How to make 50% alcohol stronger

[Fredkrueger100]

With everywhere being sold out of alcohol and hand sanitizer I was lucky enough to find some 91% isopropyl alcohol at the dollar general on 102 the other day. My cousin mentioned to me that 91% wasn’t as good as 70% which I had never heard. But after reading about it I understand why. Even though for killing viruses other than the norovirus anything above 60% will work. My cousin told me his dad bought a couple bottles of 50% at Walgreens. My uncle didn’t know it wasn’t strong enough. So my question to anyone that may know is if there is a way I could take my 91% and his 50% and mix it somehow and make his 50% stronger without compromising its ability to kill viruses. We were thinking we could pour half of the 50% out and fill it back up with the 90%. But I have no idea what percent that would make it as I am about as ignorant as you get with math.

 

[OKCHunter]

I think mixed in equal parts would produce 70.5%. But, I’m no chemist.

 

[Chemist-Ret]

With everywhere being sold out of alcohol and hand sanitizer I was lucky enough to find some 91% isopropyl alcohol at the dollar general on 102 the other day. My cousin mentioned to me that 91% wasn’t as good as 70% which I had never heard. But after reading about it I understand why. Even though for killing viruses other than the norovirus anything above 60% will work. My cousin told me his dad bought a couple bottles of 50% at Walgreens. My uncle didn’t know it wasn’t strong enough. So my question to anyone that may know is if there is a way I could take my 91% and his 50% and mix it somehow and make his 50% stronger without compromising its ability to kill viruses. We were thinking we could pour half of the 50% out and fill it back up with the 90%. But I have no idea what percent that would make it as I am about as ignorant as you get with math.

If they are the same type of alcohol, mix it 1:1, and you'll have about 70%.

 

[Fredkrueger100]

If they are the same type of alcohol, mix it 1:1, and you'll have about 70%.

I know this is an ignorant question but how do you mix 1:1 ? I’ve never understood what that means. Like one part bleach three parts water. I don’t get it.

So if his 50% is rubbing alcohol and my 91% is isopropyl alcohol it won’t work?

 

[Eagle Eye]

Here is your sign

 

[Aries]

I know this is an ignorant question but how do you mix 1:1 ? I’ve never understood what that means. Like one part bleach three parts water. I don’t get it.

So if his 50% is rubbing alcohol and my 91% is isopropyl alcohol it won’t work?

These are proportions, without regard to a specific quantity. If the mix is 1:1, mix equal amounts of both liquids. If it's 1 part of one to 3 parts of the other, then whatever quantity of the first liquid, mix it with three times as much of the second (in your example, could be 1 cup bleach 3 cups water, or 1 quart bleach 3 quarts water). Etc.

As far as I know, the only inert ingredient in alcohol is water, so equal parts of 50% and 90% alcohol should come out to 70% alcohol (and 30% water). But as someone already suggested, make sure they are the same kind of alcohol (both are probably isopropyl alcohol) and I'd read the ingredients and make sure the only other ingredient is water.

 

[O4L]

I can do the math for you but the more important question is why are you saying that 70% is better than 91% for killing a virus? Does the 91% evaporate too quickly?

Yes as stated in other posts...take your bottle of 91 and pour it into a container big enough for both bottles then pour the bottle of 50 in the container, if they are equal in size. If not use a measuring cup and pour equal amounts (1:1 ratio) of each into a container then stir it a little.

The result will be ~ 70.5% alcohol.

Or you can build a miniature still and distill the 50% alcohol to get a higher ABV. [emoji16]

 

[Perplexed]

Here’s what will happen.

 

[KOPBET]

Just add .5 cups of water to 2 cups of 91% IPA or 4:1.

Or even better just use soap and water. It works better.

 

[KOPBET]

Yes as stated in other posts...take your bottle of 91 and pour it into a container big enough for both bottles then pour the bottle of 50 in the container, if they are equal in size. If not use a measuring cup and pour equal amounts (1:1 ratio) of each into a container then stir it a little.

The result will be ~ 70.5% alcohol.

FIFY.