Interesting uses for Isopropyl Alcohol. (IPA).

Isopropyl alcohol (sometimes called "rubbing alcohol") is a very good solvent for tars and resins. This includes such problem substances as the dark brown grunge that collects in tobacco pipes. For example, if a pipe leaks a brown stain on clothing or furniture, it can often be removed with IPA. One word of warning, IPA is soluble in water. The tars or resins dissolved in IPA are not. As a result, it's important to use enough IPA to remove stains then wash the substrate when the IPA has evaporated. Otherwise the process of removing the stain can actually set it in.

The other remarkable use for IPA is to clean meerschaum pipes. Meerschaum is a very porous rock and as such tends to absorb the tar which collects under the dottle. If the bowl becomes saturated with this tar, the bowl becomes heavily stained and eventually loses its attractive appearance. Removing the stem and then dunking the whole bowl into IPA (up to just below but NOT including the insert or decoration which joins the bowl to the stem) seems a horrific thing to do to such an expensive item. Worse, the liquid rapidly becomes a horribly dark brown and the bowl takes on an extemely unsightly look. For deeply stained bowls, the IPA should be changed two or three times but eventually (over 24-48 hours) the liquid remains a light brown. At this point the bowl is removed and allowed to dry. Surprisingly the result is that the meerschaum dries to a light cream colour and most if not all the stains are gone. Another minor warning here is that IPA can leach into cracks in the stone and actually make them worse, in extremis the capilliary action of the fluid can open a very fine crack and weaken the whole structure. Before cleaning with IPA it is best to inspect the meerschaum carefully for cracks and live with the discolouration if they are present.

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