Methylated spirits is safe to use on glass, sinks, chrome taps, ceramic, stone, marble and grout. (Do not use on painted or varnished surfaces).
Methylated spirits is 70-99% ethanol with bittering agents added to give it an intensely unpleasant taste to discourage consumption. It is poisonous by nature of its very high ethanol content, and even small a small drink can lead to headache, dizziness, gastric disorder, nausea and central nervous system depression.
Methylated spirits is NOT toxic to skin (unlike lead, cadmium, ricin, etc).
Metho is an effective non-smearing cleaner and disinfectant for hard surfaces including glass, mirrors, showers, tiles, jewellery, fridges and other household appliances. It's popular for removing ink and other stains from non-porous surfaces, upholstery and clothes too.
Avoid using this solution directly on wooden and plastic surfaces, especially polished ones. The acid of methylated spirits can damage the surfaces, making them lose their shine. Plastic things cleaned with denatured alcohol can lose their colour and fade over time.
If cleaning a mirror simply wipe the surface with a few drops of methylated spirits using a damp cloth. Always avoid contact with the silver backing, particularly at the edge of the glass as this can cause damage.
To effectively kill mould, make your own methylated spirits cleaning solution with 80% parts methylated spirits and 20% part water.
Glass Cleaner
Add a cup of vinegar or half a cup of methylated spirit to a bucket of hot water to clean your windows. Finish with a squeegee. This also works well on mirrors.
Methylated Spirit & Water
Much like vinegar and water, this is an effective solution when wiped over with a microfiber cloth. A White scourer or nylon puff can be used if build up is too thick to cut through with a cloth.
Methylated Spirits: excellent for removing grease or oil stains. Make sure you pat dry with a rag or you will leave a “cleaning ring” on the garment.
Apart from the fact that methylated spirit delays wound healing and it may cause persistent bleeding, it also causes pain when used! (which is not ideal). The ideal care for small cuts is to clean with water and put a plaster which will prevent germs from gaining access to the wound.
Methylated Spirits Uses
It is an effective solvent in the paints, lacquers and varnish industry. You will also find that it is found in a lot of cosmetics such as toners and makeup brush cleaners. It can be used as a window cleaner, spray and wipe disinfectant, and a steriliser.
For perfectly clear windows, you can add a few drops of methylated spirits to a clean, dry and lint-free cloth and give the windows a wipe down. The methylated spirits will evaporate within a few seconds leaving crystal clear and shiny windows behind.
They are particularly used as general surface disinfectants, widely used as skin antiseptics and to aid drying applications due to dispersion of water and rapid evaporation.
A blood concentration of 1.8 g/L (180 mg/dL, 39 mmol/L) would usually cause intoxication and concentrations of 3.5 g/L (350 mg/dL, 76 mmol/L) are associated with stupor and coma. Concentrations of > 4.5 g/L (450 mg/dL, 98 mmol/L) are often fatal.
Ammonia can help give glass shower doors a streak-free finish. Combine 2 tablespoons ammonia with 2 quarts of warm distilled water in a large spray bottle. Spray the door and wait three minutes. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle is the best all-around mold remover for shower grout. Spray the grout, and let the vinegar sit for at least one hour. Rinse with fresh water, and wipe down the walls. Use a stiff brush to remove challenging, stuck-on mold growth.
Combine three tablespoons of lemon juice and one cup of water into a spray bottle. Spray your glass shower doors and the frame thoroughly and let the mixture break down the scum and stains for five minutes. Wipe everything with a clean sponge, then dry and buff the glass and frame with a microfiber cloth.
Simply mix together half a cup of baking soda with four teaspoons of water until it forms a spreadable paste. Apply this paste directly to areas of mouldy grout and let it sit for 15 minutes. Finally, scrub the mould away with an old toothbrush and rinse with warm water.
If you really want to getting rid of that encroaching mould the best ingredients in the war are easily accessible. You just need to pick up some methylated spirits or plain white vinegar from the supermarket. "Vinegar and methylated spirits actually penetrate into the fungi and makes it explode" described Dr Heike.
It is therefore best to use a solution of water and vinegar which can be sprayed over the affected grout areas Then, use a nylon brush to scrub the mould off the grout. It is then a simple matter of rinsing the area clean and you should have clean, mould-free grout in your shower.
Using white vinegar to kill mould
If cleaning with detergent doesn't work, it's possible to remove mould using diluted vinegar and a microfibre cloth. If mould cannot be removed using the vinegar method, cleaning with diluted bleach or a commercial product may be required.
The only effective way to permanently get rid of mould problems is by reducing the build-up of moisture in your home. This can only be achieved through better ventilation.
To clean, apply a reputable, ammonia-free glass cleaner or methylated spirits to the glass. Wipe in a circular motion with a clean non-abrasive lint-free cloth. Polish the surface with a clean lint-free cloth.