Isopropyl alcohol
<p>Isopropyl alcohol dissolves a wide range of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-polar" title="Non-polar" class="mw-redirect">non-polar</a> compounds. It also evaporates quickly and is relatively non-toxic, compared to alternative solvents. Thus it is used widely as a solvent and as a cleaning fluid, especially for dissolving oils.
Examples of this application include cleaning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics" title="Electronics">electronic</a> devices such as contact pins (like those on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read-only_memory" title="Read-only memory">ROM</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartridge_%28electronics%29" title="Cartridge (electronics)" class="mw-redirect">cartridges</a>), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_tape" title="Magnetic tape">magnetic tape</a> and disk heads (such as those in audio and video tape recorders and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk" title="Floppy disk">floppy disk</a> drives), the lenses of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser" title="Laser">lasers</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_disc" title="Optical disc">optical disc</a> drives (e.g. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD" title="CD" class="mw-redirect">CD</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD" title="DVD">DVD</a>) and removing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_paste" title="Thermal paste" class="mw-redirect">thermal paste</a> from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heatsink" title="Heatsink" class="mw-redirect">heatsinks</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit" title="Integrated circuit">IC</a> packages (such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit" title="Central processing unit">CPUs</a><sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropyl_alcohol#cite_note-9">[9]</a></sup>). Isopropyl alcohol is used in keyboard, LCD and laptop cleaning, is sold commercially as a whiteboard cleaner, and is a strong but safer alternative to common household cleaning products. It is used to clean <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_crystal_display" title="Liquid crystal display" class="mw-redirect">LCD</a> and glass <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_display_unit" title="Visual display unit" class="mw-redirect">computer monitor</a> screens (at some risk to the anti-reflection coating on some screens<sup class="Template-Fact" >[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</sup>), and used to give second-hand or worn non-vinyl <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramophone_record" title="Gramophone record">phonograph records</a> newer-looking sheen. It is effective at removing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot-melt_adhesive" title="Hot-melt adhesive">Hot-Melt Adhesive</a> from a large variety of surfaces. Isopropyl alcohol should not be used to clean vinyl records as it may leach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasticizer" title="Plasticizer">plasticizer</a> from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl" title="Vinyl">vinyl</a> making it more rigid<sup class="Template-Fact" >[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</sup>. It is effective at removing residual glue from some sticky labels although some other adhesives used on tapes and paper labels are resistant to it. It can also be used to remove stains from most fabrics, wood, cotton, etc. In addition it can also be used to clean paint or other oil based products so that they may be reused, commonly known as "repainting." It is used as a wetting agent in the fountain solution used in lithographic printing, and often used as a solvent for French polishing shellac used in cabinet making.</p>