14 Amazing Uses for Everclear
Space in any emergency kit is a commodity. It is always a benefit to include a tool or product in your kit that has multiple uses. It can save space, weight, and allow for a simpler pack out. Everclear is a multi-use product that can be a great addition to your kit.
Everclear is a brand of high proof grain ethyl alcohol. It has a number of uses that can benefit anyone. Whether you’re preparing home for an emergency, assembling your bug out bag, or even preparing for your next trip on the hiking trail, there is a use for you. Here are 14 uses for Everclear so you can determine if it is right for you.
Fuel
Everclear makes a great fuel for cooking with alcohol stoves. There are a number of alcohol stove options from the homemade soda can stove, Trangia, or Evernew titanium stove. We are a big fan of the Trangia as it allows you to store up to 4oz of alcohol in the system to save you additional space. 4 oz of Everclear as fuel with the Trangia will give you anywhere from 45-60 minutes of runtime in low wind conditions.
Fire Starter
Even if you’re not looking to cook with an alcohol stove, Everclear can also be used as a fire starter. Saturate a cotton ball or other tinder with this fuel to help get your fire a glow.
Disinfectant
Use it to disinfect minor scrapes and lacerations by pouring onto the wound or applying with a sterile cloth. It is just as painful as isopropyl alcohol, so it may not be your first choice. But it is much better than a life-threatening infection from a small wound when emergency care is not readily available.
Cleaner
Clean your electronics, appliances, and more. Use for all the same cleaning uses as isopropyl alcohol. Place a little Everclear on a rag and put in a little elbow grease to clean up. Removing tree sap (or other resins) from your hands or equipment. Or dilute with water and use as a general cleaner for counters, etc. It’s is a great solution. The alcohol fully evaporates within a few minutes leaving no residue and the smell only lingers for a short period of time.
Adult Beverage
While it may burn a little going down, its antiseptic properties will clean your mouth and mellow you out after a stressful day on the trail or when dealing with a disaster. Other alcohols you find at the hardware store or pharmacy have cleaning or sterilization properties, but are not consumable. Everclear is one of the only consumable alcohols with these properties that can also serve as a libation at the end of the day. However, drink responsibly, it’s potent stuff.
Astringent
In an emergency situation, you may not be able to take a bath, so being able to freshen up is a real morale booster. Everclear can be used as an astringent to clean oily skin or as a makeup remover to clear out those pores.
Cut Stains
Everclear has solvent properties and can be used to remove stains from oils, ink, sap, grass, or vomit. Blotting with a alcohol soaked cotton ball as a spot treatment is the best option. However I wouldn’t recommend using on rayon, wool, or silk.
Cut Dies
Need to make that food coloring go further or need a little bit lighter color? Use Everclear to cut the food coloring to give you that artistic look on your culinary creation.
Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh
Put some Everclear in a spray bottle and spray your clothes, the disinfectant properties of the alcohol will kill the bacteria causing the odor and will not leave a residual smell.
Deodorant
Bacteria causes odor and Everclear kills bacteria. Although it may not be your first choice, a few drops of essential oils with Everclear in a spray bottle can deodorize those pits.
Perfume
Can’t go to the store and buy your favorite fragrance? Everclear can be used with a mixture of essential oils and water to make a perfume. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and you are ready for your important date.
Insect Killer
Ok, some may consider this a waste of alcohol, but in a pinch it can get the job done. A little Everclear in a spray bottle can bring you a win during your next insect encounter with ants or roaches.
Insect Repellent
A mixture of Everclear and lemon eucalyptus essential oils can help keep away mosquitos and other “no see ums” that bite in the night. Lemon eucalyptus oil is recommended by the CDC as an approved natural alternative to DEET. That said, tread carefully if using on children (as alcohol can absorb through the skin and essential oils can be quite potent). And don’t use near an open flame as the mixture is quite flammable.
Air Freshener
A mix of Everclear and essential oils can freshen a room just like it can freshen your fragrance. The disinfectant properties kill bacteria while the alcohol also acts as a thinner and dilutes the oils and make the fragrance last longer when sprayed. A quick google search will find you a number of recipes, but you can click here for a few to start with. Be sure to shake well before each use.
Get the Strongest Proof Possible in your State
A number of states including California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Washington, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Minnesota (as of 2015) have banned Everclear 190 due to its high alcohol percentage. At 190 proof (95% alcohol by volume), Everclear 190, is the strongest offered by the manufacturer. Many states that ban Everclear 190 however, do allow the sale of Everclear 151. This version is diluted with water to lower the alcohol volume to 151 proof (75.5 % alcohol by volume). While Everclear 151 is still useful for some of the above uses, it is less effective for many due to the elevated water content.
