Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Methylated Spirit and Surgical Spirit?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Methylated Spirit and Surgical Spirit?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Methylated spirit and surgical spirit are both alcoholic liquids with similar chemical compositions, but they have different uses and characteristics. The key differences between them are:

  1. Composition: Methylated spirit is ethyl alcohol that has been rendered undrinkable by the addition of 10% methyl alcohol, sometimes pyridine, and a violet dye. Surgical spirit, on the other hand, is a mixture of alcohol and water used for cleaning wounds.
  2. Color: Methylated spirit is usually violet in color due to the addition of aniline, while surgical spirit is typically clear or slightly colored.
  3. Uses: Methylated spirit is primarily used as a solvent, fuel for laboratory alcohol lamps, preservative for biological specimens, paint thinner or paint remover, cleaning agent for hard surfaces, disinfectant for medical equipment, and insecticide for plants. Surgical spirit is useful as a disinfectant, in preventing bedsores, and for hardening the skin of the feet.

In summary, methylated spirit is an ethyl alcohol-based solution with added methanol and dye, used mainly for non-medical purposes, while surgical spirit is a mixture of alcohol and water used for cleaning wounds and as a disinfectant.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Methylated Spirit and Surgical Spirit?
  • Comparative Table: Methylated Spirit vs Surgical Spirit

    • Comparative Table: Methylated Spirit vs Surgical Spirit

    Here is a table comparing the differences between methylated spirit and surgical spirit:

    Feature Methylated Spirit Surgical Spirit
    Chemical Composition Ethyl alcohol mixed with other chemical substances, including methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and benzene, with about 10% added to make it unfit for drinking. Ethyl alcohol mixed with other chemicals, including methanol, but primarily used as a disinfectant.
    Common Uses Used in the painting and decorating industry, as a fuel for camping stoves, and in the production of various goods like inks and adhesives. Primarily used as a disinfectant, to prevent bedsores, and for hardening the skin of the feet.
    Evaporation Rate May evaporate a bit quicker than white spirit due to being nearly pure ethanol. Evaporation rate not specified, but it is likely similar to other alcohol-based solvents.
    Alternative Names Denatured alcohol, methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, benzene. Rubbing alcohol, British equivalent of rubbing alcohol.

    Both methylated spirit and surgical spirit have nearly similar chemical compositions, but they are used in different applications. Methylated spirit is often used in the painting and decorating industry, while surgical spirit is primarily used as a disinfectant.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.