Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Difference Between Rubbing Alcohol and Hand Sanitizer

Difference Between Rubbing Alcohol and Hand Sanitizer

May 19, 2020 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer is that rubbing alcohol is denatured ethanol with other components, whereas hand sanitizers are solutions containing a high percentage of alcohol in water.

Alcohols are organic compounds having the general formula R-OH. Therefore, their functional group is a hydroxyl group (-OH). Rubbing alcohol is a combination of denatured ethanol with some other additives. Hand sanitizers are a product that uses alcohol for cleaning the surface of the palm.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Rubbing Alcohol 
3. What is Hand Sanitizer
4. Side by Side Comparison – Rubbing Alcohol vs Hand Sanitizer in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Rubbing Alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol or denatured ethanol is a form of ethanol containing a high amount of additives and denaturants, which makes it poisonous. In surgical terms, we often use the term surgical spirit, which is a type of rubbing alcohol. This chemical has an unpleasant taste and a foul smell that. Sometimes there can be some additives such as dyes to distinguish denatured ethanol from undenatured ethanol. The process of denaturing ethanol to make rubbing alcohol does not alter the chemical structure of ethanol nor decompose it. In this production process, ethanol is only altered to make it undrinkable.

Key Difference - Rubbing Alcohol vs Hand Sanitizer

Figure 1: A Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol

The additives used in producing denatured ethanol are methanol, isopropanol, and, pyridine. These compounds are used to get a poisonous solution, and sometimes denatonium is used to make the solution bitter. The purpose of producing denatured ethanol is to reduce recreational consumption and to reduce taxes on alcoholic beverages. The traditional additive used for denaturing ethanol is 10% methanol. Denatured ethanol is cheaper than undenatured forms of ethanol.

What is Hand Sanitizer?

Hand sanitizers are liquids or gels that are used to clean the surface of the hand. It can be available in the form of liquid, gel, or foam. This chemical can remove infectious agents on hand. However, this chemical is less effective against some microbes such as norovirus. Unlike soap with water, hand sanitizers cannot remove any chemical on hand; therefore, most often, washing hands with soap and water is more preferred.

Difference Between Rubbing Alcohol and Hand Sanitizer

Figure 02: Hand Sanitizer

Typically, hand sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or n-propanol. The most effective hand sanitizers contain about 60-95% alcohol. Therefore, care should be taken when handling this chemical because it is highly flammable. These formulations can act against microbes to kill them but cannot destroy the spores. Moreover, glycerol is added to the solution to prevent the skin from drying. Sometimes, hand sanitizers may contain some fragrance as well.

What is the Difference Between Rubbing Alcohol and Hand Sanitizer?

Rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer are important chemicals in cleaning surfaces. The key difference between rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer is that rubbing alcohol is denatured ethanol with other components, whereas hand sanitizers are solutions containing a high percentage of alcohol in water. Rubbing alcohol is used for cleaning and disinfection while hand sanitizes are used for killing microbes on hand.

Below infographic tabulates the difference between rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer in detail.

Difference Between Rubbing Alcohol vs Hand Sanitizer in Tabular Form

Summary – Rubbing Alcohol vs Hand Sanitizer

Rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer are important chemicals in cleaning surfaces. The key difference between rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer is that rubbing alcohol is denatured ethanol with other components, whereas hand sanitizers are solutions containing a high percentage of alcohol in water.

Reference:

1. “Hand Sanitizer.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 May 2020, Available here.
2. “Rubbing Alcohol.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Apr. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Rubbing alcohol” By Craig Spurrier – Own work (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Hand Sanitizer” By Simsala111 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Minerals and CrystalsDifference Between Minerals and Crystals Difference Between Sodium and Sodium ChlorideDifference Between Sodium and Sodium Chloride Difference Between Silicon and SilicaDifference Between Silicon and Silica Difference Between Water and IceDifference Between Water and Ice Difference Between Betadine and IodineDifference Between Betadine and Iodine

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Nylon 6 and Nylon 66

Difference Between Nylon 6 and Nylon 66

Difference Between Fryer and Roaster Chicken

Difference Between Thereby and Therefore

Difference Between Thereby and Therefore

Difference Between Blackberry and Mulberry

Difference Between Royalty and Nobility

Difference Between Royalty and Nobility

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil
  • What is the Difference Between Wintrobe and Westergren Tube
  • What is the Difference Between Coarctation and Hypoplastic Aortic Arch
  • What is the Difference Between Acquired Brain Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • What is the Difference Between Sensory and Cerebellar Ataxia
  • What is the Difference Between Corneal Ulcer and Corneal Opacity
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.