Methylated Spirits vs Isopropyl Alcohol: Key Differences & Best Uses
Methylated spirits is ethanol cut with methanol plus a purple dye to make it undrinkable; isopropyl alcohol is pure propan-2-ol. Both evaporate fast and kill germs, yet they’re chemically different.
People grab whichever bottle is closest in the garage, thinking “alcohol is alcohol.” One smells like hospitals, the other like camping stoves, so the mix-up is real when you’re trying to clean a wound or start a BBQ.
Key Differences
Methylated spirits contains ~95 % ethanol plus toxic methanol, burns with a visible flame, and leaves residue. Isopropyl alcohol is 70–99 % propan-2-ol, burns blue, evaporates cleaner, and is less aggressive on plastics.
Which One Should You Choose?
Use isopropyl for electronics, wounds, and disinfecting screens; pick methylated spirits for camping stoves, glass cleaning, and thinning shellac where fumes and dye don’t matter.
Can I use methylated spirits on a phone screen?
No—the dye can leave purple streaks and the methanol may fog coatings. Stick with 70 % isopropyl on a microfiber cloth.
Which one is safer for skin?
Neither is ideal, but 70 % isopropyl causes less irritation and toxicity risk. Rinse after use.
Are both flammable?
Yes—keep both away from flames. Methylated spirits burns visibly, isopropyl’s blue flame is harder to see.