Home Care

Do Not Try to Make “Rubbing Alcohol” from Rum, Bleach, and Hand Sanitizer

The resulting chemical compound is toxic.

Photography: Kelly Sikkema | Unsplash

As the enhanced community quarantine caused by COVID-19 continues, there have been “instructional videos” circulating on social media perpetuating that you can make your own “rubbing alcohol” using rum, bleach, and hand sanitizer. This is false, and can even cause you huge health problems.

In fact, alcohol and bleach are two house hold chemicals that you should never mix as the resulting solution is toxic. According to Apartment Therapy, mixing the two will create chloroform, which “emits toxic and corrosive fumes.” If you watch a lot of crime shows, you’ll know that chloroform is what criminals use to render their victims unconscious — but what these shows don’t reveal is that this compound cause damage to the “central nervous system, liver, and kidneys, in addition to irritating the skin, lungs, and eyes, and causing nausea and dizziness.”

Alcohol, bleach, and liquor brands have already released their warnings about avoiding this harmful mixture.

In a Facebook post, Tanduay Distillers, Inc. said that it “strongly advices against mixing Tanduay Rum with bleach, hand sanitizer, or other chemicals.”

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Green Cross Incorporated, which produces Zonrox Bleach, had the same message, explaining further that “mixing bleach with ethyl alcohol (present in rum) will form a dangerous chemical that has toxic effects if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.   

Aside from alcohol, you should never mix bleach with any of the following:

  • Ammonia
  • Vinegar
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
 

The bottom line is not to mix bleach with anything but water. Quarantined at home and you’ve run out of hand sanitizer? Wash your hands with soap and water. In fact, the two are still your best bet against COVID-19 as soap melts away the lipids surrounding the virus, destroying the latter.

For more stories on COVID-19, please click here

More on Realliving.com.ph

Shares

Read more stories about

Latest Stories

3 Ways to Cool Down Your Home, According to Architect Oliver Austria

Bring the heat down with these useful tips.

5 Budget-Friendly Makeover Tips To Revamp Your Tiny Home

Discover 5 budget-friendly tips from expert architects Richard Manlulu Garcia and Gianne Borlongan.

Wooden Finishes Transform This Condo Into the Ultimate Bachelor’s Pad

The owner requested for “a modern design with dark wood accents.”

10 Wallet-Friendly Smart Devices for Your Home

Let's make life easier when we can.

Mid-Century Meets Tropical in this Sprawling Resort-Like Home in Calamba

It is located at the foothills of Mt. Makiling and surrounded by lush greenery.

This 150sqm Family Home in Bacolod is the Perfect Blend of Luxurious and Homey

This hotel-like space has dark colors, ultra-modern elements, and more.

5 Container Home Building Essentials for First-Time Builders

Top 5 essentials for building a container home with expert architects Richard Manlulu Garcia and Gianne Borlongan.

Learn About Homebuilding From the Experts: Here Comes RealLiving Masterclass!

Get the best design advice from two of the country's top architects.

This 24 Sqm Condo Unit Was Transformed Into a Stylish Home for a Family of 5

Learn more about how an interior design studio utilized the space's small footprint with a P350,000 budget.

Want to Learn How to Decorate a Small Space? Check Out This 54sqm Condo

This Pasay City condo highlights lots of small-space hacks you'll want to see.
Load More Stories