70% vs 99%: Which Alcohol Is More Effective in Killing Germs and Viruses

70% vs 99%: Which Alcohol Is More Effective in Killing Germs and Viruses

# 70% vs 99%: Which Alcohol Is More Effective Against Germs and Viruses? Date Posted: August 2, 2021 --- A common misconception about alcohol is that the higher the percentage, the better its ability to kill germs and viruses. However, this isn't necessarily true. While higher concentrations may sound impressive, they don't always translate into superior germ-killing power. Let's explore the differences between 70% and 99% alcohol and why one might be more effective than the other. ### What’s the Difference Between 70% and 99% Alcohol? When we talk about 99% isopropyl alcohol, it means the liquid is composed almost entirely of pure isopropanol. On the other hand, 70% isopropyl alcohol is a diluted version of isopropanol, mixed with 30% purified water by volume. Contrary to popular belief, 70% isopropyl alcohol is often sufficient to eliminate most germs and bacteria, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In fact, diluting 99% alcohol down to 70% with purified water can still effectively kill germs. --- ### How Does Alcohol Work? Alcohol kills germs and viruses through a process called "denaturation." Essentially, alcohol molecules disrupt the protein structure of microorganisms, breaking them down and rendering them ineffective. Additionally, alcohol dissolves the lipids within the cell membranes, further weakening their defenses. This process is similar to what happens when you wash your hands with soap and water. The soap breaks down the outer layer of germs, making it easier to wash them away. Alcohol achieves a similar outcome but in a more direct way. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol), commonly found in alcoholic beverages, and isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) are the two main types of alcohol used in sanitizers. Both are highly effective at eliminating bacteria and viruses. --- ### Why is 70% Alcohol More Effective? Interestingly, higher concentrations of alcohol aren’t always better. Alcohols with 99% concentration tend to evaporate too quickly to fully penetrate the cell walls of bacteria and viruses. As a result, they don’t linger long enough to do significant damage. This rapid evaporation makes them less effective for cleaning surfaces or sanitizing hands. In contrast, 70% alcohol strikes the perfect balance. It contains just enough water to allow the alcohol to penetrate microbial cells without evaporating too quickly. This gives it ample time to denature proteins and dissolve lipid membranes, ensuring that bacteria and viruses are thoroughly neutralized. For many common pathogens, such as those with an envelope structure (like the flu virus or coronavirus), 70% alcohol is highly effective. However, there are exceptions, like the norovirus, which requires alternative methods—such as thorough handwashing—to be eliminated completely. --- ### Exceptions to the Rule While 70% alcohol works wonders for most germs, there are always exceptions. Some viruses, like norovirus, are resistant to alcohol-based cleaners. These resilient pathogens require more aggressive approaches, such as bleach or other disinfectants, to be eradicated. In such cases, traditional handwashing remains the gold standard. Scrubbing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds ensures that even hard-to-kill viruses are removed from your skin. --- ### Final Thoughts Next time you’re choosing an alcohol-based sanitizer, remember that higher percentages don’t always mean better results. A 70% alcohol solution offers a practical compromise between effectiveness and practicality. It’s efficient, reliable, and widely recommended by health experts. So, the next time someone tells you that “more is better,” you’ll know better! Sometimes, the sweet spot lies right in the middle. --- **Share:** [Facebook] [Twitter] [Pinterest] [Google+] --- **Comments (1)** **J Aijqyr** July 22, 2023 Hi SydneySolvents.com.au admin, thanks for the detailed explanation! I’ve always wondered why higher alcohol concentrations weren’t always better. Your article really cleared things up. --- **Leave a Comment** We welcome your feedback! Please share your thoughts below. --- *Note: Comments are subject to moderation before being published.*

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