cool and away from sunlight |
Safety & storage
✅ Do
- Use in a ventilated place.
- Close the cap after every use.
- Store cool, away from sunlight and heat.
- Rinse eyes with water for 15 minutes if splashed.
❌ Don't
- Never use near flames, sparks or hot surfaces.
- Never spray on switched-on appliances.
- Not for drinking or use on the body.
- Keep away from children.
From the maker
Cleansol Isopropyl Alcohol 70%
Ready to use · 500 ml spray, 1 L, 5 L, 10 L, 25 L · GST invoice · pan-India delivery.
Shop IPA 70% See IPA 99.9%Frequently asked questions
IPA for a clinic, office or facility?
WhatsApp us your monthly need – we'll suggest the right pack size and send a bulk price with GST invoice.
💬 WhatsApp 98290 05860 Get factory price →For surface use only. Information is for general guidance – read the label before use. Highly flammable. Keep out of reach of children.