Can spraying alcohol in a room disinfect it?
I want to disinfect the room by spraying alcohol, but I'm worried it's unsafe. Some people say it can easily cause explosions, while others say it can kill germs. Can it actually disinfect? Is it dangerous?
Doctor's answer (1)
Alcohol can be used for room disinfection, but spraying is generally not recommended.
Alcohol can denature and coagulate bacterial proteins, thereby achieving a sterilizing effect. However, spraying alcohol in a room poses significant safety hazards. Alcohol is a flammable and volatile liquid, and when its concentration in the air reaches a certain level, it may ignite or even explode upon exposure to open flames, static electricity, or high temperatures.
In daily life, rooms often contain electrical appliances and sockets, which may generate sparks. Once these come into contact with high-concentration alcohol vapor in the air, it could easily cause danger.
If alcohol must be used to disinfect a room, use a clean cloth soaked in an appropriate amount of alcohol to wipe surfaces of furniture, door handles, switches, and other frequently touched areas. This method achieves disinfection while reducing safety risks.
Meanwhile, ensure adequate ventilation during disinfection, open windows promptly afterward to dissipate the alcohol odor, and wait until the alcohol has fully volatilized before resuming normal activities. For large-scale disinfection of rooms, consider using professional equipment such as ultraviolet lamps or hydrogen peroxide雾化, or hire a professional disinfection team to perform the task.
