Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol with toxic or bad tasting additives that make it unsuitable for consumption. The chemical formula of ethyl is C2H6O and the formula for isopropyl alcohol is C3H8O. The most common additive to denatured alcohol is 5 to 10 percent methanol.

Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA) is alcohol to which denaturing materials have been added. Manufacturers may use SDA in the manufacture of any product that is not intended for consumption.

isopropyl alcohol
Use isopropyl alcohol in most of the same applications as denatured alcohol. It is safe for cleaning plastics, metals, anodized windshield repair injectors; as well as all other Delta Kits windshield repair equipment.

(38B, Lavender) Especially denatured alcohol 38b is pure, natural grain alcohol that is rendered undrinkable by the addition of an essential oil. The federal government allows for several different types of essential oils to be used as denaturants under the SDA 38b classification.

While acetone is not the same as denatured alcohol, they are used in some of the same processes. Both solvents can be used in the production of plastics, cleaning, degreasing, and as an additive for fuel. Acetone has a very mild and distinct smell, while denatured alcohol has a sweeter, pleasant scent.

It is used to process vaccines, compound tonics, syrups, tinctures, liniments and antiseptics as well as being vital in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals such as chloroform, atabrine and barbiturates. It is used in the production of adhesives, cosmetics, detergents, explosives, inks, hand cream, plastics and textiles.

A key difference between isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol is how safe they are for your skin. Isopropyl alcohol is considered non-toxic if applied to the skin. It may cause dryness, but it does not contain any particular poison. Denatured alcohol, on the other hand, contains methanol that is considered toxic.

General Cleaner and Sanitizer Denatured alcohol can be diluted to assist in general cleaning and sanitizing. This includes toilets, bathroom stalls, sinks, kitchens and almost any other hard surface. Dilute the denatured alcohol with equal parts of warm water.

Isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol belong to different alcohol groups. Therefore, they have different structures, formulas, and reactions. These differences are important to be aware of when thinking about their respective uses and whether one can be used instead of the other.

One of the biggest differences between acetone and denatured alcohol is that acetone is a non-toxic, organic, naturally occurring chemical compound, while denatured alcohol is ethanol based and has denaturants added to it, making it poisonous if consumed.