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Hand Sanitizer for Ultrasonic Record Cleaning?

Xerox Hand Sanitizer

I was at my local Goodwill the other day, and I noticed Xerox branded hand sanitizer on sale for $4 a gallon. After I passed it, I wondered just how much alcohol is in it? Sure enough it is 80%, that should be good enough for record cleaning, shouldn't it? I actually paid like $36 or something for a gallon of isopropyl at Tractor Supply the other week and it really burned my britches.

Thoughts?

whammo
grinnell
1,099 posts
 

I think it will leave a residue, its not just alcohol

sfar's avatar
sfar
1,760 posts
 

Before you buy a gallon it would be good to look into what the effect of glycerin might be on your records. That’s the second ingredient.

whammo OP
5 posts
 

Yes, I think I will give it a try with an old record or three first.

antinn
407 posts
 

This is the material safety data sheet (MSDS) - D-40035.en-us.pdf (xerox.com).  The alcohol is ethanol and this type of antiseptic was rushed into service for COVID and it follows FDA guidelines.  BUT this is good as an antiseptic - not as a cleaning solvent.  With the glycerin and what is not lab-grade ethanol it will likely leave a lot of residue when it dries.  The risk is that it may leave the record dirtier than when you started.  Otherwise, as long as the exposure is short, the risk of damaging the record (beyond the residue) should be low.  

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cleeds
5,957 posts
 

whammo

Alcohol is a primary record cleaning solution ingredient.

Opinion stated as fact.

There are good reasons to avoid alcohol in a record cleaner.

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