I've heard of some people cleaning off holds on their projects with rubbing alcohol. Never heard about this until I moved to the east coast. I guess the idea is to clean off any sweat/dirt/grime that might accumulate on the holds. Seems kind of weird to me, but it could be affective. My conscience tells me its evil, but I don't really have a good reason for believing this.

What are your thoughts/opinions about this?

Downgrades it 2 V- grades!

I'm guessing this is directed to boulderers who would be cleaning off their holds? A brush dipped in alcohol could do a nice cleanup I suppose. Evaporates away quickly.. Just don't use organic cleaning agent like acetone as it can damage the rock surface and is harmful to the climber in many ways.

"...Just don't use organic cleaning agent like acetone as it can damage the rock surface and is harmful to the climber in many ways."




sarcasm?

i've seen many a sink fire started from residual acetone fumes from cleaning of glassware...both are not really harmful in any small amounts and would work to help dissolve various other chemicals such as those composing sweat, oil, etc...

I'm a professional organic chemist by trade, having completed my PhD last summer. So I have lots of experience with acetone. Really not harmful, unless you drink it. As for ethanol on the rock. Probably would in fact do a decent job of scrubbing off oils left by your skin. Actually, the 'liquid chalk' stuff that comes in a squeeze tube is mostly just a suspension of chalk dust in ethanol.

Trust me, I'm a doctor. ;-)

and just remember....beakers of bubbling blue solutions = SCIENCE!!

I just recall that acetone is carcenogenic after long exposures, but then again, what isn't these days. Think most non organic chemist types also won't be finding a liter of it easily either.

Acetone by the liter can be found in any paint section of a hardware store.

It's also frequently used on animals skin in dermal tests... I believe because it can dissolve the lipids and help carry the chemical that's being tested into the skin.

Isopropanol is a great low toxicity solvent-cheap and fast evaporating. Bottom line-not evil, but maybe a little anal.

if you cant send your project without alcohol, maybe its time to take a long hard look at your life....

I used to huff my siters nail polish remover...

Trisodium Phosphate.
Mix it up in a spray bottle.

Water. I have cleaned many holds with it. It does have side effects, cools skin, hydrates if you swallow, local plants will absorb it and grow!

What about the rubber that is apparent on any foot placements on any popular routes/problems anywhere in the world?

How do we get rid of that easily without impacting local wildlife or vegetation or smelly hippies or the rocks themselves?

You stand on it.