Have you heard of rectified alcohol before? If the answer is yes, do you know what its uses are? If you didn't know or weren't 100% sure, don't worry! At CHEM FLUID we have created this blog for you to learn more about this type of alcohol and its various uses.

What is rectified alcohol?

rectified alcohol is a distilled or aqueous solution containing 70 to 95% ethanol and is obtained by the “rectification” method or fractional distillation. This is the maximum concentration that can be obtained by distillation of raw alcohol and is used to make liquors such as vodka, but also for cleaning and disinfecting the home.

Its marketing in undenatured form is prohibited in some countries.

It is obtained from the fermentation of cane syrup and can be used as high purity industrial ethanol or as a raw material to obtain extra neutral alcohol, which in turn has uses in perfumery and the pharmaceutical industry. 

Of the entire family of ethyl alcohols, rectified alcohol is the most basic and its main applications within the cleaning industry in Colombia and the world are:

• Disinfectant and cleaning: It is used to clean and disinfect various surfaces such as tables, floors, tiles, glass and some furniture, preventing the proliferation of bacteria and other microorganisms. This type of alcohol can be seen in degreasers, glass cleaners, stain removers.
• Pharmacy: It can be part of certain products, whether cosmetic or medicinal.
• Medicine: Rectified alcohol is an excellent preservative for physiological and pathological specimens. In addition, it can be used as an antiseptic during surgery.
• Beauty: It is common to find this product in the perfume industry.
• Automotive: Widely used in this industry, this type of alcohol can be part of the additives that are added to fuel, such as thinner or antifreeze to prevent the water in the car from freezing when it is very cold, and It is also used by mechanical workshops to remove grease from surfaces, machines and/or tools.
• Other industries: It can be used as a solvent in the synthesis of drugs, plastics, lacquers, perfumes, cosmetics, paints, dyes, among others; as well as solvent in resins and essential oils.

What are the precautions and recommendations when using rectified alcohol?

Like any chemical product, it is always important to take the proper precautions when handling rectified alcohol:

1. Avoid applying it to mucous surfaces, open wounds, sensitive or damaged areas of the skin, as this can cause irritation and discomfort.
2. Do not rub our eyes, nose or mouth just after handling rectified alcohol. If you have done so and feel discomfort, you should immediately consult your trusted doctor.
3. Wear gloves to avoid skin irritation. Remember that when rectified alcohol is used in cosmetics, there is a small percentage of this alcohol that is mixed with many other ingredients, which is why it is harmless to health.
4. Don't inhale it. Try to wear a mask, especially if you are going to handle large amounts of rectified alcohol, otherwise it could damage your airways.
5. Being a chemical product, you must store it correctly in a cool, dry place, with the lid well sealed and, above all, away from heat sources since it is a flammable product. Try to put it out of the reach of children and pets to avoid accidents.

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