How to Dispose of Denatured Alcohol

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how to dispose denatured alcohol

Denatured alcohol is a helpful household cleaner that many homeowners use. However, not many people know how to dispose of it properly.

Since it’s highly flammable and hazardous waste, you need to discard it properly. The best way to do that is to dispose of denatured alcohol at a hazardous waste facility.

Let’s explore how to dispose of denatured alcohol safely and responsibly!

How to Dispose of Denatured Alcohol Safely

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the principal federal law that governs the disposal of hazardous and solid waste in the US.

The RCRA has classified all forms of denatured alcohol to be hazardous waste.

These include methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and rubbing alcohol. It’s because all types of denatured alcohol are highly flammable.

It’s why you must take great care to dispose of denatured alcohol responsibly. Here are the steps that you should take to discard it safely:

Prepare the Disposal Ground

Since denatured alcohol is highly flammable, you need to keep it away from fire and heat sources.

Find a preparation area free of sparks, flames, and heat, to dispose of the alcohol. It includes tobacco smoke and gas pilot lights.

Make sure that your chosen workspace is well-ventilated.

Find a Safe, Leak-Proof Container and a Bucketful of Sand

Find a large container that can contain the amount of denatured alcohol you have. Make sure that it is leak-proof to prevent any spills.

You will also need to procure a bucketful of sand, dirt, or even cat litter to soak up the denatured alcohol.

So, make sure that your chosen container is large enough to accommodate the sand as well.

Gently Pour the Denatured Alcohol into a Large Vessel

Denatured alcohol is a hazardous waste, which is why you need to be extra careful when handling it.

Slowly pour it into the container and make sure that none of it spills out onto the floor. Protect your eyes and hands.

Try not to splash the denatured alcohol onto your skin and clothes.

Transfer the Mixture into a Metal or Glass Container

Once the sand has absorbed the denatured alcohol, transfer this mixture into a metal or glass container.

Make sure to seal the container’s lid properly to prevent any leaks.

Label the Container

Don’t forget to label the container of the denatured alcohol.

You can use sticker paper or masking tape to mark it. Labeling the container will ensure that you handle it with care.

Dispose of the Denatured Alcohol at a Hazardous Waste Facility

Don’t leave your container outside for the garbage disposal man to pick it up. Since it’s hazardous waste, you don’t want the garbage disposal service to dump it in a landfill.

To ensure proper disposal, you will have to take it to an approved disposal site.

You can get in touch with your local municipality to determine if they have any hazardous waste disposal programs.

Alternatively, you can search for the laws and regulations of hazardous waste disposal in your county, city, and state.

Also, contact your waste disposal service to learn if they have a designated site for safe and responsible removal of hazardous waste material.

Alternatively, you can find a reliable service that provides homeowners with pickup service for hazardous waste materials.

You can pay a nominal fee, and the service will come to your house and take the containers of denatured alcohol off your hands.

While you figure out the best option for disposal, make sure to store the containers responsibly. Keep them in a cool, dry place. Make sure to store them out of reach of your children and pets.

Now that you know how to dispose of denature alcohol properly let’s explore its many uses!

Uses of Denatured Alcohol

Denatured alcohol has a wide array of industrial and home uses. You can use it as a household cleaning agent and benefit from its grease-cutting properties.

You can also use it as rubbing alcohol. Denatured alcohol also acts as an excellent fuel for camp stoves. You can also use it as a solvent and pest exterminator.

Just remember that even though denatured alcohol is safe to use on many surfaces, you must not let it come into contact with your skin.

So, resist the urge to use to create homemade sanitizers. Similarly, don’t use it to disinfect any wounds on your skin.

So, let’s take a look at the various uses of denatured alcohol:

Stain Remover

You can use denatured alcohol to remove wine and ink stains. Simply soak a cotton ball or soft cloth in denatured alcohol and apply the solution to the affected surface.

Let the alcohol solution sit on the surface for a few minutes. Wipe the affected area with the cloth to remove the stain.

Denatured alcohol will clean the stains from both hard and textile surfaces. When using it on fabric, be extra cautious and test the solution on a hidden patch of the material.

This way, you can ensure that the fabric is colorfast and resistant to the solution.

You can also use it to remove nail polish or paint from wooden surfaces. With that said, don’t use denatured alcohol on wooden surfaces with a traditional shellac finish.

The alcohol will soften the shellac and impact its durability.

Glass Cleaner

Denatured alcohol is also an ideal lass cleaner. It’s because the alcohol evaporates quickly and doesn’t create any streaks on the surface.

Put one part of denatured alcohol and one part water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto a dirty glass surface.

Wipe the alcohol solution off the surface with a paper towel or lint-free cloth.

Mold and Mildew Remover

You can also use the diluted denatured alcohol solution to eliminate any mold growth in your home. Spray the solution onto the affected surface.

Let it sit on the surface for a few minutes so that it breaks down the mold growth. Wipe the solution off the surface to get rid of the growth. Just don’t use it to clean suede or dyed leather.

Pest Exterminator

You can nurse your houseplants back to health by using the denatured alcohol solution on them. It will get rid of a mealybug infestation right away.

Take your plant outside and spray it with water. Soak a cotton ball in denatured alcohol and use it to wipe the infected parts of the plant.

Let the plant air-dry before putting it back in its regular spot.

Wax and Glue Dissolver

If you want to get rid of unwanted wax or sticky glue residue, you can use denatured alcohol on it.

Rub the wooden surface with a cloth soaked in denatured alcohol to remove the sticky residue.

Why Use Denatured Alcohol as a Household Cleaner?

Are you wondering why you should use denatured alcohol as a household cleaner?

Well, it has many benefits, including its antibacterial properties that get rid of a wide array of microbes on many surfaces.

It also works exceptionally quickly to achieve the desired results.

Additionally, it evaporates quickly, making it ideal for cleaning porous surfaces, such as moisture-sensitive metals and wood.

It also does not streak, which makes it the ideal cleaner for glass and windows.

How to Safely Use Denatured Alcohol

Even though denatured alcohol is the ideal cleaning solution, you must remember that it is a toxic chemical.

It’s why you must use it carefully. Don’t let it come in contact with your body. Also, keep it out of reach of your children and pets to prevent them from accidentally ingesting it.

Store it in a cool, dry place and keep it away from any combustible materials. Never leave it in direct sunlight or near open flame sources.

Additionally, work with it in a well-ventilated room to prevent respiratory irritation. It’s best if you open a window and wear gloves and protective eyewear to work with it.

The Bottom Line

Denatured alcohol is an incredibly effective household and commercial cleaner. However, it’s also a hazardous waste product that needs to be disposed of responsibly.

If you want to get rid of your container to denatured alcohol, mix it with some sand, put it in a lidded container, and dispose of it at your local hazardous waste facility.

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