Not the Cheapest but Very Versatile
While Everclear is not the cheapest fuel on the block, it allows for more versatility than many other fuels. Whether a survival situation or a backpacking trip, a product that has multiple uses is advantageous. Spend a little extra to use less space and save weight. Have other uses you know about that we didn’t include here? Share it in the comments below.
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I don’t know where you get your information, but Everclear is NOT banned in the state of Washington. One other useful tip, you can use Everclear to clean the rust off your tools in the garage.
I buy mine in Massachusetts. Your article states it is banned there.
It was, until recently I think. I tried to buy it s few years ago and was told it was banned. It’s there now.
I use it to clean old guns that are gummed up due to sitting long periods of time.
I cleaned an old sharps that was stored for 60 years in a tarp in an attic. Mice and time really did a number on this guy, but everclear cleaned it up very well.
We have a lot of trees and it seems like I’m always cleaning up branches and mess. Pine sap is the worst! Thanks for the tip!
Everclear, 95% Ethanol also kills CORONA VIRUS instantly. I put a quart in a quart-sized hand sprayer that I picked up at a Hardware store. It kills fast and doesn’t leave a trace or stain or smell. In States that don’t allow Everclear 95% (190 proof Alcohol), you might buy 80 proof Vodka and a small water still (from the internet) and make your own, but that may be dangerous and illegal. One could also use Denatured alcohol which is 95% Ethanol, deliberately poisoned to prevent drinking, but don’t spray it on animals or persons, but could maybe use it on hands and outer clothes, car interiors and upholstery, hand rails, door knobs and such.
Do NOT use denatured alcohol, even on your hands. Your hands are part of you, so absorbing denatured alcohol through your hands would be just as bad as spraying it on you anywhere else. (In fact, it would probably be worse, since humans can’t help touching their faces with their hands. Sousing your hands in denatured alcohol and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes is a recipe for disaster. DON’T DO IT.)
190 is available in ew York as well
What portion ever clear 150 to water do you use for spray disinfectant?
Recipe for hand sanitizer?
I would think 1 cup everclear to 1/4 cup lotion might do it
Could it be used to get rid of the oil from poison ivy?
If you use Everclear 75.5 % alcohol in place of rubbing alcohol which is 70%, is this an OK substitution? I know there may be a slight smell, but is it safe to use on your skin? Also I read using it one part such as one cup and 2 cups or two parts aloe vera can make hand sanitizer?
You can’t buy these items, anyone have any experience with this? Thank you!
You can Google various recipiesb and qualities of sanitizer. One thing to note is the best hand sanitizers are going to ask for a larger aloe to alcohol ratio . You cannot be using the basic 70% alcohol and that amount of aloe because you will lower the alcohol % to below the required effective percentage for Covid . There are plenty of places of places to purchase the high content alcohol but it’s not at your pharmacy. If you want to get close to your Purell type quality sanitizers make sure you read a bit so you are not using something that you might be concerned about.
You missed one of the most important uses for EverClear. I use it to create medicinal tinctures by steeping organic dried herbs in it.
can you explain your methods and what sort of herbs you use? would like to try some recipes, thanks
tj- Some people use it for hemp to create a safely sourced cbd tincture etc…
190 proof Everclear is illegal to sell in Florida but it isn’t in Georgia so one could make the trip for it. Just don’t get pulled over because I’m not sure if it’s just illegal to sell in Florida or if it’s also illegal to have in your possession. The state law allows only up to either 151 or 153 proof to be sold. It’s great stuff though, in addition to mixing it with essential oils for a fabric/air freshener I use it to clean my fake eye lashes.
I borrowed some laundry detergent from my mother in law and it’s horribly floral scented to the point that it’s making me sick. I’m gonna spray some on my sheets to see if it removes the horrible floral scent so I don’t have to go all the way to the store today for the detergent I like.
I had a gas log mishap and my house had soot everywhere. The art museum recommended a cup of Everclear in 3 gallons of water for cleaning the glass in picture frames. (wipe, don’t spray on directly), china and porcelain figurines … all glass. Everthing virtually SPARKLED.
A very good use for everclear or any grain alcohol is a final wipe prep for painting metal parts or pieces. Leaves an absolute 0 residue.
How about ticks?
190 is available in Ohio.
Yes it is. Bought it in 2020