Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) is effective against many Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative vegetative bacteria.  A few yeasts and dermatophyte fungi may be inhibited or killed by Ethanol.  Ethanol is a potent virucidal agent inactivating all of the lipophilic viruses and many hydrophilic viruses.

Ethanol is a pure and fast-acting disinfectant and a useful solvent.